2025: July 21 - Aug 3
310 km
$13,895 CAD + 5% gst
14 days
Canoe
Intermediate - Advanced
Yellowknife
Reached by bush plane from Yellowknife, our trip on the Coppermine River involves 14 days of adventure – and provides a lifetime of stories.
The Arctic Circle is a line of lore and legend – and the Coppermine River is the only trip we run where you can cross it by canoe (66°33′46.4″ N). You’ll cross into the true polar zone, a mythic region on a fraction of the travelers on earth have ever entered.
Paddle in the footsteps of Sir John Franklin’s journey to the Arctic Ocean, where you’ll have the option to take (short) swim at the end of your trip – if you are so brave! There is a deep history along the Coppermine River from the early Copper Inuit to explorers George Douglas, Samuel Hearne and Sir John Franklin.
Home to the Bluenose East caribou herd, you should keep your eyes peeled for this keystone species, along with grizzlies patrolling flat-topped mountains along our route. This wild, wide-open country is also host to moose that plod along the river and muskox that congregating along nearby tundra slopes. The Coppermine River valley is not only teeming with animals, but you stand good chances at spotting rare arctic raptors such as the gyrfalcons, rough-legged hawks, and golden eagles that nest along rugged granite cliffs.
This archaeologically-rich region will showcase a legacy of stone tent rings, meat caches and inukshuks. The Coppermine River is known for profile arctic char fishing, alongside arctic grayling and lake trout.
The historic Sandstone, Muskox and Escape Rapids are big volume rapids demanding both caution and expertise by intermediate or advanced canoeists. For less-experienced paddlers seeking a tundra trip, check out our Upper Horton River or Thelon River adventures.
Call us at 1 (867) 445-4512 for more information about our guided Coppermine River canoe adventure through the barrenlands in northern Canada!
Our trip logistics were well-organized and the food was plentiful, varied and good. The gear was first-class – especially the canoes, tents, and shelter dome (the red igloo). On the guiding side, Dan’s expertise was top notch, both on the water and in camp. We also enjoyed his enthusiasm, and appreciated his flexibility and responsiveness to the interests and needs of our group. Thanks Dan!
We depart Yellowknife for a charter flight to the Coppermine River. We'll set up camp and begin to take in our beautiful wilderness surroundings near the confluence of the Coppermine River & the Fairy Lake River.
Excellent fly-fishing for arctic grayling and the prized arctic char as we make our way across the Arctic circle & to the "Big Bend". Easy-going swifts and lazy sections of river allow for a warm-up prior to the high volume rapids known as Rocky Defile, Muskox, & Sandstone rapids.
Looking backing the treeline is left behind giving way to open tundra hills ideal for spotting caribou, muskox, & barren ground grizzles. After careful scouting and following guides down exciting whitewater rapids, we arrive at the fabled Kugluk Falls (Bloody Falls).
A half-day paddle into Kugluktuk, takes us to our local accommodations (included in trip fees). After showers, and a good sleep, we explore this unique high-arctic community, and return to Yellowknife on scheduled flights with Canadian North.
– Charter flight from Yellowknife to the Coppermine River
– 1 night accommodation in Kugluktuk
– Local ground shuttles in Yellowknife, Kugluktuk
– 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
– Commercial flights to Yellowknife, back from Kugluktuk
– Personal gear including drybag, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (avaliable for rent)
– Drysuit mandatory on the Coppermine River
– Meals in town (Day 1 Breakfast and all meals on Day 14)
– Gratuity for guides
– Wine or spirits
– Insurance including evacuation, medical and trip cancellation
– Nunavut fishing licence available online
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!
We are proud show off our local fresh fish recipes while on trip. There is Arctic char in the Coppermine. Considered by many chefs to be superior to salmon or trout, the richly flavoured flesh of the Arctic char is unmistakable. We had good results on silver spoons, which are effective flashers in the bright light and clear waters of the lower Coppermine River. If you are into fly-fishing, Arctic char will eagerly rise to a variety of flies from streamers/wet flies to dry flies and/or nymphs.
Jackpine Paddle is excited to offer Barren Ground Coffee on all of our paddling tours. Barren Ground Coffee locally-roasts fair trade and organic speciality 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.
The Coppermine River has challenging and exciting rapids. This trip is suitable for intermediate and advanced canoeists with whitewater experience.
The most challenging whitewater days will come at the very end of your trip, offering ample time to hone your skills in the upper sections. Rocky Defile (67°02’07.77”N, 116°12’11.86W) is one of the spiciest rapids you’ll encounter. Granite cliffs funnel the river down a one-km canyon.
“Our guide was always thinking, keeping the abilities of his clients in the forefront” – Kim M, USA
A detailed personal clothing and gear checklist , specific to your trip,
will be emailed to you in a registration email.
Check out the Youtube videos below with our tips and advice for packing your gear and personal clothes:
Essential Gear – Packing Tips for a Canoe or Kayak Trip
Clothes & Outwear – Packing Tips for a Canoe or Kayak Trip
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.
It’s easy to fly to the Northwest Territories. There are direct jet flights to Yellowknife from Calgary (2 hours), Edmonton (1.5 hours), Ottawa (4 hours) and Whitehorse (1.5 hours).
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.
