National park · Canada
Quttinirpaaq National Park
Go only if you can commit 10+ days and a charter flight: fly Resolute to Tanquary Fiord mid-May to mid-August, do the 9–10 day Ad Astra loop, and budget for weather delays both ways.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
37,775 km² (14,585 sq mi)14,585 sq mi (37,775 km²)
approximate
Established
1988
Best months
May–Jul
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 37,775 km² (14,585 sq mi)14,585 sq mi (37,775 km²)
- Second-largest park in Canada after Wood Buffalo; larger than Taiwan (check).
- Established
- 1988
- Best months
- May–Jul
- Permits
- For some areas
Quttinirpaaq National Park covers the northeastern corner of Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, a polar desert of rock, ice caps and seven fjords, and the second-largest park in Canada at 37,775 km². In Inuktitut the name means "top of the world". There is no road and no scheduled service: you fly to Iqaluit, then to Resolute, then take a charter Twin Otter to Tanquary Fiord, the park's base of operations, or to the Lake Hazen gravel strip. Parks Canada staff are on site only from mid-May to mid-August, and everyone must register and attend a mandatory orientation on arrival. Beyond the warden stations at Tanquary Fiord, Lake Hazen and Ward Island there are no facilities. The park holds Barbeau Peak (2,616 m, the highest mountain in Nunavut), Lake Hazen (the largest lake in North America north of the Arctic Circle), and Fort Conger, an 1880s exploration base kept as a Federal Heritage Building. Visitor numbers are tiny — the park recorded 7 visitors in 2022–23 — so the trip is an expedition, not a stop on an itinerary.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteOn Canada's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage since 2004 (check).
Size and age
37,775 km² (14,585 sq mi)14,585 sq mi (37,775 km²) · national park since 1988
Second-largest park in Canada after Wood Buffalo; larger than Taiwan (check).
Why go
- Barbeau Peak, 2,616 m, the highest mountain in Nunavut.
- Lake Hazen, the largest lake in North America north of the Arctic Circle.
- A polar desert with ice caps, seven fjords and almost no other visitors.
- Fort Conger, an 1880s polar exploration base kept as a Federal Heritage Building.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugGo
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- Jan24 h darkness; extreme cold
- Feb24 h darkness; extreme cold
- MarStill dark; no staff on site
- AprSki touring season, but no park staff yet
- MayStaff arrive mid-month; 24 h daylight; ski touring
- Jun24 h daylight; best hiking window
- JulWarmest at Lake Hazen; 24 h daylight
- AugStaff leave mid-month; snow possible any day
- SepNo staff; freezing
- OctDark returning; no access support
- Nov24 h darkness begins
- Dec24 h darkness; extreme cold
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MuskoxenAll year · Keep your distance; they can charge. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Peary caribouJun–Aug · Very small population. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Arctic wolves and Arctic haresAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Nesting birds (semipalmated plover, red knot, gyrfalcon, long-tailed jaeger)Jun–Aug | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Polar bearsAll year · Encounters are rare but possible anywhere, including on glaciers. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Ringed seals, bearded seals, walruses, narwhalsJun–Aug | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Iqaluit
Canadian North flights from Montreal, Ottawa and Yellowknife; then onward to Resolute.
Varies
From Resolute
Charter Twin Otter to Tanquary Fiord, the park base; outfitters arrange group flights.
About 3–4 h (check)
From Canada
Country-level planning, gateways and passes.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Tanquary Fiord | Park base with warden station, gravel airstrip and the start of most hiking routes. | Reached by charter; orientation on arrival. |
| Lake Hazen | Milder interior basin, the largest lake north of the Arctic Circle, with most plant and animal life. | Gravel airstrip; no facilities. |
| Ward Island | Warden station and airstrip on the north coast. | No visitor facilities. |
| Fort Conger | 1880s exploration base at Lady Franklin Bay, kept as a Federal Heritage Building. | Special permission and a Parks Canada escort required. |
Sketch map
- 1Tanquary Fiord base · Ranger station≈81.400, -76.867Approximate.Map ↗
- 2Lake Hazen · Ranger station≈81.800, -70.983Approximate.Map ↗
- 3Ward Island · Ranger station≈82.983, -66.000Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Barbeau Peak · Summit≈81.917, -75.017Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Fort Conger · Village≈81.717, -64.717Approximate; Lady Franklin Bay.Map ↗
- 6Resolute · Town≈74.697, -94.829Approximate; nearest commercial air access.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Park centre from Wikidata; individual points are approximate, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee is charged; the cost is the charter flight (check). |
| Weatherhaven accommodation, single occupancy | CAD 33.5 (≈ US$25) | person per night | 2024 rate; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Weatherhaven accommodation, double occupancy | CAD 28 (≈ US$25) | person per night | 2024 rate; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Charter flight Resolute to Tanquary Fiord | Free | seat | Price depends on fuel costs and group size; ask the park office and outfitters (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Mandatory orientation and registration permit or guide
North Pole departures permit or guide
Fort Conger visit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$33.50≈ US$25
- C$28≈ US$25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parks Canada — Quttinirpaaq National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Orientation
- Mandatory registration and orientation session on arrival at the park.
- Fort Conger
- Special permission and a Parks Canada staff escort required.
- Food storage
- Store food and garbage securely; foxes, wolves and birds raid caches.
- Wildlife
- Do not let foxes or wolves approach you; they can carry rabies. Keep clear of muskoxen.
- Camping
- Backcountry camping only; practise leave-no-trace camping.
Where to stay
In the park
Weatherhaven units at the park base
Semi-private accommodation; single and double occupancy rates per night (2024 rates, check).
In the park
Backcountry camping
No facilities beyond the warden stations; carry everything.
Near the park
Resolute
Nearest settlement with commercial flights; staging point before the charter.
Safety
Polar bears medium
Rabies from foxes and wolves medium
Muskoxen charges medium
Hypothermia and frostbite high
Weather delays and whiteouts high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- No facilities beyond the warden stations; the park is not suitable for limited mobility.
- Access is by charter aircraft to gravel airstrips, then on foot, ski or climb.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out everything; there is no waste collection in the park.
- Keep distance from muskoxen, caribou and nesting birds.
- Use the park office and licensed outfitters rather than unregistered charters.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Quttinirpaaq National Park?
There is no entry fee. The real cost is the charter flight from Resolute to Tanquary Fiord, which depends on fuel costs and group size, plus Weatherhaven accommodation at the park base (2024 rates: CAD 33.50 single, CAD 28.00 per person double; 2026 estimate, check).
What are the best hikes in Quttinirpaaq National Park?
The 9–10 day loop from Tanquary Fiord around the Ad Astra and Viking ice caps is the classic route. There are also several 3–5 day trips from Tanquary Fiord. All are self-supported with no trail markers; ask the park office for current conditions.
When is the best time to visit Quttinirpaaq National Park?
Mid-May to mid-August, when park staff are on site. April and May suit ski touring. Expect 24-hour daylight from May to August and snow in any month.
How do I get to Quttinirpaaq National Park?
Fly to Iqaluit, then to Resolute, then take a charter Twin Otter to Tanquary Fiord. Outfitters arrange group flights; solo travellers pay charter prices that depend on fuel costs.
Do I need a permit?
You must register and attend a mandatory orientation on arrival. North Pole departures need registration and licensing through Parks Canada, and Fort Conger visits need special permission and a staff escort.
How many people visit Quttinirpaaq?
Very few: the park recorded 7 visitors in 2022–23. You will likely see no one outside your own group.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go