National park · Canada

Naats'ihch'oh National Park ReserveNááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve

Go only if you can fly in and paddle or walk out self-supported: charter a float plane to a backcountry lake in late June–August, budget a full day of flying each way, and treat every route as unmarked. No trails, no services, no road access.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

4,850 km²1,873 sq mi

approximate

Established

2014

Best months

Jul–Aug

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: 4,850 km²1,873 sq mi; About 4,850 km², roughly the size of Trinidad (check).
Established: 2014
Best months: Jul–Aug
Permits: For some areas

Naats'ihch'oh protects the upper South Nahanni watershed in the Mackenzie Mountains, on the traditional lands of the Shúhtaot'ine (Mountain Dene). It adjoins Nahanni National Park Reserve to the south and is reached only by float plane. There are no blazed trails, no visitor facilities and no road in; paddlers and hikers plan their own routes. If you want the Nahanni experience with more infrastructure and a known river, start with Nahanni instead.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 2014.

Size and age

4,850 km²1,873 sq mi · national park since 2014

About 4,850 km², roughly the size of Trinidad (check).

Why go

Wild headwater rivers of the South Nahanni, upstream of the famous canyons.
Mackenzie Mountains terrain with no trail signs, no crowds and no bookings queue.
Wildlife that includes grizzly bear, Dall's sheep, mountain goats and woodland caribou.
A chance to travel country the Shúhtaot'ine have used for generations, with the park's cooperation agreements behind it.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanAvoid
FebAvoid
MarAvoid
AprAvoid
MayCaution
JunGo
JulBest
AugBest
SepCaution
OctAvoid
NovAvoid
DecAvoid

JanDeep winter; no practical access
FebDeep winter; no practical access
MarWinter; fly-in not offered
AprThaw; unsafe ice and snow
MayBreak-up; lakes still icy, charters unreliable
JunLate June: guided trips start, long daylight
JulWarmest, full daylight, rivers runnable
AugStable weather; trips wind down late in the month
SepSnow possible; most outfitters finished
OctFreeze-up; no access
NovWinter; no access
DecWinter; no access

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Grizzly bearMay–Sep · Active through the snow-free season; carry bear spray and store food away from camp.	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no
Woodland caribouJun–Sep · A species at risk in this watershed; observe from a distance.	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no
Dall's sheep and mountain goatsJun–Aug · Alpine slopes; the northernmost mountain goat population in Canada is here.	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no
Trumpeter swans and waterfowlJun–Aug · Wetlands along the meandering rivers.	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no
MooseJun–Sep	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Tulita

Float-plane charter to a backcountry lake; no road reaches the park.

1–2 h flying

From Norman Wells

Float-plane charter, usually staged through Tulita or Fort Simpson.

2–3 h flying

From Whitehorse

Fly to a staging community, then charter; the park sits near the Yukon–NWT border.

Full day

From Nahanni National Park Reserve

The two reserves adjoin; some itineraries link the upper watershed with the Nahanni River.

Zones and sectors

Zones of Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve
Zone	What is there	Access
Upper South Nahanni watershed	Headwater rivers and wetlands feeding the South Nahanni.	Fly-in; self-supported travel only.
Mackenzie Mountains slopes	Alpine ridges and valleys where Dall's sheep and mountain goats live.	No trails; route-finding on your own.
Ǫtaa Tué Fehto (Divide Lake)	Remains of a hunting outfitter's camp, with an emergency shelter and outhouse.	Emergency use; not a serviced campground.
Nááts'įhch'oh mountain area	The peak the reserve is named for, a place of significance to the Sahtu Dene.	No established route; experienced parties only.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions for orientation only; the reserve has no road access and few fixed landmarks.

1Nááts'įhch'oh mountain area · Summit≈62.250, -128.250Approximate; the reserve's namesake peak.Map ↗
2Ǫtaa Tué Fehto (Divide Lake) · Sleep≈62.400, -128.500Approximate; old outfitter camp with emergency shelter.Map ↗
3Tulita · Town≈64.900, -125.580Approximate; usual staging community for charters.Map ↗
4Nahanni National Park Reserve boundary area · Gate≈61.900, -127.500Approximate; the two reserves adjoin to the south.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

Boat tripsExpert7–14 daysHeadwater river paddleWild rivers of the upper South Nahanni watershed; whitewater and no portage infrastructure.Booking: Licensed outfitter, late June–August

TrailsExpertMulti-dayAlpine route-finding hikeNo blazed trails anywhere in the reserve; you map your own line and carry everything.

WildlifeEasyDawn and duskWildlife watching from campGrizzly, Dall's sheep, mountain goats, woodland caribou and trumpeter swans; keep distance and store food properly.

ViewpointsModerate1–2 hDivide Lake shelter areaOld outfitter camp remains at Ǫtaa Tué Fehto; emergency shelter only, no services.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

CAD ranges · check

Fees for Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve
Item	Range	Per	Note
Park entry (day use)	Free	person	Parks Canada does not charge a gate fee at Naats'ihch'oh; the real cost is the charter (check current fee schedule).
Float-plane charter, one way	CAD 3,000–8,000 (≈ US$2,500–6,000)	aircraft	2026 estimate; depends on origin, load and lake. Confirm with the operator.
Guided paddling trip with an outfitter	CAD 4,000–9,000 (≈ US$3,000–7,000)	person	2026 estimate; late June–August only.
Satellite messenger or PLB rental	CAD 100–300	trip	2026 estimate; there is no phone coverage in the park.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry no permit

No entry permit is issued at the gate; there is no gate. Register your trip plan with Parks Canada before flying in.

Backcountry camping permit or guide

Arrange through Parks Canada when you file your trip plan; there are no campsites or facilities.

Guided river trips permit or guide

Book with a licensed outfitter; independent paddlers must be experienced and self-sufficient.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

No trails, no markers: Do not expect signs, cairns or maintained routes; navigation is your responsibility.
Food storage: Store all food and scented items away from your tent; this is grizzly country.
Fires: Keep fires small and only where dead wood is plentiful; use a stove for cooking (check local fire restrictions).check
Cultural sites: Do not disturb archaeological or cultural sites; this is the traditional homeland of the Shúhtaot'ine, Sahtu Dene and Métis.
Drones: Not permitted without Parks Canada authorization (check).check

Where to stay

In the park

Backcountry camping

No designated sites or facilities; camp on durable ground and leave no trace.

In the park

Divide Lake emergency shelter

Remains of an outfitter's camp; emergency use only.

Near the park

Tulita

Small community and usual staging point for charters; limited lodging, book ahead.

Near the park

Fort Simpson or Norman Wells

Larger service bases for flights and supplies before a charter.

Safety

No rescue infrastructure high

Carry a satellite messenger or PLB, leave a trip plan with Parks Canada, and expect days of self-rescue.

Grizzly encounters high

Travel in a group, make noise, carry bear spray and keep a clean camp.

River conditions high

The rivers are for experienced paddlers only; scout or portage rapids and watch for cold-water immersion.

Weather swings medium

Snow is possible any month; pack layers and a storm-bound buffer of extra days.

Remoteness and navigation high

Bring paper maps, a compass and a GPS; there is no phone coverage.

Accessibility

There are no facilities, boardwalks or accessible trails in the reserve.
Access is by float plane and self-propelled travel; the park is not suitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

Follow leave-no-trace practice: pack out everything, including human waste where required.
Keep distance from caribou and other species at risk; do not approach or feed wildlife.
Use licensed local outfitters and staging communities so trip money stays in the Sahtu region.
Respect Dene and Métis cultural sites and any closures agreed with the park.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve?

Parks Canada does not charge a gate fee here, and there is no gate to reach by road. Your real costs are the float-plane charter (2026 estimate CAD 3,000–8,000 per aircraft, one way) and, if you join one, a guided trip (2026 estimate CAD 4,000–9,000 per person). Confirm current fees and charter quotes before you commit.

What are the best hikes in Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve?

There are no blazed trails. Experienced hikers plan their own alpine and valley routes, often from a float-plane drop at a backcountry lake. Treat every route as unmarked and carry navigation and rescue gear.

When is the best time to visit Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve?

Late June to August. Guided paddling trips run late June–August, July and August give the most stable weather and full daylight, and access closes with freeze-up in autumn.

How do I get to Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve?

Charter a float plane from a Northwest Territories or Yukon community, usually staged through Tulita, Fort Simpson or Norman Wells, and land on a backcountry lake. There is no road into the reserve.

Is Naats'ihch'oh the same as Nahanni National Park Reserve?

No. They adjoin and share the South Nahanni watershed, but Nahanni is a separate reserve with more established river infrastructure. Naats'ihch'oh is the upper, wilder side with no trails or services.

Can I visit without a guide?

Yes, if you are self-sufficient. Independent travel is allowed, but you must file a trip plan, carry a satellite messenger or PLB and handle your own safety. Guided trips are the usual route for first-time visitors.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go