Burwash Landing Travel Guide: Kluane Lake and the Mountains Beyond

Burwash Landing is a small community of about 100 people on the eastern shore of Kluane Lake, 289 kilometres northwest of Whitehorse on the Alaska Highway. Kluane Lake — the largest lake in the Yukon at 65 kilometres long — stretches along the base of the Kluane Ranges, mountains that rise sharply from the lakeshore and culminate in the icefields and peaks of Kluane National Park. The view from the waterfront here, with the ranges reflected in the turquoise-grey lake, is one of the finest lake-mountain panoramas in the territory.  ## Getting There From Whitehorse, drive west on the Alaska Highway (Highway 1) for 289 kilometres — about three hours, passing through Haines Junction at 158 km and then along the southern and eastern shores of Kluane Lake for the final 80 kilometres. The Alaska Highway runs right along the lake's eastern shoreline for much of this stretch — the views are continuous and exceptional. From the Alaska border crossing at Beaver Creek, it is 170 kilometres east. There is no scheduled airline service to Burwash Landing; a small airstrip serves private and charter aircraft. Most visitors arrive by road. ## What to See and Do *Kluane Museum of Natural History* The [Kluane Museum of Natural History](https://www.travelyukon.com/en/see-and-do/experience-providers/kluane-museum-history) is the community's centrepiece and one of the finest small natural history museums in the Yukon. The collection includes exceptionally prepared mounted wildlife specimens — Dall sheep, grizzly and black bears, wolves, caribou, moose, wolverine, and many smaller species — displayed with ecological context specific to the Kluane region. The quality of the taxidermy is notable; this is not a standard roadside collection. There are also exhibits on the history of the Kluane First Nation and the Alaska Highway's construction through this valley. Open May through September; admission approximately $8 adult. *Sheep Mountain and the Kluane Lakeshore* Sheep Mountain, the prominent peak visible across the lake south of Burwash Landing, is one of the most reliable Dall sheep viewing locations in the Yukon. The white sheep are visible on the mountain's rocky slopes with binoculars from the highway; in early morning and late evening, small bands sometimes come close to the road. A former Parks Canada interpretive site at Sheep Mountain (now closed) had a parking area that remains a good viewpoint. The Alaska Highway along Kluane Lake's east shore is a stretch of exceptional road scenery — pull over frequently. The lake changes colour dramatically with light and weather conditions, from grey-green in overcast to vivid turquoise in sun. *The Slim's River and Glacial River Piracy* The Slim's River West Trail, accessible from the Alaska Highway approximately 8 kilometres north of Burwash Landing at the Slims River flats, follows the former course of the Slim's River to where it once emptied into Kluane Lake. In 2016, scientists documented a dramatic event: the Kaskawulsh Glacier, which had fed the Slim's River for millennia, retreated far enough that its meltwater diverted to the Kaskawulsh River drainage and ultimately to the Pacific Ocean, rather than north to Kluane Lake via the Slim's River. The river dropped to near-dry within days. This "river piracy" event — where one drainage captures another's source — is one of the most dramatic documented consequences of glacial retreat anywhere in the world. Walking the former river delta, seeing the wide dry gravel bed where a significant river recently flowed, is a striking encounter with climate change on a geological scale. The walk is approximately 3 km return across open gravel — no formal trail, easy terrain. *Kluane Lake Fishing* Kluane Lake holds large lake trout — fish over 10 kg are caught regularly. Northern pike and Arctic grayling are also present. Boat launches are available at the Burwash Landing Resort. If you're fishing from a boat, be aware that Kluane Lake generates significant wind chop with little warning; stay close to shore when conditions are uncertain. The lake is cold enough to be dangerous if a boat overturns.  *Donjek River and the North Alaska Highway* The Alaska Highway north of Burwash Landing crosses the Donjek River, a braided glacial river whose crossing was one of the most challenging construction problems on the entire highway in 1942. The bridge now makes it simple. The terrain here — open floodplains, braided rivers, glacially carved mountains — is spectacular and increasingly remote as you head toward the Alaska border. ## Where to Stay The [Burwash Landing Resort](https://www.travelyukon.com/en/discover-yukon/regions-communities/burwash-landing) is the heart of the community and the primary accommodation — motel units on the lakeshore, a gas station (the only one for 131 km east or 170 km west), and a restaurant. It's a classic Yukon highway lodge. The Kluane First Nation operates a small RV campground nearby. The Yukon government's Congdon Creek Campground, a few kilometres north on the Alaska Highway at the mouth of Congdon Creek, is a good tent-camping option in a scenic creekside setting. ## Where to Eat The Burwash Landing Resort restaurant is the only dining option in the community — breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with standard roadside food and some Yukon specialties. Stock up thoroughly in Haines Junction (131 km east) before arriving if you have specific dietary needs; groceries in Burwash Landing are very limited. ## Best Time to Visit June through August for the museum, fishing, and lake access. The Kluane Museum is open May through September. September is quieter but offers the possibility of early snow on the peaks — a dramatic visual against the lake — and excellent fishing. The Alaska Highway is maintained year-round; winter driving between Haines Junction and Beaver Creek requires full winter preparation and experience. ## Practical Tips Fuel at the Burwash Landing Resort is non-negotiable — fill up here every time, regardless of gauge. The next fuel east is Haines Junction (131 km) and west is Beaver Creek (170 km). This is not a distance to gamble on, especially in summer when the heat can increase fuel consumption significantly. Bear awareness is essential throughout the Kluane region. Grizzly bears are common around the lake and along creek drainages. Follow Parks Canada food storage protocols at all campgrounds. The lake and the mountains create their own microclimate. Clear, calm mornings can become windy afternoons with minimal warning. This applies to hiking on open tundra, paddling, and fishing — plan around morning calm and have a return plan before conditions deteriorate. --- ## See Also on TheKlondike.net - [The Kluane First Nation: People of the Lake and the Mountains](/blog/kluane-first-nation) — the First Nation whose traditional territory this is - [Kluane National Park: Where the Mountains Begin](/blog/kluane-national-park-guide) — what's inside the park that begins just south of Kluane Lake - [Haines Junction Travel Guide](/blog/haines-junction-gateway-kluane) — 131 km east, gateway to Kluane - [The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations](/blog/champagne-aishihik-first-nations-history) — who share stewardship of this region