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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
- Paddle through "the Banff of the north"
- Turqouise, clear blue waters are beautiful and fun to swim in on hot days
- Easy but fun whitewater the whole way downstream
- Great for novices who have paddled flatwater before, but not rivers.
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
Experience/Service
- Paddling Trip
Waterway
- Whitewater Class II
Destination
- North America
Length
- 12 Days
Accomodation
- Wilderness Camping
Guided
- Yes
Outfitted
- Fully
Special Interest
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beginner
- Intermediate
Adventure Level
Itinerary
65°16′53″N 126°47′55″W
Meeting Place
Canoe North Adventures Lodge & Outfitting Centre
Norman Wells, NWT
The river braids and narrows into chutes as it glides down a steady gradient drop towards the Mackenzie River winding through spectacular mountain scenery. Enjoy superb fishing opportunities, breath-taking hikes, delicious meals after long days of paddling fun and challenging whitewater.
Day 1:
Hot breakfast at the CNA Lodge, charter flights to Keele River put-in point. Short paddle to Delthore Creek Camp, gear and tent familiarization, evening nature hike, excellent fishing for arctic grayling and bull trout, convenient fast-water rapid for canoe skills training.
Day 2:
River running clinic and canoe skills training as we paddle 20kms of fast water with some rapids and tight turns including dramatic Shezal Canyon. Lots of big waves and paddlers can select how adventurous they want to be at this stage of the trip! Arrive at Blackwolf Camp with panoramic views includ
Day 3:
Hiking opportunity to Blood Mountain – this is a full day hike with packed lunch on the trail. Some hikers may make it right to summit with option for some hikers to return to camp at halfway point. Alpine wildflowers are plentiful, great chance to see our first Dahl sheep and Woodland caribou.
Day 4:
Full day on the river, lots of fun rapids and fast current as we paddle in the shadow of towering Sheep Mountain. Options to overnight at Strawberry Camp, Beattie Camp or Nidhe Brooke.
Day 5:
Exciting day of whitewater as we ride the big waves down to Ekwi River or Flowerpot Camp. We will scout the Boat-Sucking Boil with the option to run or line this tricky rapid which can change dramatically with changing water-levels. The valley closes in tight as the mountains vault upwards – the exc
Day 6:
We head east at the Big Elbow where the Twitya River joins the Keele and we glide past the spectacular cliffs of the Seven Sisters below Mount Eduni as the Keele River valley doubles in scale. We will keep an eye out for Dahl sheep as they seek safety along a treacherous basalt cliff face. A few big
Day 7:
Lunch stop at Nainlin Brook where there is great trout fishing. Photo shoot at Beattie Wave Corner and a fabulous run down to our layover camp at Toochingkla. This camp is a Canoe North favourite with too many great memories to count!
Day 8:
Layover Day where we can relax, fly-fish, laundry, swim, extra cooking time for fresh baking and recharge. August trips can count on picking blueberries and cranberries on a short hike up the tributary.
Day 9:
We enter The Braids at Inlin Brook and the Mackenzie Lowlands roll out before us in undulating waves as we run the canoe fleet down to historic Moosehide Camp.
Day 10:
Another day of canoeing through broad valleys and braided sections as the Mackenzie Mountains leave our view for the last time. We leave an offering of dry meat at Red Dog Mountain and camp on the beach around the next bend. As we are just a few hundred feet above sea level, we notice the change in
Day 11:
Last day on the braided Lower Keele as Mount Clarke rises in the east across the Mackenzie River. Final night dinner at Mike Peake Camp and a late night to watch the rising moon and reminisce about our favourite memories of the trip.
Day 12:
6am breakfast, launch the canoes at 7am, arrive at the confluence of the mighty Mackenzie River at 9am. First charter flight back to Norman Wells with North-Wright Airways departs at 10:30am. Lunch and well-earned cold beer at Canoe North Lodge! Final-Night Gala Dinner at Canoe North Adventures Lodg
Dates & Packages
Keele River Canoe Expedition
What Guests Are Saying
Fantastic trip! Fantastic tour company! We paddled the Keele River this summer - Al and Lin worked with us for 3 years through COVID to make this trip-of-a-lifetime happen for us. We had terrific guides who were knowledgeable, helpful, and full of fun and adventure.
- Ellen V