Community profile

Destruction Bay

Kluane Lake in winter.
Destruction Bay is situated on the Traditional Territory of the Kluane First Nation.

Originally built as a construction camp for the Alaska Highway, Destruction Bay was named for a severe windstorm that occurred in the 1940s and destroyed many buildings.

You can find this small town on the western shore of Kluane Lake, the Yukon's largest lake. The town has all of the amenities you might need when passing through including gas, food, laundry facilities and RV parking. But it's also a great place to go fishing for lake trout. Nearby is Sheep Mountain, a popular hiking spot, where you may see some Dall sheep.

An vehicle towing a trailer drives eastward between Destruction Bay and Haines Junction along the Alaska Highway. Fresh snow blankets Mount Wallace (the high point) and the Kluane Ranges in Kluane National Park and Reserve.
An vehicle towing a trailer drives eastward between Destruction Bay and Haines Junction along the Alaska Highway. Fresh snow blankets Mount Wallace (the high point) and the Kluane Ranges in Kluane National Park and Reserve.
This highway maintenance station is alongside the Alaska Highway in Destruction Bay.
This highway maintenance station is alongside the Alaska Highway in Destruction Bay.
A rainbow over Kluane School in Destruction Bay.
A rainbow over Kluane School in Destruction Bay.

Quick facts

Population: 59

Distance to Whitehorse: 276 km

Did you know? “Łù’àn Män,” the Southern Tutchone name for Kluane Lake means "big fish lake."

Kluane First Nation
Destruction Bay community statistics
Destruction Bay community services
Map of Destruction Bay