HomeProtected PlacesWood Buffalo National Park (within driving distance)
Wood Buffalo National Park (within driving distance) adventures

Wood Buffalo National Park (within driving distance) Adventures

Wood Buffalo National Park is the largest national park in Canada, offering vast wilderness, rich wildlife viewing opportunities, and unique ecosystems such as boreal forest and northern wetlands.

4,047,000
Acres Protected
Varies - Limited marked trails, mostly canoe routes
Miles of Trails
Approximately 20,000
Annual Visitors
1922
Year Established

About Wood Buffalo National Park (within driving distance)

Wood Buffalo National Park (within driving distance)
 

Wood Buffalo National Park spans the border between northeastern Alberta and the southern Northwest Territories. Covering over 17,000 square kilometers, it is Canada’s largest national park and among the largest in the world. The park protects one of the last remaining natural habitats for the endangered whooping crane and is renowned for the largest free-roaming herd of wood bison. It encompasses a diverse range of ecosystems including boreal forests, expansive wetlands, and the Peace-Athabasca Delta, one of the world’s largest freshwater deltas, providing critical habitat for countless bird species, fish, and mammals. Established in 1922 to protect declining bison populations, Wood Buffalo also holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its outstanding biodiversity and ecosystem values. Outdoor enthusiasts have ample opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, canoeing, and fishing. The park’s remote and rugged nature allows visitors to experience northern wilderness in a pristine setting, with stunning landscapes including sand dunes, river valleys, and dense forests. Notable landmarks include the Salt Plains, Peace River, and various important Indigenous cultural sites. Visitors appreciate the park’s quiet atmosphere and the chance to witness rare wildlife, including wolves, bears, and migratory birds. Due to its vast size and remoteness, exploring Wood Buffalo requires careful planning and respect for the natural environment.

Highlights

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Peace-Athabasca Delta – one of the world’s largest inland freshwater deltas rich in birdlife

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Largest free-ranging wood bison herd in the world

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World Heritage Site designation for ecological significance

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Salt Plains where natural salt flats create unique terrain and wildlife habitats

Notable Natural Features

Peace-Athabasca Delta

One of the world's largest freshwater deltas, supporting a vast array of birds and aquatic life, crucial for biodiversity conservation.

Wood Bison Herd

The park shelters the largest free-roaming wood bison population, a subspecies once near extinction.

Salt Plains

A rare natural salt flat ecosystem that supports unique plant and animal communities within the park.