Aulavik National Park

Aulavik National Park sits on Arctic lowlands at the northern end of Banks Island, combining polar deserts with fertile river valleys. The land is mostly open and dry with sparse plants, broken up by river corridors that support more growth.

The Pre-Dorset people first lived in this area until climate shifts reshaped who could survive there. From the 1600s onward, the Inuvialuit made the region their home and continue to do so.

The Inuvialuit have lived in this region for centuries, depending on hunting caribou and muskoxen across the land. Visitors can see how the area remains connected to these traditions through its geography and the places that hold meaning for the people who know it best.

To reach the park, visitors fly from Inuvik and need advance permission from Parks Canada. Only four landing sites serve the area, so all planning happens before you arrive.

The Thomsen River is one of North America's most northern rivers you can paddle, flowing through the park from one end to the other. Its rare status as a navigable waterway this far north draws paddlers seeking an unusual northern adventure.

Location: Northwest Territories

Inception: 2001

Website: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nt/aulavik

GPS coordinates: 73.70030,-119.91900

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:56