The hero image answers ‘how big is big?’—it gives readers instant scale for Nahanni and frames the rest of the article as a series of unforgettable, hard-to-compare experiences. Photo credit: Asymetric/Jason Van Bruggen
Quick Summary
Nahanni National Park Reserve is a landscape like no other—tucked into the Northwest Territories' southwest flank, sliced by great waters and prickling with peaks. From Virginia Falls (twice the height of Niagara) to the daunting Cirque of the Unclimbables, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place you've gotta see at least once in your life.
Quick Facts
- Highlights Covered: 5 must-see attractions in Nahanni
- Region: Northwest Territories, Canada
- Star Attraction: Virginia Falls (315 ft / 96 m) – twice the height of Niagara
- Access Points: Fort Simpson, Nahanni Butte (floatplane charter)
- Designation: UNESCO World Heritage Site
A version of this post first appeared on the Spectacular Northwest Territories website.
1. Virginia Falls: Imagine Niagara, Then Double It
Canada's greatest wilderness waterfall is an easy flightseeing trip from Fort Simpson. Watch the Nahanni River leap off a 315-foot cliff, bisected by the great mid-river spire of Mason's Rock. The noise, the gusting spray, the shuddering Earth, the surrounding grandeur—it's a sight that will change you forever. At 96 metres (315 feet), Virginia Falls is nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls, making it one of the most spectacular waterfalls in North America.
2. Nahanni River: For Paddlers, It’s Holy Water
On every paddler's life-list, there's the Nahanni River. Why? Canyons and hotsprings. Wildlife and history. Rapids and mountains. Culture and waterfalls. Whether you paddle for a month from the Yukon border or do a quick trip from the base of Virginia Falls, it's the greatest wild river journey you'll ever take. The South Nahanni River flows through the paradise of Nahanni National Park Reserve, framed by four towering canyons with rapids bearing names like Hell's Gate, the Rock Gardens, and Lafferty's Riffle—thrilling for intermediate canoeists.
3. Cirque of the Unclimbables: Try Not to Strain Your Neck
It's a landscape that seems like a dream: peaks like daggers, impaling the sky, thumbing their noses at the law of gravity. This is an alpinist's Shangri-La, with classic climbs like Lotus Flower Tower, Mount Proboscis and Middle Huey Spire. Wanna stay grounded? The verdant Fairie Meadow may be the prettiest place you'll ever camp. These granite spires rising from lush alpine meadows attract world-class climbers from around the globe.
4. Ram Plateau: Not a Bad Little Place for a Stroll
Rarely seen and almost never trekked, this is a great grassy mesa suspended above a scenic wonderland. Around the edges of the plateau, river gorges plunge almost 6,000 feet, Dall's sheep frolic, hoodoos stand on guard—and the occasional hiker marvels at the splendor of it all. The Ram Plateau offers one of the most remote and pristine hiking experiences in all of Canada's north.
5. Perfect Lakes: Bring Your Rod and Reel
At lakes like Glacier, Rabbitkettle, Hole-in-the-Wall and Little Doctor, the fishing is good and the scenery is even better. Potential catches include pickerel, pike, trout and grayling. Beyond the fishing, the lakes provide stunning basecamp locations for exploring the surrounding wilderness and accessing the park's more remote features.
Getting There: Nahanni National Park Reserve is accessed by chartered floatplane from Fort Simpson or Nahanni Butte. Virginia Falls is an easy flightseeing trip from Fort Simpson, or you can embark on multi-day paddling expeditions down the South Nahanni River. For more information, visit the Spectacular Northwest Territories website.
Follow-Up Questions
- How do I get to Nahanni National Park Reserve?
- What's the best time of year to visit Virginia Falls?
- Do I need paddling experience to canoe the Nahanni River?
- Can I do a day trip to see Virginia Falls?
- What wildlife might I see in Nahanni National Park?
Associated Entities
Nahanni National Park Reserve, Virginia Falls, Mason's Rock, South Nahanni River, Cirque of the Unclimbables, Lotus Flower Tower, Mount Proboscis, Middle Huey Spire, Fairie Meadow, Ram Plateau, Glacier Lake, Rabbitkettle Lake, Hole-in-the-Wall Lake, Little Doctor Lake, Fort Simpson, Nahanni Butte, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Hell's Gate, Rock Gardens, Lafferty's Riffle, Dall's sheep, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Spectacular Northwest Territories, Parks Canada, Destination Canada
Sources & Registry
- Destination Canada – Five ways the Nahanni will blow your mind: https://travel.destinationcanada.com/en-us/things-to-do/5-ways-nahanni-will-blow-your-mind
- Originally published on Spectacular Northwest Territories: https://spectacularnwt.com/story/5-ways-nahanni-will-blow-your-mind