Jackpine Paddle is 100% northern-owned. Explore the Canadian North on a guided expedition trip. Rent a canoe or kayak for a trip of your own. We would be happy to assist you in finding the trip of a lifetime whether it be herds of muskox, northern lights, true wilderness, or all of the above. Remember, Life is Better Outside!

Overview

Our 65 mile long canoe trip in Thaidene Nene National Park lies a short distance past the treeline (edge of the forest) in the Barren Lands, west of the Thelon River headwaters. Although tundra predominates, we are technically within the “transition zone” between the boreal forest and the tundra where large stands of spruce trees occur at lower elevations and along parts of the lake shores.
Thaidene Nene translates to “Land of our Ancestors”. The nearest towns and villages lie hundreds of miles away in every direction. Chances of seeing anyone else on our route are extremely remote. At many of our campsites, we’ll come across a lot of archaeological material – primarily arrowheads, spearpoints, and stone knives, some of which may be thousands of years old. A major attraction of Thaidene Nene National Park is the wildlife. We’ll undoubtedly see muskox. Up to 50 muskoxen were spotted on this trip in 2019, in 4 herds, 2 of which practically wandering into our camp! Fall colours peak a week or more after our trip dates, but there will be considerable colour on the tundra by the end of the trip – crimson reds, oranges, yellows and muted reds. There is decent fishing almost everywhere on this trip, and in a few places it’s really good.
Starting at
$8202 USD
$9275 CAD
Per Person

Trip Highlights

  • Fall Colours on the Tundra
  • Excellent Muskoxen Viewing Opportunities
  • Archaeological Discoveries
  • Canada's Newest National Park
  • Northern Lights (Aurora)

Jackpine Paddle is 100% northern-owned. Explore the Canadian North on a guided expedition trip. Rent a canoe or kayak for a trip of your own. We would be happy to assist you in finding the trip of a lifetime whether it be herds of muskox, northern lights, true wilderness, or all of the above. Remember, Life is Better Outside!

Quick Facts

Paddlesport

  • Canoeing

Activity

  • Recreation
  • Fishing
  • Whitewater
  • Expedition
  • Lakewater Canoeing
  • Canoe Tripping

Experience/Service

  • Paddling Trip

Waterway

  • Big Lakes
  • Rivers and Streams (no whitewater)
  • Whitewater Class I
  • Inshore

Destination

  • North America

Length

  • 8 Days or More

Accomodation

  • Wilderness Camping

Special Interest

  • Family
  • Women
  • Youth
  • Photography
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Wilderness Gourmet

Adventure Level

Easier Challenging

Itinerary

Meeting Place

Jackpine Paddle Base

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Our Thaidene Nene National Park canoe trip offers access to one of the best wilderness wildlife trips in the Northwest Territories!

Day 1:

We'll start this canoe trip on Sled Creek, where we will land in our float plane from Yellowknife on Day 1. We will not likely travel far, if at all, on the first day of this trip. We'll set up camp and begin to take in our beautiful wilderness surroundings.

Day 2:

We begin our canoe trip on the small, lower lakes of Sled Creek and paddle to Eileen Lake - a large lake filled with deep bays and many points.

Day 3:

Eileen lake is, by far, the most beautiful large lake in the Barren Lands. The terrain is very hilly and there are lovely sand beaches in many places.

Day 4:

Although we'll be paddling twenty miles through Eileen Lake, there are no big crossings of open water - thanks to many islands, points, and bays.

Day 5:

We continue to paddle in a breathtaking beautiful area of small interconnected lakes, sandy eskers, and big tundra hills.

Day 6:

Up to 50 muskoxen were spotted on this trip in 2019, in 4 herds, 2 of which practically wandering into our camp! The timing of the trip is at the height of the breeding season for them. They utter low, grumbling roars that carry for miles if it isn’t very windy.

Day 7:

At many of our campsites, we’ll come across a lot of archaeological material – primarily arrowheads, spearpoints, and stone knives, some of which may be thousands of years old.

Day 8:

Today, Thaidene Nene National Park is uninhabited and remains of the most remote areas of pristine wilderness left in the world. The nearest towns and villages lie hundreds of miles away in every direction.

Day 9:

There is decent fishing almost everywhere on this trip, and in a few places it’s really good. Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout and Northern Pike are available!

Day 10:

We are likely to see moose, grizzlies, black bears, tundra wolves and wolverines. Most tundra wolves are white in colour so they are easy to spot this time of year in the green and red tundra colours.

Day 11:

White sand beaches line these small interconnected lakes and old-growth spruce trees are scattered along the lake shores. We plan to spend the entire Day 11 hiking in this exquisite Shangri-La and looking out for muskoxen.

Day 12:

Our float plane arrives around noon to take us back to Yellowknife. We say goodbye to this land of remote tundra lakes, and abundant wildlife. Back in Yellowknife, we meet up for a farewell dinner and cold beers (after hot showers)!

Dates & Packages

Thaidene Nene National Park

August 15-26, 2023
- Charter flight from Yellowknife to Thaidene Nene National Park, return - Shuttles from the airport when in Yellowknife, NWT - Certified guides with a maximum ratio of 5:1 - Royalex expedition canoes and knee pads - Werner paddles, PFDs, throw bags - Group gear for each expedition (tarp, kitchen equipment, utensils, water filtration, etc) - Personal watertight barrel or drybag - Expedition first aid kit and canoe repair kit - Emergency satellite phone, two-way radios for guide staff - Expedition tents by Mountain Hardware - hearty and nutritious meals including snacks while on trip - Group will be limited to 10 participants + 2 guides

What Guests Are Saying

This was my big retirement bucket list trip. It surpassed all my expectations! Planning and attention to detail was great. I appreciated your ability to assess and change plans on the go. The menu was varied and the fresh vegetables to the end was fabulous. Gourmet cooking! I will be recommending Jackpine Paddle.

- Ted C, Canada | Thaidene Nene Expedition
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Company Overview

By choosing to join a trip with us, you are supporting the local economy of the Northwest Territories. As the only northern-owned paddling outfitter offering arctic wilderness expeditions, we appreciate your support.

Learn More
Company Overview

By choosing to join a trip with us, you are supporting the local economy of the Northwest Territories. As the only northern-owned paddling outfitter offering arctic wilderness expeditions, we appreciate your support.

Learn More
Our Team

The North is a spectacular place to explore, so why not discover it with Northerners? We employ experienced guides who live in the Northwest Territories, with deep roots on our rivers and lakes. Based out of Yellowknife, NT, we know that when it comes to the North, there is no other place like it.

Learn More
Our Team

The North is a spectacular place to explore, so why not discover it with Northerners? We employ experienced guides who live in the Northwest Territories, with deep roots on our rivers and lakes. Based out of Yellowknife, NT, we know that when it comes to the North, there is no other place like it.

Learn More
Our Services

We offer: - Fully Guided Expeditions - Rentals & Shuttles - Paddle Canada Courses - Youth Paddle Camps!

Learn More
Our Services

We offer: - Fully Guided Expeditions - Rentals & Shuttles - Paddle Canada Courses - Youth Paddle Camps!

Learn More
Company History

On March 2, 2019, after an eleven month battle with cancer, Alex Hall passed away peacefully at home in Fort Smith. Before Alex passed away, he handed the reins of Canoe Arctic Inc. to fellow northerner Dan Wong. For 2020 and beyond, Jackpine Paddle will proudly carry on the legacy of Canoe Arctic Inc. on the Thelon River and its major tributaries.

Learn More
Company History

On March 2, 2019, after an eleven month battle with cancer, Alex Hall passed away peacefully at home in Fort Smith. Before Alex passed away, he handed the reins of Canoe Arctic Inc. to fellow northerner Dan Wong. For 2020 and beyond, Jackpine Paddle will proudly carry on the legacy of Canoe Arctic Inc. on the Thelon River and its major tributaries.

Learn More