The best camping near Tuktut Nogait National Park

Few travelers make it up to the Northwest Territories (NWT), but those who do see Canada at its wildest. Tuktut Nogait National Park in the Tundra Hills Natural Region is 169 kilometres (105 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, and its landscape features rolling hills, raging rivers, waterfalls, and deep canyons. Home to a Bluenose west caribou herd, wolverines, wolves, grizzly bears, muskoxen, red foxes, and a huge array of birdlife, this park offers incredible wildlife encounters. Backpack through canyons, kayak the Hornaday River, fish arctic char from Uyarsivik Lake, and enjoy the vast solitude. There are no designated campgrounds or camping facilities in the park—visitors can pitch a tent anywhere except Inuit archaeological sites.

Although Tuktut Nogait National Park is open year-round, arctic conditions mean that July is the only month when the weather may be mild—and it also has some odd 21 hours of daylight. Still, a June visit comes with opportunities to see the caribou migration, while the tundra gets colorful in fall.

• All park visitors are required to register with the Parks Canada office in Inuvik and attend an orientation session.
• This isolated location is best suited for experienced wilderness campers. Visitors need to be prepared to handle the unexpected conditions that are common in the wild.
• The park is the traditional territory of the Inuvialuit (the local Inuit people), and they have rights to hunt, fish, and harvest on this land. Visitors are expected to respect their camps and activities while exploring.
• The park has no wifi, cell reception, or stores. Bring all backcountry supplies with you—even the nearest hamlet of Paulatuk has limited shopping.