Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve

Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve is a remote wilderness park in the far western Northwest Territories, adjoining the Yukon border, established in 2014 to protect the headwaters of the South Nahanni River and surrounding mountain landscapes of the Mackenzie Mountains. It takes its name from a mountain sacred to the Sahtu Dene and Métis, whose traditional territory and continued use of the land are central to the park's establishment and co-management. The park is essentially trackless wilderness — mountains, alpine tundra, and the headwaters of a legendary paddling river — with no roads, facilities, or services, and it sees only a small number of visitors each year, almost all experienced backcountry travelers.

There is no road access to Naats'ihch'oh. The only practical way in is by chartered floatplane or helicopter, typically arranged from Norman Wells, NWT, or from communities in the Yukon such as Ross River, then continuing into the park by canoe/raft or on foot. This is an expedition-level undertaking requiring significant planning, and Parks Canada requires visitors to register their trip in advance.

There are no roads, trails, or facilities within the park. Travel is by canoe or raft on the South Nahanni River's upper reaches and connecting waterways, or on foot across alpine and mountain terrain, and requires wilderness travel and navigation skills. Visitors are expected to be self-sufficient and experienced in remote backcountry travel.

• The headwaters of the South Nahanni River, one of Canada's most storied wilderness rivers, whose lower reaches downstream form Nahanni National Park Reserve.

• The Mackenzie Mountains, rugged alpine terrain with glaciers, tundra, and dramatic peaks, including Mount Naats'ihch'oh itself, a landmark significant to the Dene.

• Extensive undisturbed wilderness supporting populations of Dall's sheep, mountain goats, grizzly and black bears, wolves, and caribou.

• Wilderness canoeing and rafting on the upper South Nahanni and connecting rivers is the park's primary activity for the small number of visitors who make it in, typically as a multi-day self-supported trip.

• Backcountry hiking and mountaineering in the alpine terrain, for experienced, well-equipped parties only.

• Wildlife viewing of species such as Dall's sheep and mountain goats in their natural mountain habitat.

There are no lodges, cabins, or maintained campgrounds in the park. All overnight stays are backcountry camping, and visitors must be fully self-sufficient, carrying all supplies, and prepared for weather and terrain typical of remote northern mountains.

Most visitors continue via chartered air travel back to Norman Wells or into the Yukon, or extend a river trip downstream into the adjoining Nahanni National Park Reserve, one of Canada's most celebrated wilderness parks, on the lower South Nahanni.