Wood Buffalo National Park National Park

Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nt/woodbuffalo

Wood Buffalo National Park is a vast protected area in northeastern Alberta and the southern Northwest Territories of Canada, established in 1922 and covering roughly 44,800 square kilometres. It is Canada’s largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for protecting major boreal forest, wetland and river ecosystems.

The park protects the largest free-roaming herds of wood bison and the world’s only natural nesting ground for the whooping crane, along with the extensive Peace-Athabasca Delta wetlands. Visitors come for wildlife viewing, river and delta landscapes, and remote wilderness experiences.

The park was created to preserve dwindling bison populations and has since been managed for ecological conservation, indigenous uses and research, with ongoing efforts to monitor species and habitat health. It contains large lakes, river systems and seasonal floodplain habitats that underpin its biodiversity values.

Wood Buffalo sits across the provincial-territorial border in northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories; the nearest servicing communities include Fort Smith (Northwest Territories) and Fort McMurray (Alberta), and interior access is primarily by air or water.

• Size and origin: Canada’s largest national park, covering about 44,800 square kilometres and designated in 1922 to protect bison and key wetland habitats.
• Access and logistics: Access to many parts of the park is remote and seasonal; floatplanes, boat travel and guided trips are common ways to reach interior sites.

What to See#

• Peace-Athabasca Delta: Peace-Athabasca Delta is a vast inland delta within the park where rivers spread into wetlands and shallow lakes, creating critical habitat for migratory birds.
• Lake Claire: Lake Claire is a large freshwater lake within the park and forms part of the park’s complex inland-water system.

Wood Buffalo National Park spans northeastern Alberta and the Northwest Territories; common gateways are Fort McMurray (Alberta) for the southern/central park areas and Fort Smith (Northwest Territories) for the northern approaches. Much of the park is remote: access to interior sites is often by long drive to park access points, by boat, or by charter/floatplane.

If visiting, plan via Parks Canada entry points and services: reach Fort McMurray or Fort Smith by commercial air or road, then use local roads/boats/charter flights to reach specific park locations - many popular areas require multi‑day travel and advance arrangements.

• Plan access via Fort Smith (Alberta/NWT border) and contact the Parks Canada Visitor Centre there for current boat/floatplane options and any required permits-many of the park's best areas are only reachable by water or air.
• Time visits for late July-August for the best opportunities to see wood bison and summer birdlife in the Peace-Athabasca Delta, but speak with local outfitters about seasonal closures and recommended routes.
• Arrange guided delta or boat trips from the visitor centre rather than trying to navigate the complex waterways on your own; guided trips provide the best chance to see whooping cranes and other wildlife while avoiding sensitive habitats.