The best camping near Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park

Minted in 2017, Mealy Mountains National Park protects a wild expanse of northern Labrador, home to Innu, Inuit, and NunatuKavut peoples (Akami Uapishku means “white mountains across” in Innu, while KakKasuak is a Labrador Inuit word for mountain). There’s no established infrastructure, but hikers willing to plan carefully can explore terrain rarely seen—where rugged peaks give way to thick boreal forest, alpine lakes, and the icy Labrador Sea. You might also catch a glimpse of the endangered Mealy Mountains caribou herd, roaming wolf packs, black bears, and schools of wild Atlantic salmon.

• Best for do-it-yourself adventurers: the Mealy Mountains backcountry

Limited infrastructure means no dedicated camping spots or trails in Mealy Mountains National Park—you just need to call the Parks Canada office for a permit, and then you can hike freely and set up a tent anywhere. That said, a visit requires careful advance planning to coordinate transportation to the park (typically by floatplane or helicopter from Happy Valley-Goose Bay), plus a heavy dose of self reliance in the absence of emergency rescue services. If you’re less experienced, Parks Canada recommends searching online for guided expeditions offered by local tour operators.

July and August bring warmer temps and the smallest chance of weather-related delays, but with summer comes a robust population of mosquitoes and black flies. As such, late summer and early fall is the best time to visit, before cold weather sets in and after the bugs start to retreat. You can visit in winter, but only when the ice is fully set and safe for travel—most years, that’s from early January to late April.

• Be prepared for weather-related delays and emergencies, no matter the season. You should also carry a GPS unit and satellite phone. 
• Insect protection and first-aid care are essential for summer visits; it’s also worth heading to a coastal region like the Wunderstrands during July and August, where ocean breezes offer a break from bugs. 
• There’s no road access to the park, but the closest major airport is located at Happy Valley-Goose Bay. You can fly there from Deer Lake, St. John’s, Halifax and Montreal.