Pingo Canadian Landmark

Pingo Canadian Landmark is a protected area near Tuktoyaktuk where eight natural ice-cored hills rise from the flat Arctic tundra landscape. These mounds form when water trapped beneath the surface freezes and expands, creating distinctive dome-shaped structures.

The site became a national landmark in 1984 through the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, a treaty that established cooperation between Canada's government and local indigenous administration. This agreement marked recognition of indigenous rights and knowledge in managing the region.

The word pingo comes from the Inuvialuit language and refers to the ice-filled mounds that local indigenous communities used as landmarks for navigation across the Arctic tundra. You can see how the site remains central to local identity and connection to the land.

A boardwalk with viewing platforms lets visitors observe the ice-cored hills while protecting the sensitive permafrost ground underneath. Plan for cold weather, uneven terrain, and bring appropriate Arctic clothing for your visit.

The Tuktoyaktuk region contains the highest concentration of these ice-cored formations found anywhere in the world, with hundreds present across the surrounding landscape. You can observe them at different growth stages, revealing how these unusual landforms develop over time.

Location: Northwest Territories

Inception: 1978

GPS coordinates: 69.39970,-133.08000

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41