National park · Canada
Ukkusiksalik National Park
Go only as a guided fly-in or boat trip in mid-July to August: no entry fee, but access costs thousands of dollars and a licensed polar bear guide is required; skip it if you want self-guided hiking.
- 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
20,885 km² (8,064 sq mi)8,064 sq mi (20,885 km²)
approximate
Established
2003
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
- 20,885 km² (8,064 sq mi)8,064 sq mi (20,885 km²)
- About 20,885 km² of mainland tundra around Wager Bay, a little smaller than El Salvador.
- Established
- 2003
- Best months
- Jul–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Ukkusiksalik National Park protects 20,885 km² of mainland tundra around Wager Bay, a 100 km inlet off Roes Welcome Sound in Nunavut, established in 2003 and uninhabited today. Inuit lived on this coast from the 11th century until the 1960s, leaving more than 400 recorded archaeological sites — tent rings, fox traps, caches and inuksuit — plus the 1925 Hudson's Bay Company post at the head of the bay, the first in the region run by an Inuit manager. The park has no entry fee and no road, no trail network beyond the Sila River routes, and no services: you reach it by charter aircraft to the Sila River airstrip or by a 7-hour outfitter's boat from Naujaat, and you travel with a licensed guide because polar bears den on the south shore and encounters are likely on any trip. The usable season is roughly mid-July to August, when the bay is clear enough for boats and the walking is at its best.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2003.
Size and age
20,885 km² (8,064 sq mi)8,064 sq mi (20,885 km²) · national park since 2003
About 20,885 km² of mainland tundra around Wager Bay, a little smaller than El Salvador.
Why go
- Wager Bay's reversing tidal falls and 8 m tides are the reason the park exists as a destination, not just a boundary on a map.
- Polar bears den on the south shore; July and early August boat trips see them on floes, islands and in the water.
- More than 400 archaeological sites — tent rings, fox traps, caches and the Aklungiqtautitalik stone feature — record Inuit life from Dorset and Thule times to the 1960s.
- The 1925 Hudson's Bay Company post at the head of the bay was the first in the region run by an Inuit manager; buildings still stand.
- Sila River waterfalls and Falcon Gorge give short, marked walking from a single base.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunCaution
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepCaution
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanDark, extreme cold, no access
- FebDark and cold; no access
- MarSnowmobile or dog-team trips possible with an outfitter
- AprSpring travel possible; ice still usable
- MayMelt makes ice travel unpredictable
- JunBreak-up; charter aircraft only, no boats
- JulBoats reach the bay from mid-month; bears on the shore
- AugBest hiking and camping; boat access
- SepBoats still possible, but early blizzards
- OctAccess by boat ends; weather closes in
- NovBear hazard, darkness, no access
- DecPolar night; no access
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polar bears (from boats, south shore denning area)Jul–Aug · Several encounters are likely on any trip; never travel without a trained guide. | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Caribou and Arctic ground squirrelsJun–Aug · Often close to the Sila Lodge area. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Ringed and bearded sealsJun–Sep · Large numbers in Wager Bay. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Beluga, narwhal or bowhead whale (occasional)Jul–Aug · Keep your distance; whales can upset a small boat. | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Birds, up to 40 species, including peregrine falconsJun–Aug · Short Arctic nesting season. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Arctic fox, Arctic hare, wolf, muskox, wolverine (occasional)All year · Foxes and wolves can carry rabies; do not let them approach. | 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 Rankin Inlet
Scheduled flights from Winnipeg, or via Iqaluit or Yellowknife, then a charter flight or an outfitter's boat.
1–2 days with connections
From Baker Lake
Scheduled flights from Rankin Inlet, then a charter flight about 350 km (217 mi) to the park.Scheduled flights from Rankin Inlet, then a charter flight about 217 mi (350 km) to the park.
Half day plus weather delays
From Naujaat (Repulse Bay)
Outfitter's boat, July and August only; Parks Canada runs a station here.
About 7 h each way
From Chesterfield Inlet or Coral Harbour
Community office can put you in touch with licensed outfitters who reach the park by boat or charter.
Varies
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Wager Bay | The 100 km (62 mi) inlet at the core of the park, with 8 m tides and a narrow bottleneck that ice can block for days.The 62 mi (100 km) inlet at the core of the park, with 8 m tides and a narrow bottleneck that ice can block for days. | Boat only, mid-July to October. |
| Sila River and Sila Lodge area | North shore base with the park's only airstrip, waterfalls and marked walking routes. | Charter aircraft; guided. |
| South shore polar bear denning area | The main denning ground; bears seen from boats in July and early August. | Observe from a distance, with a guide. |
| Ford Lake and the reversing falls | Tusjujak, reached across the tidal falls; site of the 1925 Hudson's Bay Company post. | Guided boat or walk; ask about Parks Canada staff. |
| Aklungiqtautitalik | Extensive archaeological site on the south side, named for a large stone feature. | Closed to visitors. |
Sketch map
- 1Park office (Naujaat) · Headquarters≈66.521, -86.235Approximate; contact point for permits and polar bear safety material.Map ↗
- 2Sila Lodge and airstrip · Ranger station≈65.720, -88.400Approximate; north shore of Wager Bay, the park's only airstrip.Map ↗
- 3Wager Bay bottleneck · Viewpoint≈65.300, -88.000Approximate; narrow entrance where ice accumulates.Map ↗
- 4Ford Lake (Tusjujak) and reversing falls · Trail≈65.850, -89.200Approximate; site of the 1925 Hudson's Bay Company post.Map ↗
- 5Aklungiqtautitalik · Village≈65.200, -87.500Approximate; archaeological site on the south side, closed to visitors.Map ↗
- 6Naujaat (Repulse Bay) · Town≈66.521, -86.235Approximate; boat departure point, about 7 hours from the park.Map ↗
- 7Rankin Inlet · Town≈62.808, -92.085Approximate; regional air hub.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 around Wager Bay, from the park office area to the Sila River and Ford Lake, 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 | Parks Canada charges no entry fee for this park; the cost is access, not admission (check). |
| Charter flight from Baker Lake or Rankin Inlet | CAD 8,000–20,000 (≈ US$6,000–15,000) | person | 2026 estimate; depends on group size, aircraft and whether the operator flies from Baker Lake or Rankin Inlet (check). |
| Boat trip from Naujaat (Repulse Bay) | CAD 3,000–8,000 (≈ US$2,500–6,000) | person | 2026 estimate; about 7 hours each way, July and August only (check). |
| Licensed guide and polar bear sentry | CAD 500–1,500 (≈ US$400–1,100) | person per day | 2026 estimate; required in practice for any travel in the park (check). |
| Sila Lodge stay | Free | person | Inuit-owned lodge inside the park; little used since 2002 — ask the park office whether it is operating (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Licensed operator permit or guide
Polar bear guide permit or guide
Aklungiqtautitalik archaeological site permit or guide
Hudson's Bay Company post visit no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$8,000–20,000≈ US$6,000–15,000
- C$3,000–8,000≈ US$2,500–6,000
- C$500–1,500≈ US$400–1,100
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 — Ukkusiksalik National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Guided travel
- Visitors must travel with a properly equipped, trained guide experienced in polar bear country; this is the single rule that shapes every trip.
- Licensed operators only
- Hire only outfitters holding a business licence to operate in the park; community offices keep the lists.
- Food and garbage storage
- Birds and animals scavenge and raid caches; store everything securely and never leave food out.
- Wildlife distance
- Do not approach grizzly bears, muskox, wolverines, walrus or whales; keep a safe distance and let them pass.
- Archaeological sites
- Aklungiqtautitalik is closed; other sites only with a licensed operator, and take nothing away.
- Camping
- Camps need a solar-powered electric fence and a sentry, arranged through an outfitter or tour company.
Where to stay
In the park
Sila Lodge
Inuit-owned naturalist lodge on the north shore with the park's only airstrip; ask the park office whether it is open.
In the park
Outfitter camps
Tented camps with electric fencing and a sentry, set up by a licensed operator.
Near the park
Rankin Inlet
The air hub for the region; hotels and the last reliable services before the park.
Near the park
Naujaat (Repulse Bay)
Closest community for the 7-hour boat trip; basic accommodation.
Safety
Polar bears high
Rabies from foxes and wolves medium
Frostbite, hypothermia and thin ice high
Ice blocking Wager Bay medium
Weather delays on flights high
Walrus and whales near boats 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
- There are no roads, paths or facilities for limited mobility; the park is reached by aircraft or boat and walked on tundra.
- The shortest Sila River walk is 4 km (2.5 mi) over uneven ground; nothing here is step-free.The shortest Sila River walk is 2.5 mi (4 km) over uneven ground; nothing here is step-free.
Visiting lightly
- Use licensed local Inuit outfitters so access money stays in the Kivalliq communities.
- Keep to the marked Sila River routes; tundra tracks and lichen scars last for decades.
- Take out everything you bring in, including food waste that would attract bears.
- Do not touch or remove artefacts; report new finds to Parks Canada.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ukkusiksalik National Park?
There is no Parks Canada entry fee for this park (check). The real cost is getting there: a charter flight from Baker Lake or Rankin Inlet is roughly CAD 8,000–20,000 per person in a 2026 estimate, a boat trip from Naujaat about CAD 3,000–8,000, and a licensed guide and polar bear sentry about CAD 500–1,500 per person per day. Budget for weather delays on top.
What are the best hikes in Ukkusiksalik National Park?
All the marked routes start from the Sila River and Sila Lodge area on the north shore. The easiest is the first Sila River waterfall, 4 km and 1.5 hours round trip. Ship's Cove (10 km, 4 hours) and the second waterfall (8 km, 5 hours) are moderate. The third and fourth waterfalls with Falcon Gorge climb 416 m in 8 km, and Butterfly Lake is 16 km with 400 m of climbing — a full day. There are no trails elsewhere in the park; everything else is route-finding on tundra with a guide.
When is the best time to visit Ukkusiksalik National Park?
Mid-July to August. Boats can only reach Wager Bay from mid-July, the bay is not reliably clear of ice before the end of July, and this is the best window for hiking and camping. June to mid-July is charter aircraft only. March to April suits snowmobile or dog-team trips, and November to March is not advisable because of bear hazard, weather and darkness.
Can I visit Ukkusiksalik National Park without a guide?
No, not realistically. Polar bears are far more abundant here than in most Arctic parks and several encounters are likely on any trip, so visitors must travel with a properly equipped, trained guide experienced in polar bear country. You also need a licensed operator to reach the park by charter aircraft or boat.
How do I get to Ukkusiksalik National Park?
Fly to Rankin Inlet, then either charter from Baker Lake or Rankin Inlet to the Sila River airstrip, or take an outfitter's boat from Naujaat (Repulse Bay), about 7 hours each way in July and August. Book well ahead, and allow extra days for weather delays.
Is Sila Lodge open?
Sila Lodge is an Inuit-owned lodge inside the park on the north shore, but it has been little used since 2002. Ask the park office whether it is operating before you plan around it (check).
What wildlife will I see?
Polar bears from boats in July and early August, caribou and Arctic ground squirrels near Sila Lodge, ringed and bearded seals in large numbers, and occasionally beluga, narwhal or bowhead whales. Birders can see up to 40 species. Arctic fox, hare, wolf, muskox and wolverine are seen occasionally.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialParks Canada — Ukkusiksalik National Park
- officialParks Canada — Ukkusiksalik National Park (French)
- officialEnvironment and Climate Change Canada — latest ice conditions
- secondaryWikipedia — Ukkusiksalik National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Ukkusiksalik National Park, revision 4833847 (CC BY-SA 4.0)