Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve

Nááts'įhch'oh is a national park reserve protecting the upper South Nahanni River watershed in the Northwest Territories, featuring mountainous terrain with deep valleys and alpine peaks. The landscape includes dense forests, steep canyon walls, and pristine river systems that flow through dramatic geological formations.

The Canadian government established Nááts'įhch'oh in 2014 as the nation's 44th national park following negotiations with Sahtu Dene communities. This designation resulted from years of discussions about protecting the wilderness and recognizing the Dene peoples' traditional rights to the land.

The name Nááts'įhch'oh comes from the Dene language and refers to Mount Wilson, which translates to 'standing like a porcupine quill'. This naming reflects the deep connection between the landscape and the Dene peoples who have inhabited this region for generations.

Access to the park is only by floatplane from communities in the Northwest Territories and Yukon, as no roads lead here. Visitors should prepare for extreme remoteness and arrange flights with specialized bush plane operators familiar with this wilderness.

This park forms a connected conservation area with Nahanni National Park Reserve, together protecting 86 percent of the South Nahanni watershed. This combined protection creates one of North America's largest unfragmented wilderness areas.

Location: Sahtu Region

Inception: December 16, 2014

Website: http://pc.gc.ca/fra/pn-np/nt/naatsihchoh

GPS coordinates: 62.25000,-128.25000

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:05