Nahanni National Park Reserve

Nahanni National Park Reserve/ Naha Dehe offers an outstanding example of northern wilderness rivers, canyons, gorges and alpine tundra. The current park, with a total area of 30,000 square km is centered on the valleys of the South Nahanni and Flat Rivers. The park includes more of the South Nahanni watershed, alpine areas, Nahanni Karst, the Ram Plateau and the Ragged Range including Glacier Lake.

The park's southeast boundary is 145 km southwest of Fort Simpson. The only access to the park is by air. Flightseeing tours, and expedition outfitting are based in Fort Simpson.

The South Nahanni River flows 563 km southeast, through scenic mountain valleys and a series of canyons before it reaches the Liard River at Nahanni Butte. This is the route some 600 visitors travel each year.

Virginia Falls (Nailicho) on the South Nahanni River is twice the height of Niagara. There's a well maintained portage around the falls, and day trippers can land here to view the scenery. Dall’s sheep, mountain goats, woodland caribou, wolves, black bears, grizzlies and trumpeter swans all find refuge in Nahanni.

At Rabbitkettle Hotsprings, on the upper reaches of the river,are the largest tufa mounds in Canada. Created by warm mineral springs bubbling to the surface, tufa hardens to form intricate terraces and basins. The mounds are fragile and protected in a special preservation zone. Access is limited to guided hikes with overnight visitors.

Legends of haunted valleys and lost gold arose after the mysterious deaths of several prospectors in Nahanni. Placenames such as Deadmen Valley, Headless Creek, Headless Range and the Funeral Range bear testimony to these stories.

Nahanni National Park Reserve was designated a World Heritage Site in 1978. The South Nahanni River was named a Canadian Heritage River in 1987.

Contact:
Nahanni National Park Reserve
Box 348
Fort Simpson, NT
Canada X0E 0N0
Phone: (867) - 695-3151
Fax: (867) 695-2446
Email: nahanni.info@pc.gc.ca
Web: www.pc.gc.ca/nahanni

Nahanni National Park Reserve: Virginia Falls - Northwest Territories, Canada