Greenland National Park wilderness guide
National Park · GL

Greenland National Park

Greenland National Park is the world’s largest national park, covering vast Arctic landscapes featuring glaciers, fjords, and rich arctic wildlife. It offers a unique wilderness experience in one of Earth's most remote and pristine environments.

National Park92,707,000
DesignationNational Park
Total Wilderness Area92,707,000
Elevation / TerrainDiverse Wilderness
Field Editorial Guide

About Greenland National Park

Greenland National Park is the world’s largest national park, covering vast Arctic landscapes featuring glaciers, fjords, and rich arctic wildlife. It offers a unique wilderness experience in one of Earth's most remote and pristine environments.

Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage

Greenland National Park, established in 1974, is the largest national park on the planet, spanning approximately 375,000 square kilometers (92.7 million acres) of Arctic wilderness in northeastern Greenland. The park extends northwards from the eastern coast of Greenland almost to the northern ice cap, featuring rugged mountain ranges, immense glaciers, deep fjords, and expansive tundra. Its geography is dominated by some of the planet’s most extreme environments, including permanent ice sheets and vast ice-free zones that sustain specialized Arctic flora and fauna. The park is home to a variety of wildlife adapted to the harsh conditions, such as musk oxen, Arctic wolves, Arctic foxes, polar bears, and numerous migratory bird species. Human presence within the park is extremely limited due to its remoteness, and it has no permanent inhabitants or visitor facilities. Recreational access is primarily by scientific expeditions and limited guided tours focused on wildlife observation, glacier trekking, and Arctic mountaineering. Notable landmarks include the massive Flade Isblink ice cap, the rugged nunataks (mountain peaks protruding through the ice), and remote fjords with rich marine ecosystems. Visitors are drawn by the chance to experience an environment largely untouched by development, offering remarkable opportunities for photography, ecological research, and extreme wilderness adventure. Because of its extreme Arctic location, Greenland National Park remains one of the least visited national parks worldwide, prized for solitude, raw natural beauty, and polar ecosystem study.

Field Guide · National Park
Adventure Destinations

Notable Destinations Near Greenland National Park

Scenic viewpoints, outdoor landmarks, and notable points of interest within 60 miles.

Key Wilderness Highlights

✦ Flade Isblink, the largest independent ice cap in Greenland✦ Arctic musk ox and polar bear populations✦ Diverse fjord systems carved by glaciers✦ Remote arctic tundra offering uninterrupted wilderness
Wilderness Recreation

Outdoor Adventures in Greenland National Park

Explore curated guides for top outdoor sports, trail networks, and wilderness activities.

Park Recreation

Wildlife Viewing

Available in Greenland National Park
Park Recreation

Photography

Available in Greenland National Park
Park Recreation

Scientific Research

Available in Greenland National Park
Park Recreation

Glacier Trekking

Available in Greenland National Park
Park Recreation

Arctic Mountaineering

Available in Greenland National Park
Park Recreation

Kayaking

Available in Greenland National Park
Park Recreation

Birdwatching

Available in Greenland National Park
Park Recreation

Remote Camping

Available in Greenland National Park
Park Recreation

Snow Sports (seasonal)

Available in Greenland National Park
Park Recreation

Polar Exploration

Available in Greenland National Park
The Ranger Station

Visitor Logistics & Essential Planning

Everything you need to know about entrance passes, seasons, visitor centers, road transit, and wildlife safety in Greenland National Park.

Passes & Fees

Entrance Requirements & Interagency Passes

Access by special permit through Greenland government; no public roads or visitor facilities; guided expedition required

Wilderness Checklist

Carry paper topographic map & compass in remote zones.
Store all food and scented items in approved bear canisters.
Check wildfire / smoke advisories before backcountry departure.
Pack out everything you pack in (Leave No Trace).
Wilderness Stays

Camping & Overnight Stays in Greenland National Park

Frontcountry developed campgrounds, backcountry wilderness permit guidelines, and starry-night camping advice.

Wilderness & Developed Camping Regulations

Camping is one of the most rewarding ways to experience Greenland National Park. Most frontcountry campgrounds require advance reservations on Recreation.gov during peak season, while backcountry camping requires a wilderness permit and certified bear-resistant food canisters.

Find Campgrounds on Recreation.gov