Canoe North Adventures
For over 30 Years, Canoe North Adventures has been making memories for life. With bases in Norman Wells & Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, CNA provides guided wilderness canoe and rafting trips on some of the most renowned wilderness rivers in Canada, including the Nahanni, Keele and Horton Rivers. Owners Al Pace, Lin Ward and Taylor Pace have dedicated their lives to curating quality expeditions for their guests that provide a backdrop to unwind, reconnect and share a truly spectacular wilderness experience in the most wild spaces left in Canada. CNA's professional guides will share their enthusiasm with you and provide a safe and fun experience while on trip. Let the adventure begin!
Overview
Trip Highlights
- 13-days of paddling through the most remote parts of Canada's Arctic
- World class fishing for whitefish, lake trout, and grayling.
- A great river for paddlers who have some previous paddling experience.
- Experience the thrill of seeing wildlife like muskoxen & caribou.
- 4 beautiful limestone canyons are a highlight of the journey
Canoe North Adventures
For over 30 Years, Canoe North Adventures has been making memories for life. With bases in Norman Wells & Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, CNA provides guided wilderness canoe and rafting trips on some of the most renowned wilderness rivers in Canada, including the Nahanni, Keele and Horton Rivers. Owners Al Pace, Lin Ward and Taylor Pace have dedicated their lives to curating quality expeditions for their guests that provide a backdrop to unwind, reconnect and share a truly spectacular wilderness experience in the most wild spaces left in Canada. CNA's professional guides will share their enthusiasm with you and provide a safe and fun experience while on trip. Let the adventure begin!
Quick Facts
Paddlesport
- Canoeing
Activity
- Whitewater
- Expedition
- Canoe Tripping
Waterway
- Whitewater Class II
- Whitewater Class III
Destination
- North America
Length
- 13 Days
Accomodation
- Wilderness Camping
Guided
- Yes
Outfitted
- Fully
Special Interest
- Wildlife Viewing
- Intermediate
Adventure Level
Itinerary
65°15'30.3"N 126°41'31.6"W
Meeting Place
Canoe North Adventures Lodge & Outfitting Centre
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories
Day 0- Arrive in Norman Wells, NWT Day 1- Fly to the Anderson River Day 2-12 Paddle the Anderson River, make memories for life. Day 13- Return from the Anderson River to Norman Wells, NWT Day 14- Fly home from Norman Wells, NWT
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Day 1:
Fly to Anderson Lake in the boreal taiga, that is connected to the Anderson via tributary river. Spend the morning fishing at the lake, before descending down the small tributary. Camp at the confluence!
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Day 2:
Explore the eskers and sandy bottom of this beautiful section or river. Short sections of class 2 whitewater, with one class 3 rapid, intersperse an otherwise calm but fast flowing river. After 30km, camping is at the bottom of a beautiful rapid, where trout and whitefish linger.
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Day 3:
Start your day off with some more class 2 rapids forming over limestone bedrock on the river bottom. As the afternoon begins, the river slows and begins to meander. Camping is at on white sand beaches where the river has cut its way through an esker.
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Day 4:
The river becomes lazy as it cuts through the sand and sediments left behind by the glaciers thousands of years ago. Spend the day relaxing as the gentle current carries you forwards. After a day of gentle paddling, another esker camp awaits 30km from your starting point.
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Day 5:
A Layover Day, where the tundra and Eskers surrounding the river beckon.
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Day 6:
A shorter day takes you on calm waters, past many tributaries, where trout, grayling and arctic char await your cast! Camping is below one of these tributaries after 20km, so the fishing continues!
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Day 7:
The river begins to grow, and gains speed as it heads towards the canyons below. a 25km paddle brings you to the brink of 1st Canyon.
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Day 8:
A whitewater paddlers paradise! 18km of class 2-3 whitewater awaits in 1st & 2nd Canyons, as the river cuts its way through spectacular limestone formations. Camping is at the mouth of a large tributary, where the fishing is sure to be fantastic. This day may involve some lining of canoes.
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Day 9:
The whitewater continues, as the river cuts through Falcon Canyon, with beautiful limestone mesas and class 2-3 whitewater a plenty. Camping is at below a mesa at the bottom of the canyon.
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Day 10:
A layover day in Falcon Canyon, where we go and explore this magical landscape by foot.
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Day 11:
Another morning of easier class 2+ whitewater paddling brings you out into the true taiga, and the boreal spruce forest slowly dissipates behind you. Camping is in Airweave Canyon for the night.
![](/images/itinerary-ellipse.png)
Day 12:
A slow morning allows time to explore the last canyon on the river, before a short 15 km paddle brings you to your take out point. A 350m portage brings you to a long finger like lake where the plane will arrive to pick up the group the next day. Spend the evening fishing on the lake, and hiking.
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Day 13:
A plane arrives in the late morning to whisk you back to civilization.