Aulavik National Park of Canada – Northwest Territories

Aulavik, meaning ‘place where people travel’ in Inuvialuktun, protects more than 12,000 sq kms of arctic lowlands on the north end of Banks Island. The massive park encompasses a variety of landscapes from fertile river valleys to polar deserts, buttes and badlands, rolling hills, and bold seacoasts. At the heart of Aulavik is the Thomsen River, which offers visitors a chance to paddle one of the continent’s most northerly navigable waterways. This pristine arctic environment is home to both the endangered Peary caribou and to the highest density of muskoxen in the world. The wildlife and land have supported aboriginal peoples for more than 3,400 years, from Pre-Dorset cultures to contemporary Inuvialuit.

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