Wilderness Camping Tips

Take your choice of extreme wilderness camping in our National Parks, or select a secluded fully serviced campsite for your tent or RV in one of our Territorial Parks. Wherever you go, please be sure to follow the rules of wilderness camping.

Leave No Trace

The backcountry is a place to seek solitude and a true wilderness experience, away from crowds, noise and everyday pressures. You'll enjoy your escape more if you help us to protect and preserve our wilderness. Enjoy activities with a low environmental impact. Clean up your campsite, and Leave No Trace.

Fires

Build campfires on sand, earth, or gravel, or in provided fireplaces. Never leave a fire unattended and always make sure it is out when you are finished. Remember to be careful with fire while out on the land and respect the restrictions on open fires when they are posted.


Clothing

Wear wool or polypropylene rather than cotton clothing. Wool is best for wet or cool weather; it retains warmth even when wet. Cotton clothing (including jeans) is less suitable because it increases loss of body heat when soaked. As a safety measure, have each member of your group carry a whistle. Make sure everyone knows that three blasts on a whistle or three shouts are a distress call.

Swimming

Check for underwater hazards (like rocks and logs) before you allow anyone to dive or swim. Avoid water with fast currents. And never swim alone.

Wildlife

Never approach or feed wild animals even if they appear to be friendly. When you choose a campsite, always be on the lookout for bear sign such as tracks and droppings. Don't camp where you see them. Keep your campsite clean and cache food safely away from tents. Dispose of food scraps by burning or burying them. For many people, seeing a bear is the highlight of a wilderness experience. However, bears are dangerous. As long as people and bears occupy the same territory, there will be unplanned encounters with potentially disastrous results. Try not to catch a bear by surprise. When you're out walking, it's a good idea to make a lot of noise.

To learn about preventing negative encounters with bears, download a copy of Safety in Grizzly and Black Bear Country www.enr.gov.nt.ca/_live/pages/wpPages/fact_sheets.aspx