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Sahtú Heritage Park adventures

Sahtú Heritage Park Adventures

Sahtú Heritage Park is a vast, remote protected area in the Northwest Territories, celebrated for its pristine boreal and subarctic landscapes, rich Indigenous cultural heritage, and outstanding opportunities for backcountry exploration and wildlife viewing.

3,400,000
Acres Protected
Undeveloped—primarily traditional and Indigenous use trails
Miles of Trails
Fewer than 1,000 (due to remoteness)
Annual Visitors
2022
Year Established

About Sahtú Heritage Park

 

Sahtú Heritage Park, located in the Sahtú Region of the Northwest Territories, covers an expansive and ecologically diverse area characterized by boreal forests, tundra, wetlands, and glacially sculpted terrain. The park is named for the Sahtú (Great Bear Lake) region and honors the Dene Indigenous peoples who have inhabited and stewarded this land for millennia. The park's geography includes dense spruce forests, rolling hills, muskeg bogs, and crystal-clear lakes and rivers, offering important habitat for species such as woodland caribou, black bears, wolves, moose, and migratory birds. The cultural history in Sahtú Heritage Park is profound, with numerous archaeological sites, traditional hunting grounds, and places of spiritual significance tied to the Sahtúot’ine (Sahtú Dene people). This park emphasizes a collaborative governance approach with Indigenous communities, reflecting the integration of cultural preservation and environmental protection. Recreational opportunities in this remote park are largely backcountry-focused, including hiking, canoeing and kayaking on pristine waterways, wildlife viewing, and camping. Visitors who venture here can experience true wilderness, with virtually no developed infrastructure, making it a premier destination for experienced travelers seeking solitude and immersion in nature. Seasonal variations offer snow sports and ice fishing in winter, and canoe tripping and fishing in summer. Sahtú Heritage Park represents one of the Northwest Territories' newest and largest protected areas, promising profound ecological and cultural experiences in a stunning northern landscape.

Highlights

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Vast boreal and subarctic ecosystems featuring pristine lakes and rivers

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Rich Indigenous cultural sites and ongoing stewardship by the Sahtúot’ine people

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Wildlife viewing opportunities including woodland caribou, black bear, and migratory birds

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Remote wilderness canoe routes and fly-in wilderness camping experiences

Notable Natural Features

Great Bear Lake Shoreline

The park encompasses part of the world’s largest pristine freshwater lake, known for its clear waters and remote setting.

Turtle Lake Area

A key habitat area supporting diverse aquatic species and a traditional fishing site for local Indigenous communities.

Traditional Dene Sites

Many culturally significant archaeological sites and cabin locations provide insight into the longstanding presence of the Sahtúot’ine people.