In a land one-fifth the size of Canada, where the 28 communities are separated only by hundreds of kilometres of tundra, travelling to and within Nunavut is part of your Nunavut experience!
Getting Here and Around
How will you get here and what are your transport options once you’ve arrived?
Check out all the choices. Start planning your trip today!
Traveling to Nunavut
Nunavut is a very accessible destination for your vacation plans – only 3 hours away from a major city airport. For visitors wishing to travel to the western Kitikmeot region, your southern ‘gateway’ cities include Calgary and Edmonton (Alberta) flying through Yellowknife. Paddlers, fishers, and others en route to the central Kivalliq region would fly from Winnipeg (Manitoba) direct to Rankin Inlet, and for Baffin Island destinations, travellers board in either Ottawa (Ontario) or Montreal (Quebec) for direct service to Nunavut’s capital city of Iqaluit. There is also east-west routing that links Yellowknife – Rankin Inlet – Iqaluit – and Ottawa.
There are no roads leading to Nunavut from other parts of Canada, nor between communities within the region. For general travel, all communities are fly-in only. Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, and Iqaluit are the transportation hubs for their respective regions. Most communities are serviced daily by one or more regional airlines, however smaller communities may be less frequent. Charters are also available. Some northern airlines also fly routes between the regions providing extra flexibility in scheduling your itinerary.
Southern Connections
Jet service from southern gateways is provided by one of three airlines:
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Services the Kivalliq region from Winnipeg, Churchill, and Thompson. Charter services available. Toll Free: 1-800-839-2256 Winnipeg Rankin Inlet |
Scheduled and charter passenger and cargo service with an all-jet fleet of Boeing 737s throughout Nunavut and the NWT. Gateways include Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. Connections with both domestic and international flights. Toll Free: 1-800-661-1505 Iqaluit |
Travel Agents
Northern travel agencies can be very helpful in planning trips to and within Nunavut. These agencies are more familiar with flight schedules, accommodations and other arrangements than are southern agents, particularly if you choose not to go with a package tour operator.
Tel: 867-979-8686
Fax: 867-979-8687
Traveling in Nunavut
With few roads and many of its communities scattered over islands and archipelagos, Nunavut benefits from regularly scheduled air service that links most of its communities. Flights to the smaller communities operate two or three times a week, while some of the larger communities have daily service.
If you can’t find a scheduled flight to your destination, a charter service can probably get you there. Charter aircraft – including helicopters – are often the only way to reach many fishing camps and parks. If you’re taking a package tour, the charter cost will probably be included, but check to be sure.
It is important to note that flights within Nunavut are frequently delayed by bad weather, particularly in the small communities where air operations run under visual flight rules. And don’t be surprised when an aircraft is taken off scheduled service to fly as an air ambulance.
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Scheduled and charter passenger and cargo service with an all-jet fleet of Boeing 737s throughout Nunavut and the NWT. Gateways include Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. Connections with both domestic and international flights. Canadian North flights are eligible for Aeroplan points. Toll Free: 1-800-661-1505 Iqaluit |
Scheduled and charter passenger flights to and within Nunavut. Main gateways: Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Yellowknife. First Air flies to a total of 26 destinations in the North, operating a fleet of over 30 aircraft. All scheduled First Air flights are eligible for Aeroplan points. Charters are also available. Toll Free: 1-800-267-1247 Ottawa Iqaluit |
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Scheduled and charter service for the Baffin region. Iqaluit |
Scheduled air service for the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions. Charter Service also available. Rankin Inlet Winnipeg |
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Unaalik Aviation Scheduled and charter service for the Baffin region. Toll Free: 1-866-366-6784 Iqaluit |
Taxi Service
In most communities, local taxis meet every commercial flight that comes in. There are also usually dedicated phones at airports and in some of the hotels. Taxis usually charge a flat rate per person, and typically more than one group uses the cab at the same time, so don’t be surprised if the driver pulls up at other destinations to pick up or drop off passengers before getting to your stop, and don’t pass up a taxi just because you see a passenger inside. There may be only one or two taxis in town, so hop in, if there’s room.
Vehicle Rentals
Although most Nunavut communities are small enough to explore on foot, many them still offer rental vehicles in addition to taxi service. In areas of the Kitikmeot, around communities such as Cambridge Bay, there are networks of roadways or trails that people use to drive to cottages and camps in outlying areas. As well, in towns like Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet there are a few stretches of pavement, although, most community roads are gravel only. Despite the limited number of roads, it is possible to rent ATVs, snow machines, and in a few places, cars or vans. To rent a vehicle in Nunavut, you require a Canadian provincial, territorial, or international driver’s license. Travellers considering rentals should also keep in mind that most tour operators and accommodation suppliers usually provide transport for their guests.
Arranging a Tour
For adventure-seeking visitors to Nunavut, tour operators and outfitters offer a wide range of excursions that include various levels of services. Outfitters usually operate between March and September, which is Nunavut’s peak travel season. They can still be contacted in the off-season months to facilitate planning, however due to cold temperatures and reduced daylight, few travellers visit during this time of year.
If you’re already visiting a northern community and feel like taking a tour on the tundra or going on a fishing trip, check in with the Visitor Centre, hamlet office or with Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO) – who can refer you to a local licensed guide or outfitter.
Check with Nunavut Tourism for more information on outfitters, guides, and arranging package tours.
Accommodations
You have a number of different options for accommodations during your visit to Nunavut, from the modern hotel with conference facilities to the cozy comfort of B&Bs and tourist homes, as well as the warm hospitality of a homestay experience with an Inuit family. A list of accommodations in each community servicing a park is located in their profiles.
In Nunavut, lodgings can range from very comfortable full-service hotels comparable to many southern facilities to interesting small hotels, home stays, bed and breakfast facilities or even a night in an igloo. As with most Nunavut experiences, a hotel stay in any or our small Arctic communities can be part of a very unique and rewarding cultural encounter.
There are a few hotels and lodges in Nunavut of exceptional quality and service – similar or exceeding the standards found in hotels across Canada. However, many community hotels are not luxurious, although most are clean and functional. Space is limited in the smaller communities, and it is fairly common to share a room with others. Initially this may not seem an attractive option to the solo traveller, however you are guaranteed to meet fascinating people from all over the world, engaged in all kinds of interesting adventures and activities. Similar to other northern experiences, hotels are expensive – you can expect to pay $140-$180 per night, not including meals. Meals will run on average an extra $60-$90 per day if you eat in the hotel – which is often the only place in town to get a meal. Also be aware that rates are usually quoted per person or per bed, as opposed to per room.
A number of communities have a bed & breakfast as an alternative to the hotel. They are usually a little less expensive, and as their name suggests the cost includes breakfast. You will have to make arrangements with your host or the local hotel for your other meals. Tourist homes are similar, although you usually have access to a kitchen and you are responsible for cooking all your own meals.
Some travellers wish to immerse themselves into the culture and billet with a local Inuit family. This is possible, however, unlike other accommodations, homestays are not regulated by any standards for quality or safety and they are not licensed by the Government of Nunavut. It is your sole responsibility to investigate what services will be provided. A few good questions to start with include, “Have you done this before?”, “Are meals included?”, and “Do I get my own room, or just a bed?” The Inuit are incredibly hospitable and a homestay is a unique opportunity for an authentic travelling experience, however be aware that northern living conditions are very different and full of surprises even for the experienced traveller. To arrange a homestay, begin by calling the hamlet office or visitor centre in the community you wish to visit for a list of families offering this service.
You’ll also find lodges and outpost camps in many areas of Nunavut. They are usually not located in a community and are most often operating seasonally. Many such facilities cater to or specialize in specific Arctic activities and expeditions such as sport fishing and wildlife tours. While quite comfortable, you are most likely to have to share accommodations in an outpost camp and may have to bring your own sleeping bag.
Safe Travel
Supplies and Information
Welcome to Nunavut Parks! Our parks will offer you spectacular scenery, unique wildlife, and opportunities to experience Inuit culture and learn about northern places few people go. But, there are a host of associated dangers with travel in this northern wilderness. The remoteness of the area, and limited rescue capabilities increase the risk of the challenging natural hazards. All visitors must be prepared to deal with extreme and rapidly changing weather, unpredictable river crossings, high winds, and wildlife – including polar bears – which you may not be familiar with.
Remember, you must be self-reliant and responsible for your own safety!
The following organizations are a great place to start for information.
| Nunavut Parks and Special Places P.O. Box 1000, Station 1340, Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0, Canada Tel: 867-975-7700 Fax: 867-975-7747 |
Nunavut Tourism P.O. Box 1450, Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0, Canada Tel: 867-979-6551 Fax: 867-979-1261 |
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Topographic Information Centre for Topographic Information |
Dangerous Goods Transport Transport Canada |
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Grizzly Bear Safety Information Department of Environment and Natural Resources, |
Other Supplies Bear Resistant Containers, Deterrents and Warning Systems Arctic Survival Store |
Planning Your Trip
Please read the following information from beginning to end. It will help you know more about what to expect in Nunavut Parks. This information is not definitive and cannot replace your own planning. You should also look at other sources of information about Arctic travel and wildlife.
When traveling in remote wilderness, there is always some risk. You must be self-reliant and responsible for your own safety. All costs of a search and rescue are the responsibility of the visitor. Search and rescue may be difficult or impossible under certain conditions. Survival in an emergency will depend on how well prepared you are to deal with the extremes of changeable weather, river crossings and wildlife, including polar bears.
When you arrive in Nunavut, the mandatory parks registration and orientation system will allow you to find out about the area you will be visiting. Ask park staff for specific information regarding your trip plans and be flexible in case you receive information that will cause you to alter your plans.
If you have any doubts about your skill level and experience, consider hiring a local guide or outfitter.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you have experience in Arctic wilderness travel?
- Are you prepared to travel in polar bear country and willing to accept the risk?
- Do you have first aid and wilderness survival skills required for self-reliance?
- Will you be traveling with others who have experience and training?
- Do you have the necessary camping gear, maps, safety equipment, first aid and repair kits?
- Are you willing to reassess and possibly change your trip plans if necessary?
- Do you have judgment, patience and respect for changing conditions?
- Do you have time and provisions for unexpected delays such as waiting out bad weather, high water levels, boat shuttles held up by rough water or tides, and delays in flight schedules?
- Do you have alternate plans with things to do in communities if you are unable to make your destination?
Self-planned canoe and kayak trips are popular with northern visitors. You will need specialized gear, knowledge and preparation.
Before embarking on a canoe or kayak trip in Nunavut consider the following:
- Are you comfortable with bracing, maneuvering, surf landing, surf launching and self-rescue techniques?
- Can you interpret marine charts and tide tables and use them to identify marine hazards?
- Can you travel on a bearing and use triangulation to establish your position?
- Can you navigate in fog?
- Are you able to estimate the speed of currents and estimate ferry angles under varying conditions?
- Do you have white water experience, canoe spray decks and wetsuits?
- Do you have the necessary maps and river reports?
- Have you considered ice conditions, tides and water levels that may delay your trip?
- Have you considered the safest size of group in case one of your boats is damaged?
In An Emergency
You must carry appropriate gear and take every precaution to keep yourself, and those who may be called upon to rescue you, out of danger.
Consider the following:
- Order necessary maps well in advance of your trip. Don’t rely on obtaining them when you arrive in the north. Check with the Natural Resources Canada Centre for Topographic Information for a list of map dealers
- Carry and know how to use emergency communication devices such as satellite phones. Some satellite phones may be available for rent in Nunavut but you are advised to rent one at home to bring on your trip. Be aware that local topography and weather conditions can limit reception. Carry a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit for navigation as well as for relaying accurate location coordinates in case of emergency.
- Know how to use your equipment before your leave on your trip. Batteries don’t last as long in cold weather so keep equipment warm and use them only when necessary.
- There are limited aircraft throughout Nunavut. Planes and helicopters are rarely stationed in smaller communities. Air access can be delayed, sometimes for many days, due to poor visibility, weather conditions, or high winds. Aircraft can only land if the terrain is safe.
Weather
The Arctic experiences long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Although summer brings long hours of daylight throughout Nunavut, there are areas where the sun never rises during winter. Because of greatly reduced hours of daylight and extreme cold, it is very uncommon for visitors to travel in winter in most of Nunavut. Only people with specialized skills and equipment should attempt winter travel.
Winds of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour are common year round throughout Nunavut. Winds are stronger from late summer to early winter and can reach extremes of over 100 kilometers per hour very quickly. Beware of blowing sand in summer and white out conditions when there is snow.
Know the signs and symptoms of hypothermia and how to treat it. Know how to prevent hypothermia by staying warm, dry, well fed and hydrated. Carry plenty of water with you year round to avoid dehydration. Freezing temperatures and snow are possible at any time of year.
Think carefully about the clothing that you will bring.
- Windproof gloves, over-mitts, a warm hat, scarf, balaclava or neck gaiter and wool socks are standard gear year round.
- Varying temperatures and vigorous outdoor activity require layered clothing. Start with long underwear bottoms and tops followed by additional upper and lower layers.
- Depending on the weather, cover up with either windproof or breathable waterproof jackets and pants.
- Do not wear cotton. When cotton gets wet from rain, snow or perspiration it cools your body temperature, potentially leading to hypothermia.
- Bring a warm parka with a hood.
- Bring sturdy hiking boots, running shoes for around your camp, and neoprene booties with water sandals if you plan to travel on water, as well as for creek and river crossings.
- Traveling by boat, your feet will be in contact with the hull of the boat where the temperature is usually close to freezing. Bring insulated rubber boots or oversized regular rubber boots with layers of wool or pile socks inside.
- Wear a hat as well as sunscreen with high sun protection factor.
- Protect your eyes with high ultraviolet filter sunglasses.
River Crossings
Stream and river depths can change over the course of a day and from one day to the next. This creates a challenge to assess safe crossings. Rivers in Nunavut are also very cold and must be treated with additional caution when crossing.
Consider the following:
- Cross major rivers and streams early in the day, especially those that are glacier fed. Water levels tend to be lowest early in the morning when the sun is weakest.
- Rainfall can dramatically increase river and stream flow. Changes in water levels and flow rate may be immediate, or delayed by several hours.
- If in doubt about your ability to cross a stream or river, wait until the water level is lower. It may be necessary to wait for a few hours or days until flow diminishes.
- The dynamic nature of rivers and streams means that safe crossing places change. You will have to assess each crossing for yourself, looking up and down stream for the safest place.
- River or stream sections on flat ground with several branches tend to be shallower than single, main channels.
- Undo waist and chest straps when crossing so that your pack can be removed quickly if necessary.
- Cross as a group, linking arms to support one another. Move diagonally across the current, with the strongest member upstream.
- Use a ski pole or hiking stick to test water depth and to help with balance while crossing.
- Neoprene booties with water sandals will protect your feet from cold water, tumbling rocks as well as keep your boots and socks dry.
Wildlife Safety
As a rule, keep your distance and avoid contact with all wildlife. It is illegal to touch, feed or entice wildlife in Nunavut. Contact the Government of Nunavut, Department of Environment Wildlife Division for information about fishing and hunting in Nunavut.
Grizzly bears are found on mainland Nunavut from the east coast of Hudson Bay across the barrens. You should take the same safety precautions in these parts of Nunavut as you would in any bear country. For general grizzly bear safety information contact the Government of Northwest Territories Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development Department. For Nunavut Parks specific grizzly bear information contact the Nunavut Department of Environment, Parks and Conservation Areas or Wildlife Division.
Muskoxen, particularly if they are lone bulls, have been known to charge and gore people when threatened. Walruses and whales can be aggressive and can easily capsize a boat. Rabies is present throughout Nunavut, especially in foxes but also in wolves. Birds and wildlife will scavenge food, garbage and caches that are not secure.
Arctic Insects
In Nunavut, as in many parts of Canada’s North, biting insects can be annoying during the summer. Although the problem varies from one area to another, it is best to come prepared.
Here are a few tips on how to ward off insects:
- When bugs are bad, head for open areas and high ridges where wind will blow them away.
- Wear light colours. Insects are not as attracted to these as they are to dark clothing.
- Bring long sleeved shirts, long pants, a bug hat or jacket and bug repellent.
- If you are allergic to bees, bring appropriate medication with you. There are very few pharmacies in Nunavut especially in smaller communities.
- Check that the netting and door zippers on your tent are in good shape. Bring a tent repair kit with netting patches for repairs.
Minimum Impact Travel
Plants and animals in the Arctic are very vulnerable to human disturbance because of the harsh climate and short growing season. Ensure that your impact on the land is minimized.
Practice the following:
- Respect wildlife and wildlife habitat. Do not approach wildlife for any reason, including photographs. Avoid nesting, calving, and denning areas. Many Arctic birds are ground nesters, so watch for bird nests and chicks.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects, such as skulls and antlers, as you find them. Not only does collecting spoil the experience for others but you may be breaking laws.
- Do not build cairns, markers, or leave messages in the dirt. These can be potentially misleading and dangerous for other visitors. Do not disturb or destroy any cairns that you do find, as some are of great historical significance.
- Do not camp on, or remove any rocks from any features that look like archaeological sites. Archaeological sites are important cultural resources that tell us about life in Nunavut over thousands of years.
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces where your signs will be minimal, especially for base camps or if you are traveling in a group.
- Wear soft shoes around your camp. This is not only a great relief after a day spent in heavy hiking boots but also minimizes impact around your campsite.
- Avoid camping near sensitive vegetated areas. Do not dig trenches around tents or build rock windbreaks. If you do use rocks to secure your tent, return them to their original location before you leave.
- Use a camp stove to cook. Vegetation should not be used for fires. Stove fuel must be bought locally due to dangerous goods transport laws.
- Come well supplied with food, particularly specialized products like dried or dehydrated food. Bring food in plastic bags instead of cans, bottles or foil. Carefully measure your meals to minimize leftovers that may attract wildlife. Avoid foods with strong odours.
- Pack out all of your garbage including food scraps and packaging. Do not burn packaging as lingering food odours may become attractants to bears. Pick up any spilled food from your cooking and eating areas. Pick up litter left by others and report any large accumulations to parks staff.
- Avoid using soap. If you must use soap, use biodegradable soap. Waste water should be deposited at least 100 meters away from campsites and water bodies.
- Feces should be packed out or buried under rocks away from trails, at least 100 meters from your camp and from all water sources. If you are traveling in a large group or using a base camp, dig a shallow ‘cat hole’ approximately 15 centimeters deep and at least 100 meters away from traffic routes, campsites, and bodies of water. Make sure that the hole is covered over after use to hide its presence and to discourage animals from digging it up. If traveling in coastal areas along a body of salt water, it is acceptable to bury your feces in a shallow pit below the high water mark. Put all used toilet paper and feminine hygiene products in a sealed bag with your garbage.
Suggested Resources
Suggested DVDs/Videos
- Staying Safe in Bear Country
- Working in Bear Country
- Polar Bears: A Guide to Safety
- Safe and Sustainable Travel in Nunavut
All videos are available for viewing at local visitor centres and wildlife officers. The Bear Safety video series is also available for purchase through Distribution Access.
• Tel: 1-888-440-4640
Any proceeds from the sales of the Bear Safety Videos are put directly back into further educational efforts.
Suggested Readings
Bromley, Marianne. 1996. Safety in Polar Bear Country. Northwest Territories Renewable Resources, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, 24pp.
Bromley, Marianne. 1996. Safety in Grizzly and Black Bear Country. Northwest Territories Renewable Resources, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, 24pp.
Pielou, E.C. 1994. A Naturalist’s Guide to the Arctic. University of Chicago Press. Chicago, Illinois. 327 pp.
Soubliere, Marion Editor. 1999. The Nunavut Handbook. Nortext. Iqaluit, Nunavut. 413 pp.
Stirling, Ian. 1998. Polar Bears. University of Michigan Press, Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Markham, Ontario, 220pp.
Registration, Permits and Rentals
Territorial Parks have been established to help park visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. Through pre-trip information visitors find out about potential hazards as well as safe and low impact travel practices required in Arctic environments.
Visitors must inform themselves, plan and organize logistics, equipment and supplies as much as possible at home while still in the trip planning process. Visitors are asked to read “Polar Bear Safety in Nunavut Territorial Parks” as well as “Safe and Sustainable Travel in Nunavut Territorial Parks” mandatory pre-trip information. Pre-trip information is available at www.nunavutparks.com or in print format by request.
Visitors should determine their choices regarding bear deterrents, emergency communications devices, firearms and other specialized equipment before leaving home. Visitors should also inform themselves about access to Inuit Owned Lands as well as hunting and fishing regulations if applicable to their trip.
Registration
As the last point of contact for up-to-date trip information before visitors embark into a Nunavut park, the registration and orientation process is a chance for visitors to finalize their level of preparation and equipment for their trip, as well as to ask park staff any remaining questions.
Currently, registration/de-registration is mandatory for all visitors planning trips into Katannilik Territorial Park. If you are planning a wilderness trip to one of Nunavut’s other parks, register your plans with the RCMP at the detachment closest to your departure point (and very importantly DO NOT forget to check in when you return!) It’s a good idea to leave your plans with someone you trust as well.
For Katannilik, registration and de-registration is available at the Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre in Iqaluit and the Katannilik Territorial Park Visitor Centre in Kimmirut. Guided visitors must be registered through their guide / outfitter company. Guide / Outfitting companies must contact Nunavut Territorial Parks Headquarters in Iqaluit for details of the Guides and Outfitters Registration / Deregistration and Orientation process.
A Nunavut Parks Registration Form must be completed and signed jointly by group leaders and registration staff during the registration and orientation process. The Registration Form is a record of expected trip plans, equipment and supplies.
Through the registration process visitors can obtain additional, known, up-to-date information including safety notices, land and water conditions, as well as wildlife sighting reports and emergency shelters / group shelter use levels. Registration allows parks staff to know intended travel routes and expected dates of return. Group leaders must acknowledge that all group members have read and understood the Safe and Sustainable Travel / Polar Bear Safety in Nunavut Territorial Parks mandatory pre-trip information.
To be most beneficial, this information must be read at home while visitors are still in the trip planning process.
As part of the mandatory registration process all park visitors watch the Safe and Sustainable Travel / Polar Bear Safety in Nunavut Territorial Parks Orientation Slideshow. This audio-visual presentation is an opportunity to see images and hear key messages reinforcing considerations that visitors should make before embarking on their Nunavut Territorial Parks experience.
Group leaders must also de-register at the end of their trip. De-registration allows park staff to know that registered groups have returned. De-registration is an opportunity for visitors to convey information back to park staff including park conditions, wildlife sightings and level of satisfaction with park facilities and information. If a group does not return by the date agreed upon on the registration form, a search and rescue effort will be initiated.
All search and rescue costs are the responsibility of the visitor.
Visitors should be aware that search and rescue efforts can be delayed, sometimes for many days, due to poor visibility, weather conditions or high winds. Aircraft can only land if terrain is safe.
Download and read the appropriate registration package:
• Katannilik Park Registration Information for Non-Guided Groups and Outfitted/Guided Groups (.pdf)
Permits
Permits are required for various activities that occur within Territorial Park boundaries. Research and filming are two activities that have potential to impact our parks. For other activities, contact Nunavut Parks to confirm if a permit is required.
• Nunavut Territorial Parks Use Permit (.pdf) Suitable for general park use or research purposes
• Nunavut Territorial Wildlife Research Permit (.pdf) | Permit (.doc) | Guidelines (.pdf)
• Nunavut Territorial Parks Use Permit – Filming in Parks (.pdf)
It is recommended that visitors to Nunavut Territorial Parks travel with licensed local guides and outfitters. All visitors should inform themselves about bear warning systems and deterrents such as pistol and pen launched ‘bear bangers’, bear spray, noisemakers, and air horns. Use of firearms is not encouraged. Check with Nunavut Park staff for regulations governing carrying and using firearms.
If you are interested in carrying a firearm in a territorial park, you must download and complete the permit application:
• Nunavut Territorial Parks Firearm Permit (.pdf)
Rentals
Parks are for everyone and the majority of park facilities are free for the public to use. However, two of our Territorial Parks currently feature buildings you may rent for activities or events that require some shelter from the elements. Fill out our rental application for the Park Pavilion in Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park, or the Elders Cabin in Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park.
• Sylvia Grinnell Pavilion Rental (.pdf)
• Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Elders Cabin Rental (.pdf)
Inuit Owned Lands
With the May 25, 1993 signing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA), Inuit of the central and eastern arctic were given a new territory: Nunavut. The agreement provides Inuit of Nunavut with benefits such as equal representation with government, wildlife harvesting rights, and the title to approximately 350,000 km2 of land – these lands are known as Inuit Owned Lands.
There were four primary considerations for the selection of Inuit Owned Lands within the NLCA. They include:
- Areas of value principally for renewable resource reasons
- Areas of value principally for reasons related to the development of non-renewable resources
- Areas of commercial value; and
- Areas of archaeological, historical or cultural importance.
Access to Inuit Owned Lands
Some of Nunavut’s territorial parks are adjacent to Inuit Owned Lands. In some cases, Inuit Owned Lands may fall within the boundary of the territorial parks. Nunavut Parks makes every effort to provide mapping and signage indicating where these lands exist.
Visitors who want access to Inuit Owned Lands are required to get authorization from the appropriate Regional Inuit Association. For further information and to apply for such authorization, see the following:
| To access lands in the: | Apply for land access authorization from the: |
| Kitikmeot Region | Kitikmeot Inuit Association |
| Kivalliq Region | Kivalliq Inuit Association |
| Qikiqtaaluk Region | Qikiqtaaluk Inuit Association |
Visitor Centres
Nunavut’s Visitor Centres are a great first place to contact before your visit to Nunavut. They are community centres where residents come together to take part in traditional activities; they are places that interpret the rich and important history of Nunavut; they describe the strong relationships between Nunavummiut and the land; and they celebrate and promote tourism, local, regional and territorial attractions.
Contact the local Visitor Centre before you arrive, or when you get there, to make sure you have the brochures and publications you need. Staff at the centres can connect you to a local outfitter or guide to take you out to a park or a day on the land, set you up in a homestay program overnight, or uncover something new to see and do while you are there.
| Arviat | Margaret Aniksak Visitor Centre | The Margaret Aniksak Visitor Centre celebrates the rich history of Arviat and the Padlei Area. Enjoy the many displays featuring traditional tools, Inuit games and traditional clothing. The Centre is open seasonally; from end of July to September. It will also be open on special occasions. | Tel: 867-857-2366 Fax: 867-857-2519 |
| Baker Lake | Vera Akumalik Visitor Centre | Step back in time to a Hudson’s Bay Post at the Vera Akumalik Visitor Centre in Baker Lake – the geographic centre of Canada. Stop by the Vera Akumalik Center, the Baker Lake Heritage Centre, one of the towns several galleries, or the Jessie Oonark Arts and Crafts Centre at the start, or end, of a trip down the Thelon Heritage River, the Kazan Heritage River, or the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary. | Tel: 867-793-2456 Fax: 867-793-2175 |
| Baker Lake | Baker Lake Heritage Centre | Tel: 867-793-2598 Fax: 867-793-2509 |
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| Cambridge Bay | Arctic Coast Visitor Centre | Explore the history of the quest for the Northwest Passage at the Arctic Coast Visitor Centre in Cambridge Bay. Stop by the centre during your visit to Ovayok Territorial Park and the surrounding area, or to set up a local tour. | Tel: 867-983-2842 Fax: 867-983-2302 |
| Cape Dorset | Mallikjuaq Park Visitor Centre | A main stop for cruise ship passengers en route to Mallikjuaq Territorial Park in Cape Dorset, the Mallikjuaq Park Visitor Centre displays artifacts portraying the history of Dorset and Mallikjuaq islands. Start here to arrange your trip to the Park. | Tel: 867-897-8996 Fax: 867-897-8475 |
| Iqaluit | Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre | The Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre celebrates Nunavut – its lands, its people, and its history. The centre also highlights things to do while in Iqaluit, including a guided tour of Frobisher Bay or a walking tour of Iqaluit – Nunavut’s capital City. The Centre is also a great starting point for a trip to Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park or Qaummaarviit Territorial Park, both only a short distance from Iqaluit, or to register to go to Katannilik Territorial Park. | Tel: 867-979-4636 Fax: 867-979-1261 Email Unikkaarvik |
| Kimmirut | Katannilik Park Visitor Centre | The Katannilik Park Visitor Centre, located in the restored Dewey Soper House in Kimmirut, provides interpretation for Katannilik Territorial Park and the Soper Heritage River. Staff at the centre will also register you in or out of the Park, and set up home-stays for visitors to Kimmirut. | Tel: 867-939-2416 Fax: 867-939-2406 Email Katannilik Park |
| Kugluktuk | Kugluktuk Heritage and Visitors’ Centre | Visitors to the Kugluktuk Heritage and Visitors’ Centre can learn about the local history, and the importance of the Coppermine River – a nominated Canadian Heritage River, and the scenic Kugluk (Bloody Falls) Territorial Park. The Centre is also the starting point to a self-guided interpretive walking trail of Kugluktuk. | Tel: 867-982-3570 Fax: 867-982-3573 |
| Pangnirtung | Angmarlik Visitor Centre | The history of whaling in Cumberland Sound and Pangnirtung is interpreted at the Angmarlik Visitor Centre, the Hudson’s Bay Blubber Station and Kekerten Territorial Park – a three hour boat ride from Pangnirtung. Staff at the Centre will also arrange guides and outfitters to the Park, or to Auyuittuq National Park. | Tel: 867-473-8737 Fax 867-473-8685 |
| Pond Inlet | Nattinnak Centre | Visitors to Pond Inlet come to enjoy spring snowmobile and dog team tours for wildlife watching at the floe edge and to the bird cliffs on Bylot Island, cross-country skiing and boat trips for sport fishing, narwhal watching, and sea kayaking among the ice bergs, or camping at Tamaarvik Territorial Park. This, and the history of the region, is showcased at the Nattinnak Centre – as is Sirmilik National Park, and Bylot Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary. | Tel: 867-899-8225 Fax: 867-899-8175 |
| Rankin Inlet | Rankin Inlet Visitor Centre | The Rankin Inlet Visitor Centre is conveniently housed in the Rankin Inlet Airport. Staff at the centre will direct visitors to Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park, and set up trips to Marble Island – an Inuit-owned historic site, and other sites in the region. | Tel: 867-645-3838 Fax: 867-645-3904 |
Downloadable Documents
| Nunavut Parks & Special Places |
| Safe Travel |
| Culture & Heritage |
| Archaeological & Paleontological Sites in the Nunavut Territory |
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Nunavut Tourism can provide detailed information on your trip to Nunavut. Visit their website or contact them by email to request your copy of the Nunavut Travel Planner. Toll Free: 1-866-NUNAVUT (1-866-686-2888) |
