The Inuvik Region offers more than a single travel theme: its scenic attractions include the Mackenzie Mountains and the Arctic Ocean. The midnight sun is also part of the picture, adding a seasonal consideration to travel planning. In the city of Inuvik, there are parks, trails and cultural sites; near the destination, the Pingo Canadian Landmark is next to Tuktoyaktuk.
Scenery and getting around the Inuvik Region
The Mackenzie Mountains and the Arctic Ocean are among the scenic attractions of the Inuvik Region. The midnight sun adds another natural highlight to the mix. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between the scenic attractions of the Inuvik Region and the trails and cultural offerings in the city of Inuvik.
Parks and trails in Inuvik
Happy Valley Territorial Park is within the city of Inuvik, on a hill above the Mackenzie River, and offers views of the Richardson Mountains. The park is just one city block from downtown, and a convenient walking route leads to the city’s amenities and attractions. This makes the park easy to include when getting around Inuvik, without confusing it with an excursion outside the city.
JĂ k Territorial Park is near the destination, outside the city of Inuvik. The lookout tower in nearby JĂ k Territorial Park offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Happy Valley Territorial Park is within the city of Inuvik, while JĂ k Territorial Park is outside the city.
There are several places to start exploring trails in Inuvik. The Inuvik Ski Club has an extensive network of groomed trails and ski trails. The Boot Lake Trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail System and offers opportunities for walking, running, hiking and snowshoeing. Trail conditions vary by season; take this into account when planning your trip.
Regional tours and connections
Inuvik offers boat and flight tours to other communities and to attractions in the Mackenzie Delta. This is a different way to explore the region from using the trails in and around the city. In the wider regional area of the Inuvik Region, the Dempster Highway provides a year-round road connection to the Yukon. A network of winter roads connects Tuktoyaktuk with Inuvik in the wider regional area.
Culture, community and local events
In the city of Inuvik, the Fred Carmichael Mural at MSC depicts Fred Carmichael’s plane, CF-HBL, landing on a lake. The artwork also has an optical feature: as you walk alongside it, the plane appears to change direction. The effect is therefore related to your perspective as you pass by, making the mural a cultural stop in its own right within the city.
The Midnight Sun Mosque, the world’s northernmost mosque, is in the city of Inuvik; it is also known as the Little Mosque on the Tundra. The mosque was built in Winnipeg and brought to the city of Inuvik in August 2010 on its 4,000-kilometre journey. Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre on Mackenzie Road in the city of Inuvik hosts many cultural events and community meals aimed at supporting Indigenous youth there.
The Inuvik Community Greenhouse in the city of Inuvik was created from a former hockey arena. The Arctic Market in the city of Inuvik provides a shared place for local growers, artists, craftspeople, bakers and cooks to sell their products. The Inuvik Sunrise Festival also takes place in the city of Inuvik every year in early January. Once your travel dates are set, check the event dates before planning around them.
The Pingo Canadian Landmark near Tuktoyaktuk
The Pingo Canadian Landmark is near the destination, next to Tuktoyaktuk. The landmark beside Tuktoyaktuk includes eight pingos, including the 49-metre-high Ibyuk Pingo. An approximately 429-metre-long boardwalk at the landmark leads to a viewing platform for Ibyuk. Unlike the parks in the city of Inuvik, the focus at the Pingo Canadian Landmark beside Tuktoyaktuk is on the pingos and the view of Ibyuk.
In Tuktoyaktuk, near the destination, licensed operators offer guided motorboat trips to the Pingo Canadian Landmark; you can also rent canoes there. Check in advance whether tours and canoes are available for your travel dates.
More destinations
Discover more destinations: Inuvik, Norman Wells, Fort Smith Region.
Back to the main travel overview: Northwest Territories.
