Aulavik National Park - Canada

Discover the RVezy RV rental marketplace

1 of 1

About Aulavik National Park

Aulavik National Park is a remote arctic wilderness area on the northern end of Banks Island in Canada's Northwest Territories, located well above the Arctic Circle at roughly 73 degrees north latitude. The park protects a vast stretch of polar desert, tundra, river valleys, and coastline along the Beaufort Sea, including the Thomsen River corridor. The winds can be very strong and prolonged in Aulavik National Park, and a good quality tent, able to withstand fierce winds, is crucial for a comfortable visit. There are no roads, no visitor centre inside the park, and no developed campgrounds. Access is entirely by charter aircraft from the hamlet of Inuvik, with trip planning and fuel staging typically handled in Inuvik or Sachs Harbour. The park is best known for its muskox herds, Peary caribou, arctic wildlife, and the paddle-friendly Thomsen River, one of the northernmost navigable rivers in North America. Aulavik suits experienced, fully self-sufficient backcountry travellers rather than traditional drive-in campers.

RV quick facts for Aulavik National Park

Detail	Information
Road restrictions	No road access to the park; RVs must stage in Inuvik and travellers fly in by charter aircraft.
Nearest RV-accessible town	Inuvik, NT, reached via the Dempster Highway from Whitehorse, YT.
Full hookups	None in the park; full and partial hookup RV parks are located in Inuvik.
Dump station	None in the park; use municipal services in Inuvik before or after the trip.
Cell service	No cell coverage within the park; satellite communicator strongly recommended.
Campfires	Not permitted. Camp stoves with bottled fuel are required for cooking.
Fuel availability	Camping fuel available in Inuvik and, in limited selection, in Sachs Harbour. Scheduled aircraft do not allow passengers to carry fuel.
Registration	All visitors must register and deregister with the Parks Canada office in Inuvik.

We make RVing easy

Top-rated app, instant booking, get the perfect RV delivered to your favorite campground.

Award-winning customer service

Real humans, under 5-min wait times, 24/7 roadside assistance.

Best time to visit Aulavik National Park

The short visitor season runs from late June through mid-August, when 24-hour daylight, milder temperatures, and open water on the Thomsen River make travel feasible. July is the prime month for paddling, hiking, and wildlife viewing, with average highs typically just above freezing. Shoulder weeks in late June and mid-August bring lingering snow, ice, and a higher risk of weather-delayed charter flights, so extra days should always be built into any itinerary. Outside this window the park is effectively inaccessible due to deep snow, sea ice, and extreme cold.

Jan 5 mm

-29°C - -35°C

Park effectively inaccessible; extreme arctic cold and polar night.

Feb 4 mm

-30°C - -36°C

Park effectively inaccessible; deep winter conditions.

Mar 4 mm

-27°C - -34°C

Park effectively inaccessible; sea ice and snowpack.

Apr 5 mm

-20°C - -28°C

Park effectively inaccessible to standard visitors.

May 6 mm

-9°C - -16°C

Park effectively inaccessible; snow and ice dominate, no visitor services.

Jun 10 mm

3°C - -3°C

Late-month start of visitor season; 24-hour daylight, ice still breaking up.

Jul 20 mm

8°C - 1°C

Peak season for paddling and hiking; pack for wind and sub-freezing nights.

Aug 22 mm

5°C - 0°C

Short shoulder season; weather deteriorates quickly, expect flight delays.

Sep 12 mm

-3°C - -8°C

Visitor season ends; freezing temperatures and snow return, park effectively closed.

Oct 8 mm

-14°C - -20°C

Park effectively inaccessible; winter conditions set in.

Nov 6 mm

-22°C - -29°C

Park effectively inaccessible; polar darkness approaching.

Dec 5 mm

-27°C - -34°C

Park effectively inaccessible; polar night and extreme cold.

Things to do at Aulavik National Park

Paddle the Thomsen River Strenuous
The Thomsen River is the signature experience at Aulavik, offering a multi-day canoe or kayak trip through arctic tundra to the Beaufort Sea. Most parties fly in to a headwater lake and paddle downstream over one to three weeks. Strong winds and cold water make it suitable only for experienced arctic paddlers. parkscanada.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nt/aulavik
Muskox and wildlife viewing
Banks Island supports one of the largest muskox populations in the world, and Aulavik is among the best places to see them in their natural habitat. Visitors may also spot Peary caribou, arctic fox, arctic hare, snowy owls, and migratory birds. Bring a telephoto lens and keep a respectful distance. parkscanada.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nt/aulavik
Backcountry hiking on the tundra Strenuous
Open tundra terrain allows off-trail hiking in almost any direction from a river camp or landing strip. There are no maintained trails, so route-finding, map reading, and river-crossing skills are essential. Wind and sudden fog can reduce visibility quickly. parkscanada.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nt/aulavik
Backcountry camping Strenuous
Camping in Aulavik is fully dispersed and self-sufficient, with no facilities or designated sites. In order to protect this pristine wilderness, please practice No Trace Camping, and all garbage must be packed out. A four-season tent built for sustained high winds is essential. parkscanada.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nt/aulavik/activ/15act_2/activ1
Archaeology and cultural sites
The park contains hundreds of archaeological sites spanning roughly 3,400 years of Pre-Dorset, Thule, and Inuvialuit occupation. Visitors may encounter tent rings, caches, and hunting blinds on the landscape. All features are protected and must not be disturbed. parkscanada.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nt/aulavik
Photography and midnight-sun landscapes
Aulavik offers 24-hour daylight through much of the short summer, producing long golden-hour light ideal for landscape and wildlife photography. Subjects include braided rivers, badlands, tundra wildflowers, and coastal ice. Protect gear from blowing sand and grit. parkscanada.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nt/aulavik
Pre-trip orientation in Inuvik
RV parking available
All visitors must check in at the Parks Canada office in Inuvik for mandatory orientation, safety briefing, and trip registration before flying to the park. This is also the place to confirm charter logistics, rent satellite communications gear, and purchase remaining supplies. The office handles deregistration on return. parkscanada.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nt/aulavik

RV delivery to a campground, made simple

Skip the pickup. Skip the towing. Get an RV delivered and set up at your campsite so you can arrive, unpack, and start your trip stress-free.

Choose your perfect RV

Browse RVs that offer delivery to your site and book the one that fits your budget and adventure style.

Lock in your campsite

Reserve your campsite with the hookups and amenities you need. We’ll help you find RVs that meet site requirements.

Arrive and relax

Your host delivers and sets up the RV before you get there. Just show up and start enjoying your trip.

Find the perfect RV for these nearby campgrounds

Backcountry Camping - Aulavik National Park

Search campgrounds

RV Rentals Aulavik National Park

Aulavik National Park, NT, Canada

How to get to Aulavik National Park

There is no road access to Aulavik National Park, and no RV can reach the park itself. The standard approach is to drive an RV up the Dempster Highway to Inuvik, Northwest Territories, the gateway community roughly 1,500 km north of Whitehorse, Yukon, then board a charter aircraft for the flight to Banks Island. Travellers can drive the Dempster Highway from Whitehorse, Yukon or take one of the daily flights from southern Canada to reach Inuvik. The Dempster is a long gravel route with steep grades, river ferries in summer, ice crossings in winter, limited fuel stops, and significant tire and windshield risk for RVs, so carry two spares, extra fuel, and allow several days each way. Mike Zubko Airport in Inuvik (YEV) is the nearest commercial airport for fly-and-rent travellers.

RVezy vs. Traditional RV rental

RVezy rentals

Book directly from local RV owners
Choose the exact RV you want
Delivery to your campsite, home, or destination
More variety: trailers, motorhomes, and campers

Traditional RV rental

Limited fleet from a rental company
Exact RV not guaranteed
Pickup only at retail locations
Fewer RV types and less availability