Nááts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve in Northwest Territories, Canada - map, photos and visitor information

Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve protects mountain country and river headwaters in the southwestern Northwest Territories. It lies near the Yukon border, in the homeland of the Shúhtaot'ine, or Mountain Dene. Visiting means arranging a remote expedition, usually by floatplane, rather than driving to a trailhead.

Headwater rivers and mountain travel

• South Nahanni headwaters: Several river journeys begin in this northern part of the watershed.
• Remote lakes: Aircraft landings can provide starting points for experienced hikers.
• Open mountain terrain: Hikers plan their own routes rather than following an established trail network.
• A living cultural landscape: Place names and traditional knowledge remain central to the reserve.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Prepare for an expedition without nearby help

All parties must be able to handle an emergency independently. Rescue can be days away. River journeys are intended for experienced paddlers, and a hiking itinerary requires navigation skills in unmarked terrain. Discuss the route, communication plan and emergency arrangements with park staff before departure.

Parks Canada recommends carrying bear spray where it can be reached. Learn its use before the trip and arrange its transport with the charter company. Avoid surprising bears or attracting them with food. Read the reserve's bear-country guidance as part of preparation.

Respect the mountain and river landscape

Visitor rules prohibit fishing. Camping is prohibited within 1 km of Sunlight Mountain and Broken Skull Hot Springs. Mount Nááts'įhch'oh is culturally significant as well as restricted; it is not an optional summit hike. Leave artifacts, stones, plants and other natural objects in place. Do not gather berries or other wild foods.

Keep dogs leashed and under control. Pack out waste and avoid disturbing wildlife. Recreational drones are prohibited. Traditional harvesting and access by local Dene and Métis have a separate rights context; visitor rules should not be used to describe those activities.

Reserve, register and complete orientation

All overnight trips require an advance reservation and separate trip registration. A reservation form does not register your trip. The maximum group size is 12. Guided operators make the necessary reservations for their clients; independent travelers use the joint Nahanni and Nááts'įhch'oh process. Arrange orientation by phone or at the Tulita or Fort Simpson office.

The joint order requires registration within 24 hours of entering either reserve. Travelers visiting only Nááts'įhch'oh can register and deregister with its office. Coordinate trips through both reserves with Nahanni staff. Agree on registration timing and your return check-in before departure.

Confirm the aircraft operator's authorization and the exact landing point. For a Natla River trip, part of Túoch'ee Tué, formerly O'Grady Lake, lies inside the reserve; landing or camping there requires registration. Do not assume a river's name determines which park rules apply.

Maps, location, and access

The reserve lies in the Tulita District of the Sahtu Settlement Area and adjoins Nahanni National Park Reserve to the south. Most visitors arrive by charter aircraft from communities in the Northwest Territories or Yukon. Road travel can reach gateways such as Fort Simpson or Watson Lake, but does not continue into the reserve.

The office is in Tulita, which has winter ice-road access from Wrigley. That road serves the community, not the park. Use the official park and combined-area maps when discussing a route with staff and the aircraft operator.

Other parks around the expedition gateways

• Nahanni National Park Reserve: The adjoining reserve to the south can form part of a planned river expedition. There is no public road connection between the two reserves.
• Blackstone Territorial Park: A separate road stop on Highway 7 north of Fort Liard, useful on a southern gateway journey. It is currently listed closed, so confirm seasonal access.

Choose between paddling and hiking

River trips can explore headwater routes of the South Nahanni system. Their demands vary, so choose with a licensed outfitter or after reviewing the appropriate park trip planner. Packrafting combines walking and river travel and requires competence in both.

Hikers can arrange a lake landing and travel through valleys or mountain terrain. The park has no established hiking routes or trails. A map line must account for terrain, water crossings and the restricted mountain rather than simply connecting two scenic places. Use the activity-specific planning resources before selecting an itinerary.

Bring the expedition's supplies

There are no visitor services or facilities inside the reserve. Camping has no established sites; choose durable ground according to park guidance. Plan food, drinking water, shelter, waste handling and transport as parts of a self-contained trip.

Discuss aircraft boarding, landing terrain and personal support needs with staff and the operator before committing to travel.

About the reserve

Sahtu stewardship and formal protection

An Impact and Benefit Plan with the Sahtu Dene and Métis of the Tulita District was signed in 2012. Formal establishment under the Canada National Parks Act followed in December 2014. Parks Canada and Sahtu partners manage the reserve cooperatively, with the Park Management Committee helping guide its work.

Mountain and headwater habitats

Grizzly bears, Dall sheep, mountain goats and woodland caribou use this landscape. Wetlands and river valleys support other wildlife, including trumpeter swans. Protect their space rather than following animals for a closer view.

Contact and trip planning

Call +1 867-588-4884 or email [email protected]. The office is at 38 Bear Rock Drive, Tulita, NT X0E 0K0. The mailing address is P.O. Box 157, Tulita, NT X0E 0K0. Contact staff early to coordinate a route, permits, orientation and transport.