2027: July 6-10, July 20-24, August 6-10
125 km (78 miles)
5 days
Canoe
Novice
Fort Simpson
The Nahanni Discovery is a gentle introduction to one of Canada’s great rivers and is the perfect river for everyone!
Nahɂą Dehé (the South Nahanni River) flows through Nahanni National Park Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mackenzie Mountains. Most people know it for its canyons and whitewater, but the river also has a quieter side. Over 5 days, we’ll paddle about 125 km from Rabbitkettle Lake to Náįlįcho (Virginia Falls) on quick, easy current with no rapids to run. It’s the Nahanni at a relaxed pace, with time to look around.
Nahanni National Park Reserve protects over 30,000 km² in the traditional territory of the Dehcho Dene. We’re proud to offer our Nahanni trips in partnership with Nahɂą Dehé Dene Band and Liidlii Kue First Nation.
Your journey begins with a float plane flight from Fort Simpson over the Mackenzie Mountains to Gahnįhthah Mįe (Rabbitkettle Lake). The next morning, a Parks Canada interpreter leads us to the Rabbitkettle tufa mounds, rare terraces of mineral deposits built up by a warm spring over thousands of years (subject to staff availability). Visits are by guided walk only, so it’s a place few people get to see.
From there, The Nahanni winds through a wide valley, splitting into channels around gravel islands, with mountains rising on both sides. Our guides will help you settle into your strokes on the first afternoon, and you’ll have plenty of time on the water to build confidence. Most nights we camp on broad gravel flats with room to stretch out.
Keep your eyes on the shoreline. Moose feed in the side channels, and black bears, grizzly bears and wolves travel this valley too.
We finish at Náįlįcho (Virginia Falls), where the whole river drops about 90 metres in a single plunge. We camp at the falls and spend the next morning walking the boardwalk to the brink and the lookouts before our float plane returns us to Fort Simpson.
This is a top trip for first-time canoe trippers, families, and anyone who wants to experience the Nahanni and Virginia Falls without the whitewater.
Call us at 1 (867) 445-4512 for more information about our Nahanni Discovery canoe adventure!
Or get the best of both worlds. The Nahanni Discovery follows the same route as the first days of our Grand Nahanni expedition. If you’d like to use those days as a warm-up for your canoe skills and keep going past Virginia Falls through the four canyons to Nahanni Butte, book the Grand Nahanni for the full 14-day journey!
We depart Fort Simpson on a float plane charter across the Mackenzie Mountains to Rabbitkettle Lake in Nahanni National Park Reserve. We'll set up camp on the lakeshore and begin to take in our mountain surroundings. If time allows, we may join a Parks Canada interpreter for a guided walk to the rare Rabbitkettle tufa mounds this evening.
If we haven't already visited the tufa mounds, we'll walk there in the morning with a Parks Canada interpreter (subject to staff availability). Then we push off onto the Nahanni for our first stretch on the river, settling into our strokes on easy current.
Full days on the water as the Nahanni winds through its wide valley, splitting around gravel islands below the mountains. We camp on broad gravel flats and arrive at Náįlįcho (Virginia Falls) on Day 4, where we set up camp near the falls.
A morning to explore Náįlįcho (Virginia Falls), walking the boardwalk to the brink and lookouts, before our float plane takes us back to Fort Simpson.
– Charter flight from Fort Simpson to Rabbitkettle Lake
– Charter flight from Virginia Falls to Fort Simpson
– Local ground shuttles in Fort Simpson
– Certified guides
– Expedition canoes, paddles and lifejackets
– 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)
– Meals in town (Day 1 breakfast and dinner on Day 5)
– 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 licences, available online
We run four trips in this corner of the Mackenzie Mountains, and each one suits a different kind of paddler.
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 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.
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.
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 designed for novice paddlers. You don’t need canoe-tripping experience, but you should be comfortable getting in and out of a canoe, sitting and paddling for several hours a day, and walking on uneven ground like gravel bars and boardwalks. Our guides will teach and coach strokes along the way. If you’re unsure, please contact our office and we’re happy to talk it through.
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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