2025: Aug 22 - Sept 2
105 km (65 miles)
$12,275 CAD + 5% gst
12 Days
Canoe
Novice to Intermediate
Yellowknife, NWT
Our 65 mile long canoe trip in Thaidene Nene National Park lies a short distance past the treeline (edge of the forest) in the Barren Lands, west of the Thelon River headwaters. Although tundra predominates, we are technically within the “transition zone” between the boreal forest and the tundra where large stands of spruce trees occur at lower elevations and along parts of the lake shores. Our route lies within the boundaries of Thaidene Nene National Park (Canada’s newest national park) stretching all the way from the East Arm of Great Slave lake to the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary. Thaidene Nene translates to “Land of our Ancestors”.
After 1930, a few Dene trappers still inhabited this general area in winter. Today, Thaidene Nene National Park is uninhabited and remains of the most remote areas of pristine wilderness left in the world. The nearest towns and villages lie hundreds of miles away in every direction. Chances of seeing anyone else on our route are extremely remote. We have never seen anyone else canoe down this route in many years of operation. At many of our campsites, we’ll come across a lot of archaeological material – primarily arrowheads, spearpoints, and stone knives, some of which may be thousands of years old.
A major attraction of Thaidene Nene National Park is the wildlife. We’ll undoubtedly see muskox. Up to 50 muskoxen were spotted on this trip in 2019, in 4 herds, 2 of which practically wandering into our camp! The timing of the trip is at the height of the breeding season for them. They utter low, grumbling roars that carry for miles if it isn’t very windy.
There are also possibilities to spot moose, grizzlies, black bears, and tundra wolves. Most tundra wolves are white in colour so they are easy to spot this time of year in the green and red tundra colours. Fall colours peak a week or more after our trip dates, but there will be considerable colour on the tundra by the end of the trip – crimson reds, oranges, yellows and muted reds. There is decent fishing almost everywhere on this trip, and in a few places it’s really good. Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout and Northern Pike are available!
This is a top trip for spectacular campsites and world-class hiking opportunities in a very remote tundra wilderness.
Drop us a line at (867) 445 4512 to find out more about our Thaidene Nene National Park trip to true wilderness in Canada!
For a canoe trip in the spring, check out our Taltson River adventure!
Interested to learn more about Thaidene National Park? Read a group journal from a past trip!
Planning and attention to detail was great. I appreciated your ability to assess and change plans on the go. The menu was varied and the fresh vegetables to the end was fabulous. Gourmet cooking! I will be recommending Jackpine Paddle to my paddling friends.
Jackpine Paddle promised a gourmet food menu, and that's what Dan and Jiah provided. Incredible! The equipment provided was top of the line. And to top it all off, in my opinion, the country itself has to be amongst the most beautiful in Canada. Oh, thanks for adding the Northern Lights too.
We'll start this canoe trip on Sled Creek, where we will land in our float plane from Fort Smith or Yellowknife on Day 1. We will not likely travel far, if at all, on the first day of this trip. We'll set up camp and begin to take in our beautiful wilderness surroundings. During this evening and others on this trip, participants will have plenty of time to pursue their interests whether they be photography, fishing, hiking, birding, swimming or just taking a nap.
We begin our canoe trip on the small, lower lakes of Sled Creek and paddle to Eileen Lake - a large lake filled with deep bays and many points. Eileen lake is, by far, the most beautiful large lake in the Barren Lands. The terrain is very hilly and there are lovely sand beaches in many places. Although we'll be paddling twenty miles through Eileen Lake, there are no big crossings of open water - thanks to many islands, points, and bays.
We continue to paddle in a breathtaking beautiful area of small interconnected lakes, sandy eskers, and big tundra hills. White sand beaches line these small interconnected lakes and old-growth spruce trees are scattered along the lake shores. We plan to spend the entire Day 11 hiking in this exquisite Shangri-La and looking out for muskoxen.
Our float plane arrives around noon to take us back to Fort Smith or Yellowknife. We say goodbye to this land of remote tundra lakes, and abundant wildlife. Back in civilization, we meet up for a farewell dinner and cold beers (after hot showers)!
– Charter flight from Yellowknife to Thaidene Nene National Park, return
– Shuttles from the airport when in Yellowknife, NWT
– Certified guides with a maximum ratio of 5:1
– Expedition canoes
– Paddle & lifejacket
– Group gear for each expedition (tarp, kitchen equipment, utensils, water filtration, etc)
– Expedition first aid kit and canoe repair kit
– Emergency satellite phone, two-way radios for guide staff
– Expedition tents (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 in Yellowknife
– Commercial flights to and from Yellowknife
– Personal gear including drybag, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (avaliable for rent)
– Meals in Yellowknife before and after the trip (Day 1 Breakfast and Day 12 Dinner)
– Gratuity for guides
– Wine or spirits
– Insurance including evacuation, medical and trip cancellation
– Northwest Territories 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 a special fishing hole on this trip that is excellent for arctic grayling, lake trout and pike (jackfish).
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.
This canoe trip is mostly flat-water paddling on lakes of various sizes with only one portage possibility. Due to the remoteness of this trip, previous canoeing and camping experience is a prerequisite. Those considering this canoe trip should have some flat-water experience.
“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.
Fort Smith is served by direct flights from Yellowknife or Edmonton, Alberta. Edmonton has direct daily flights from dozens of Canadian, American, and International airports.
Yellowknife is served by direct flights from southern hubs such as Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver with Air Canada, Westjet and Canadian North.
Age is a mindset, and canoeing is an activity that is truly for everyone. Age is not important. What counts is your spirit and that you are reasonably fit for your age. We have had people paddle with us in their early nineties.
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.
