Ukkusiksalik National Park
Nunavut Canada
By Ryan Greiner
The park was established in 2003 becoming Canada's 41st national park.
As Nunavut smallest national park covering 12,700 sq. mi. (20,500 km.) you can expect to see polar bears roaming the coast for seals, arctic wolves hunting among herds of caribou. You may see many snow geese and tundra swans. The marine life you may see includes seals, beluga whales, and possibly a narwhal.
The land is made up of tundra with many lakes and rivers. The park is located near Wager Bay a salt water inlet on the coast of Hudson Bay.
You will see low tundra vegetation such as dwarf birch, willow, Labrador tea, mountain avens, and other tundra flowers, and different species of blue berries.
You can find experienced guides and outfitters to lead you on day hikes around the park. An experienced outfitter may be able to set up an appropriated camp site with a solar powered electric fence and a sentry, otherwise the use of hard sided accommodations is recommended.
Since there are no visitor facilities, services or camp grounds in the park, careful pre-trip planning is very important.