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

Paddle the Keele River and discover breath-taking hikes, spectacular mountain views and some of the most memorable campsites you’ll find anywhere on this planet (wide-open gravel bars sporting dramatic vistas). From deep in the Mackenzie Mountains, you can fish along the shores of the Keele River for Bull-Trout and Arctic Grayling. You’ll have a chance to spot Grizzly bears, Dall Sheep, Mountain Goats and Mountain Caribou along it’s wild shores.
While boasting a strong current to whisk paddlers along for it’s entire length, the Keele River is action-packed, but not intimidating. Novice to intermediate paddlers will have fun in swift currents, rapids and aquamarine glacial water in a wilderness setting hundreds of kilometres from the nearest road. For the hiker, this trip offers stunning hikes on easy-to-access alpine routes. In the near of the journey, you’ll be welcomed in the indigenous community of Tulita for an interesting evening of cultural immersion with the Mountain Dene who have used this area since the last ice age.
Starting at
$6047 USD
$7650 CAD
Per Person

Trip Highlights

  • Strong Current Along the Entire Route
  • Stunning Mountain Scenary
  • Fishing for Bull Trout & Arctic Grayling
  • Okay for Novice or Intermediate Paddlers
  • Breath-Taking Hikes

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
  • Canoe Tripping
  • River Running

Experience/Service

  • Paddling Trip

Waterway

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

Destination

  • North America

Length

  • 12 Days

Accomodation

  • Wilderness Camping

Guided

  • Yes

Outfitted

  • Fully

Special Interest

  • Family
  • Women
  • Youth
  • Students
  • Photography
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Wilderness Gourmet
  • Beginner
  • Intermediate

Adventure Level

Easier Challenging

Itinerary

Meeting Place

Jackpine Paddle Base

Norman Wells, Northwest Territories

We offer guided Keele River canoe adventures through the Mackenzie Mountains in Canada!

Day 1:

Get out your camera because it's going to be an hour-long, jaw-dropping flight deep into the remote wilderness of the Mackenzie Mountains. In the morning our float plane takes us from Norman Wells to the Keele River, about 3 km below the confluence with the Natla River.

Day 2:

Most rapids are small, but there are some challenges of large standing waves, small whirlpools and turbulence along the entire river. Often there is a "fun line" or an "easy line" to choose if one wants to skirt the challenges.

Day 3:

Moving to a new campsite each night, we'll paddle through broad valleys to a beautiful, broad gravel bar where the Ekwi River joins the Keele. It's one of those unforgettable places backed by mountain scenery and crystal clear creek.

Day 4:

Layover day hiking the grassy slopes for a stunning view, or taking the day of to relax in camp. Your choice!

Day 5:

Every day will bring adventure and exploration the Keele cuts its way down the spectacular Redstone and Canyon Ranges.

Day 6:

As we paddle on, the Keele is deflected east around the Tigonankweine Range by the towering Mount Eduni Massif.

Day 7:

While boasting a strong current to whisk paddlers along for it’s entire length, the Keele River is action-packed, but not intimidating.

Day 8:

Novice to intermediate paddlers will have fun in swift currents, rapids and aquamarine glacial water in a wilderness setting hundreds of kilometres from the nearest road.

Day 9:

The river is wide and meanders through beautiful mountain valleys, with breathtaking vistas. Paddlers of all skill levels have enjoyed relaxing paddles, splashing down easy rapids, while taking advantage of great photography opportunities, hiking excursions, and wildlife viewing.

Day 10:

Eventually we'll leave the mountains behind as the river braids and merges with the Mackenzie River (known locally as Deh Cho or "Big River").

Day 11:

In the near of the journey, you’ll be welcomed in the indigenous community of Tulita for cultural immersion with the Mountain Dene who have used this area since the last ice age.

Day 12:

We'll be picked up by powerboat and shuttled down the Mackenzie River to Norman Wells. En route we'll pass on of the most mythological and iconic cultural sites in the Northwest Territories, Great Bear Rock.

Dates & Packages

Keele River

July 10-21, 2023
- Charter flight from Norman Wells to the Keele River - One night accommodation in Norman Wells (after the trip) - Boat shuttle from the Keele River to Norman Wells - Shuttles from the airport when in Norman Wells, NWT - Certified guides with a maximum ratio of 5:1 - Royalex expedition canoes with spray decks and knee pads - Werner paddles, PFDs, throw bags, and paddling helmets - 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

Jackpine Paddle made possible the trip of a lifetime to an exciting and wild part of the planet that very few are fortunate enough to experience. I hope very much to be able to do another trip with the crew at Jackpine Paddle!

- Barb Z, USA
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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