Park
Pick
Wood Buffalo
National Park
This UNESCO World Heritage Site
the size of Switzerland celebrates
its 90
th
anniversary in
2012. At 17,300 square
miles (44,807 sq km),
it is Canada's largest
national park. Wood
Buffalo is sprawled across
northern Alberta and juts
into the Northwest Territories.
Visitors can access it through Fort
Smith. The park offers interpretive
hikes and canoeing. Stare into a
big sinkhole, walk barefoot on the
salt plains, see oddly-shaped rocks
on the lunar landscape of Grosbeak
Lake, swim and paddle in the
aquamarine waters of Pine Lake
and watch mating balls of red-
sided garter snakes emerge from
hibernation in late April (www.
pc.gc.ca/woodbuffalo).
More info on national parks and
historic sites: www.pc.gc.ca;
1-888-773-8888
once used for transportation between the Mackenzie
Mountains and the Mackenzie Valley (www.pwnhc.ca). The
Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly offers guided and
audio tours. Check out the polar bear rug on the floor of the
circular Chamber (www.assembly.gov.nt.ca). Enjoy wild
game or fresh fish at a local restaurant.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
N.W.T. has no shortage of outdoor activities, with four national
parks, two Canadian heritage rivers and 34 territorial parks.
Enjoy hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, fishing and
birdwatching (www.iti.gov.nt.ca/tourismparks/parks).
Visitors come to canoe or raft down the legendary South
Nahanni River in Nahanni National Park Reserve. Whitewater
paddlers from around the world converge on Fort Smith each
August long weekend for Paddlefest, an annual festival that
celebrates the power and history of the Slave River (www.
fskayak.webs.com).
FUN FOR FAMILIES
Take guided hikes and canoe excursions with Parks Canada
interpreters in Wood Buffalo National Park. Set up a tent and
enjoy camping in a territorial park. In winter, kids enjoy
visiting the Snowking Festival's Snow Castle on Yellowknife
Bay and going down the slide. Teens enjoy rafting with their
parents on a guided trip.
Book on-line with Canadian North
Reservations: 1.800.661.1505 • canadiannorth.com • Cargo: 1.866.663.2223
THE GATE (PULPIT ROCK), NAHANNI RIVER • COURTESY OF PARKS CANADA
2012 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CANADA 177
