The best camping near Nááts'ihch'oh National Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Nááts'ihch'oh National Park adventure.

Near the Yukon-Northwest Territories border, this park offers endless northern adventures.

Popular ways to camp

The best camping near Nááts'ihch'oh National Park guide

Overview

About

Getting here is part of the experience at this fly-in-only park. Intrepid adventurers are met with the rugged beauty of Nááts'ihch'oh’s remote northern river valley, home to ancient canoe routes and nearly 50 kilometres of continuous rapids on the Tehjeh Dee. The Mountain Dene culture and living legacy is strong throughout the park, where wide-open plains allow for wild moose and grizzly bear sightings. Camping is allowed anywhere in the park, but there are no services or facilities. Make a plan to visit Broken Skull natural hot springs to relax, especially after a strenuous day of riding whitewater or hiking in the high alpine.

Notable Camping Spots

Best for some structure: Floatplanes land near Moose Ponds, which features a flat tenting area and a clear spot for cooking.
Best for nature lovers: The park is teeming with Canadian wildlife, but birdwatching opportunities are especially strong around the cliffs of Swallow Falls.
Best for paddlers: The park’s creeks and canyons offer amazing whitewater for experienced paddlers—all with the Northwest Territories’ highest peaks as a backdrop.
Best for hikers: Nááts'ihch'oh has no established hiking trails, and the areas around backcountry lakes such as Divide Lake or Grizzly Bear Lake are especially prime for exploration.

When to go

This mountain country park regularly sees major weather changes. Visit between June and September for the best weather, but know that it’s also common to see frost or even snow early or late in that period. During these summer months, the region experiences the midnight sun, with up to 20 hours of sunlight each day. Heavy rainfalls often bring flooding.

Know before you go

The park is free to enter but visitors must reserve a visit and register with Parks Canada.
Due to the park’s remote location, you may not see many other visitors. Remember to treat these ancestral lands with respect and practice no-trace camping.
Divide Lake has an emergency shelter and outhouse, should you require them.
This is bear country—carry bear spray and follow all recommendations from park staff upon arrival.
Treat all drinking water to avoid contamination and illness.