Facilities and services

In Nunavut, on Ellesmere Island, less than 800 kilometres from the North Pole, Quttinirpaaq is Canada’s northernmost national park. Accessible only by charter plane from Resolute Bay, 720 kilometres (447 miles) away, it is wilderness sparsely populated by Arctic hare, foxes and wolves, muskoxen and Peary caribou.Parks Canada has two base camps – inland on Lake Hazen, and on the coast at Tanquary Fiord, where most visitors begin and end their journey.

If heading into the park, it is essential to be self-sufficient and experienced. Individual travellers are welcome, though most visitors arrive with an outfitter for one or two weeks of outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, mountain climbing or traversing ice caps and glaciers.

Weatherhaven semi-private accommodation

Stay in a unique accommodation built for the High Arctic! A cross between a tent and a cabin, the Weatherhaven accommodation at Tanquary Fiord is a rugged insulated tent with a solid floor and interior walls. The tent is divided in half: each side has two bedrooms, as well as a cosy sitting area with a couch, desk and heater. All four bedrooms in the unit are equipped with one double bed; each room can accommodate a maximum of 2 people.

Enjoy the ease of relaxing in homey comfort of the Weatherhaven after a long day of exploring the tundra and gazing at glaciers.

For information on how to book, please contact Quttinirpaq National Park.

• General information:

  • One Weatherhaven unit with four separate double bedrooms is located at Tanquary Fiord.
  • Reservations are required.
  • No pets.
  • Though the accommodation is booked for the duration of your visit, not night by night, the fee is based on a nightly fee.
• Inside the unit:

  • The unit is divided into two halves, each with its own entrance. Each side has two bedrooms, as well as a cosy shared living area with a couch, a desk and a heater.
  • Bedrooms have one bed with a double mattress. Sheets, pillows and duvet are included.
  • Battery powered lamps and headlamps are provided for the bedrooms.
  • Equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguisher.
  • There are no washroom or cooking facilities in the unit.
• Nearby are:

  • Outhouses and solar shower.
  • Fully equipped visitor kitchen tent, with propane stove/oven, pots/pans, dishes and utensils. Water can be obtained from the creek behind the kitchen (boiling water prior to consumption is advised).
  • Visitor centre with power to charge cameras, electronic devices etc.
  • Picnic tables.
  • Benches with scenic view.
  • Small museum showcasing artifacts from research done at Tanquary Fiord in the 1960s.
• What to bring (this list is not exhaustive, Park staff can assist you in additional pre-trip planning):

  • Slippers or indoor shoes.
  • Food, drinks, and snacks for the duration of your trip.
  • Appropriate clothing and gear for your planned trip in the High Arctic.
• Rules:

  • Food and garbage must be properly stored inside at all times.
  • Cooking is not permitted in the unit
  • Smoking is not permitted within the unit.
  • Visitors must be shown how to safely operate diesel heater before use.
  • Damage deposit will be charged if unit is damaged - cost will be dependent on state of the unit.

Emergency equipment and facilities

• Basic rescue, first aid and survival equipment is located inside the park buildings at the TanquaryFiord and LakeHazen Operational Stations.
• Emergency radios are provided in the park buildings at Tanquary Fiord, Lake Hazen and Ward Hunt Island.
• Radio signals can be distorted and limited by weather, mountainous terrain and sunspot activity. In an emergency,continue transmitting your message even if there is no response. Someone may be able to receive your message.
• The nearest nursing station is in Resolute Bay. The nearest hospitals are in Iqaluit, Nunavut and Yellowknife, NWT.
• Emergency cache barrels contain essential gear in the event that yours becomes lost or damaged. The contents areto be used only in an emergency to allow you to reach the nearest operational station. The location and contents ofthe barrels will be covered during your orientation session.