The park is home to significant wildlife populations, most notably the world's highest density of muskoxen, with approximately 68,000 animals on Banks Island. The area also supports a variety of arctic mammals including caribou, arctic foxes, arctic wolves, and polar bears near the coast. Bird life is particularly abundant during the brief summer breeding season, with over 40 species recorded, including snow geese, king eiders, rough-legged hawks, and various shorebirds. The Thomsen River and its tributaries support arctic char and other cold-water fish species.
Despite the harsh arctic conditions, Aulavik supports a diverse array of plant life adapted to the tundra environment. The park features over 150 species of flowering plants, including purple saxifrage, arctic poppies, and various species of willows that grow as ground-hugging shrubs. Cotton grass is abundant in wet areas, while lichens and mosses cover much of the ground. The vegetation is typically low-growing due to strong winds and short growing seasons. Different plant communities can be found in various microhabitats, from well-drained uplands to protected valleys and wet meadows.
The park's landscape was shaped by the last ice age, featuring rolling tundra plains, deep river valleys, and distinctive rock formations. The Thomsen River, Canada's most northerly navigable river, cuts through ancient sedimentary rocks dating back to the Devonian period. The park contains significant areas of badlands topography, with dramatic erosional features and exposed geological layers. Notable geological features include frost-shattered rocks, polygonal ground patterns created by permafrost, and numerous pingos (ice-cored hills). The area also contains important fossil deposits, including marine organisms from when the region was covered by an ancient sea.
The area now known as Aulavik National Park has been home to Indigenous peoples for thousands of years, particularly the Inuvialuit and their ancestors. Archaeological evidence suggests human habitation dating back approximately 3,400 years, with numerous documented sites containing tent rings, food caches, and other artifacts. The park's name, 'Aulavik,' means 'place where people travel' in Inuvialuktun, reflecting its historical importance as a travel corridor and hunting ground. European exploration of the area began in the 19th century, with the first recorded visit by British explorer John Franklin in 1820. The park was officially established in 1992 to protect this unique arctic landscape.
The Thomsen River is the park's most prominent feature, offering a rare opportunity for arctic river travel and considered one of the most northerly navigable waterways in North America. The park contains significant archaeological sites, including the Pre-Dorset and Thule culture remains at Head Hill. The Mercy Bay area features historical artifacts from HMS Investigator, which was abandoned there in 1853 during a Franklin expedition search. The park's extensive badlands provide unique opportunities for geological study and photography. The combination of continuous permafrost and minimal vegetation creates striking landscapes of patterned ground and other periglacial features.
Aulavik National Park experiences an arctic climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Located well above the Arctic Circle on Banks Island, the park sees 24 hours of daylight from late April to mid-August and 24 hours of darkness in mid-winter. Summer temperatures typically range from 5-10°C (41-50°F), while winter temperatures can plummet to -30°C (-22°F) or lower. Despite being in the Arctic, the park receives relatively little precipitation, averaging only 125mm annually, making it a polar desert. Strong winds are common throughout the year, particularly in the Thomsen River valley.
Canada
73.9970°, -119.9180°
1992
12200
Located on Banks Island in the Northwest Territories, Aulavik is one of Canada's most remote national parks. The park protects a portion of the Western Arctic Lowlands and features the Thomsen River, one of the northernmost navigable waterways in North America. It's home to muskoxen, Arctic wolves, and numerous species of birds.