Polar Bears, Wager Bay, and Ancient Inuit Tundra
Polar Bears, Wager Bay, and Ancient Inuit Tundra
Ukkusiksalik National Park protects one of the most biologically and culturally rich corners of the Canadian Arctic. Surrounding Wager Bay, a 100-kilometre saltwater inlet extending westward from Hudson Bay into the Nunavut tundra, the park covers 20,885 square kilometres of rolling Canadian Shield landscape that very few travelers ever reach. Its name in Inuktitut means ‘where there is material for the stone pot,’ a reference to the soapstone found throughout the park that Inuit have carved into qulliq oil lamps for centuries.
Created on August 23, 2003, Ukkusiksalik is managed cooperatively by Parks Canada and a management committee representing five Inuit communities: Naujaat, Coral Harbour, Chesterfield Inlet, Baker Lake, and Rankin Inlet. The landscape these communities have hunted and traveled for thousands of years is recorded in more than 500 archaeological sites throughout the park, including tent rings, food caches, fox traps, inuksuit, and the ruins of an abandoned Hudson’s Bay Company trading post at Ford Lake at the western end of Wager Bay.
Wager Bay itself is extraordinary. Tides reach 8 metres, among the highest in the Arctic, and at the bay’s western end the tidal exchange produces a dramatic reversing waterfall, one of only three such phenomena documented in Canada. The bay’s combination of cliffs, tidal flats, and polynyas creates year-round open water in some areas, supporting high concentrations of polar bears, ringed and bearded seals, barren-ground caribou, muskox, Arctic wolves, and barren-ground grizzly bears. Overhead, peregrine falcons and gyrfalcons nest along the rocky shorelines, and waterfowl including Canada geese, snow geese, and tundra swans gather during the brief summer.
Access to Ukkusiksalik is by charter aircraft or boat from Rankin Inlet or Baker Lake. The visit season is extremely short, typically from early July through early August when Wager Bay is navigable. A small lodge within the park provides basic shelter in polar bear country. All visitors must carry bear deterrents, register with Parks Canada before entering, and plan for total self-sufficiency throughout their stay.
Rankin Inlet and Baker Lake are the practical gateway communities, each offering hotels, outfitter services, and some vacation rental or guesthouse accommodation for groups staging their expedition. Spending several days in the Kivalliq Region before and after a park visit allows time to engage with Inuit art traditions, local culture, and the remarkable ecosystem of the western Hudson Bay coast, which in its own right is one of the most productive polar bear habitats in the world.
Contact Parks Canada at parks.canada.ca/ukkusiksalik for current visitor information, licensed outfitters, and permit requirements. Book your accommodations near Rankin Inlet for your Ukkusiksalik National Park expedition.
Seasons
April–June: tundra blooms, migratory birds arrive, and archaeological sites are best accessed after spring thaw.
June–August: long daylight, mild weather—ideal for hiking, boating, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.
September–November: autumn tundra colors, wildlife migrations, and fewer visitors—perfect for solitude and photography.
December–March: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, Northern Lights viewing—extreme cold requires experience.
Top 3 Facts about Ukkusiksalik National Park
At the western end of Wager Bay, the park features a reversing waterfall where tides of up to 8 metres produce dramatic bidirectional flows. Only three reversing waterfalls are documented in Canada; this one is among the most dramatic. The phenomenon occurs because the tidal exchange between Wager Bay and its inner Ford Lake creates opposing water flows depending on the tidal cycle.
Ukkusiksalik contains more than 500 documented archaeological sites, representing thousands of years of continuous Inuit and pre-Inuit occupation. These include tent rings, food caches, fox traps, hunters’ blinds, and inuksuit, as well as the remains of a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post that operated at Ford Lake from 1925 to 1946. To this day, local Inuit travel to the area to hunt and fish as their ancestors have done for millennia.
Ukkusiksalik National Park is home to barren-ground grizzly bears, one of the few national parks in Canada where both polar bears and grizzly bears inhabit the same landscape. The park also supports polar bears, barren-ground caribou, muskox, Arctic wolves, four species of seals, peregrine falcons, gyrfalcons, and thousands of nesting and migrating waterfowl along the Hudson Bay coast.
Travel Tips
Plan Ahead
Contact Parks Canada at parks.canada.ca/ukkusiksalik well in advance to arrange registration, permits, and licensed outfitter connections. Charter aircraft from Rankin Inlet or Baker Lake must be booked early. The practical visit window is only a few weeks in early July. Plan for a minimum of five to seven days to justify the logistical effort required to reach the park.
Pack Appropriately
Pack for full Arctic expedition conditions: waterproof and insulated layers, windproof outer gear, and sleeping equipment for near-freezing temperatures. Bring bear deterrents, a first-aid kit, and all food and supplies for the full trip. A satellite communication device is required. Wager Bay’s strong tidal winds require serious rain protection. No resupply exists inside the park.
Respect Wildlife
Polar bears are present throughout the park year-round and are especially active near the tidal flats and coastline. Carry bear deterrents at all times and follow Parks Canada safety protocols. Maintain safe distances from all wildlife including caribou, muskox, and Arctic wolves. Never disturb archaeological sites, tent rings, inuksuit, or Inuit food caches found throughout the tundra.
Stay Informed
Register your full itinerary with Parks Canada before entering and file detailed emergency contact information. Monitor Environment Canada weather forecasts for the Hudson Bay region throughout your trip. Contact Parks Canada at parks.canada.ca/ukkusiksalik for current conditions, permit requirements, and licensed outfitter information. All visitors must carry satellite communication devices.
- Area (km²)
- 12977.72
- Established year
- 2003
Accessibility & permits
Emergency
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to dive into what Ukkusiksalik National Park has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
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To visit Ukkusiksalik National Park, it is advisable to stay in nearby communities such as Naujaat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, or Rankin Inlet, as these are the closest settlements with available accommodations.
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The easiest hiking trail is to the first waterfall of the Sila River, which is a 4 km hike with a height difference of 40 meters and a difficulty level of easy, taking about 1.5 hours to complete.
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Pets are allowed but must be kept under physical control at all times. Leashed dogs can explore the park with their owners. However, pets should never be left unattended.
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There is no parking available, as the park is a remote wilderness area with no road access or designated parking lots.
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Explore the Arctic wilderness through hiking, skiing, and mountaineering, or take guided boat tours to see polar bears, caribou, and arctic wolves. Visit ancient Inuit cultural sites like tent rings, food caches, and the remnants of a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post. Go backcountry camping or join local guides for wildlife tours and insight into the park’s unique ecosystem and Inuit history.