Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve

Thaidene Nêné National Park Reserve is a protected area in the Northwest Territories of Canada established in 2019 and covering roughly 26,000 square kilometres.

The park protects a mix of boreal forest, tundra and extensive freshwater systems along the east arm of Great Slave Lake. Recreational opportunities are primarily wilderness-based and include canoeing, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing on a landscape of lakes, rivers and islands.

The reserve was created through an agreement between the Government of Canada and Indigenous partners to protect culturally and ecologically important lands; it is managed collaboratively with local Dene communities.

The protected area sits on the east arm of Great Slave Lake in the eastern Northwest Territories, adjacent to the community of Lutselk’e and roughly 300 km east of Yellowknife.

• Access: Most access is by air or water rather than road; floatplanes and boats from Lutselk'e are the usual visitor routes.
• Best time to visit: Best time for paddling and wildlife viewing is summer; winter travel requires specialized snow/ice equipment and local guidance.

What to See #

• East Arm of Great Slave Lake: Occupies shoreline, islands and adjacent lands along the east arm of Great Slave Lake and includes extensive freshwater and river systems used for canoe routes and fish habitat.
• Lutselk'e and access areas: Contains the community of Lutselk'e and nearby traditional use areas that serve as the primary access and cultural partner for park management and visitor entry.