Quttinirpaaq National Park in Nunavut, Canada - map, photos and visitor information

Quttinirpaaq National Park occupies northern Ellesmere Island in Nunavut. Its mountains, glaciers and polar desert require a carefully supported expedition, usually reached by charter aircraft from Resolute Bay. Tanquary Fiord is a starting point for many visitors, but a flight booking alone is not a complete park plan.

Highlights at the northern end of Ellesmere Island

• Tanquary Fiord: a field base for day walks and longer backpacking routes.
• Mountain and ice-cap landscapes: experienced groups can plan travel around or across glaciated terrain with the appropriate skills.
• Lake Hazen: a comparatively productive area within the High Arctic, with vegetation and wildlife habitats that differ from the surrounding polar desert.
• Arctic history: archaeological places preserve evidence of human travel and life over thousands of years.

Arrange an expedition with Parks Canada

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Rivers, glaciers and limited rescue

Glacier-fed river crossings are the main hazard for summer visitors. Warm temperatures and rainfall can change depth and speed quickly. Be ready to wait for hours or days, change the route or turn back. The river planning guidance explains why a fixed itinerary may fail during high water.

Mountain or glacier travel requires relevant experience, rescue skills and equipment. Technical evacuations need assistance from outside Nunavut, and weather or aircraft availability may delay help. Your group must be able to manage its own immediate emergency.

Arrange a polar-bear safety plan and reliable emergency communication before departure. Parks Canada recommends a satellite phone and identifies Iridium as the most reliable system for this area. Carry spare power and know the device's limitations; even recommended systems can fail to connect.

Respect fishing and cultural-site restrictions

Sport fishing is prohibited throughout the park. Rights-based Inuit harvesting has a separate legal context. Fort Conger, including its landing site, requires Parks Canada staff accompaniment; do not plan an independent stop there. Read the current park orders before selecting a route.

Use durable camping surfaces away from archaeological places, preservation areas and wildlife habitat. Leave artifacts and existing stone features untouched. Do not build cairns, pick plants or collect natural objects. Fires are prohibited. Pets, sled dogs and service animals are prohibited under the visitor rule, which states an Inuit exception.

Register the trip and book Weatherhaven separately

All visitors must register before entry, complete orientation and deregister at the end. Contact staff at least 48 hours ahead to arrange orientation; expedition planning should begin much earlier. The published registration process allows one to two hours for the session. Confirm its location and staff availability for your dates.

Report completion within 24 hours. Follow the official trip requirements and agree on return reporting before leaving. Charter arrangements do not substitute for this process.

Weatherhaven at Tanquary Fiord requires a separate reservation through park staff. It is booked for the duration of a visit, while fees are calculated nightly. Backcountry tent camping has no designated campsite inventory to book; obtain the required trip permit and route advice.

Maps, location, and charter access

The park lies on northern Ellesmere Island, far from the commercial air gateway at Resolute Bay. Reach Resolute by scheduled air service, then arrange a charter to the park. There is no road approach. Keep extra time between flight connections and field travel.

Obtain suitable topographic maps before arrival. Parks Canada recommends 1:250,000 maps for planning and the appropriate 1:50,000 sheets for navigation. The map information and visitor package also provide trip-planning resources. Discuss landing and pickup points with staff and the charter company.

Other Arctic parks need their own transport plan

There are no neighboring parks reachable by road from Quttinirpaaq. These regional alternatives involve separate expeditions:

• Qausuittuq National Park: on Bathurst Island, with charter access through Resolute Bay. The shared gateway may help with planning, but it does not create a direct transfer service.
• Sirmilik National Park: approached through Pond Inlet or Arctic Bay, followed by seasonal boat or snowmobile transport with an outfitter. Plan it as a separate journey.

Backpacking and advanced spring touring

From Tanquary Fiord, hikers can discuss shorter outings or multi-day routes with park staff. A longer circuit around the Ad Astra and Viking ice caps is described as a nine- to ten-day trip. Route choice depends on river levels, weather, group ability and the supplies carried.

Spring ski touring is suitable for groups with strong touring, avalanche and glacier-travel skills. It is not a beginner ski destination. Wildlife observation and landscape photography should remain distant and low impact; do not approach animals simply because they appear unwary.

Field camps and Weatherhaven accommodation

Parks Canada has field bases at Tanquary Fiord and Lake Hazen. Tanquary's Weatherhaven has four double bedrooms, each holding at most two people. It has no internal washroom or cooking facilities. Nearby facilities include outhouses, a solar shower and a shared kitchen tent. Bring food and expedition equipment for the whole stay.

Creek water near the kitchen requires treatment; the park advises boiling before drinking. Emergency equipment, radios and caches have specific emergency purposes. They do not replace your own supplies or guarantee immediate contact with staff. Review the field facilities information when arranging a stay.

Discuss wheelchair access for aircraft transfers, accommodation and toilets with park staff and the air operator before booking.

About Quttinirpaaq National Park

Ancient routes and cooperative park management

Archaeological places document human presence more than 4,000 years ago, including travel along the Muskox Way. Thule Inuit ancestors later lived and traveled here, and the area remains important to Inuit communities.

The protected area began as a national park reserve in 1988 and became a national park in 2001. Inuit and Parks Canada manage it cooperatively through the Joint Park Management Committee.

Animals of the Eastern High Arctic

Muskoxen, small groups of Peary caribou, Arctic wolves and Arctic hares occupy this region. Much of the park has sparse vegetation, while the Lake Hazen area supports more productive habitats. Preserve that contrast by choosing low-impact routes and leaving feeding or resting animals undisturbed.

Contact Quttinirpaaq staff

Call the Resolute office at +1 867-252-3000 or email [email protected]. Provide your proposed route, dates, charter plan, communication equipment and group experience. The park's 24-hour emergency dispatch number is +1 780-852-3100.