Plan your trip

The lands and waters of Thaidene Nëné Territorial Protected Area offer exceptional recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing and trekking. When planning a visit, keep in mind this is a remote area and is not suitable for inexperienced backcountry travellers. Make sure to plan ahead and be prepared.

For more information on being prepared for wilderness travel, explore the resources available at NWT Parks.

Understand the rules

The Thaidene Nëné Territorial Protected Area is managed by the Government of the Northwest Territories, Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation, Northwest Territory Métis Nation and Deninu Kųę́ First Nation. It is part of a larger Thaidene Nëné Indigenous Protected Area that also includes a National Park Reserve and a future Wildlife Conservation Area. If you are considering a trip to the Thaidene Nëné area, you should be aware of the requirements for the Territorial Protected Area and National Park Reserve. Before you visit, please consult the map of the area to familiarize yourself with the boundaries for each of these areas, and plan your trip accordingly.

• For information on visiting the Territorial Protected Area, please contact: ThaideneNene@gov.nt.ca.
• For information on visiting the National Park Reserve, please visit the Parks Canada website for additional information and regulations.
• For information on visiting the community of Łutsël K’é, please contact tdndepartment@gmail.com prior to travelling.

Register your trip

Currently, visitors are not required to register before travelling to the Territorial Protected Area. Visitor registration is in effect for the National Park Reserve. Please visit the Parks Canada website for additional information.

In the future, for safety reasons and to better understand how people are using the area, visitors to Thaidene Nëné Territorial Protected Area will need to register. Registration will apply to those who are trekking, fishing, sightseeing, or simply travelling through the area. The visitor registration requirement does not apply to people exercising Indigenous or treaty rights, or to individuals who hold leases within the protected area. Indigenous people may be undertaking traditional land use practices and visitors are reminded to be respectful of these activities.

Please check back for updates. In the meantime, ensure you carry an emergency communication device and know how to operate it. Leave a trip plan with an emergency contact who knows where you are going and when you are expected back. If you do not return as planned, your emergency contact should call the RCMP to coordinate a search and rescue operation. In case of emergency, contact the RCMP and call 911.

Permits and Licensing

Existing GNWT permit and licence requirements continue to apply within the Territorial Protected Area. Please check back often for updates, as requirements are subject to change. 

• Businesses: All businesses require a licence to operate in the Northwest Territories. Please visit the Municipal and Community Affairs website for further information.
• Tourism operators: Tourism operators require a licence to operate in the Territorial Protected Area. Please visit the Industry, Tourism, and Investment website or contact the ITI North Slave regional office: (867) 767-9212 or Tourism_NorthSlave@gov.nt.ca.
• Researchers: Permits vary depending on the type of research being conducted. Please consult the Aurora Research Institute’s guide to research in the NWT.
• Fishing: An NWT Sport Fishing Licence is required to fish in the waters of the Territorial Protected Area. Information on types of fishing licences and where to buy them can be found on the Environment and Natural Resources website.
• Hunting: An NWT hunting licence is required to hunt in the Territorial Protected Area, unless you can provide identification that proves you have a right to harvest wildlife in the area. Information on hunting licence requirements can be found on the Environment and Natural Resources website.
• Other activities: For other activities or further questions regarding what activities are allowed within the Territorial Protected Area, please contact, ThaideneNene@gov.nt.ca.

Please note that if you are engaging in activities within the National Park Reserve, additional permits and licences may be required. Visit the Parks Canada website for more information.