Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Sirmilik National Park encompasses a diverse and striking Arctic landscape situated on Bylot Island and parts of Baffin Island in Nunavut. The park features towering glaciers that flow down from the Penny Ice Cap, deep fjords, rugged mountain ranges, and expansive tundra plains. This park protects a wide variety of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, Arctic foxes, muskoxen, and several species of migratory birds like thick-billed murres and snow geese. The name “Sirmilik” means “place of glaciers” in Inuktitut, reflecting the park’s striking glacial landscapes. Historically, the area is part of the Inuit homeland, and archaeological sites attest to thousands of years of indigenous presence. Visitors to Sirmilik are drawn by opportunities to explore pristine wilderness through guided hiking, kayaking along fjords, boat tours to see marine mammals, and birdwatching. Notable landmarks include the dramatic cliffs of Bylot Island’s Cape Graham Moore and the immense glaciers descending into the sea. Due to the park's remote Arctic location, accessibility is limited mainly to charter flights and sea vessels during the short summer season. This isolation helps maintain the ecological integrity and wilderness quality of the park, making it an exceptional destination for intrepid adventurers and researchers alike. The park offers a rare glimpse into Arctic ecosystems and landscapes shaped by ice, wind, and sea.
