2027: June 26 - July 6
150km
11 days
Canoe
Intermediate to Advanced
Fort Simpson
The Broken Skull River is a mountain river for paddlers who love moving water and big scenery.
Pı̨́ı̨́p’enéh łéetǫ́ǫ́ Deé (the Broken Skull River) begins in the alpine of Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve, on the west side of the Mackenzie Mountains. This clear, quick tributary of Nahɂą Dehé (the South Nahanni River) covers about 150 km of boulder gardens and blue-green water on its way to the Nahanni. Few groups make the trip in a season. Over 11 days, we’ll paddle from Divide Lake to Rabbitkettle Lake, with whitewater nearly every day, hikes into the alpine and a chance to soak in the Broken Skull Hot Springs along the way.
Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve was established in 2014 in the traditional territory of the Shúhtaot’ine (Mountain Dene) of the Sahtu region. Together with Nahanni National Park Reserve, it protects most of the South Nahanni watershed. Dene and Métis people still hunt and travel in this country today, and we’re grateful to paddle through it.
Your journey begins with a float plane flight from Fort Simpson across the Mackenzie Mountains to Divide Lake, a quiet alpine lake ringed by peaks. Day one on the water is spent working our way down Cold Feet Creek, dialling in our whitewater manoeuvres before we reach the Broken Skull itself.
From there, the river delivers: continuous Class I–II+ boulder gardens, clear water and mountains rising straight off the gravel bars. Side streams add volume as we go, but even near the Nahanni the Broken Skull is narrow enough to call across.
The river isn’t the only adventure. Hiking opportunities are plentiful and rewarding in the Mackenzie Mountains.
Keep your eyes on the riverbanks. Mountain caribou and moose feed on the river flats, and grizzly bears, black bears and wolves travel this valley too. Watch the sky for golden eagles soaring above.
Where the Broken Skull meets the Nahanni, the whitewater eases off and the big peaks come into view: the Vampire Peaks, the Ragged Range and a glimpse toward the Cirque of the Unclimbables. We finish at Rabbitkettle Lake, home to the rare Rabbitkettle tufa mounds, and then board our float plane back to Fort Simpson.
This is a top trip for paddlers with some whitewater experience who want a river that keeps them on their toes and alpine hiking right from camp.
Ask us about continuing on with The Grand Nahanni from Rabbitkettle Lake for a 24-day journey from the Broken Skull’s headwaters all the way to the community of Nahanni Butte!
Looking for a Nahanni expedition with no whitewater and a chance to explore Náįlįcho (Virginia Falls)? Check out our Flatwater Nahanni expedition!
Looking for big water and deep canyons below Virginia Falls? Check out our Grand Nahanni or Nahanni Classic expeditions!
We have done canoe trips twice before with Jackpine Paddle, now just came home from a third. There can be no better way to see this magnificent landscape. Dan and his guides provide absolutely top-flight guiding service - there can be none better, unquestionably worth every penny.
The organization of the trip from start to finish was perfect. Our guides were the best! They're very knowledgeable about the terrain, geological history and culture of the area, and they were really skilled at keeping us safe and well-fed. Every meal was spectacular! This was a trip of great weather, great food, great guides and great people. And although I went as a solo paddler, I now consider everyone on the trip a friend. You can't go wrong with Jackpine Paddle. Just book a trip with them. You won't regret it.
We depart Fort Simpson on a float plane charter across the Mackenzie Mountains to Divide Lake in Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve. We'll set up camp and begin to take in our alpine surroundings.
We leave Divide Lake by Cold Feet Creek, occationally lining our canoes and paddle through a short boulder canyon to the Broken Skull. From there, continuous Class I–II+ boulder gardens keep us busy, with ample hiking opportunities.
The valley narrows as we approach the Broken Skull Hot Springs, a walk up a side creek for an afternoon soak. After our busiest days of whitewater through the Mini Gate, we cross into Nahanni National Park Reserve with the Ragged Range ahead, and join the South Nahanni for the final float to Rabbitkettle Lake.
Our float plane picks us up at Rabbitkettle Lake for one last look at the Mackenzie Mountains from the air on the way back to Fort Simpson.
– Charter flight from Fort Simpson to Divide Lake and from Rabbitkettle Lake to Fort Simpson
– 1 night accommodation in Fort Simpson
– Local ground shuttles in Fort Simpson
– Certified guides
– 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
– Off-river accommodations
– Personal gear including drybag, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (available for rent)
– Drysuit (mandatory on the Broken Skull River)
– Meals in town (Day 1 breakfast and dinner on Day 11)
– Gratuity for guides
– Wine or spirits beyond the amount we bring for the group
– Insurance including evacuation, medical and trip cancellation
– National park and NWT fishing licence for the Nahanni section, available online (fishing is not permitted in Nááts’įhch’oh)
We run four trips in this corner of the Mackenzie Mountains, and each one suits a different kind of paddler.
The Broken Skull (11 days, intermediate) is a small, clear mountain river with near-constant Class I–II+ whitewater from Divide Lake to Rabbitkettle Lake. Choose it if you have some moving-water experience and want a river that keeps you engaged in exciting whitewater.
The Nahanni Discovery (5 days, novice) covers the upper Nahanni from Rabbitkettle Lake to Náįlįcho (Virginia Falls). The river here is quick and friendly with no rapids, winding through wide mountain valleys to the edge of the falls. It’s a great fit for first-time trippers, families, or anyone who wants to see the Nahanni without the whitewater.
The Grand Nahanni (14 days, novice to intermediate) paddles the whole classic route from Rabbitkettle Lake to Nahanni Butte. That takes in the flatwater stretch above the falls, Virginia Falls itself, and all four canyons below. Choose it if you want the complete Nahanni journey.
The Nahanni Classic (10 days, novice to intermediate) starts at Virginia Falls and runs the big-volume water and four deep canyons down to Nahanni Butte. It suits paddlers who want the canyons and whitewater in less time.
Not sure which is the right fit? Give us a call at 1-867-445-4512, and we’re happy to help you find the trip that matches your schedule and experience.
This trip is for intermediate paddlers. You should be comfortable with some whitewater, including ferrying, eddy turns and paddling with a partner in continuous rapids. The first day involves walking canoes down a shallow creek and lining through a small canyon, so sure footing and sturdy water shoes matter.
Want to tune up first? Our Canoe Expedition Course in Yellowknife is a good warm-up. If you’re unsure of your paddling abilities, please contact our office.
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 welcome to join guides in cooking and learn our backcountry recipes.
Breakfast will include fresh fruit and a main course, like eggs and bacon or blueberry pancakes. Lunch features 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’oeuvre, 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 Barren Ground Coffee, locally roasted in Old Town, Yellowknife.
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 as Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.
Age is a mindset, and canoeing is an activity that is truly for everyone. What counts are your spirit, that you are reasonably fit for your age, and, on this river, that you have the whitewater skills listed above.
If you are a single paddler, you are more than welcome to join us. There is an additional fee if you opt for a solo tent. Our trips typically have 2-3 guests who are travelling alone, and our guides are skilled at pairing paddling partners by skill level and personality, so each trip is safe and enjoyable for all.
If you have questions, we are happy to answer them! Get in touch at the bottom of this page, call us at 1-867-445-4512 or reach us at info@jackpinepaddle.com.
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