Nunavut: National Parks, Polar Deserts and Inuit Culture

In Nunavut, nature and travel experiences range from tundra, peaks and glaciers to polar desert. There are also trails and outdoor activities, as well as places where Inuit culture and the region’s history come to life. Which of these interests you most can shape your choice of excursions and your travel plans.

National Parks and Outdoor Activities

In Quttinirpaaq National Park, vast tundra, rugged black peaks and immense glaciers meet. Herds of musk oxen and Peary caribou live there. From Tanquary Fiord, you can take day hikes or multi-day treks—two different time frames for exploring the park. Qausuittuq National Park offers a different type of landscape: it is a polar desert.

In Auyuittuq National Park, the 97-kilometre Akshayuk Pass is a natural corridor for hiking and skiing; snowshoeing is also possible there. A guided summer day trip from Pangnirtung to Ulu Peak is another option. The two choices differ in format: one is a longer corridor with several possible activities, while the other is a guided day trip along a specific route.

Sirmilik National Park has no designated travel routes, but park staff can help with excursion planning. From late July to early September, the park is accessible only by water; local boat operators and guides offer water transport there. Cultural traces in Ukkusiksalik National Park include tent rings, food caches and fox traps. There is also Ak&lungiqtautitalik, the “place of rope games.”

The 120-kilometre Itijjagiaq Trail runs from Frobisher Bay to Kimmirut. It is used by cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, dog sledders and hikers—so it is not just a hiking route. Canoeing, kayaking and rafting are possible on the Soper River, south of Mount Joy. In 1992, the river was added to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System for its rich natural heritage, cultural significance to Inuit and outstanding recreational opportunities for visitors.

Inuit Culture, History and Seasonal Experiences

In Gjoa Haven, the annual Umiyaqtutt Festival, held from late August to early September, brings together community feasts, cultural performances, an arts program and artifact presentations. The program also includes talks about the two shipwrecks, Inuit knowledge and the national historic site. The Nattilik Heritage Centre features exhibits on the history and culture of the region around Gjoa Haven. A plaque and a cairn there commemorate Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen.

The Toonik Tyme Festival in Iqaluit celebrates Inuit traditions and the return of spring each year. The Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park, also called Iqaluit Kuunga Territorial Park, combines nature experiences with cultural events: in summer, visitors can hike, camp, fish and have campfires. At weekly cultural events, they can experience throat singing and drum dancing, and learn how to make a kakivak and pitsi.

Qaummaarviit Territorial Park has historic sites, a boardwalk and a trail network. A reconstructed qarmaq shows visitors how the Inuit who once lived there used to live. Access depends on the season: in winter, the park can be reached by dog sled or snowmobile; in summer, by boat or sea kayak. The Road to Nowhere can be used on foot year-round; in winter, it can be traveled on skis, and in summer, by car.

Travel Interests and Finding a Hotel

Each of the places and activities mentioned is associated with a specific location. Plan your trip around the locations and activities that matter most to you.

Discover more destinations: Qikiqtaaluk, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island.

Go to the main travel overview: Canada.