Plan your visit

The creation of a national park reserve marks the beginning of an exciting and busy time. Once established, it takes time for a new park to become operational. In the coming years, guided by a Co-operative Management Board that will be formed in the near future (see Park Management), Parks Canada will collaborate with our Indigenous partners and others in the tourism sector to create the experiences and services that will eventually be available to visitors.

Over time, and for generations to come, the Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve will offer opportunities for all Canadians and international visitors to appreciate the park’s outstanding landscapes. This will include unique Indigenous cultural experiences and outdoor recreational opportunities such as canoeing, backcountry camping and hiking.

In this early phase, potential visitors should be aware that programs and services are limited. With minimal infrastructure and services, including search and rescue capabilities, careful trip planning is essential.

Best time to visit

Winter and summer offer equal opportunity to visit the Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve. The park is accessible year round via helicopter or float plane. There are aircraft charter companies which operate near the airport at Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Spring trips are possible up until the breakup of ice starts to occur in Lake Melville in May. The most consistent access to the national park reserve is in summer, in July and August. Late summer to early fall, before colder weather sets in, may be the best time to visit – especially since black fly and mosquito numbers start to diminish. Winter visitation is possible only when the ice has become safe enough for travel. In most years, that would be around early-January to late-April.

The Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve is a place where the seasons and the rhythms of the land can influence travel schedules. Visitors should always leave time in their itinerary in case of weather delays. Conditions may make it necessary to sit in a tent for days waiting for the weather to clear, making it safe for travel. The weather and environmental conditions are a part of any northern adventure.

A note about black flies/mosquitoes

Not unlike other northern regions, Labrador’s bio-diversity leads to a healthy population of mosquitoes and black flies. Visitors may start to encounter them in Labrador from mid-June to mid-July. Peak season in the national park reserve is considered to be mid-July to mid-August. So, if travelling in high season, be prepared! We advise you to come equipped with insect repellent, a bug jacket and a first-aid treatment for insect bites. Coastal breezes may offer some relief from biting insects in regions like the Wunderstrands.

Be prepared and self-reliant

Potential visitors unfamiliar with the terrain should not underestimate the remote, backcountry nature of the national park reserve. You must carry appropriate gear, be self-reliant and be able to handle any medical or wildlife-related emergency. Precautions must be taken to ensure safety from black bears and on occasion polar bears. Please see Parks Canada’s web site: You are in Bear Country. There can be lengthy delays on any trip due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances, so take every precaution to keep yourself out of danger. We highly recommend having advanced map and compass skills. We also recommend all visitors carry and know how to use a GPS unit and satellite phone.

• Map of park
• How to get here