330 km
10,000
14 Days
Canoe
Novice to Intermediate
Fort Simpson
Join us for our inaugural fully-guided Nahanni River expedition (Rabbitkettle Lake to Nahanni Butte) __________, 2027!
After years of guiding paddlers down the North’s more remote and wildest rivers, we’re bringing Jackpine to the Nahanni at last—and we couldn’t be more thrilled to launch what will become a cornerstone of our expeditions for years to come.
Nahɂą Dehé (the South Nahanni River) is a Canadian icon. Flowing through Nahanni National Park Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the river flows steady but friendly until it plunges nearly 100 meters over majestic Náįlįcho (Virginia Falls). Following the falls, it carves its way through four incredible canyons filled to the brim with adventure. This 14-day expedition begins high up the watershed at Rabbitkettle Lake and is perfect for paddlers who want the full sweep of the Nahanni—from its gentle upper river to its deepest canyons—at a relaxed pace that allows time for rewarding side hikes, fishing and photography.
Nahanni National Park Reserve was originally designated in 1972, protecting over 30,000 km² of pristine mountain wilderness in the heart of traditional Dene territory. We are grateful for the vision of Indigenous elders in protecting this vast wilderness area and honoured to partner with the Nahɂą Dehé Band to share their stories and traditional knowledge of this remarkable landscape.
Your journey begins with a spectacular flight over the Mackenzie Mountains and the Ragged Range, landing on the clear blue water of Rabbitkettle Lake—home to the rare tufa mounds. From here, the gentle upper river is your warm-up: swift, easy water and quiet days that let the group find its rhythm before the canyons. Once at Náįlįcho, we’ll pause to take in the power of this waterfall standing twice the height of Niagara Falls.
Once down at river level and below Náįlįcho, the river sets its own pace. Fast and demanding through the Painted Canyon and 4th Canyon, then settling into the long, winding rhythm of Third Canyon where you have time to watch Dall sheep pick their way across impossible slopes. The river braids and narrows, opens and closes, each bend revealing another reason this is one of the most quintessential canoe trips the Canadian North offers. Your paddle strokes become automatic. Your tent setup becomes ritual. The group that started as strangers becomes a crew. And every evening, our guides somehow produce meals that make you forget you’re far from the nearest road.
The river isn’t the only adventure. We build layover days into the itinerary specifically for hiking – scrambling up to viewpoints above The Gate where Third Canyon stretches endlessly in both directions, exploring the narrow slot of Lafferty Canyon with its series of pools and waterfalls, or tackling the challenging all-day ascent of Sunblood Mountain for panoramic views that encompass the entire Nahanni watershed. These side trips reveal what you can’t see from river level: the full scale of the canyons, the patterns of wildlife movement across the ridgelines, and the geological drama that created this landscape. Our guides know these trails well and adjust the hiking options based on group fitness and interest.
Most outfitters treat the community of Nahanni Butte as a takeout point – arrive, load gear, fly back to Fort Simpson the same afternoon. We think that’s the wrong ending to this story. Our trip concludes with an evening hosted by the Nahɂą Dehé Dene Band, our partners in this journey. Hot showers, real beds, and a communal meal are part of it. But the real value is the conversation: hearing what the places you’ve just paddled mean to the people who’ve never left. Understanding why this river isn’t just spectacular scenery, but home.
Our guides were great, adeptly dealing with a range of canoeing skills amongst guests while ensuring our health and safety. The pace was great with some nice off days included. The food was fantastic & catered to a range of dietary needs. As someone who is on the north side of 60 yo, I had no problem at all! The scenery was outstanding. I would hands down recommend Jackpine!
The arrangements went perfectly and our guide could not have been better. He made us comfortable, provided a great deal of information and instruction and was a FUN travel companion. He did a great deal of the heavy work and let us jump in as well. The food was amazing, we don’t eat as well at home!
We gather in Fort Simpson and fly into the park, crossing the breathtaking Mackenzie Mountains and the Ragged Range. We touch down on the clear blue water of Rabbitkettle Lake and camp on its shore for the night. The next morning we join a Parks Canada interpreter who will lead us to the Rabbitkettle tufa mounds, a rare terraced limestone formation. In the afternoon we leave the lake and ease into our first stretch of river.
The upper river is our warm-up — gentle, swift water that lets everyone settle into a rhythm and sharpen their strokes before the canyons. We wind through the glacial Nahanni valley, camping on broad gravel flats, working our way down toward the thundering Náįlįcho (Virginia Falls).
We reach Náįlįcho (Virginia Falls), which drops nearly twice the height of Niagara, and give it the time it deserves. There's a full day to take in the falls, walk toward Last Chance Harbour, or climb Sunblood Mountain for a view across the whole watershed. We make our way down the 1.5 km boardwalk portage before reaching river level below the falls.
The canyons begin. The Painted Canyon delivers the trip's biggest whitewater before we enter the Third Canyon, with walls rising more than a kilometer overhead with the possibility of seeing Dall sheep on the ledges. We pause at the famous rock formation known as The Gate, pass through the Second Canyon and finally into the First Canyon — the deepest of all. These days hold time for side hikes, photography and taking in the views.
We arrive at Lafferty Creek which opens up to a limestone slot canyon, with pools to wade and swim through. We take time to soak at Kraus' Hotsprings, and leave the canyons behind for The Splits, a maze of easy braided channels.
We paddle into Nahanni Butte, home of the Nahɂą Dehé Dene Band. Rather than fly out the same day, we stay the night as guests of the community — hot showers, beds, a shared meal, and take time to hear what this river means to the people who live here.
After breakfast and farewells, we travel back to Fort Simpson by boat and then vehicle travel and on toward home.
– Charter flight from Fort Simpson to Rabbitkettle Lake
– Boat and vehicle shuttle from Nahanni Butte to Fort Simpson
– 1 night accommodation in Nahanni Butte
– Local ground shuttles in Fort Simpson
– Certified guides with a maximum ratio of 5:1
– Expedition canoes with spray decks
– Paddles, lifejacket, and paddling helmets
– Group gear for each expedition (tarp, kitchen equipment, utensils, water filtration, etc)
– Throw bag and safety gear
– Expedition first aid kit and canoe repair kit
– Emergency satellite phone, two-way radios for guide staff
– Expedition tent (double occupancy – extra fee for solo)
– hearty and nutritious meals including snacks while on trip
– Group will be limited to 10 participants + 2 guides
– Off-river accommodations
– Personal gear including drybag, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (available for rent)
– Drysuit (mandatory on the Nahanni River)
– Meals in town (Day 1 Breakfast and all meals on Day 14)
– Gratuity for guides
– Wine or spirits beyond the amount we bring for the group
– Insurance including evacuation, medical and trip cancellation
– NWT and Nahanni specific fishing licences available online
Both trips paddle the same legendary canyon country and end the same way — with an evening sharing a meal in Nahanni Butte. The differences are the length of expedition, where you start and how much river you cover.
The Nahanni Classic is our 10-day trip through the heart of the Nahanni. You fly in to Náįlįcho (Virginia Falls), spend time taking in the falls, then portage and paddle the heart of the Nahanni — the four canyons, Kraus’ Hot Springs, and the braided channels of The Splits down to Nahanni Butte. It’s the quintessential Nahanni experience, and it’s the one to choose if you want the canyons and the falls without the longer time commitment.
The Grand Nahanni is our 14-day trip. It starts higher up the watershed at Rabbitkettle Lake (Gahnįhthah Mįe), home of the rare tufa mounds, with views of the Ragged Range along the way. You’ll spend a few extra days easing down the gentle upper river before you ever reach the falls — a great warm-up that lets everyone settle into a rhythm — and from Virginia Falls onward, the route is the same as the Classic. Choose this one if you want to experience the river closer to its source and have the time to do it.
Not sure which is the right fit? Give us a call at 1-867-445-4512 — we’re happy to help you find the trip that matches your schedule and experience.
Really good. We’ve fine-tuned a delicious, nutritious and well-balanced backcountry menu of unique and tasty dishes from years of expedition tripping – and look forward to sharing it with you. Our flexible menu can accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free preferences, and will be tailored in advance for participants on each trip. Guests are always welcome to join guides in cooking and learn to cook our authentic, backcountry recipes.
Breakfast will include fresh fruit and a main course, like eggs and bacon or blueberry pancakes. Lunch features locally-smoked sausages, fruit, hummus, salads, breads and naan with a spread of cheese, jams, and a variety of nut butters. Dinner will offer an hors d’oeuvres, main course, and dessert! Snacking will take place throughout the day.
“Five-star campsites, with gourmet meals included” – Dave S, USA
You bet!
Where we can, we partner with northern companies for our menu including smoked fish from Great Slave Lake, local birch syrup, fish crisp and and Barren Ground Coffee on all of our paddling tours.
Barren Ground Coffee locally-roasts fair trade and organic specialty coffee, 5 kilos at a time, on a beautiful craft roaster in Old Town, Yellowknife. Thanks to our partners at Barren Ground Coffee, we look forward to serving you the freshest roasted coffee in the Northwest Territories.
“We picked wild blueberries to top of the cheesecake” – Sophia D, Canada.
This trip is suitable for beginner to advanced paddlers. High volume rapids in the canyons are a thrill for paddlers with some whitewater experience. Experienced guides will assist novices to have a safe trip. If you are interested in this trip, but are unsure of your paddling abilities, please contact our office.
“Our guide was always thinking, keeping the abilities of his clients in the forefront” – Kim M, USA
Before you register for an expedition, please ensure each participant for whom you will be submitting a deposit payment (including yourself) has carefully reviewed the following:
– our Safety & Risk Awareness webpage
– information on your trip webpage (inclusions, exclusions, dates, etc)
– our Liability Waiver
Once you have reviewed the information above and you are comfortable with proceeding, we require a 10% deposit of the trip fee and online booking form completed, done through the “Book Now” button on the trip webpage.
Your trip deposit is fully refundable up to 90 days prior to your expedition start date. On this date, your remaining trip fees are due and all payments become non-refundable.
Once your expedition is within 90 days of departure we are unable to offer a refund for any reason if you cancel your participation.
Please read carefully: Should your expedition departure have to be cancelled, postponed or altered by a force majeure (including but not limited to: weather, poor visibility, or mechanical breakdown causing delayed or cancelled charter flights or helicopter journeys, fire, flood, pandemic, highway closures, community evacuations, ongoing or newly introduced travel ban or government statement), Jackpine Paddle and its partner operators are not obligated to provide a refund or offer alternative travel services.
We strongly encourage you to purchase:
1) Emergency Medical/Evacuation Insurance,
2) Trip Interruption Insurance and
3) Trip Cancellation Insurance – so that you are covered in the event of an unexpected change of plans.
To review our complete Terms & Conditions for Booking, Payment, and Cancellation – please click here.
Fort Simpson is served by flights from Yellowknife and Whitehorse, which are connected to major Canadian airports such Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.
Age is a mindset, and canoeing/kayaking are activities that are truly for everyone. Age is not important. What counts are your spirit and that you are reasonably fit for your age. We have had guests paddle with us in their mid-eighties.
If you are a single paddler, you are more than welcome to join us on one of our trips.
There are additional fees if you opt for a solo tent, or local accommodations when provided – as these are based on double-occupancy.
Our trips typically have 2-3 guests who are traveling alone, so you will have the opportunity to meet and paddle with other like-minded individuals. Our guides are skilled at organizing paddling partners based on skill level and personality, ensuring that each trip is safe and enjoyable for all.
One of the best parts of our guided trips is the chance to meet and get to know other paddlers. We hope to see you on one of our trips soon.
If you have questions, we are happy to answer them!
You can get in touch with us at the bottom of this page, or at info@jackpinepaddle.com.
To check out our detailed Getting Started trip planning resource, click here!
62°52’N 105°31’W
It’s better in the Barrenlands – a remote and otherworldly zone of glacial eskers, rock-ribbed hills, and artifacts from the Chipewyan and Caribou Inuit cultures. You’ll find a treeless expanse legendary for paddling, fishing and wildlife viewing.
62°09’N 111°52’W
The fabled East Arm is perhaps the most grandiose region of Great Slake Lake, and for good reason. It features clear waters, deep bays with tall, stark red cliffs, and world-class fishing.
69°51’N 126°56’W
The Arctic Circle is a line of lore and legend – and the Western Arctic is one of the few places in Canada where you can reach it by river. You can watch the sun spin itself dizzy in the sky, never falling below the horizon. You’ve now crossed into the true polar zone, a mythic region only a fraction of the travellers on Earth have ever entered.
62°59’N 129°01’W
The Mackenzie Mountains may offer the greatest whitewater canoeing left on Earth – an endless oasis of remote, rugged uplands, cut through by glacial rivers and bustling with mountain sheep, caribou, moose and other creatures untouched by the modern age.
