Spotting the North's most iconic animals
I spy with my little eye… one majestic beast.
But what is it I see? Huge and hairy with horns turned inwards, you’re looking at the iconic bison that graze the Northwest Territory’s highways. Huge and hairy with outward-turned horns, you’ve come across the majestic muskox that roam the Arctic coast.
White birds with long bills bobbing down the rapids? You’ve spotted pelicans nesting near Fort Smith. But white birds hiding in the snow are most surely ptarmigan, popular cold-weather residents in many NWT communities.
In the Northwest Territories, wildlife still roams free. Here’s how – and where – to spot the NWT’s most iconic animals and birds.
BISON
The best place for a sighting? While driving a NWT highway.
It’s not uncommon to get a glimpse of a bison rumbling down one of the NWT’s spectacular highways. You can often pass herds of these giants grazing by the road.
For the best chance of a sighting, drive Highway #3 between Fort Providence and Behchokǫ̀. Wood Buffalo National Park also provides plenty of viewing opportunities. And you can bet on seeing bison on the Liard Trail around Fort Liard.
Pelicans
The best place for a sighting? Head to Fort Smith.
With massive nine-foot wingspans, humongous bills and prodigious throat-pouches, pelicans are some of the most striking inhabitants of the Northern sky.
The northernmost colony of white pelicans nest in great colonies on mid-stream islands near Fort Smith, fishing the ferocious Slave River Rapids.
PTARMIGAN
The best place for a sighting? Everywhere in the NWT.
These Northern members of the grouse family are one of the few bird species that live year-round in the subarctic. With brown plumage in summer that turns white in winter, ptarmigan make up for their poor flying with excellent camouflaging skills.
In the winter, fluffy flocks congregate along roadsides or in low bushes. You’ll have to look closely, as these chicken-sized disguise artists are almost invisible against the snow.
CARIBOU
Best place for a sighting? Off the beaten path.
Caribou on the move can look like a flowing river. The entire landscape moves and vibrates under the weight of thousands of hooves. To witness this epic scene, head to the Barrenlands. There are a great many lodges in this roadless expanse of tundra. In the winter, the Tibbitt-to-Contwoyto ice road provides temporary access into Barrenlands that have been part of the migrating caribou’s habitat since time immemorial.
For a more intimate caribou experience, head to Tuktut Nogait National Park – “young caribou” in Inuvialuktun. In the calving grounds of the 18,000 strong Bluenose-West herd, caribou outnumber humans by a factor of 2,000 to one.
WHOOPING CRANES
The best place for a sighting? Wood Buffalo National Park.
Gangly and big, this bird species has made a comeback since the 1940s when only 21 birds remained. By 2021, there were 100 nests and a total population of about 600 birds.
Whooping cranes are hard to find, but easy to spot. Standing 1.5 m (5 ft) tall, their white plumage, red cap, loud bugling call and graceful courtship dance make them truly hard to miss.
Whooping cranes now nest and breed around the north-east corner of Wood Buffalo National Park, where you’ll find the only naturally occurring and self-sustaining population left in the world.
MUSKOX
The best place for a sighting? Banks Island.
Known as umingmak to the Inuvialuit, these 1.5 m-tall (5 ft), 300 kg (661 lb) beasts are members of the sheep family and keep warm in the winters thanks to qiviut, the warmest wool known.
Long known as High Arctic inhabitants, muskoxen have also been spotted around Great Bear Lake in the Sahtu Region. Muskoxen have been on the move over the past few decades and are now also found along the rocky shores of Great Slave Lake’s East Arm. A few years back, one Yellowknifer even witnessed a lone muskox near Cameron Falls, a popular and picturesque day-hike destination with stunning viewpoints.
While you can also find muskoxen in the Thelon Game Sanctuary, your best bet to see these shaggy ungulates is on Banks Island – home to the majority of the world’s muskoxen. Aulavik National Park has the highest concentration of muskoxen on earth — about 14,000.
POLAR BEARS
The best place for a sighting? Head to the Arctic coast.
The Northwest Territories is home to roughly 3,000 polar bears roaming the islands and sea ice of the Western Arctic Region. Unless you have extensive wilderness experience, it’s best to hire a local guide in coastal communities like Ulukhaktok or Sachs Harbour.
For a safer selfie experience, check out the Nature’s North Wildlife Gallery in Yellowknife, this taxidermy museum offers visitors an intimate look into the lives of Northern fauna.
Safe Viewing
To avoid a collision between animals and vehicles, remember to drive with caution while trying to spot these majestic creatures. The Northwest Territories’ Drive Alive program recommends you watch for movement on the highway, drive at a speed appropriate for road and weather conditions and whenever possible drive on highways 3, 5, and 7 during daylight hours only.
Remember, big or small, please refrain from feeding wildlife in the NWT, as it can have serious consequences for animals as well as people. Also, it’s best not to approach wildlife, as it can behave unpredictably. While young wild animals can be particularly cute, any touching or close proximity can be stressful, and may cause them to become aggressive or get sick.
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Member
Red Cliff Adventures
Member
Red Cliff Adventures has a traditional camp that is located in Lutsel K’e, on the shores of the East Arm,......
Member
Trail Blazer Tours
Member
Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......
Member
Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́ Tourism
Member
We are the Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́ got’ine. People of the community of Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́, “the place where rivers come together”, in......
Member
Tundra North Travel
Member
Tundra North Travel is an Inuit company based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories that was established with the dream of being......
Member
Ji Guang Tour
Member
With over 30 years of living in Yellowknife, we offer a variety of tourism experiences for our guests. We are......
Member
Andrew Lake and Lynx Tundra Lodges
Member
Arctic Adventure & Wildlife viewing on the edge of the tree line of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Lynx Lake 400 km......
Member
Arctic Chalet Tours
Member
Best Northern Road Trip! Now you can drive all the way to the Arctic ocean linking Canada from coast to......
Member
Aylmer Lake Lodge
Member
DISCOVER A MOMENT THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Aylmer Lake Lodge is located in Rocknest Bay, which is on the Barren......
Member
Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures
Member
For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......
Member
Watta Lake Lodge
Member
Comfortable lodge a 20 minute by floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Guided fishing for Lake Trout (to 34 lb), Arctic Grayling (to......
Member
Polar Pack Arctic Adventures
Member
We are an Inuvialuit owned and operated family business, run by locals Enoch and Amanda Pokiak, based in Inuvik in the Western......
Member
North Star Adventures
Member
100% Indigenous owned! We are the world’s first Aurora Hunting tour company, we know Aurora. Learn about Aurora, why Yellowknife is the......
Member
NWT Charter Services
Member
Charter the bus, travel the North by road Your go-to solution for reliable and convenient ground transportation in the North! Shuttle Services Group Travel Sporting Events Corporate Events Out-of-Territory Trips School Trips Luggage Customized Itineraries Budget Friendly Rates and so much more! ...
Member
North-Wright Airways Ltd.
Member
If are looking for a spectacular weekend retreat nestled in the serenity of the Mackenzie Mountains at Ten Stone Mountain Lodge. North-Wright......
Member
Nahanni Mountain Lodge
Member
Remote private wilderness paradise on Little Doctor Lake, 100 km west of Fort Simpson. Accommodates 20 in cabins. Fishing, swimming,......
Member
Yellowknife Tours
Member
Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......
Member
Lac La Martre Adventures
Member
“Like No Other Place On Earth” We are the only fly-in lodge located a 50 minute float plane flight from......
Member
Dancing Skies Photo Tours
Member
Dancing Skies is a new tour operator in Yellowknife, led by an experienced northern lights chaser and photographer with a passion for contemplation. Specializing in private tours and small groups of up to 5 people, we prioritize silent, serene observation and photography of the aurora, far from the crowds. With expertise in Space Weather data, […]...
Member
Arctic Tours Canada
Member
Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......
Member
North of 60 Aurora Adventures
Member
We offer tours such as aurora viewing, dog sledding, snowmobile rides, ice fishing and more. Come experience a once in......
Member
K'iyeli Tourism Services
Member
Extend your trip to Fort Simpson with a visit to our Dene Camp, K’iyeli. We have options available for an......
Member
Tukto Lodge
Member
Tukto Lodge has been exceeding anglers’ expectations for more than fifty years. As the only fishing and eco-tourism lodge in......
Member
Yellow Dog Lodge, Inc.
Member
Yellow Dog Lodge is a comfortable lodge with 3 private cabins for our guests. The lodge is a short (15 minute) floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Located on Duncan and Graham Lakes, the lodge is your hub for adventure. Choose from an additional 5 lakes for guided day trip excursions. Each lake is unique and offers unspoiled first class fishing. We are the only lodge that operates guided trips on each of these remote lakes located in the NWT taiga wilderness. Packaged trips feature superb sport fishing and safe outdoor adventure. The lakes and streams offer the finest Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye and Arctic Grayling in the region. As an added bonus, our guests will enjoy the midnight sun and may even catch the northern lights later in the fall or early spring....
Member
South Nahanni Outfitters Ltd.
Member
Outfitting to all of us is a way of life, one that we cherish because we love to hunt, love the......
Member
Peterson's Point Lake Lodge
Member
Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge provides you access to known waters teeming with monster lake trout. Their current record is a......
Member
Aurora Village
Member
Aurora Village – A Class of Its Own Aurora Village is a unique Aurora-viewing facility situated 25 minutes from downtown......
Create your own story. We offer a variety of services to make your Sahtu adventure a reality! We offer everything from......
Book this entire cabin in the remote wilderness of the stunningly breath-taking, Mackenzie Mountains. This cabin is hands down the......
An Indigenous, family owned business with much history, knowledge and stories to share about the Spectacular Northwest Territories! We used......
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is located in the community of Wrigley, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are a Designated Authority in......
Welcoming and friendly with a rustic charm and all modern conveniences, Grey Goose Lodge immediately catches your eye as you......
For 35 years, Sambaa K’e has offered world-class fishing on Trout Lake just north of the Northwest Territories-British Columbia border.......
Fishing and Barrenlands wildlife photography, including migrating caribou, at the Obstruction Rapids in the central Barrenlands north of Yellowknife....
To truly experience the Northwest Territories, take your camping gear for a highway driving adventure! Long ribbons of road without......
Remote naturalist’s lodge snuggled in the Mackenzie Mountains, in the largest mountain wilderness in North America. Located along the Canol......
Member
Beaufort Sea Adventures
Member
Beaufort Sea Adventures is a family-owned and Indigenous-operated business, proudly offering Arctic experiences in Tuktoyaktuk. Our family lives and breathes the North, giving us a unique insight into the hidden gems that make Tuktoyaktuk truly special. We offer guests an authentic cultural immersion, sharing our Inuvialuit heritage, stories, and deep connection to the land and […]...
