View source for Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve

'''Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve''' protects the headwaters and upper canyons of the [[South Nahanni River]] and neighbouring basins in the Mackenzie Mountains of the Sahtu Region, [[Northwest Territories]]. Rugged limestone and granite peaks, alpine plateaus, clear rivers, and wide wildlife corridors characterize this upstream companion to [[Nahanni National Park Reserve]].

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<div style="font-weight:700; color:#b91c1c; margin-bottom:6px;">At a glance — Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve</div>
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Location
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | Mackenzie Mountains (Sahtu Region, NWT), at the headwaters of the [[South Nahanni River]]
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Province / territory
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | Northwest Territories
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Place type
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | '''National Park Reserve''' (modern treaty context)
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Established
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | '''2014''' (formally established after earlier agreements and consultations)
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Area (approx.)
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | ≈ '''4,800–4,900 km²'''
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Notable features
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | Headwaters canyons of the South Nahanni; '''Moose Ponds''' whitewater reaches; '''Broken Skull River''' multi-day paddle route; Little Nahanni tributaries; alpine plateaus, karst, and Dall sheep country; the namesake peak '''Nááts’įhch’oh'''
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Nearby communities
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | '''Tulita''' and '''Norman Wells''' (Sahtu Region) as main air gateways; connections via Yellowknife
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== Overview ==
Named for a prominent mountain whose profile “stands like a porcupine,” Nááts’įhch’oh safeguards the upper South Nahanni watershed—source lakes, swift tributaries, and canyon stretches that feed the world-famous river farther downstream in [[Nahanni National Park Reserve|Nahanni]]. The landscape blends sharp ridges and karst with open alpine benches frequented by Dall sheep and caribou.

== Lands and relationships ==
The park reserve is within the traditional territories of the '''Sahtu Dene and Métis'''. As a National Park '''Reserve''', it is managed in partnership with Indigenous governments under modern land-claim agreements, with cooperative stewardship, research, and cultural interpretation.

== Landscapes and ecosystems ==
* '''Headwaters & rivers:''' Moose Ponds (classic whitewater start), upper South Nahanni, Little Nahanni, and the scenic '''Broken Skull River''' flow through canyons, benches, and gravel flats.  
* '''Mountains & plateaus:''' Mackenzie Mountain ridges, talus slopes, alpine meadows, and karst sinkholes/caves in carbonate belts.  
* '''Wildlife (highlights):''' Dall sheep on high benches, mountain caribou, moose, grizzly and black bear, wolves, lynx, and raptors; rich wildflower displays in short summers.

== Things to do ==
* '''River trips (experienced/remote):''' Multi-day paddles on the '''Broken Skull River''' and upper South Nahanni starting near Moose Ponds (air access required; cold, swift water and canyon hazards).  
* '''Backpacking & alpine routes:** Off-trail ridge walks and bench traverses with route-finding, fords, and variable weather.  
* '''Basecamps & day hikes:''' Fly-in lakes for day hiking, photography, and wildlife viewing.  
* '''Link trips with Nahanni:** Some parties connect upstream routes in Nááts’įhch’oh with downstream canyon sections in [[Nahanni National Park Reserve]].

== Access and visitor services ==
* '''No road access to core areas.''' Most visitors stage via '''Tulita''' or '''Norman Wells''' and charter float/wheel planes to lakes or gravel bars; weather delays are common.  
* '''Registration & permits:''' Backcountry registration is required; commercial river trips operate under licence.  
* '''Facilities & logistics:''' There are no frontcountry campgrounds or stores in-park; communities provide limited services—plan full self-sufficiency (food, fuel, repairs, comms).

== Safety and low-impact travel ==
* '''Cold, fast water & canyon hazards:''' Wear PFDs/drysuits; carry rescue gear; scout rapids and respect high flows and wood hazards.  
* '''Wildlife:** Store food/odours properly; keep 100 m from bears/wolves and 30 m from ungulates; carry deterrents where advised.  
* '''Remoteness & weather:''' Mountain storms, smoke, and wind affect flying and travel—build buffer days and carry satellite communications.  
* '''Terrain:''' Talus, cliffs, and karst pits demand careful footwork and conservative choices.  
* Practice '''Leave No Trace''' and respect cultural sites and any seasonal closures.

== See also ==
* [[Nahanni National Park Reserve]] • [[South Nahanni River]] • [[Mackenzie Mountains]]  
* [[Dehcho Region]] • [[Sahtu Region]] • [[National parks of Canada]]

== External links (official) ==
* Parks Canada — Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/naatsihchoh
* Parks Canada — Visit (planning, river routes, safety): https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/naatsihchoh/visit
* Parks Canada — Important bulletins (closures, wildlife, fire/river advisories): https://parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca/imp