Qausuittuq National Park - Canada

About Qausuittuq National Park

RV quick facts for Qausuittuq National Park

Best time to visit Qausuittuq National Park

The short visitor season runs from roughly late June through August, when 24-hour daylight, thawed tundra, and relatively mild temperatures allow hiking, wildlife viewing, and charter access. July is typically the warmest month with average highs just above freezing. Shoulder periods in early June and September bring lingering snow, sea ice, and rapidly shortening days, and by October the park returns to full polar night and deep cold. RV travellers should note that the park itself cannot be reached by road at any time of year.

Things to do at Qausuittuq National Park

• Peary caribou and muskox viewing Moderate

  Wildlife watching for endangered Peary caribou and muskoxen is a central reason visitors travel to the park. The park was established to protect habitat for the endangered Peary caribou on Bathurst Island in Nunavut's High Arctic. Viewing is done on foot from base camps with experienced guides.

• Guided backcountry hiking Strenuous

  Backcountry hiking across rolling polar desert and tundra is the main on-the-ground activity in Qausuittuq. Routes are unmarked and require navigation by GPS and map, along with river crossings and careful bear safety practices. Trips are typically arranged as multi-day expeditions from fly-in landing sites.

• Birdwatching on coastal wetlands Easy

  The park's coastal lowlands host migratory shorebirds, geese, jaegers, and seabirds during the brief summer. Wetland areas near river mouths are the most productive for sightings. A spotting scope and patience help make the long daylight hours productive.

• Cultural learning in Resolute Bay Easy

  Resolute Bay (Qausuittuq) is the gateway community and a key part of any trip. Visitors can learn about Inuit history, the relocations of the 1950s, and contemporary life in one of Canada's northernmost communities. Local outfitters and community members lead cultural programs and tours.

• Photography of High Arctic landscapes Moderate

  Photographers visit for polar desert scenery, sea ice, wildlife, and 24-hour summer light. Subjects include glacial erratics, frost-patterned ground, and coastal cliffs along Bathurst Island. Conditions change quickly, so weatherproof gear is essential.

• Sea-ice excursions with Inuit guides Strenuous

  In late spring, licensed Inuit guides run snowmobile and qamutiq (sled) trips across the sea ice toward Bathurst Island. These excursions offer access to seal breathing holes, floe-edge wildlife, and traditional travel routes. All trips require advance booking through Resolute Bay outfitters.