Some Parks Canada sites and services in Yukon to open Monday

Parks Canada is set to open some sites and services in Yukon starting Monday,but access will be limited.

The agency is reopening more than half its national parks 29 of 48 across the country next week, includingKluane National Park and Reserve in Yukon.

There will be no camping yet though. Thoseparks are only open for day use.

In Kluane, that means certain hiking trails will be open, along with the day-use area at Kathleen Lake. Outhouses and the boat launch will also be open at Kathleen Lake, but the campground is closed. Fires are also prohibited.

Backcountry camping in Kluane Park is also still prohibited, and no permits will be issued this year for mountaineers hoping to explore the Icefield Ranges.

Parks Canada says boating and fishing (with a licence) is permitted in certain areas of Kluane:

• Kathleen Lake
• Mush Lake
• Dezadeash River to confluence with Kaskawulsh
• St. Elias Lake

Elsewhere in Yukon, the parking lot and grounds at the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site in Whitehorse will open as of Monday. However, the vessel itself will be closed along with the information centre and washrooms at the site. There will be no tours or programs there.

And in Dawson, the Klondike National Historic Sites will mostly remain closed, including Dredge No. 4, the S.S. Keno, and all Parks Canada buildings. Green spaces and boardwalks will be open to visitors though, along with washroom facilities at Dredge No. 4.

The Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site, meanwhile, will remain closed until at least Aug. 1.

Stella Pattera, a Parks Canada spokesperson for the Yukon region, said hikers who had reservations for the Chilkoot Trail will be reimbursed. She asked people to be patient though in waiting to hear from parks staff.

FederalEnvironment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson told The Canadian Press that camping willnot be allowed in national parksuntil at least June 21.

Some of Yukon's territorial parks will be open to campers starting June 4.