The Best National Park You’ve Never Heard Of

Staggering glaciers, rushing water begging for rafts, towering ice-capped mountains and a sanctuary for rare wildlife: This isn’t Alaska we’re talking about, it’s Canada. Located in the extreme southwestern corner of Yukon, Kluane National Park and Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site not found on as many travel wishlists as Denali or Glacier National Park, but just as worthy. Renowned for its icefield landscapes (mountains and glaciers constitute 82 percent of the park), it’s home to Mount Logan, the highest mountain in Canada, and close to 105 species of birds including the golden and bald eagles.

If we haven’t incited some wanderlust in you yet, check out this gorgeous 23-minute short film from Parks Canada featuring Cory Trepanier, a Canadian artist and filmmaker best known for his landscape paintings of Canadian wilderness.

“TrueWild, A Legacy for Canada’s National Parks” is a multi-year wilderness legacy project lead by Trepanier with the intent to engage the public in the beauty of Canada’s natural landscapes through fine art. The expedition in Kluane is the first of many projects Trepanier hopes to take part in, filming and painting his country’s surroundings as he goes.

— written by Brittany Chrusciel