National parks
The Northwest Territories is home to some of Canada's finest national parks, including two World Heritage Sites, Nahanni and Wood Buffalo. On the northern edge of North America two wilderness parks protect the calving grounds of the caribou - Tuktut Nogait - and the range of the mysterious, prehistoric, muskox - Aulavik National Park. Nahanni National Park Reserve is a World Heritage Site which draws canoeists and rafters to its navigable river canyons. Wood Buffalo National Park is the largest park in Canada, and as a World Heritage Site, protects part of the northern range of the plains bison.
Aulavik National Park on Banks Island
Aulavik National Park on Banks Island is the only place in the Northwest Territories where you're likely to see icebergs. The park is 12,000 sq km of wilderness, with desert-like badlands and sheer cliffs that rise several hundred metres from M'Clure Strait. Evidence of human habitation dates back more than 3,400 years, and there are numerous archaeological sites within the park. You can go paddling, hiking and bird-watching, but the park has no visitor facilities, campgrounds or developed hiking trails. No-trace camping is permitted anywhere inside the park except at archaeological sites. The only way to get to Aulavik is to charter a plane from Inuvik.
Contact Aulavik National Park in Sachs Harbour at (867) 690-3904. You can also visit the Aulavik National Park pages on the Internet.
Nahanni National Park Reserve
Travellers from around the planet are drawn to this dramatic landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a total area of 4766 km2, the Park is centred on the steep gorges of the South Nahanni River, highlighted by such glories as Canada's deepest canyons, and roaring Virginia Falls, with a vertical drop twice that of Niagara. Other features include Rabbitkettle Hotsprings, Grotte Valerie (a cave littered with mysterious sheep skeletons), and rare orchids. Between 1900 and 1940, several prospectors lured by rumours of gold died or disappeared along the South Nahanni river, giving rise to legends and eerie place-names in the Park. About half of all today's visitors sign use the services of a licensed outfitter; you need to be highly experienced to travel independently. Access is by floatplane only. Visit Park information Centres in Fort Simpson or Blackstone Territorial Park, or contact the Superintendent, Nahanni National Park Reserve (867) 695-3151.
You can also visit the Nahanni National Park pages on the Internet.
Tuktut Nogait National Park
Tuktut Nogait National Park protects the remote calving grounds of the Bluenose caribou herd, and contains one of the highest densities of raptors in North America. It's located 425 km northeast of Inuvik, near Paulatuk. Tuktut Nogait is a hiker's paradise where you follow creeks, rivers, valleys, lakeshores or eskers instead of developed trails. Access from Paulatuk is by private boat or on foot. Air charter services are available from Inuvik. Park visitors are reminded to respect Inuvialuit camps located in and near the park and to refrain from interfering with traditional harvesters. Contact Tuktut Nogait National Park in Paulatuk at (867) 580-3233. You can also visit the Tuktut Nogait National Park pages on the Internet.
Wood Buffalo National Park
This vast UNESCO World Heritage Site is an undisturbed boreal wilderness, home to one of the largest free-roaming herds of wood bison in the world, as well as the last natural nesting grounds of the endangered whooping crane. At 44,807 sq km, Wood Buffalo is Canada's biggest national park. Deep within lies the enormous Peace-Athabasca Delta, critical habitat for migratory waterfowl from all four North American flyways. Wood Buffalo's gypsum karst landforms are among the finest in North America.
For many people, the best way to see the park is to sign up for a tour with a Fort Smith-based outfitter. You can hire licensed guides and outfitters in Fort Smith. Experienced wilderness travellers may wish to plan a backcountry trip, canoeing the Peace, Slave and Athabasca rivers. Campsites are available at Pine Lake Campground, near a lakeside day-use area and beach, and at Kettle Point Group Camp at the south end of Pine Lake. Backcountry camping is available throughout the park, but some restrictions apply. For more information, contact Park Headquarters at (867) 872-7900; or the Visitor Reception Centre, (867) 872-7960. You can also visit the Wood Buffalo National Park pages on the Internet.
For more information about the NWT's National Parks, visit Parks Canada at http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/np-pn/index_E.asp
NWT Tourism Box 610, Yellowknife NT X1A 2N5 Canada
Toll-free number: 1-800-661-0788
International: +1-867-873-7200
Email: info@spectacularnwt.com
