Nihtak Day Use Park, Inuvik, NWT
Western Arctic Region, Northwest Territory, Canada

Nihtak Day Use Park

Nihtak Day Use Park is a rest stop park, boat launch destination and picnic site located 17 kilometres south of Inuvik, Northwest Territory, Canada on the Dempster Highway.

The Nihtak Day Use park is situated at the north end of the Gwichin' Territorial Park. The park entrance is located at the 719 kilometre (Mile 457) point on the Dempster Highway which is 247 kilometres after the Yukon/NWT Border crossing.

Nihtak means "divide" in the native language of the Gwichin' First Nation people. The divide reference is due to the location of the park as it rests in a valley between Campbell Lake and Sitidgi Lake.

The Nihtak Day Use Park is divided into two sections by the Dempster Highway. On the north side of the Dempster Highway is a day use area with some picnic tables, fire pits and pit toilets. There is also a firewood teepee shelter which caught our attention. Located on the south side of the highway is a boat launch.

Activities enjoyed from the day use park during the summer months include picnicking, fishing, canoeing and boating. Fishing for whitefish during the spring months is particularly popular in the area. Fishing licence is required when fishing in the Northwest Territory.

During the winter months, after the waterways are frozen, the park is used as a base camp for snowmobiling and cross country skiing adventures.

How to Get to Nihtak Day Use Park

Travel the Dempster Highway towards the community of Inuvik, N.W.T., Canada. At approximately 17 kilometres south of the community of Inuvik is the entrance to the Nihtak Day Use Area. Watch for signs on the Dempster Highway.