National park · Canada
Wood Buffalo National ParkParc national Wood Buffalo
Go only if you are driving to Fort Smith or flying in for a guided day: the Salt Plains and Pine Lake sit off Highway 5, tours run mid-June to end-August, and the far delta needs a charter plane. Otherwise skip it — there is no road to the bison herds.
- 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
44,807 km² (17,300 sq mi)17,300 sq mi (44,807 km²)
approximate
Established
1922
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
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
- 44,807 km² (17,300 sq mi)17,300 sq mi (44,807 km²)
- Park boundary figure; the UNESCO property is slightly smaller (check).
- Established
- 1922
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Wood Buffalo is Canada's largest national park and the second-largest in the world at 44,807 km² — bigger than Switzerland. It was created in 1922 for the free-roaming wood bison herd, holds the Peace-Athabasca Delta, one of the world's largest freshwater deltas, and is the only natural nesting ground of the endangered whooping crane. Since 1983 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and since 2013 the world's largest dark-sky preserve. Almost all of it is roadless boreal forest, so most visitors see a small roadside slice near Fort Smith and leave the delta to charters and paddlers.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1983Listed for the Peace-Athabasca Delta and the bison population.
- Ramsar wetlandWhooping Crane Summer Range, the only natural nesting habitat of the species.
- Special national site · 2013Dark-sky preserve designated by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Size and age
44,807 km² (17,300 sq mi)17,300 sq mi (44,807 km²) · national park since 1922
Park boundary figure; the UNESCO property is slightly smaller (check).
Why go
- The largest free-roaming wood bison herd in North America, often visible from the highway near the Salt Plains.
- The Salt Plains: a white, crusted flat you can walk across in an hour, 25 km (16 mi) from Fort Smith.The Salt Plains: a white, crusted flat you can walk across in an hour, 16 mi (25 km) from Fort Smith.
- The Peace-Athabasca Delta, one of the world's largest freshwater deltas, reached only by boat or charter plane.
- The world's largest beaver dam, about 850 m long, in the far south-east — seen from the air, not on foot.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- Jan−20 °C (−4 °F) average highs, −50 °C (−58 °F) possible; ice road only−4 °F (−20 °C) average highs, −58 °F (−50 °C) possible; ice road only
- FebColdest stretch; aurora if you are equipped
- MarStill deep winter; ice roads may close late in the month
- AprThaw and mud; services still closed
- MayIce off the lakes; bugs start late in the month
- JunTours start mid-month; long daylight
- JulWarmest and greenest; peak mosquitoes
- AugTours run to end of month; berries and birds
- SepFewer bugs, golden forest; tours have stopped
- OctSnow possible; short days
- NovFreeze-up; roads and lakes unreliable
- DecDark and very cold; aurora only
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood bisonAll year · The herd numbers several thousand; most often seen from the highway. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Whooping craneMay–Sep · Nests in the delta; not viewable from roads. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Black bears and wolvesMay–Sep · Active along roads and trails in summer. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mosquitoes and blackfliesJun–Aug · Severe in the delta and forest; head nets help. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Aurora borealisSep–Mar · Dark skies from September to March. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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 Fort Smith
Drive Highway 5 south; the Salt Plains day-use area is about 25 km (16 mi) out, Pine Lake about 60 km (37 mi).Drive Highway 5 south; the Salt Plains day-use area is about 16 mi (25 km) out, Pine Lake about 37 mi (60 km).
30–60 min
Open the page →
From Hay River
Paved road through the park to Fort Smith.
3.5 h
From Edmonton
Fly to Fort Smith with a regional carrier, then rent or arrange a vehicle.
2 h flight
From Fort Chipewyan
Air, or a winter ice road from Fort Smith in a good freeze.
1 h flight
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Plains and Angus Fire Tower | White mineral flats, a viewpoint and the main day-use area off Highway 5. | Open; drive in and walk. |
| Pine Lake | Campground, cabins, canoe tours and the trailhead for Rainbow Lakes. | Open in season; fees apply. |
| Peace-Athabasca Delta | The freshwater delta, wetlands and whooping crane range. | No road; boat or charter plane only. |
| Caribou Mountains and karst north-east | The highest ground and sinkhole country. | Remote; experienced parties only. |
Sketch map
- 1Fort Smith · Town≈60.004, -111.885Map ↗
- 2Salt Plains viewpoint · Viewpoint≈59.867, -112.167Map ↗
- 3Angus Fire Tower day-use area · Gate≈59.917, -112.250Map ↗
- 4Pine Lake campground · Sleep≈59.535, -112.235Map ↗
- 5Rainbow Lakes backcountry site · Trail≈59.500, -112.200Map ↗
- 6Fort Chipewyan · Village≈58.710, -111.147Map ↗
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.
Approximate positions along Highway 5 and Pine Lake Road, 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, adult | Free | person | No separate gate fee is charged at Wood Buffalo; entry is covered by the Parks Canada Discovery Pass or a daily Parks Canada entry fee where collected (check). |
| Parks Canada Discovery Pass, adult, annual | CAD 75 (≈ US$55) | person | 2026 estimate; covers entry to Parks Canada sites for a year. |
| Guided tour (Salt Plains, Grosbeak Lake or Pine Lake canoe) | CAD 14 (≈ US$11) | person | Weekly, mid-June to end-August; register at the Fort Smith visitor centre at least 15 minutes before the 13:00 departure (check). |
| Pine Lake primitive campsite | CAD 18 (≈ US$14) | night | 2026 estimate; unserviced site. |
| Pine Lake cabin | CAD 111 (≈ US$85) | night | 2026 estimate; book through Parks Canada. |
| Backcountry camping | CAD 14 (≈ US$11) | person per night | 2026 estimate; includes the Rainbow Lakes site. |
| Kettle Point group camp | CAD 6 (≈ US$5) | person per night | 2026 estimate; eight-person minimum, reservation required. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Charter flight into the delta permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$75≈ US$55
- C$14≈ US$11
- C$18≈ US$14
- C$111≈ US$85
- C$14≈ US$11
- C$6≈ US$5
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 — Wood Buffalo National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Bison
- Do not approach on foot; stay in your vehicle and give them the road.
- Food storage
- Keep all food in a vehicle or bear cache; this is bear country.
- Drones
- Not permitted without a Parks Canada permit (check).check
- Fires
- Only in provided fire rings; check for fire bans before you light one.
- Camping
- Camp only at designated sites; backcountry camping needs a reservation.
Where to stay
Near the park
Fort Smith
Hotels, motels and B&Bs just outside the park; the practical base.
In the park
Pine Lake campground and cabins
Primitive sites and a few cabins 60 km (37 mi) south of Fort Smith.Primitive sites and a few cabins 37 mi (60 km) south of Fort Smith.
In the park
Kettle Point group camp
Lakeside group site with a log shelter; eight-person minimum.
In the park
Rainbow Lakes backcountry site
Tent pad, outhouse and bear cache beside a sinkhole lake.
Safety
Cold high
Bison on the road medium
Bears medium
Remoteness high
Insects medium
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
- The Salt Plains viewpoint and Angus day-use area are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- Pine Lake campground has drive-up sites; the Rainbow Lakes trail is rough and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Keep to marked routes on the Salt Plains; the crust is fragile and slow to heal.
- Pack out everything, including food waste, from backcountry sites.
- Use licensed local guides and charter operators so money stays in Fort Smith and Fort Chipewyan.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Wood Buffalo National Park?
There is no ticket booth on Highway 5, so most visitors pay nothing at the boundary. If you want to be covered, a Parks Canada Discovery Pass is about CAD 75 per adult for a year (2026 estimate) and also covers other Parks Canada sites. Guided tours are about CAD 14 per person and camping runs from about CAD 14 to CAD 18 per night.
What are the best hikes in Wood Buffalo National Park?
The Salt Plains walk near the park entrance is the easiest and most rewarding, an hour or two on flat mineral crust. The Rainbow Lakes trail from Pine Lake Road is about 6 km each way to a sinkhole lake with a backcountry campsite. Anything longer is unmarked boreal forest and needs navigation and bear awareness.
When is the best time to visit Wood Buffalo National Park?
Mid-June to the end of August: guided tours run weekly, the road is clear and temperatures average around 17 °C. July and August are warmest but the mosquitoes are at their worst. September is quieter and golden, though tours have stopped. Winter is for aurora and ice-road travel only, with highs near −20 °C.
Can I see the bison and the whooping cranes?
Bison, yes — the herd is the largest free-roaming wood bison population in North America and animals are often visible from Highway 5. Whooping cranes nest in the Peace-Athabasca Delta, which has no road access, so sightings are not something a normal visit can promise.
Do I need a permit or a guide?
No permit for day use along the highway. Backcountry camping needs a Parks Canada reservation, and any trip into the delta needs a charter plane or boat arranged in advance. Guided tours in season are the simplest way to see the Salt Plains and Pine Lake.
How do I get to Wood Buffalo National Park?
Drive Highway 5 from Hay River (about 3.5 hours) or from Fort Smith, which is the usual base and has the visitor centre. Fort Smith is also reachable by a short flight from Edmonton. Fort Chipewyan, on the Alberta side, is air or winter-ice-road only.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go