Nahanni National Park Reserve in Northwest Territories, Canada - map, photos and visitor information

Nahanni National Park Reserve protects the South Nahanni River, deep canyons and mountain country in the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories. A day flight to Náįlįcho, or Virginia Falls, is a different trip from a river expedition or a climb in the Ragged Range. Choose that trip format before arranging transport.

River canyons, Virginia Falls and alpine terrain

• Náįlįcho: Virginia Falls is a major destination for day flights and river journeys.
• South Nahanni River: Multiday paddling routes connect mountain valleys and canyons.
• Cirque of the Unclimbables: Granite spires attract experienced climbers with expedition skills.
• Dene cultural landscapes: Waterways, mineral springs and traditional place names carry continuing cultural meaning.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Cold water and remote rescue

Cold rivers, rapidly changing flows and flash floods are important hazards. A route's difficulty changes with conditions. Choose a river trip that matches the group's rescue skills, equipment and experience, with advice from park staff or a licensed outfitter.

Search and rescue can be delayed by weather, geography and aircraft availability. Your party must be able to provide its own first aid and manage an emergency while waiting. Technical climbing rescue has further limits. Read the rescue capability guidance before deciding what support to carry.

Restricted places and campsite impacts

Special Preservation Areas require authorization. Do not enter caves or treat a hot spring as an unrestricted stop. Leave fossils, plants and cultural objects undisturbed. Recreational drones are prohibited, and fishing requires a Nahanni fishing permit. Motorized watercraft are prohibited.

At Pulpit Rock/the Gate and Lafferty Creek, overnight visitors must be equipped to pack out human waste. Digging holes to bury it is prohibited there. Plan the appropriate portable toilet kit before departure. Follow site-specific fire and food-storage rules, and pack out garbage.

A flight booking is not a park reservation

All overnight visits need an advance reservation and trip registration. Groups are limited to 12 people. The reservation request form is not the registration itself. Use the official reservation process and agree on registration and return-reporting arrangements with staff.

Camping at Virginia Falls is limited to two nights. Space is also limited at other important landing and camping areas. Trips passing through both Nahanni and Nááts'įhch'oh are coordinated by Nahanni staff. Report your departure from the park within the required 24-hour period tied to the date on your registration form.

Maps, location, and access

There are no public roads into Nahanni National Park Reserve. Fort Simpson is the principal office and a common charter gateway. Other regional departure communities include Yellowknife, Watson Lake and Muncho Lake. Confirm the chosen company's park authorization.

Virginia Falls and Glacier Lake are the only day-use landing sites. Other itineraries need the appropriate landing and overnight arrangements. The office at 10005 100 Street in Fort Simpson is a planning destination, not a road entrance to the reserve.

Use the official map resources to plan the actual river section, landing and walking routes. A demanding overland approach or an unreliable industrial access road is not a general alternative to a charter flight.

Other parks around the river and gateway routes

• Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve: Adjoins Nahanni to the north and protects headwater country. A combined journey needs a planned river or aircraft itinerary.
• Blackstone Territorial Park: A separate Highway 7 stop north of Fort Liard on the southern road approach. It is currently listed closed; check its season before relying on camping.

Select a day flight, river journey or alpine expedition

A day flight can provide a visit to Virginia Falls without the duration and equipment of a multiday river trip. Confirm landing time, walking opportunities and weather arrangements with the operator.

A river expedition demands more planning around rapids, portages, camps and water levels. Upstream starting points can extend a trip substantially. Choose the section for the group's ability rather than trying to include every landmark in one journey.

The Cirque of the Unclimbables and other alpine areas require specialist preparation. Published climbing protection is not a guarantee of quality, and technical rescue can require outside assistance. These routes are not ordinary guided nature walks.

Limited services inside the reserve

Some locations, including Rabbitkettle Lake, Glacier Lake and Fairy Meadows, have rustic, unmaintained facilities. Do not expect the services of a road-access campground. Arrange drinking water, shelter, food storage and waste handling as parts of the expedition.

Park staff cabins contain emergency supplies at specified river locations. Non-emergency use is prohibited. Their radios operate only during the published summer period, so a cabin is not an October communication plan or bookable accommodation.

Contact staff and the transport operator about boarding, terrain and assistance before booking.

About Nahanni

Dene homelands and cooperative protection

Dene people and their ancestors have longstanding connections to these lands and waterways. The reserve was formally established in 1976 and expanded substantially in 2009. The original reserve received UNESCO World Heritage status in 1978.

The 2022 Ndahecho Gondié Gháádé Agreement strengthened cooperative management by Parks Canada, the Nahʔą Dehé Dene Band and Dehcho First Nations. It also supports a Guardians program and cultural connections to the land.

Boreal valleys and high-country habitat

Black and grizzly bears, moose, Dall sheep, woodland caribou and wolves use the reserve. River valleys, forests and alpine terrain provide different habitats. Animal movements change through the year, and mineral licks can be sensitive places with access restrictions.

Contact before arranging transport

Contact the Fort Simpson office at +1 867-695-6558 or [email protected]. Its address is 10005 100 Street, Fort Simpson, NT X0E 0N0; mail goes to P.O. Box 348. The Nahanni Butte office number is +1 867-695-6748, with seasonal staffing.