After spending much of 2020 at home, adventurers can head far away from home, above the Arctic Circle and into the Yukon wilderness next year. The parks of the Arctic and Northern Yukon region are treasured places that provide travellers the chance to experience breathtaking wilderness and home of the Gwich'in, Hän, Inuvialuit and Northern Tutchone peoples.

In Canada's Northwest corner, sit Ivvavik National Park and Herschel Island-Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park. Extremely remote with no road access, this is the only part of the Yukon that polar bears visit, while belugas and bowhead whales make their seasonal home in the waters off the shore. Muskox, caribou, grizzlies, Arctic foxes, snowy owls and numerous other hardy bird species also inhabit the area. In the summer, 24 hours of daylight offers endless hours to explore these Northern gems.

Wolverines, muskox, moose, grizzlies and black bears roam Vuntut National Park. Most notably, the Porcupine Caribou Herd passes through on its great migration—approximately 200,000 caribou on the move is an incredible sight for visitors to witness. Nearby, Van Tat-Old Crow Flats is world renowned for its important wetlands habitat for half a million waterfowl.

Ni'iinlii Njik-Fishing Branch Territorial Park and Habitat Protection Area is home to majestic grizzlies drawn by spawning salmon, as well as numerous other large mammals like wolves and Dall sheep. Access is strictly managed, but there are opportunities to experience this extraordinary place with its unique ecosystem and remarkable limestone caves.

More accessible, and every bit as spectacular, is Tombstone Territorial Park. See it from the Dempster Highway, hike in, or take a flightseeing tour. This treasured land is on the migration path of the Fortymile and Porcupine Caribou Herds and is abundant in wildlife. Grizzlies and wolves roam the tundra, while the small-but-mighty marmots and pikas inhabit the slopes. Spot Dall sheep, moose, foxes, and the park's long list of birds—including willow ptarmigan, northern wheatears and golden eagles.

Ride Canada's oldest river, The Firth, to the Beaufort Sea—a true trip of a lifetime. Experience landscapes that are home to moose, caribou, wolves, grizzlies and black bears, and visit wetlands that are habitat to an abundance of migratory waterfowl. 

Of this region's five parks, Tombstone Territorial Park is the only one accessible by road. The other parks are farther north and even more remote, with few or no facilities or services. These extraordinary places offer extremely rewarding experiences for those wilderness adventurers who are willing to make the trip.

Background on North Yukon Parks:

Herschel Island – Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park

Located off Yukon's north coast in the Beaufort Sea, Herschel is a lush Arctic Eden with carpets of wildflowers, lots of birds and wildlife, and a rich history. Trips can be arranged by air and water from Inuvik, Northwest Territories.  herschel-island-qikiqtaruk-territorial

Vuntut National Park

Vuntut offers opportunities for experienced backcountry enthusiasts, including canoeing the Old Crow River, mountain hiking, and winter ski trips. Travellers must be self- sufficient and able to handle emergencies on their own. vuntut

Ivvavik National Park

Canada's first national park established as a result of a land claims settlement, Ivvavik (a place for giving birth and raising young) National Park protects part of the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd. Rafting the Firth River from the British Mountains out to the coastal tundra plains is one of the most popular activities in this region. ivvavik

Old Crow

With a population of under 300, North Yukon's only community is the close-knit Vuntut Gwitchin village of Old Crow. This fly-in community has regularly scheduled air service and is located at the confluence of the Old Crow (Chyàh Njìk) and Porcupine (Ch'oodeenjìk) rivers. The First Nation continues to harvest caribou as a primary source of food. Although amenities are limited, accommodations, wildlife viewing and cultural experiences can be arranged if planned in advance.  old-crow

Take me to North Yukon in 2021 with Windows on the Wild

Windows on the Wild offer a 9-day 'Ivvavik National Park - A Northern Iconic Experience' tour from £4,375 per person. Price includes: Two nights room only in Whitehorse, return flights from Whitehorse to Inuvik, two nights room only in Inuvik (one before and one after the camping tour), bush plane flight to Ivvavik National Park, four nights camping (tent and camping mattress provided), all meals and snacks whilst camping, guided hikes in the National Park and services of an Inuvialuit cultural host. For more information contact 020 8742 1556 or visit windowsonthewild

Ivvavik Base Camp, located in the far northeast corner of the Yukon, is a remote Arctic paradise that has everything needed to feel comfortable.

Guests will experience the Arctic in style as they settle into camp with Parks Canada guides. You will have your own prospector tent, flush toilets, electronic plug-ins, and even hot showers. Each day, enjoy fully catered meals prepared by Inuvialuit cooks. Travelling alongside Cultural Hosts, you will learn about the rich culture of the Inuvialuit people. Listen to their stories as you walk with them, in the same footsteps as their ancestors. Participate in programs that teach you about their traditional way of life. Feel the history and strength of the people who once traveled these lands. With guided hikes everyday, you will see the vast beauty that the Arctic has to offer. You might see grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, squirrels, eagles, and Dall sheep. Whether you are looking for peace and quiet, or excitement and adventure, Ivvavik National Park has it all. Soak in a beauty unlike any other, as you experience an area few people in the world will ever get to see. ivvavik-base-camp 

For further information on the Yukon, visit travelyukon