Nahanni National Park, Canada

Virginia Falls, Nahanni National Park
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nahanni_-_VirginiaFalls.jpg
Author: Gierszep


Nahanni National Park in the Dehcho Region, in the province of Northwest Territories in Canada is a national park that protects the South Nahanni River, one of the most spectacular wild rivers in North America. The South Nahanni carves a course through deep canyons and over huge waterfalls and limestone caves. The national park also covers a portion of the Mackenzie Mountains Natural Region.

Nahanni National Park was made a World Heritage Site during the 2nd session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., USA, on 5th to 8th September, 1978.

Virginia Falls is one of the most spectacular sights along the South Nahanni River. Here, the river plunges 90 meters (295 feet). Counting the Sluice Box Rapids located above it, the height is twice that of Niagara Falls.

Nahanni River, Northwest Territories, Canada
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nahanni_River_-_The_Gate.JPG
Author: Gierszep


The first Europeans to arrive at Nahanni were fur traders. They found that the people living there were Native Americans of the Dene tribe. The forest there comprises mostly spruce and aspen. The landscape includes sulphur hot sprints, alpine tundra and mountain ranges.

On 9 June 2009, the Canadian Government , with the agreement of the Dehcho First Nations, which represents the Dene and Métis tribes, agree for an expansion to the area of Nahanni National Park, to cover 30,000 square kilometers, including much of the South Nahanni River watershed. This provides protection to over 500 grizzly bears as well as two herds of woodland caribou as well as other types of fauna. The newly expanded national park will also be home to the tallest peak and largest ice field in Northwest Territories.

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 61 32 50 W 125 35 22 in the Northwest Territories, Canada
Inscription Year: 1978
Type of Site: Natural
Inscription Criteria: VII, VIII

Visiting Nahanni National Park

To visit Nahanni National Park, contact the park reserve headquarters at Box 348, Fort Simpson, NWT, Canada X0E 0N0, or call them at 867 695 3151, email nahanni.info@pc.gc.ca

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