Museums & culture
Agay Mene Territorial Park
2 min read
Boreal lakes and rolling hills of Agay Mene south of Marsh Lake
Agay Mene ('big lake' in Tagish) was formally established in 2017 and covers a chain of shallow, warm-water lakes east and south of Marsh Lake. This is the Yukon that locals actually use on weekends: canoeing on Lubbock Lake, fishing for northern pike, hunting camps along traditional Carcross/Tagish trails, and cross-country skiing on winter tracks. It is not spectacular in the Kluane sense — no glaciers, no summits — but it is intimate, wildlife-rich and, at under an hour from Whitehorse, the easiest true wilderness park in the territory.
There are no marked trails, no boardwalks, and no staffed sites. Access is via unsigned pullouts on the Alaska Highway and a rough 4x4 track south from Judas Creek. The Carcross/Tagish First Nation posts seasonal cultural information at the main access. Bring a canoe, a topographic map, and expect to see moose, black bears, sandhill cranes and — in the marshy shallows — trumpeter swans staging in September.
Hours
Park open 24/7 year-round
No visitor centre — self-guided access
Best access May-Oct; winter access by snowmobile trail
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee?
No. Agay Mene is completely free and has no gate or booth.
Are there free days?
Every day is free — there is no fee structure.
How long to visit?
Half a day for a paddle and picnic; a full day if you fish or hike from the Judas Creek side.
When is it closed?
Never closed. Winter access is by snowmobile or ski from the Alaska Highway; summer access is easiest June through mid-October.
Do I need to book?
No bookings, permits or reservations of any kind. Just show up.
How do I get there?
Drive 55 km southeast from Whitehorse on the Alaska Highway to Km 1382. No shuttle or transit; a rental car is essential.
Where to stay
Rooms worth pairing with this guide.
Ready to plan this trip?
Real prices for the places this piece names.
