Facts About Canada

Wood Buffalo National Park

Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada’s largest national park and one of the largest protected areas in the world. Spanning northeastern Alberta and the southern Northwest Territories, it safeguards the Peace–Athabasca Delta, vast boreal forests and wetlands, active karst terrain, and the planet’s largest free-roaming herd of wood bison. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 1983) for its outstanding boreal ecosystems and the only natural nesting area of the wild whooping crane population.

At a glance — Wood Buffalo National Park
Location Northeastern Alberta & southern Northwest Territories (Fort Smith–Fort Chipewyan region)
Province / territory Alberta; Northwest Territories
Established 1922
Area (approx.) ≈ 44,800 km²
Notable features Peace–Athabasca Delta; free-roaming wood bison; whooping crane nesting area (strictly protected); Grosbeak Lake salt flats & Salt Plains; karst sinkholes & Pine Lake; Slave River Rapids; Dark-Sky Preserve
Nearby communities Fort Smith (NWT); Fort Chipewyan (AB); Fort Fitzgerald (AB); regional hubs: Hay River (NWT), Fort McMurray (AB)

Overview

A land of big rivers and bigger skies, Wood Buffalo encompasses the lower Peace and Athabasca rivers as they fan into the Peace–Athabasca Delta at Lake Athabasca. Low-relief boreal plains meet salt-rich sediments, creating unique salt flats and karst features alongside muskeg, black spruce forest, and innumerable lakes and channels. The park is also one of the world’s largest Dark-Sky Preserves, with spectacular aurora viewing.

Lands and relationships

Wood Buffalo lies within the homelands and travel routes of Cree, Dene, and Métis peoples who maintain deep cultural connections to the delta and surrounding forests. Parks Canada works with Indigenous partners on co-management, monitoring, and interpretation. The whooping crane nesting area is strictly protected and not open to general visitation.

Landscapes and ecosystems

  • Peace–Athabasca Delta: One of the world’s great inland deltas with shifting channels, marshes, and shallow lakes vital to waterfowl and migratory birds.
  • Boreal forest & wetlands: Black spruce, jack pine, aspen, and tamarack intermixed with muskeg, peatlands, and beaver wetlands.
  • Salt Plains & karst: Evaporite-fed springs form bright salt flats (e.g., Grosbeak Lake); nearby karst dissolves bedrock to create sinkholes and the clear, spring-fed Pine Lake.
  • Rivers & rapids: Peace, Athabasca, and Slave rivers define the region; the Slave River Rapids near Fort Smith are iconic.
  • Wildlife (highlights): Wood bison, black bear, wolf, moose, beaver, lynx; prolific waterfowl and shorebirds; nesting whooping cranes in remote wetlands (closed to the public).

Things to do

  • Day areas & short walks: Boardwalks and lookouts at the Salt Plains and Grosbeak Lake; Pine Lake beach and day-use area.
  • Hiking & biking: Easy to moderate trails near Fort Smith, Pine Lake, and Karstland/sinkhole areas; some multi-use routes allow cycling.
  • Paddling & boating (advanced): Experienced trips on big rivers and delta channels; conditions are remote and dynamic—local knowledge essential.
  • Wildlife & birding: Bison along highways and meadows; spring/fall migrations across the delta; cranes are protected—view only from distant flyways/interpretive media.
  • Camping & dark skies: Frontcountry camping at Pine Lake and Kettle Point (seasonal); excellent stargazing and aurora photography on clear nights.

Access and visitor services

  • Roads: From Alberta, take Hwy 58 to the NWT border; continue on NWT Hwy 5 through the park to Fort Smith (main visitor hub). Fort Chipewyan is typically accessed by air/boat and seasonal winter road.
  • Visitor centres: Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Fort Smith (trip planning, exhibits); seasonal info/services at Pine Lake and Fort Chipewyan.
  • Supplies & logistics: Full services in Fort Smith; limited in and around the delta—plan fuel, food, and communications.
  • Reservations & permits: Reserve frontcountry sites when available; backcountry travel requires registration/permits in designated areas.

Safety and low-impact travel

  • Remoteness & navigation: Long distances, limited cell coverage, and challenging route-finding—carry maps, satellite comms, and emergency gear.
  • Wildlife: Give bison wide space and never approach for photos; store food securely and follow bear-safety practices.
  • Water & terrain hazards: Big rivers, shifting channels, and cold water; salt flats and muskeg can be soft—stay on marked routes/boardwalks.
  • Insects & weather: Intense mosquitoes/blackflies in warm months; sudden storms and temperature swings—bring layers and head nets.
  • Closures & protections: Whooping crane nesting area and sensitive wetlands are closed to general public; obey all seasonal closures and Parks Canada bulletins.
  • Practice Leave No Trace across fragile wetlands, salt flats, and dunes.

See also

External links (official)

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