own far north. traditions in ’s and continuing cultural amazing adaptations landforms,ancient epicmigrations,of Discover a vast land Venture further… North North Yukon’s

Great Great Wilderness Parks by Parks , Yukon Parks and Tourism Yukon Information parks andhistoric sitesin about Yukon hasbeenprovided to share andpromote Yukon’s Canadian heritage andnatural beauty. – working together

YG Photo / F. Mueller North could holdsomanyNorth secrets. and our great wilderness parksthem all. honour You neverthe imagined North Yukon’s natural beauty and cultural history takes many different forms, Yukon’s nationalterritorial parks and ­ to sharetheirculturalheritage. you tovisittheircommunities, andareproud their stories may continue to be told. you may encounter, and leave them undisturbed so the parks be aware of the artifacts and heritage sites heritage of many thousands of years. When visiting historic andculturalfeatures, somerepresentinga Yukon’s northernparksallprotectprecious Honouring ourHeritage and respect. us protectthem.Travel andcampwithcare Yukon’s incrediblenaturaltreasurespleasehelp to humandisturbance. Asyou exploreandenjoy The delicateecosystems ofthenortharesensitive Respecting theLand Teet will meetVuntut Gwitchin,Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in, traditions andways oflife. InNorthYukon you descendants continuetopracticemany oftheir and huntedintheNorthlongago.Theirmodern tell usabouttheancientpeopleswhotravelled cultural heritage. Archaeologicalsitesintheparks North Yukon’s parkseachhave theirown rich Communities andCultures Alask 'it Gwich'in,andInuvialuitwhowelcome a United States YU C KO anada Me N xic o

Marc Pike Photo – newto worlds explore. please contact theparks.please contact trip planninginformation risks isessential. For complete understanding ofthepotential planning andanexcellent remote areas, arctic very careful To ensure safe travel inthese

Herschel Island - Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park PAGE 8 Where the natural life of both the land and sea share a precious arctic island, attracting Legend , historic whalers, Roads researchers, and visitors to Territorial Parks

YG Photo YG explore a rich and beautiful National Parks natural environment. Community/town

Ivvavik National Park PAGE 5 HERSCHEL Where the Firth River takes you ISLAND- QIKIQTARUK through ancient river canyons IVVAVIK all the way to Yukon’s Arctic Tuktoyaktuk Ocean coast. VUNTUT

Inuvik

Parks Canada Parks Old Crow Aklavik Northwest Territories Tsiigehtchic Fort McPherson Eagle Plains PAGE 6 ARCTIC CIRCLE NI’IINLII NJIK Where you can snowshoe (FISHING BRANCH) across the rolling mountain landscape of prehistoric Beringia. 5

TOMBSTONE Photo / C. Wong Photo / C. Canada Parks

Dawson City 2 Ni'iinlii Njik (Fishing Branch) Territorial Park PAGE 4 YUKON Beaver Creek Where salmon spawn, grizzly bears feast, and underground ASI KEYI 4 caves store warm waters through 1 Carmacks the long cold winters. 2 YG Photo / F. Mueller Photo / F. YG KLUANE 4 KUSAWA 3 Tombstone Territorial Park AGAY MENE Teslin Watson Lake PAGE 2 CHILKOOT 1 COAL RIVER Skagway TRAIL Where jagged peaks and SPRINGS Haines sweeping valleys surround you and the boreal forest meets the arctic and alpine. Al British a sk Columbia a YG Photo / F. Mueller Photo / F. YG

1 •  •  • • •  The Experience rich innaturalandculturalheritage. abundant wildlifecreateauniqueenvironment permafrost landformsandthediverse and peaks, thebroadtundravalleys, thefascinating of diverse ecologicalniches. Thejaggedblack meet, offeringanexceptionalconcentration the borealforest,alpinelakes, andarctictundra wilderness areawherethecontrastingworlds of Tombstone Territorial Park protectsaspectacular A SpecialPlace MountainLand ofJagged Peaks Tombstone Territorial Park 2 offers basiccampingfacilities. located neartheInterpretive Centreandit exploration forthepark.Thecampgroundis highway andprovides anexcellentbaseof The campgroundiseasilyaccessiblefromthe Tombstone Mountain Campground. enrich your experienceof the park. displays, programs, andguidedwalks thatwill June toSeptember, theCentreoffersinterpretive Tombstone Interpretive Centre. Openfrom Dawson office. advance scheduling,contacttheYukon Parks Tombstone Interpretive Centre. Ifyou require campgrounds, whichyou canpurchaseatthe from. Permits arerequiredatthebackcountry also threemaintainedcampgroundstochoose Tombstone Park backcountry, andthere are You can camp for free anywhere in the Backcountry campingandcampgrounds. Wildlife ViewingGuide. in TheDempsterHighwayTravelogue andthe wildlife viewingfromthehighway, also available the Interpretive Centrecanprovide tipsfor and ptarmigans. Knowledgeable parkstaffat moose, wolves, grizzlyandblackbears, foxes the sceneryandwildlife, whichincludescaribou, Park, allowing fantasticopportunitiestoview The DempsterHighway runsthroughTombstone Roadside wildlife andscenic viewing. hiking experience. features oftheparkofferanexceptional scenery, naturalenvironment,andunique But therewards aregreat.The breathtaking the challengesofhikinginaremotebackcountry. established trails. Hikersmustbepreparedfor Thisisawildernessparkwithfew Hiking.

YG Photo / F. Mueller Tombstone Park is one of the most important cultural and hunting sites in the traditional territory of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and Teet 'it Gwich'in. Archaeology sites provide evidence of at least 8,000 years of human history in the park. Tombstone Park remains a valued part of the traditional ways of life of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and Teet 'it Gwich'in. Marc Pike Photo Pike Marc

How to get there The Tombstone Interpretive Centre and Tombstone Mountain Campground are located on the Dempster Highway, 71.5 km north of the North . From Whitehorse the drive to the park is 550 km, approximately 7 hours. From it is approximately 1.5 hours.

For more information Yukon Parks, Environment Yukon PHONE (867) 993-6850 (DAWSON OFFICE) TOLL-FREE 1-800-661-0408, ext. 5648 www.yukonparks.ca | [email protected]

Park Information Hotline – (Dawson City) PHONE (867) 993-2441 TOLL-FREE 1-866-617-2757

YG Photo / F. Mueller Photo / F. YG Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in PHONE (867) 993-7100 | www.trondek.com

3 PHONE PHONE Yukon Parks, Environment Yukon the parkforcompleteinformationandassistance. Ni'iinlii Njik(FishingBranch)Park, pleasecontact the salmonrun.Ifyou areinterestedinvisiting visitors mustbeaccompaniedby aguideduring by helicopter. Apermitisrequiredtovisitand Old Crow, Yukon. Access totheparkisprimarily or airport.Itislocatedbetween Dawson Cityand remote wildernessparkfarfromthenearestroad Ni'iinlii Njik(FishingBranch)Territorial Park isa thereHow to get • information please contact the park. and requires a park permit. For current visiting being explored in the park so access is limited October. Other recreation opportunities are still reserve during the salmon run in September and opportunities are available in the ecological Commercially guided viewing The Experience raptors, and a wide variety of other wildlife. herd, as well as sheep, moose, includes part of the spring migration route of the fall to feed on spawning salmon. The park area also population of grizzly bears, which congregates each This unique environment supports a high seasonal Cave MountainandtheFishingBranchwatershed. creating anislandoftemperateforestaroundBear The warm waters resurfaceandflow year-round, thermal energyinundergroundreservoirs ofwater. enhance thisnutrient-richhabitatby storing deep inthenortherninterior. Karst formations from theseathatsustainaflourishingecosystem Fishing BranchRiver, bringingvaluable nutrients thousands ofkilometresfromtheBeringSeato ecosystem. Eachyear chumsalmontravel park thatprotectsadistinctandfascinating Ni'iinlii Njik(FishingBranch)Park isawilderness A SpecialPlace the SalmonSpawnWhere Ni'iinlii Njik(Fishing Branch) Territorial Park TOLL-FREE TOLL-FREE Vuntut Nation Gwitchin First www.yukonparks.ca 4 land thebest. of today, thepeoplewhocontinuetoknow this John Tizya Centreandvisit withVuntut Gwitchin of OldCrow. Enjoy interpretive displays atthe Ni'iinlii Njikinthetraditionalcommunity The Village OldCrow. of Feel thespiritof (867) 966-3261 966-3261 (867) 993-6850 (867) 1-800-661-0408, 1-800-661-0408, For more information | [email protected] (DAWSON OFFICE) (DAWSON | www.vgfn.ca ext. 5648

YG Photo / F. Mueller YG photo / D. Kuch honoured place. and specialqualitiesofthis Strategy theunique to protect the Yukon Protected Areas Nation Final Agreement and the Vuntut GwitchinFirst The parkwas created through and for thecommunity. protection offishandcaribou watershed for isvery important say theFishing that Branch oftraditionalhistory Elders use. Park, asacred area withalong Ni'iinlii Njik(Fishing Branch) are strongly connected to The Vuntut Gwitchin of Canada Where the Caribou Are Born

A Heritage Treasure Ivvavik National Park celebrates a diverse environment of ancient mountain peaks, rocky canyons, turquoise rivers, and arctic coastal plains. A portion of the Porcupine caribou herd calving grounds is included in Ivvavik, allowing the park to play an important role in the health of the herd. Representing the Northern Yukon and Mackenzie Delta natural regions of Canada, Ivvavik National Park ensures that a spectacular portion of these unique environmental areas is cherished by present and future generations. The Experience • Rafting on the Firth River. Rafting on the Firth’s world-class white water is the wilderness journey of a lifetime. Travel through ancient rock canyons that slash the and take you out to the arctic coast. • Hiking. The gentle unglaciated mountains of Ivvavik offer infinite hiking possibilities. During the short explosive summers, wildflowers carpet the landscape and wildlife viewing opportunities abound. • Flightseeing. Ivvavik is accessed by air charter,

Parks Canada Photo / R. Buchanan Canada Parks which adds the unforgettable experience of flying across the massive delta of the Mackenzie River and over the blue rivers, tundra foothills, and mountains of northern Yukon. • A cultural experience. Visit the communities of and Aklavik, and meet Inuvialuit whose traditional knowledge and cultural heritage are a treasured part of Ivvavik National Park. How to get there Ivvavik National Park is 200 km from Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Access to the park is by Ivvavik National Park is part air charter from Inuvik. of the traditional homeland of the Inuvialuit of the Western Regular scheduled flights connect Inuvik to Edmonton, Alberta, and Whitehorse, Yukon. Arctic, who have relied on the Inuvik is also accessible by road from Yukon by caribou for sustenance for travelling the world-famous Dempster Highway. thousands of years. Today, the Inuvialuit are partners in the For more information cooperative management of Ivvavik National Park of Canada the park, ensuring ongoing P.O. Box 1840, Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0 maintenance of their cultural PHONE (867) 777-8800 | www.pc.gc.ca/ivvavik and harvesting traditions. Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Parks Canada Photo / R. Buchanan Canada Parks PHONE (867) 966-3261 | www.vgfn.ca

5 of theirsustenance. ways oflife, relyingonthelandformajority who continuetopracticemany oftheirtraditional a warm welcome fromtheVuntut Gwitchin, time andexplorethevillage. You willexperience history ofVuntut NationalPark. Thentakeyour will introduceyou tothenatural andcultural the JohnTizya Centrewhere interpretive exhibits Yukon villageofOldCrow. Startyour visitat You cangetatasteoftheparkinnorth for authentic experiences? Are you acurioustraveller withapassion itinerary. work withparkstafftoplan your own routeand with nofacilitiesordesignatedtrails, andyou can Vuntut NationalPark isatruewildernesspark shoeing intheancientopenlandscapeofpark. hidden treasuresby hiking, skiing,orsnow- You candiscover oneofCanada’s lastunexplored Are you aseriouswildernessadventurer? The Experience international importance. Ramsar Convention as a wetland of as the , designated under the internationally recognized natural areas such Territories, andAlaska.Theparkalsoincludes Aboriginal peopleofnorthernYukon, Northwest herd range, akeyspeciestotheecosystems and Park containsaportionofthePorcupine caribou Arctic NationalWildlifeRefuge, Vuntut National area, includingIvvavik NationalPark andthe adapted wildlife. Aspartofalargerprotected lakes andwetlands, windingrivers, andhighly landscape ofrollingtundramountains, fertile Vuntut NationalPark protectsanancientarctic Heritage Treasure Land ofLakes andRolling Mountains Vuntut National Park Canada of 6

YG Photo Vuntut National Park remains an important part of the traditional territory of the Vuntut Gwitchin, a place where they continue to travel and practice their traditional ways of life as they have for thousands of years. The park is dedicated to protecting both the park ecosystems and the cultural heritage of the Vuntut Gwitchin. Working closely with the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, Parks Canada proudly ensures that this treasured area of the Northern Yukon Natural Region will remain vibrant and healthy for present and future generations to enjoy. Parks Canada Photo / C. Wong Photo / C. Canada Parks

How to get there For the serious adventurer Access to this remote arctic national park is challenging and requires extensive trip planning and preparation. If you are interested in planning a trip into Vuntut National Park, you will need to contact the park office for complete information and assistance. For the curious traveller If you seek opportunities to step off the beaten track, time spent in Old Crow will provide an outstanding highlight of your Yukon experience. Old Crow is a fly-in community with no road access. Regular scheduled flights connect Old Crow to Inuvik, Northwest Territories, and Whitehorse, Yukon.

For more information

Vuntut National Park of Canada, Parks Canada General Delivery, Old Crow, YT Y0B 1N0 YG Photo YG PHONE (867) 966-3622 | www.pc.gc.ca/vuntut

7 - Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park The Haven in the Sea

Qikiqtaruk is deeply treasured by the Inuvialuit. It is a place they come to hunt and fish A Special Place as they have for countless Herschel Island - Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park – generations. Inuvialuit oral Yukon's only large marine island – supports tradition says people witnessed vibrant land and sea ecosystems. Nestled only the making of Qikiqtaruk, and 5 km off of Yukon’s north coast on the Beaufort the island has continued to be Sea, Herschel Island creates a protected harbour a part of their traditional way from pack ice and north winds, and traps the of life since prehistoric times. warm nutrient-rich waters that flow west from the Mackenzie River delta. The special characteristics Herschel Island - Qikiqtaruk of Qikiqtaruk and its unique combination of Territorial Park was established plants, animals and sea life have drawn people through the Inuvialuit to the island for thousands of years. Historic and Final Agreement. archaeological sites from many periods of human history remain, including evidence of Thule and Inuvialuit occupations and twelve historic structures from a large 19th century whaling station. The island continues to be used and valued, by the Inuvialuit and by researchers as a globally-significant climate change hotspot. How to get there Inuvik, Northwest Territories is the main access point to the park, located 250 km to the southeast. From mid-June to mid-September, Herschel Island is accessible by boat or aircraft charter from Inuvik. Contact Tourism Yukon or NWT Tourism for current information on charter options. If you are rafting or kayaking the Firth River in Ivvavik National Park you can end your trip at Herschel Island. The Firth River enters the directly south of Herschel Island, and you can arrange to be picked up on the island. Contact Parks Canada in Inuvik for information on this option.

Flexible schedule required! This is the Arctic, and your travel plans will always depend on the right weather conditions. Herschel Island is often shrouded in fog, especially in late summer, and flights can be delayed for hours and days. It is essential to be prepared for possible delays with sufficient food and equipment.

8 Yukon College / L. Schilder College Yukon The Experience • Hiking and scenic viewing. The windswept rolling tundra, abundant arctic wildflowers, and driftwood-laden beaches of Herschel Island offer fantastic terrain for hiking and exploring, all set against the breathtaking scenery of the British Mountains and coastal plains of Yukon’s North Slope. • Wildlife and bird viewing. Many arctic species make seasonal use of Herschel Island and its surrounding waters, including beluga and bowhead whales, ringed seals and polar bears, caribou, muskoxen, grizzly bears, and a wide variety of migratory birds. If you are lucky, you may even meet researchers studying these arctic denizens in their changing climate. • Camping. Qikiqtaruk offers basic camping facilities including fire rings and outhouses. Cool temperatures and steady winds require that campers be properly prepared, but the driftwood windbreak shelters and 24–hour daylight provide memorable camping highlights.

YG Photo / C. Eckert YG • Historic buildings. During the late 19th century Herschel Island was the base of a large whaling settlement that included whaling ships, missionaries, police, a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post, and Alaskan, Inuvialuit, and Gwich’in traders. Thirteen historic structures from the period still stand today on Pauline Cove spit. • Archaeological and cultural sites. Prehistoric arctic people migrated through this area several times, leaving evidence of their passing that goes back at least 9,000 years. Remains of 1,000-year-old dwellings from the Thule cultural period mark occupations on Herschel Island from that time. Other cultural features include semi-subterranean ice houses, cemeteries, and archaeological remains of historic and prehistoric cultures.

For more information Yukon Parks, Environment Yukon P.O. Box 1129, Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0 PHONE (867) 777-4058 (INUVIK OFFICE) TOLL-FREE 1-800-661-0408 www.yukonparks.ca | [email protected]

NWT Tourism Box 610, Yellowknife, NT, XIA 2N5 TOLL-FREE 1-800-661-0788 YG Photo YG spectacularnwt.com

9 •  •  •  •  •  elseisintheneighbourhood? What highlights ofthe village. which leadsyou tothehistoricandbeloved pick uptheself-guidedwalking tourbrochure, and LapierreHousehistoricsites. Andbesureto Traditional Territories, includingRampart House for travels throughout theVuntut Gwitchin The Centrealsoofferstripplanning information Ni'iinlii Njik(FishingBranch)Territorial Park. delicate ecosystems ofVuntut NationalPark and you willlearnaboutthemagnificentwildlifeand tell ofalifeontheland.At theJohnTizya Centre homes, smokehousesandcaribouantlersthat the banksofPorcupine River andseethelog Gwitchin. ExplorethevillageofOldCrow on cultural andnaturalworld oftheVuntut Old Crow, Yukon. Immerseyourself inthe easy andunforgettableday trip. between InuvikandAklavik makeitan for generations. Regular scheduledflights in theMackenzieDeltaandnorthernYukon travelled andpracticedatraditionalway oflife and Inuvialuitfamilieswhohave hunted, this traditionalvillageishometoGwich’in Inuvik, atthebaseofBritishMountains, Aklavik. Across theMackenzieDelta from Western Arctic. great accesspointforadventures throughoutthe destination oftheDempsterHighway. Itisa and Gwich'intraditionalterritories, andtheend the Northwest Territories, partoftheInuvialuit regional hubfortheWestern Arcticportionof Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Inuvikisthe historic sites of Canada. Complex, Dredge No. 4, and S.S. Keno national experience, including Dawson Historical Gold Rush town is a special part of any Yukon Dawson City, Yukon. at theTombstone Interpretive Centre. Information CentreinDawson City, Inuvik,or Trail: Traveling inDempsterCountryataVisitor Dempster HighwayTravelogue andThePeople's traditional lands. Pickupafreecopy ofThe also travels throughanumberofFirstNations' Yukon andNorthwest Territories. Thehighway valleys andvast wildernessplainsofnorthern and Richardsonmountains, sweeping tundra you withbreathtakingmemoriesoftheOgilvie the way. Thedrive uptheDempsterwillleave north toInuvik,crossingtheArcticCircleon City, Yukon, theDempsterHighway heads in NorthAmerica.StartingjustsouthofDawson is oneofthemostremoteandscenichighways Dempster Highway. This736-kmgravel highway www.inuvik.ca This historic Klondike www.dawsoncity.ca www.oldcrow.ca

travelyukon.com Tourism Yukon Leave No Tracewww.leavenotrace.ca/programs/principles.html Canada www.wtay.com/bestenvironmentalpractices.aspx Wilderness Tourism Association ofthe Yukon www.hss.gov.yk.ca/programs/health_promotion/travel_smart Travel inthe Yukon Smart Outdoors • • • • www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca. at Centres,or at available brochures, following the in tips travel Yukon useful more Find For more information Wildlife Viewing Guide Guide Viewing Wildlife The Dempster Highway Travelogue Highway Dempster The Staying Safe in Bear Country Country Bear in Safe Staying Wilderness Yukon the Into Environment Yukon offices, Yukon Visitor Information

Parks Canada Photo YG Photo / R. Postma