2026: July 29 - August 9
120 kms (75 miles)
$12,350 CAD + 5% gst
12 Days
Canoe
Novice to Intermediate
Yellowknife, NWT
You’ll land in Lynx Lake to begin this trip, famous for its lake trout fishing and for the sinuous eskers which arc around the southern reaches of the lake. They offer unforgettable hiking through the edge of the transition zone from taiga to tundra. The pockets of spruce forest nestled in the valleys between the eskers sheltered generations of Dene hunters perched at the edge of the barrenlands waiting for caribou, and the white fox trappers of the 1920s.
You will spend the first few days exploring and enjoying this magnificent lake and its surroundings. Standing at the outlet from Lynx Lake, where the tundra’s longest and most storied river begins its descent toward Hudson Bay, is one of those life moments never to be forgotten. You’ll have a chance to contemplate the legends from those who passed here before, and the historical importance of this unique east-west travel route across the mainland Arctic.
Your river trip begins in the current’s first flush of excitement at running free. The swift-flowing Thelon offers a gentle descent, occasional class 1 or 2 rapids, and only minimal portaging, as you drop approximately 60 metres over the next 60 km. This route will provide a relaxed-pace canoe trip, with ample time for hiking and enjoyment in the company of fellow paddlers. One of those for this inaugural trip in 2026 will be David Pelly, veteran Arctic paddler with more than a dozen trips in the Thelon country alone, author of Thelon: A River Sanctuary, and good friend of Jackpine Paddle.
Along your route, discover the remnants of cultures thousands of years old. Your guides will show you archaeological sites where hunters awaited the Beverly caribou herd’s summer migration, connecting with a history that stretches back millennia. Along your route, magnificent eskers rise dramatically from the tundra floor, their towering sandy ridges visible for miles.
You’ll have a chance to spots herds of muskoxen in groups of 10-25 animals roaming together in the open tundra, and catch glimpses of barrenland grizzlies and arctic wolves patrolling their ancient territories. You might also spot moose, wolverines, and other iconic Arctic mammals during your journey. The region boasts rich birdlife including jaegers, merlins, bald eagles, osprey, Canada geese, and several loon species.
The Thelon offers the perfect balance of true wilderness with favorable conditions. This is the most remote river experience available outside Antarctica, yet you’ll enjoy surprisingly excellent summer weather thanks to the dry, sunny interior climate. The river provides easy and safe canoeing compared to other Arctic rivers on this route featuring approx 1/3rd lake travel and 2/3rds river paddling.
Call us at 1 (867) 445-4512 for more information about our guided Thelon Headwaters canoe adventure through the central Arctic barrenlands in Canada!
This route will end where our Upper Thelon River trip will begin. For those interested in staying out for an epic 23-day wilderness trip, please contact us to learn more about discounted trip fees on this combined journey.
I always think of it's physical beauty: the green, rolling, tundra hills; the clarity of the air; the vivid blues of lakes and rivers; the sand beaches; the eskers (always the eskers); carpets of wildflowers; the crimson fall colours; the glorious, sun-drenched, arid summers; the enormous skies; the wind, the wind that is your best friend when it blows away the blackflies and your worst enemy when are immobilized by its fury. I think of the animals, the wildness of the place, and perhaps most of all, the size and scale of the wilderness. But this country is greater than the sum of its parts.
Fantastic paddling and wilderness experience in difficult-to-access part of northern Canada. Great (expert) travelling guides and great/fun company/companions all around. The quality of the camping experience (equipment, food, opportunities for hiking and experiencing wilderness, weather and the night sky) is exceptional. Jackpine Paddle is a class act.
The quality of a Jackpine Paddle trip is unsurpassed from the great guides to the beautiful environment to the great food. I would recommend anyone wanting a safe true wilderness experience should take a trip with Jackpine Paddle.
You'll start this canoe trip on Lynx Lake (south end), where you'll land in your float plane charter on Day 1, departing from Yellowknife. The 1.5 hour flight, plus potential fuel stop and other charter related logistics will take most of the day as you travel out to your remote destination. You'll set up camp, enjoy a backcountry dinner, and begin to take in your wilderness surroundings.
Your first paddling days of the trip will be spent exploring stunning esker sites on Lynx Lake. Days will be spent moving between sites, fishing the abundant waters for lake trout and arctic grayling, and hiking the tundra landscape, dotted with unique archeological sites. You will be opportunities to spot muskoxen, arctic wolves, barren land grizzlies, and even wolverines throughout this trip.
Departing Lynx Lake, you'll start your journey down the Thelon River - the birthplace of the tundra's most magnificent river that has served as a vital artery across the Arctic for generations of travellers. Along the way, we are anticipating only one 400m portage on this exploratory trip, highlighting a dramatic falls where you'll overnight for a spectacular site.
Camped just downstream from Granite Falls, at an impressive esker-backed campsite, your float plane arrives around noon to take you back to Yellowknife. You'll bid goodbye to your wilderness journey through the headwaters of the Thelon River. Back in Yellowknife, you'll meet up for a farewell dinner (after a hot shower!).
– Charter flight from Yellowknife to the Thelon River, return
– Shuttles from the airport when in Yellowknife, NWT
– Certified guides with a maximum ratio of 6:1
– Expedition canoes
– Paddles, lifejacket, and paddling helmet.
– 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 tent (double occupancy – extra fee for solo)
– hearty and nutritious meals including snacks while on trip
– Group will be limited to 12 participants + 2 guides
– Off-river accommodations
– 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. The Thelon River has good fishing for arctic grayling and lake trout.
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.
While paddling experience is an asset, this trip is suitable for whitewater canoe beginners – with the support of our experienced guides. However participants should be good flat-water canoeists, particularly when in the stern. Back-country camping experience is required as this is a remote wilderness trip.
“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 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.
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. We have had people paddle with us in their early nineties.
Depending on specific trip dates, which vary from season to season: tundra swan, red-throated loon, common loon, long-tailed jaeger, parasitic jaeger, Arctic tern, herring gull, American Robin, Northern Pintail, long-tailed duck (oldsquaws), scaups, bald eagle, willow ptarmigan, various sandpipers, common raven, rough-legged hawk, merlin, gyrfalcon, peregrine falcon, American golden plover, cliff swallow, northern shrike. white-footed goose, common merganser, white-crowned sparrow, fox sparrow, lapland longspur, golden eagle, semipalmated plover
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!
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