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Wood Buffalo National Park

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Home DestinationsNational Parks Wood Buffalo National Park

Bigger than Switzerland, this is Canada’s largest park – and maybe its most intriguing. Founded to protect the Western Hemisphere’s most hefty land animal, the rare Wood Bison, the 44,807 square kilometre park comprises sweeping boreal forests, the massive Peace-Athabasca freshwater delta and the other worldly Salt Plains. Wood Buffalo offers excellent backcountry camping as well as cozy cabin options. There’s no shortage of hikes ranging from easy loops under a kilometre to more difficult 14 km hikes through field and forest trails. Wildlife in the park include wolves, black bears, the world’s last surviving whooping cranes, and of course bison. Best of all, the park is road-accessible year round from friendly Fort Smith.

Here’s why Wood Buffalo is the park that lives large.

viewing buffalo in Wood Buffalo National Park on a roadtrip
Salt River Elders Village

Salt River Elders Village

Campgrounds and Cabins
Visiting Wood Buffalo National Park? We offer four log cabins out by the Salt River, for rent by the night or the week. Four cabins overlooking the river, large hall is ideal for meetings or weddings, numerous picnic sites, boat launch and a children’s playground.  
Wood Buffalo National Park - Pine Lake Campground

Wood Buffalo National Park - Pine Lake Campground

Campgrounds and Cabins
Pine Lake Campground: located 60km from Fort Smith on Pine Lake road, the Pine Lake Campground features peaceful sites with fire pits, tent pads and picnic tables. The area is also equipped with potable water, firewood, sewage dump, outhouses, and a playground. Hook-ups are not available. The sel...
Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre

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Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre

In the heart of Fort Smith lies this must-see museum showcasing the area’s First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Euro-Canadian heritage. The Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre boasts a collection of over 13,000 artifacts, including traditional work of the Inuit, Inuvialuit, Dene and Métis who’ve mad...
The Salt Plains

The Salt Plains

The Salt Plains are one of the reasons Wood Buffalo National Park was declared a World Heritage Site.
Slave River Rapids

Slave River Rapids

For most of its length, the broad Slave River meanders over the boreal plains, sliding leisurely toward Great Slave Lake. However, at the point where it hits the Northwest Territories border, it’s suddenly stirred by the Canadian Shield and comes to life transforming into world-class rapids. Begi...
Pine Lake Beach

Pine Lake Beach

The finest beach and campground in Wood Buffalo National Park, Pine Lake features soothing sand and shallow, warm, aquamarine waters. Pine Lake is an oasis in the middle of the boreal forest, just a short 45 minute drive from Fort Smith. Originating from three natural sinkholes, its warm clear wa...
Little Buffalo River Falls Territorial Park

Little Buffalo River Falls Territorial Park

Devastated by a forest fire in 1981, Little Buffalo Falls Territorial Park is now, 40 years later, an ideal spot to observe the regeneration of nature in the north.  Relax by the Little Buffalo waterfalls, a narrow cascade that plunges to the basin below. Launch your canoe or kayak into the ...