Permits and reservations
Kluane National Park and Reserve
Visitors are able to obtain overnight backcountry permits for rafting the section of the Alsek River within Kluane National Park and Reserve. Registration and de-registration is mandatory. Do not pre-register online for any Alsek River trips. Please contact 867-634-5248. You will be required to book a put-in and take-out date before registering. Alsek River bookings are subject to availability.
An aircraft access permit is required for a Lowell Glacier take-out and you must fly with a company licensed to land in Kluane National Park and Reserve. Aircraft landings at Lowell Lake are limited to one group per day every other day. Aircraft access permits can be obtained when you pick up your Kluane overnight backcountry permit.
Trip scheduling
To schedule a rafting trip with the park, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your options. If you have made a reservation with a commercial operator please contact them directly for information about your booking. For those traveling to Turnback Canyon a permit is not required to travel through Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park, but provincial park use fees apply. Contact BC Parks.
Commercial operators
Commercial operators will need a Parks Canada Business License and Kluane guide licenses. Guides will need to present their Kluane license card when registering.
In order to ensure a wilderness experience and protect natural and cultural resources, the number and frequency of rafting trips on the Alsek River are controlled by a permit system. The Alsek River flows through Kluane National Park & Reserve in the Yukon, Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park in British Columbia and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska. Separate fees apply to each of the three parks. Be sure you have the latest information on fees and registration procedures by contacting each agency directly.
Permits
Kluane National Park and Reserve
All river trips travelling through Kluane National Park and Reserve must obtain an overnight backcountry permit and reserve their put-in date with Parks Canada. Put-in dates are limited to one departure from Serpentine Creek every other day.
An aircraft access permit is required for a Lowell Glacier take-out and you must fly with a company licensed to land in Kluane National Park and Reserve. Aircraft access permits can be obtained when you pick up your Kluane overnight backcountry permit.
Tatshenshini-Alsek Park
A permit is required to travel through Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Trips travelling through to Dry Bay must also obtain an Alsek River Permit and reserve their take-out date with the U.S. National Park Service. Only one trip per day is allowed to arrive at Dry Bay.
Reservations (required)
Step 1
If you are taking out at Dry Bay, Alaska: you must first obtain a take-out date from Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. Take out dates are allocated in December for the upcoming season. A waiting list is maintained for Dry Bay trips. Fees apply.
Contact Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Step 2
Once you have a take-out date, or if taking out at Lowell Lake or Turnback: request a put-in date from Kluane National Park and Reserve. Doing this as soon as possible will help to ensure you get the date that works best for you.
Contact Kluane National Park & Reserve
Note: You must pick up your overnight backcountry permit and aircraft access permits (if applicable) and pay applicable fees at the Visitor Reception Centre in Haines Junction the day prior to, or the day you start your trip.
Step 3
Once you have reserved your Put-in and Take-out dates: pay your Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park user fees.
Contact BC Parks
Contact information
Kluane National Park and Reserve
Box 5495
Haines Junction, Yukon
Y0B 1L0, CANADA
Phone: 867-634-7207 (summer season) or at 867-634-5248 (off season)
Fax: 867-634-7208
Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Phone: 1-877-855-3222
frontcounterbc@gov.bc.ca
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Park Headquarters
PO Box 140
Gustavus AK
99826 USA
Phone: (907) 697-2230
Fax: (907)697-2654
Yakutat Ranger Station
Box 137,
Yakutat, Alaska
99689 USA
Phone: 907-784-3295
Fax: 907-784-3535
Recorded River Information Line: 907-784-3370
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