National park · Canada
Sirmilik National Park
Go only if you will pay for a licensed outfitter and can absorb a 2–5 day weather delay: fly Ottawa–Iqaluit–Pond Inlet (about 6–8 h total), then boat in late July–early September or snowmobile in late March–early June. Otherwise skip it and use Quttinirpaaq or Ukkusiksalik for an Arctic park you can actually reach.
- 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
22,200 km² (8,571 sq mi)8,571 sq mi (22,200 km²)
approximate
Established
2001
Best months
Apr–May, 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
- 22,200 km² (8,571 sq mi)8,571 sq mi (22,200 km²)
- About 22,200 km² of land and marine area, larger than El Salvador; boundaries include Inuit-owned parcels on Bylot Island that are not park land (check).
- Established
- 2001
- Best months
- Apr–May, Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Sirmilik sits on northern Baffin Island in Nunavut, built from three pieces: most of Bylot Island, the fjord of Oliver Sound, and the Borden Peninsula. In Inuktitut the name means place of glaciers, and the park is exactly that — icefields, tidewater glaciers and the Byam Martin Mountains, plus coastal cliffs holding hundreds of thousands of nesting seabirds. It is one of the least-visited places in the Canadian park system, with no road, no lodging and no services inside the boundary. Everything depends on Pond Inlet or Arctic Bay: a licensed outfitter, a mandatory registration with Parks Canada, and weather that decides whether you move at all.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1965Bylot Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary, managed with the Canadian Wildlife Service; became a national park in 2001.
- UNESCO World HeritageOn Canada's tentative list as part of a mixed nomination with Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) — tentative, not inscribed (check).
Size and age
22,200 km² (8,571 sq mi)8,571 sq mi (22,200 km²) · national park since 2001
About 22,200 km² of land and marine area, larger than El Salvador; boundaries include Inuit-owned parcels on Bylot Island that are not park land (check).
Why go
- Glaciers and icefields you reach on foot or by ski, not from a viewpoint car park.
- The largest greater snow goose colony in the world, plus thick-billed murre and black-legged kittiwake cliffs.
- Narwhal, beluga, walrus and polar bear in the same waters, best from the spring floe edge.
- A park that gets a handful of visitors a year — you will not queue for anything.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanAbout −30 °C (−22 °F) average high; near-constant darkness; access effectively impossibleAbout −22 °F (−30 °C) average high; near-constant darkness; access effectively impossible
- FebColdest, darkest stretch; no travel to the park
- MarSpring season opens late March; snowmobile and dog-team access; polar bear denning caution
- AprFrozen sea, long daylight, floe-edge wildlife tours; females with cubs near dens
- MaySki touring and mountaineering on Bylot; almost endless daylight
- JunEarly June still good, then break-up: travel to the park becomes impossible
- JulBreak-up to mid-July; boat access starts late July; warmest highs near 10 °C (50 °F)Break-up to mid-July; boat access starts late July; warmest highs near 50 °F (10 °C)
- AugBoat access, hiking and camping; often cloudy; pack ice may linger in Eclipse Sound
- SepBoat season runs to late September; storms and early snow possible
- OctFreeze-up; sea ice forming, bears forced ashore; access unreliable
- NovWinter access not advisable; cold, dark, difficult
- DecSun absent; extreme cold; no practical access
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Narwhal and belugaMay–Sep · Narwhal migrate past Bylot; best from the floe edge and from boats. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Polar bearMar–Oct · Most active on the Borden Peninsula coast and Bylot's north, west and east coasts; den emergence in March–April, bears ashore July–October. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Greater snow geese and nesting seabirdsJun–Aug · Bylot holds the world's largest greater snow goose colony; around 100,000 birds pass through in summer. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Walrus and sealsJun–Sep · Lancaster Sound is one of the most productive marine areas in the Canadian Arctic. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Peary caribou, Arctic fox, Arctic hare, wolfAll year · Present year-round but rarely seen; foxes and wolves can carry rabies. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 Ottawa
Canadian North direct flight to Iqaluit.
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Iqaluit
Scheduled Canadian North flight to Pond Inlet or Arctic Bay.
about 3 h
From Pond Inlet
Licensed outfitter by boat across Eclipse Sound to Bylot Island (about 25 km (16 mi)) or south to Oliver Sound; snowmobile in spring.Licensed outfitter by boat across Eclipse Sound to Bylot Island (about 16 mi (25 km)) or south to Oliver Sound; snowmobile in spring.
1–3 h by boat, weather dependent
From Arctic Bay
Outfitter by boat or snowmobile to the Borden Peninsula and Baillarge Bay; arrange through the hamlet office.
2–4 h
From Nunavut overview
Flights, communities and what an Arctic trip costs.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bylot Island | Byam Martin Mountains, Angilaaq Mountain (1,951 m), icefields, Kaparoqtalik Glacier and the great snow goose colony. | No settlement; reached by boat from Pond Inlet in summer or snowmobile in spring. Inuit-owned parcels are not park land. |
| Oliver Sound (Kangiqluruluk) | A long narrow fjord south of Pond Inlet with steep cliffs, valley glaciers and sheltered camping beaches. | Boat or sea kayak; ice-free relatively early in the summer. |
| Borden Peninsula and Baillarge Bay | Plateau, river valleys, hoodoos and the seabird cliffs near Arctic Bay. | Outfitter from Arctic Bay; mostly seen from the water or on expedition cruises. |
| Lancaster Sound (Tallurutiup Imanga) | The marine corridor along Bylot's north shore: walrus, seals, whales and polar bear denning areas. | Water only; keep distance from wildlife and ice. |
Sketch map
- 1Pond Inlet · Town≈72.699, -77.959Map ↗
- 2Arctic Bay · Town≈73.037, -85.153Map ↗
- 3Parks Canada office, Pond Inlet · Headquarters≈72.698, -77.957Register and de-brief here; approximate.Map ↗
- 4Oliver Sound · Beach≈72.400, -79.500Approximate; fjord south of Pond Inlet.Map ↗
- 5Angilaaq Mountain, Bylot Island · Summit≈73.200, -79.500Approximate; 1,951 m, highest in the Byam Martin Mountains.Map ↗
- 6Baillarge Bay seabird cliffs · Viewpoint≈73.100, -84.500Approximate; near Arctic Bay.Map ↗
- 7Lancaster Sound · Dive site≈73.800, -82.000Approximate marine point; polar bear denning and whale corridor.Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 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 for orientation only; the park spans roughly 22,200 km² across Bylot Island, Oliver Sound and the Borden Peninsula.
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 entry gate or day fee is charged; you pay for transport, guiding and permits instead (check current Parks Canada fee schedule). |
| Licensed outfitter, boat transfer Pond Inlet to Bylot Island or Oliver Sound | CAD 1,500–4,000 (≈ US$1,100–3,000) | person | 2026 estimate; per trip, varies with distance, group size and fuel. Agree the price with the outfitter before hiring. |
| Licensed outfitter, snowmobile transfer in spring | CAD 1,000–3,000 (≈ US$750–2,500) | person | 2026 estimate; depends on route and days out. |
| Guided multi-day floe-edge or ski expedition | CAD 6,000–15,000 (≈ US$4,500–11,000) | person | 2026 estimate; typically all-in from Pond Inlet with food, camping gear and guide. |
| Charter air (Air Nunavut or similar) | CAD 8,000–20,000 (≈ US$6,000–15,000) | aircraft | 2026 estimate; hourly or per-trip rates, quoted by the operator. |
| Fishing permit (Nunavut) | CAD 0–40 (≈ US$0–30) | person | Required for sport fishing; buy before you fly (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park registration and orientation permit or guide
Licensed outfitter for transport and guiding permit or guide
Research or commercial filming permit permit or guide
Firearms for polar bear defence no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$1,500–4,000≈ US$1,100–3,000
- C$1,000–3,000≈ US$750–2,500
- C$6,000–15,000≈ US$4,500–11,000
- C$8,000–20,000≈ US$6,000–15,000
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 — Sirmilik National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Registration
- Every party must register with Parks Canada before entering the park and de-brief after leaving; no exceptions.
- Licensed operators only
- Transport and guiding inside the park require a current National Parks Business Licence. Check the licence before you hire anyone.
- No lodging or services
- There is nothing to buy inside the park: no huts, no food, no fuel, no phone coverage. Carry everything and pack it out.
- Food storage
- Store food and garbage securely; birds, foxes and bears will raid unsecured caches.
- Wildlife distance
- Do not approach polar bears, walrus or whales. Walrus and whales can upset a boat; keep clear.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a Parks Canada permit (check).
- Fires and waste
- No fires on the tundra; carry out all rubbish, including human waste, or use a pack-out system.
Where to stay
Near the park
Pond Inlet
The main gateway: a small hotel, guesthouses and the Nattinnak Visitor Centre, about 25 km (16 mi) from Bylot Island across Eclipse Sound.The main gateway: a small hotel, guesthouses and the Nattinnak Visitor Centre, about 16 mi (25 km) from Bylot Island across Eclipse Sound.
Near the park
Arctic Bay
Second gateway for the Borden Peninsula and Baillarge Bay; limited guesthouse beds, book ahead.
In the park
Camping inside the park
No lodging exists; you camp on the tundra or shoreline. Leave no trace and expect snow any month.
Safety
Polar bears high
Weather delays high
Cold, frostbite and hypothermia high
Thin ice and open water high
Rabies medium
No rescue nearby 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
- There are no trails, boardwalks or accessible facilities anywhere in the park; access is by boat, snowmobile, ski or on foot over rough ground.
- Pond Inlet and Arctic Bay have basic services and small aircraft with limited space for mobility equipment; confirm with the airline well ahead.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local Inuit outfitters and guides so the money stays in Pond Inlet and Arctic Bay.
- Keep well back from seabird cliffs, dens and the floe edge; disturbance costs animals energy they cannot spare.
- Pack out everything, including waste, and avoid leaving caches or fuel on the land.
- Do not buy carvings or other items made from protected species; check Nunavut wildlife rules before you shop.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sirmilik National Park?
There is no entry gate and no day fee — you do not pay to stand in the park. The real cost is access: a licensed boat transfer from Pond Inlet runs about CAD 1,500–4,000 per person (2026 estimate), a snowmobile transfer about CAD 1,000–3,000, and a guided multi-day floe-edge or ski trip CAD 6,000–15,000 all-in. Add flights to Iqaluit and Pond Inlet, and check the current Parks Canada fee schedule for any permit charges.
What are the best hikes in Sirmilik National Park?
There are no marked trails. The Borden Peninsula plateau and river valleys give the easiest walking, Oliver Sound has shoreline camping with day hikes into the uplands, and Bylot Island offers glacier approaches and the Byam Martin Mountains for ski touring and mountaineering. All of it is route-finding over rough ground, and most people go with a licensed guide.
When is the best time to visit Sirmilik National Park?
Two windows. Late March to early June for snowmobile and dog-team access, ski touring and floe-edge wildlife; late July to late September for boat access, hiking and camping. Late June to mid-July is break-up, when travel to the park is impossible, and November to February is not advisable.
Can I visit Sirmilik without a guide?
Yes, if you are experienced and self-sufficient, but you still need a licensed operator for transport to and from the park and you must register with Parks Canada. Sea kayaking is possible for very experienced paddlers in some areas; a boat drop-off and pick-up is advised.
How do I get to Sirmilik National Park?
Fly to Iqaluit (Canadian North from Ottawa, about 3–3.5 h), then about 3 h to Pond Inlet or Arctic Bay. From there a licensed outfitter takes you by boat in summer or snowmobile in spring. There is no road into the park.
Is there anywhere to stay in the park?
No. There is no lodging, food or fuel inside the park. You camp and carry everything, or sleep in Pond Inlet or Arctic Bay before and after. Practise leave-no-trace camping.
How many people visit Sirmilik each year?
Very few — a handful. It is one of the least-visited parks in Canada, so crowding is never the issue; weather, cost and logistics are.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go