Wood Buffalo National Park is a place of remarkable scale. Spanning parts of the Northwest Territories and Alberta, it is Canada’s largest national park and one of the largest protected areas in the world. On the Northwest Territories side of the park, visitors can experience vast boreal forests, rivers, wetlands and grasslands that support an extraordinary variety of wildlife and birdlife.
Anchored by the town of Fort Smith, Wood Buffalo National Park offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, birdwatching, hiking, camping, paddling, photography, and Aurora viewing. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its globally significant ecosystems and cultural landscapes.
Why Visit Wood Buffalo National Park?
Canada’s Largest National Park
Covering more than 44,000 sq km (17,000 sq mi), Wood Buffalo National Park is larger than many countries. Its landscapes include boreal forest, wetlands, rivers, grasslands and unique features such as the Salt Plains near Fort Smith. The scale of the park shapes every visit, creating a sense of space and connection to the land that is increasingly rare to find.
Wildlife on a Remarkable Scale
Wood Buffalo National Park is home to the world’s largest free-roaming population of Wood Bison. These iconic animals can often be seen grazing in meadows, along roadsides, and throughout the park’s grassland and forest habitats.
The park is also an important refuge for migratory birds and wildlife, including moose, black bears, wolves, and hundreds of bird species. It protects critical nesting habitat for the endangered Whooping Crane, making it one of North America’s most significant birding destinations.
The Salt Plains
Among the park’s most unique features are the Salt Plains, rare inland salt flats found near Fort Smith. Formed by underground salt deposits, this striking landscape supports specialized plants and wildlife and offers a perspective unlike anywhere else in the Northwest Territories.
Things to Do in Wood Buffalo National Park
Wildlife Viewing
Travelling through Wood Buffalo National Park offers opportunities to observe wildlife in a variety of habitats, from wetlands and river valleys to grasslands and boreal forest. Early mornings and evenings are often the best times to watch for wildlife and experience the landscape at its quietest.
Birdwatching
The park’s wetlands and waterways attract birders from around the world. Spring and summer bring opportunities to observe waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, and migratory species moving through the region.
Hiking and Photography
Trails around Fort Smith and within the park offer opportunities to experience the landscape at a slower pace. From short walks to longer routes, hikers can access river viewpoints, forested trails and interpretive areas that highlight the region’s natural history. Throughout the year, changing seasons create rewarding photography opportunities.
Camping and Paddling
Camping is one of the best ways to spend more time in the landscape and experience the quiet pace of the park. Pine Lake Campground offers campsites, day-use facilities, access to hiking trails, and a sandy beach that is popular during the summer months.
Rivers and waterways throughout the region also provide opportunities for paddling adventures, from day trips to multi-day journeys.
Fort Smith: Gateway to the Park
Fort Smith serves as the primary gateway to Wood Buffalo National Park. Located along Highway 5, the town provides accommodations, restaurants, visitor services, and access to many of the park’s most popular experiences.
Visitors can spend time in the community before heading into the park, learn more about the region’s history and culture, and use Fort Smith as a base for wildlife viewing, hiking, paddling and day trips throughout the South Slave Region.
Aurora and Dark Sky Experiences
Wood Buffalo National Park is one of the largest Dark Sky Preserves in the world. As daylight hours shorten in late summer and fall, the night sky becomes a highlight of any visit.
Far from major urban centres, the park offers excellent opportunities to view the Northern Lights beneath dark, open skies. During the Aurora season, ribbons of green, purple, and pink light can often be seen dancing across the horizon and reflecting in lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
The combination of dark skies, expansive landscapes, and year-round road access makes Wood Buffalo an appealing destination for both first-time Aurora viewers and experienced photographers.
When to Visit
Wood Buffalo National Park offers a different experience in every season, with changing wildlife activity, landscapes, and opportunities to spend time on the land.
Summer, from June to August, is the most popular time to visit. Average temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), and long daylight hours create ideal conditions for hiking, camping, paddling, wildlife viewing and photography.
As temperatures cool in fall, typically ranging from -5°C to 15°C (23°F to 59°F), the boreal landscape begins to change colour and wildlife remains active throughout the park. Fall also marks the return of the Aurora season.
Winter brings snow-covered forests, frozen waterways, and long nights. Temperatures generally range from -10°C to -30°C (-14°F to 22°F). This is one of the best times of year to experience the Aurora Borealis beneath dark Northern skies.
In spring, temperatures gradually warm from -5°C to 10°C (23°F to 50°F). Migratory birds return to the park’s wetlands, wildlife activity increases, and the landscape begins its transition into summer.
Getting Here
Wood Buffalo National Park is accessible year-round through Fort Smith in the South Slave Region of the NWT.
From Alberta: Travel north to Fort Smith via Highway 5.
From British Columbia or Yukon: Follow the Alaska Highway through northern British Columbia and northern Alberta before connecting to Highway 5 and Fort Smith.
From Yellowknife: Travel south on Highway 3 to Hay River, then continue east on Highway 5 to Fort Smith.
By Air: Scheduled flights connect Fort Smith with Yellowknife year-round.
Start Planning Your Visit
Whether you are hoping to photograph Wood Bison, watch migratory birds, spend time on the water, or witness the Aurora Borealis beneath dark Northern skies, Wood Buffalo National Park offers a deeper connection to the landscapes and wildlife of the South Slave Region.
