Tuktut Nogait National Park protects canyon-cut tundra, rolling limestone hills, and Arctic coastal plain in the northeast of the Northwest Territories, above the Arctic Circle. Created to safeguard the calving and summer range of the Porcupine/Bluenose caribou herds—especially the Bluenose-West—the park also preserves the wild canyons of the Hornaday and Brock rivers and important wetlands for migratory birds. “Tuktut Nogait” means “young caribou” in Inuvialuktun.
| Location | NE Northwest Territories, inland from Darnley Bay on the Arctic coast; closest community is Paulatuk |
|---|---|
| Province / territory | Northwest Territories |
| Established | 1996–1998 (agreements & park act; modern land-claim context) |
| Area (approx.) | ≈ 18,000 km² (large, roadless Arctic park) |
| Notable features | Hornaday River canyons & La Roncière Falls; Brock River badlands & gorges; tundra plateaus & patterned ground; wetlands for snow geese & shorebirds; archaeological sites and cultural travel routes |
| Nearby communities | Paulatuk (Inuvialuit) (closest gateway); regional hubs: Inuvik (NWT) and Ulukhaktok (Victoria Island) |
Overview
A park of big skies and quiet horizons, Tuktut Nogait spans treeless uplands, kettle-dotted wetlands, and dramatic river canyons that cut toward the Arctic coast. The park is co-managed with Inuvialuit partners and prioritizes the protection of caribou calving and migration habitat, important bird areas, and culturally significant landscapes.
Lands and relationships
Tuktut Nogait lies within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. Planning, monitoring, and visitor guidance are done with Inuvialuit organizations under modern treaty arrangements. Visitors are asked to respect cultural sites and traditional use areas and to follow seasonal wildlife protection measures.
Landscapes and ecosystems
- Canyons & rivers: The Hornaday and Brock carve deep gorges, waterfalls, and hoodoo-like badlands; clear, cold flows braid across broad gravel flats.
- Tundra uplands & limestone hills: Open, windswept plateaus with patterned ground, frost-heave polygons, and summer wildflowers.
- Wetlands & lakes: Kettle lakes and sedge wetlands that host geese, swans, loons, and shorebirds during the brief Arctic summer.
- Wildlife (highlights): Bluenose-West caribou (calving/summer range), muskox, Arctic fox, wolf, grizzly, raptors, and seasonal waterfowl; polar bears may occur near the coast.
Things to do
- Backpacking & route travel (experienced): Off-trail tundra travel along ridges and valleys with fords and navigation; no built trail network.
- River trips (advanced/remote): Multi-day paddles on sections of the Hornaday or Brock (aircraft shuttles required; cold water, canyons, and variable levels demand expert judgment).
- Fly-in basecamps & day hiking: Charter to tundra landing areas for ridge walks, wildlife viewing, and photography in long summer light.
- Birding & photography: Spring/summer concentrations of geese and shorebirds; vast autumn colours and patterned-ground geomorphology.
Access and visitor services
- No road access. Most parties stage via Paulatuk (scheduled flights from Inuvik/Yellowknife with connections), then charter into permitted landing areas. Weather delays are common.
- Registration & orientation: Backcountry trip registration with Parks Canada is required; orientations cover safety, cultural protocols, and wildlife measures.
- Facilities & logistics: There are no frontcountry campgrounds or stores in-park; bring all supplies, fuel, repair kits, bear-safe food storage, and satellite communications.
Safety and low-impact travel
- Arctic weather & remoteness: Expect rapid changes, strong winds, cold water, and long response times—carry redundant nav/comm gear and emergency kits.
- Wildlife: Keep legal distances; both grizzly and polar bears may occur—store food/odours securely and carry deterrents where advised.
- Rivers & terrain: Cold, swift fords; canyon cliffs, talus, and loose ground—be conservative.
- Leave No Trace: Camp on durable surfaces, pack out all waste, do not disturb archaeological features, and respect any seasonal closures for caribou or nesting birds.
See also
- Aulavik National Park • Ivvavik National Park • Vuntut National Park
- Pingo Canadian Landmark (near Tuktoyaktuk) • National Parks of Canada • Geography of Canada
External links (official)
- Parks Canada — Tuktut Nogait National Park: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/tuktutnogait
- Parks Canada — Visit (planning, safety, access): https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/tuktutnogait/visit
- Parks Canada — Important bulletins (closures, wildlife, travel advisories): https://parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca/imp