Sirmilik National Park

Sirmilik National Park is a Canadian Arctic national park in Nunavut that protects glaciated landscapes, coastal fjords and island ecosystems on northern Baffin Island and Bylot Island. The park is notable for extensive glaciers, steep coastal cliffs and rich Arctic wildlife.

Major attractions include the dramatic scenery of Bylot Island, large seabird colonies on coastal cliffs, and glaciated valleys and fjords that support marine mammals and polar bears. Wildlife viewing and opportunities to study Arctic ecology draw researchers and small expedition groups during the short summer season.

The park was established to conserve representative high-Arctic landscapes and important wildlife habitats and is managed by Parks Canada. Visits are typically by charter aircraft or boat from nearby Arctic communities during the ice-free months.

Geographically Sirmilik covers areas north of Baffin Island, with key access points from communities such as Pond Inlet; terrain ranges from coastal lowlands to high, glaciated plateaus.

• Name and seasonality: Sirmilik means "place of glaciers" in Inuktitut and the park is known for its glaciers, icefields and large seabird colonies, best visited in the brief Arctic summer.

What to See #

• Bylot Island: Bylot Island, the park's largest component, noted for dramatic cliffs, seabird nesting colonies and polar desert landscapes.
• Northern Baffin coastal areas: Coastal fjords and glaciated valleys on northern Baffin Island that provide habitat for marine mammals, polar bears and migrating birds.