Ivvavik means a place for giving birth, a nursery, in the language of Inuvialuit. Living up the that name, Ivvavik National Park serves as a calving ground for many of the 123,000 barren-ground caribou that constitute the Porcupine herd. Located on the Yukon North Slope about 193 kilometres west of Inuvik, Ivvavik exhibits a great variety of ecosystems, including mountains, river valleys, and a coastal plain on the Arctic Ocean.

To reach this remote park, take a tour or charter plane from Inuvik. Like Aulavik and Tuktut Nogait National Parks, Ivvavik is isolated and without amenities; unless you are an experienced Arctic outdoors person, go with a guided tour. Your party should register with the Parks Canada office in Inuvik before you leave and deregister upon your return.

Typically, visitors explore the park by rafting or kayaking down the 80 navigable miles of the Firth River, which flows from the park’s southern end to the sea. Trips take anywhere from 4 to 14 days, putting in at Margaret Lake and taking out at Nanaluk Spit. River travellers must have considerable skill in order to negotiate the many Class III and Class IV rapids.