Guide to Paddle Routes

Pingo Canadian Landmark

At the Pingo Canadian Landmark, there are three paddling routes that connect for the option of a longer day trip.

Paddling season: Mid to late-June to early September
Sport: Canoeing, kayaking
Water type: Ocean; sheltered brackish bays
Launch point: All routes begin and end at the Pingo Day Use Area. A rocky beach and floating dock provide the perfect starting point for your paddle.

Trip Planning Tips

  • The short paddling season: Spring ice can linger on the bay until the end of June, and the first snowfall of autumn often occurs in September. While July and August are the warmest months, always be prepared for cold temperatures.
  • Facilities and Services: At the Pingo Day Use Area, enjoy a picnic at the pavilion, use the wood-fired barbeques, or have a campfire on the beach. You must bring your own wood. Other facilities include a wheelchair-accessible flush toilet, garbage and recycling bins, a kiosk with an attendant on duty for limited hours, free parking, and a boat launch.
  • Insects: The number of mosquitoes, blackflies, and horseflies increase gradually in June and begin to decrease in August. Your trip can still be a lot of fun if you are prepared. Recommended gear includes mosquito net jackets and pants, bug hats, and insect repellent.

 

Minimum Safety Equipment Requirements

Human-powered craft are required to carry on board certain safety equipment. Please consult Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide for the Minimum Safety Equipment Requirements by boat type and length as specified in the Small Vessel Regulations (https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/preparing-operate-your-vessel/operating-human-powered-craft).

 

 

Boardwalk Paddle Route

Distance: 4.1 km round trip
Duration: 1 hour (plus additional time to walk the boardwalk)

This is the shortest paddling option and features the most sheltered waters. After launching at the Day Use Area, paddle west-southwest across the bay towards the inlet on the far shore. Enter the mouth of the inlet and keep paddling westsouthwest. After passing a jutting point of land on your left, turn left (south) to follow the wide channel. You will be able to see the boardwalk ahead on your right. You can tie up your canoe at the dock and follow the boardwalk to the viewing platform for a panoramic view of Ibyuk Pingo. This is a great place to take a break for a packed lunch. Retrace your route to return to the Day Use Area.

Split Pingo Paddle Route

Distance: 7.8 km retourn trip
Duration: 3-4 hours

This route involves crossing a short section of open water exposed to the Arctic Ocean; be sure to check the weather forecast before departing and monitor wind speed and direction throughout your paddle. From the Day Use Area, turn right and paddle north along the shore adjacent to the Day Use Area. When the shore begins to curve out into a point on your right, turn left (east) and paddle due east through Tareoknitok Lagoon. Just before the lagoon meets the Arctic Ocean, turn left (south). You should now see Split Pingo in the distance. After reaching Split Pingo, retrace your route to return to the Day Use Area or continue onwards to Ibyuk Pingo.

Ibyuk Pingo Paddle Route

Distance: 13.9 km round trip
Duration: 4-5 hours

The longest and most challenging, this route also involves a short section of open water exposed to the Arctic Ocean. Launch at the Day Use Area and follow the directions to Split Pingo. At Split Pingo, continue paddling southwest through the channel with Split Pingo on your right and the main shore on your left. When the channel begins to open into a bay, turn left (south) into the smaller bay. You should see Ibyuk Pingo directly ahead of you in the distance. Find the small channel at the tip of this bay and follow the channel as it arcs clockwise around Ibyuk Pingo. Note that you can only paddle three-quarters of the way around Ibyuk Pingo before the channel becomes unnavigable. Retrace your route to return to the Day Use Area.


PCL_GuidePaddleRoute EN_2025.pdf (7.92KB PDF)

 

DISCLAIMER: It is up to users to exercise caution and learn the necessary skills for safe paddling. Users of this information do so entirely at their own risk. The Parks Canada Agency disclaims any liability for injury, death, or damage to anyone undertaking the routes described herein.


 

In an emergency:

  • Call 911 to contact local RCMP in Tuktoyaktuk.
  • Call (867) 678-0705 to contact the Duty Officer at the Parks Canada Inuvik office.

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