Discover Ivvavik National Park: Embrace the Untamed Beauty of Yukon

Fall in Love with Ivvavik National Park

Ivvavik National Park in Yukon, Canada receives fewer visitors than Mount Everest each year. Located on the northern tip of Canada, Ivvavik is one of the most remote national parks in Canada and has opened its doors with a unique base camp experience run by Parks Canada. This program allows visitors a chance to experience the true Canadian wilderness with some comfort and ease.

If you’ve never been backcountry camping before and think you are not qualified to survive on your own in the wilderness (like most people out there), this trip is perfect for you. You will experience the most remote wilderness in a safe environment with expert guides while staying in comfortable tents with a private cook and common area.

Yukon Canada: The Rugged And Remote

To get to Ivvavik National Park, we flew into Whitehorse, the capital city of the Yukon Territories in Canada. Our journey started with a flight from Toronto to Vancouver where we spent the night before catching another direct flight from Vancouver to Whitehorse. After spending another night there, we took several planes heading even farther north to Inuvik, Northwest Territories. It was a long journey to the Canadian Arctic.

Getting To The Canadian Arctic

We went through three flights, three different meals, and quick bathroom breaks at three remote airports from Whitehorse, finally arriving at Inuvik, Northwest Territories. This town serves as a meeting point for tours going to Ivvavik National Park.

We were allowed off the plane to stretch our legs, and the flights took most of the day. The duration of the flight from Whitehorse to Inuvik depends on how many people are boarding or disembarking at each remote settlement, as the plane acts almost like a bus stop for locals heading to the market.

About Inuvik

This once-flourishing petroleum town is now a quiet destination, acting as a launching point to explore the surrounding wilderness or to drive the Dempster Highway. Don’t be misled by brochures or the Inuvik Tourism website; Inuvik’s colorful painted houses have disappeared. The town is now lined with standard timber homes, a few overpriced hotels, and costly meals. Nevertheless, this town north of the Arctic Circle is worth visiting to engage with locals and understand their reasons for residing in such a remote region of Yukon, Canada.

Parks Canada Tours to Ivvavik National Park

Parks Canada offers base camp tours to Ivvavik during summer. This new program combines the chance for visitors to explore secluded destinations with minimal outdoor skills or experience required.

Flying to Ivvavik National Park from Inuvik, NWT

We boarded a Twin Otter early in the morning at Inuvik for our flight to Base Camp in Ivvavik National Park. This marked our sixth flight in two days! Traveling from Toronto to the Canadian Arctic is more time-consuming than going to Australia.

Herschel Island: The Perfect Stopover En Route To Ivvavik, NP

Before our flight to Ivvavik National Park, we had the honor of stopping at Herschel Island, located above Yukon in the Beaufort Sea (part of the Arctic Ocean). This island once served as a whaling station and features relics from that era, including whale bones, old boilers, a bunkhouse, and the Yukon’s oldest building, the RCMP headquarters.

The RCMP had a presence here at the turn of the 20th century. Presently, this location serves as Parks Canada’s base.

We embarked on a hike with our Inuvialuit guide who took us through the buildings and along the coast. We spotted muskoxen in the distance and explored an old icehouse used to preserve fish and ice during summer.

Fresh fish hung on a line to dry, and we all had a taste of the rich, salty flavor. We spent about three hours on the island, loving this experience and wishing for an overnight stay.

There is plenty of wildlife to observe, and our guide Freddy mentioned a polar bear that inhabited the island during the summer.

Ivvavik National Park with Inuvialuit Cultural Guide

After bidding farewell to Herschel Island, we resumed our journey to Ivvavik National Park. This park stands out as the first national park in Canada established through an Aboriginal Land Claim Agreement.

Visitors at Ivvavik enjoy the presence of not just Parks Canada rangers but also a local Inuvialuit cultural guide and cook, allowing for the tasting of traditional regional food.

Our guides shared stories of their childhoods, their hunts, and fishing experiences on this land, now a Canadian National Park. Having a First Nation’s guide made our experience richer, lending us first-hand accounts of living on the land and the skills passed down through generations.

Being on Aboriginal land is a crucial step towards making amends for the land injustices of the past. As visitors, we were welcomed warmly, feeling a sense of community and kindness.

Yukon, Canada – Ivvavik National Park – We’ve Arrived

The airstrip at base camp is situated on elevated ground above the river. Our gear was unloaded onto an ATV, and we walked down to Base Camp located by the river.

We were now in grizzly bear territory, yet safe, as the camp is enclosed by an electric fence that deters bears. Precautions are meticulously taken to avoid attracting bears to the accommodations.

Grizzly Bear Safety

We stored all “smelly” items (like toothpaste, shampoo, and food) in metal bear-proof containers outside our tents, away from where we slept. Cooking was done in the main cabin, and park rangers are trained in bear safety.

While inside the compound, we kept our eyes on both the river and ridge to spot grizzlies. We were excited to see them, and remarkably, within an hour of settling in, the first grizzly ambled past our camp on a high ledge. We managed to catch a glimpse just in time as it moved swiftly.

Hiking In The Mountains Of Ivvavik National Park

The days at camp featured hikes, enjoying breathtaking views, and seeking out wildlife. We trekked alongside two rangers equipped with bear bangers and shotguns, ready for any rare encounters. Thankfully, we used neither, despite being on high alert as the blonde grizzly (Bertha) had been spotted frequently with her cubs.

Hikes Change Depending on Grizzly Activity in the Area

Parks Canada determined it was too risky for our safety, canceling all lowland hikes across the river to give Bertha and her cubs their space. It’s crucial to avoid confrontations between a mother and her young while hiking.

Consequently, we hiked the ridge for bear watch. We managed to see four bears in total during our stay.

Grizzly Bear Sightings

Another notable encounter occurred the evening of our arrival as a grizzly wandered across the river. Time seemed irrelevant under the constant daylight of the Arctic summer.

We captured a few photos before it disappeared. Grizzly bears may appear to lumber slowly but can cover significant distances rapidly. Our next sighting happened while sitting on a high ridge; our guide noticed movement far off, leading us to spot another bear navigating through the shrubs.

My bear-spotting skills were poor; I often missed them. While at Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, I failed to see a leopard until it was in a tree. We hoped the bear would approach but it settled for the day in its position, allowing us to sight it through binoculars.

Base Camp at Ivvavik NP

We spent four nights at base camp. However, I felt that it exceeded our needs; the camp lacked a communal room for admiring the view outside.

We either stood by the fence combating mosquitoes or were inside the cramped kitchen without windows. Our remaining time was spent in our prospector’s tent either relaxing or sleeping.

Prospector’s Tents

Parks Canada upgraded facilities from standard dome tents to prospector’s tents equipped with screen doors, wooden floors, and comfortable Ikea beds—absolutely comfortable for a wilderness setting.

The Toilet

The camp features outstanding bathrooms with flush toilets, running water, and even hot showers. Such amenities are rare in wilderness settings.

The Dining Hall

We understand that the main lodge is undergoing renovations for a larger kitchen, open seating area, and screened porch—a welcomed enhancement for our experience.

Admittedly, cabin fever set in quickly due to the numerous closed hikes, leading us to joke that our trip focused more on dining than exploration. A screened-in area would significantly improve social interaction while offering grizzly sightings.

Nonetheless, food was plentiful thanks to our cook Bonnie, who created daily feasts. We fostered camaraderie in the evenings over card games. Although enjoyable, we often felt trapped either in the kitchen or our tents. Be sure to bring reading material and games to fill your time.

For more information on travel to Yukon Canada, visit the Yukon Tourism Website.

Grizzly Bear Time!

As our final day approached, we were slightly disheartened at not spotting a grizzly bear. Yet, as if sensing our disappointment, Bertha appeared with her two cubs.

While waiting for our flight, we noticed Bertha walking along the river. Initially, it seemed she would pass by, but she unexpectedly turned back, leading her cubs into the water.

They were aware of our presence, not oblivious to our excitement surrounding them. With our cameras at the ready, we captured precious moments as Bertha crossed the river in front of our camp.

Watch our Video for the full Grizzly Bear Experience

Despite our guide’s concerns about being too close to the bears, Bertha appeared unfazed, meandering up the slope while keeping an eye on her little ones, as if encouraging, “hurry up, we need to find some food.”

The Rangers remarked that they had never experienced such a remarkable grizzly encounter at the camp. This moment concluded our journey on a high note, compensating for the closed trails and previous wildlife spotting disappointments.

Tips for the Base Camp Lodge at Ivvavik National Park

Bring a Zoom Lens for Your Camera

Wildlife is typically observed from afar. It lacks the closer encounters found in Antarctica or the Galapagos, where wildlife often approaches directly. Most grizzly sightings occur at a distance; binoculars could prove invaluable.

Pack a Bug Jacket

Mosquitoes here are exceptionally relentless. A mesh cover for your head, face, and hands is a necessity for outdoor enjoyment.

Wear Long Zip-Off Pants

This option supports insect protection and accommodates the ever-changing weather in the Canadian Arctic. A cool day can rapidly switch to scorching temperatures.

• Pack Layers – Include waterproof outer layers, warm mid-layers, and base layers for resting at camp or sleeping.
• Think of Cold Nights – Nighttime can get quite chilly, so be sure to bring layers including a hat and buff for your neck.
• But, Pack Light for Everything Else. This isn’t a fashion showcase; one change of clothes suffices in case your clothes become wet or dirty. The twin otter plane has weight restrictions, although hotels in Inuvik will store your luggage.
• Carry Extra Socks – One for each day. This is the moment to indulge in overpacking. Your feet will thank you after long hikes.
• Bring Waterproof Hiking Boots – Much of the tundra is boggy and soaked; expect wet conditions as you navigate river crossings.

Pack for Nighttime Activities – Midnight Sun in Summer

No need for a flashlight while visiting Ivvavik National Park. Long summer days extend into the midnight sun, with twilight predominant. Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile to pack a headlamp in your backpack.

• Bring a Good Book, Cards, and Portable Chargers for your cameras and electronics. A charging station exists inside the lodge, although tents lack power.
• Don’t forget insect repellent, sunscreen, and chapstick.
• A Watch or Phone for Timekeeping. Constant daylight makes it challenging to know the time of day.

Pack an Eye Mask for Sleeping. The sun never sets here.

If You’re Interested, Bring Alcohol. Alcohol is not present at the base camp; we could have appreciated some wine at dinner.

For additional details on traveling to Yukon and exploring Ivvavik National Park, visit Yukon Tourism.

Witnessing Bertha and her cubs at the trip’s conclusion was the perfect ending. Every moment spent waiting was worth it for this captivating experience. A journey to Ivvavik National Park in Yukon, Canada, offers unique opportunities from remote flights to Herschel Island and hikes in the breathtaking British Mountains, making it a destination to consider for those looking to unwind and escape.