Quttinirpaaq National Park

Quttinirpaaq

Located on Ellesmere Island, Quttinirpaaq is Canada's most northerly national park, featuring pristine Arctic wilderness, glaciers, and some of the world's most extreme polar landscapes. It offers unparalleled Arctic exploration opportunities for adventurous visitors seeking the planet's most remote wilderness.

Things to do

• Trek to Lake Hazen — Hike to Canada's largest high-Arctic lake, surrounded by barren tundra and accessible only during brief summer months.
• Explore Barbeau Peak — Climb to the highest point in Nunavut at 2,616 meters, offering panoramic views of glaciers and the Arctic Ocean.
• Witness Polar Wildlife — Observe Arctic musk oxen, Arctic hares, and occasionally polar bears in their natural habitat on the tundra.
• Visit Glacier Landscapes — Tour the park's vast network of glaciers and ice fields that cover much of Ellesmere Island.
• Midnight Sun Experience — Experience 24-hour daylight during summer months, when the sun never dips below the horizon.
• Arctic Basecamp Stay — Stay at Tanquary Fiord or other remote research camps to immerse yourself in extreme polar wilderness.

Food to try

• Arctic Char — Fresh fish caught from pristine Arctic lakes, prepared simply to highlight its delicate flavor in remote camp settings.
• Musk Ox Meat — Traditional Inuit protein source occasionally available through hunting, offering a rich, gamey flavor unique to the High Arctic.
• Seal and Whale (Country Food) — Traditional Inuit foods occasionally shared by local guides, representing centuries of Arctic subsistence hunting practices.
• Emergency Rations and Camp Meals — Visitors typically rely on freeze-dried meals and energy-dense provisions brought from the south, as the park has no commercial food services.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Inuit Heritage — Acknowledge that Ellesmere Island is traditional Inuit land; seek guides and outfitters from local Grise Fiord or Resolute Bay communities.
• Extreme Weather Preparedness — Dress in layers and follow all guide instructions immediately, as Arctic conditions can shift rapidly with temperatures dropping below -40°C.
• Leave No Trace Ethic — This fragile Arctic ecosystem recovers extremely slowly; pack out all waste and minimize any impact on the delicate tundra vegetation.
• Book with Licensed Operators — Access requires permits and experienced Arctic guides; never attempt independent travel as the park is one of Earth's most dangerous wilderness areas.