Aulavik National Park of Canada

Activities

Paddling the Thomsen River © Parks Canada / Wayne Lynch / 1994

Aulavik National Park offers unprecedented opportunities for backcountry enthusiasts to experience the arctic. Paddlers can take a multi-week trip down the pristine, gently flowing Thomsen River. Backpackers can explore the expansive, rolling terrain where hiking is possible virtually anywhere.

This far north, the sun does not set for most of the summer season. These months of endless daylight offer visitors a unique chance to paddle or hike at any time of the day or night. The midnight sun is also accompanied by hours of soft light and long shadows – a photographer’s dream.

Watching Muskoxen © Parks Canada / James McCormick / 2002

A highlight of any trip to Aulavik is wildlife viewing and bird watching. The open landscape and continuous light means you are certain to see a variety of species such as arctic foxes, lemmings, arctic wolves, shore and sea birds, raptors, and of course, herds of muskoxen.

Keep in mind that this is true wilderness. There are no facilities, services, established trails or campgrounds in the park. Visitors must be entirely self-sufficient and be able to handle any medical or weather-related emergency on their own.