Parks Manager

National parks near Iqaluit, Nunavut

Auyuittuq National Park is the closest national park to Iqaluit, Nunavut — 486 km (302 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 7 hr 36 min behind the wheel.

Iqaluit has a population of about 7,429.

National parks near Iqaluit

Parks ranked by distance from Iqaluit
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Auyuittuq National Park486 km (302 mi)7 hr 36 minWorth a longer road trip
Torngat Mountains National Park539 km (335 mi)8 hr 23 minWorth a longer road trip
Ukkusiksalik National Park911 km (566 mi)13 hr 51 minWorth a longer road trip
Sirmilik National Park1144 km (711 mi)17 hr 17 minWorth a longer road trip
Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park1264 km (785 mi)19 hr 2 minWorth a longer road trip
Wapusk National Park1492 km (927 mi)22 hr 23 minWorth a longer road trip
Mingan Archipelago National Park1537 km (955 mi)23 hr 3 minWorth a longer road trip
Forillon National Park1670 km (1038 mi)25 hrWorth a longer road trip
Gros Morne National Park1692 km (1051 mi)25 hr 20 minWorth a longer road trip
Qausuittuq National Park1774 km (1103 mi)26 hr 33 minWorth a longer road trip

When to make this trip

Auyuittuq National Park is generally best mid-June through early September, with late May and mid-September as the quieter shoulder either side.

Most roads, campgrounds, and visitor centres close from October to May, and daylight is very short in midwinter.

The usable season is short and weather closes in fast. Build spare days into any trip that depends on a flight or boat.

Month-by-month detail for Auyuittuq National Park

Planning a trip from Iqaluit

Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.

Read the Auyuittuq National Park guide

Other towns nearby

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Iqaluit?

Auyuittuq National Park. It is about 486 km (302 mi) from Iqaluit, roughly 7 hr 36 min of driving.

Can I do a national park day trip from Iqaluit?

Not comfortably. The nearest parks are far enough that you will want at least one night away.

How many national parks are near Iqaluit?

10 parks are within reach of Iqaluit, 0 of them close enough for a day trip.

When is the best time to visit the parks near Iqaluit?

For Auyuittuq National Park, the closest one, generally mid-June through early September. Either side of that, late May and mid-September stays quieter.