Wood Buffalo National Park

Multiple wildfires are actively burning throughout Wood Buffalo National Park. Now is not the time to visit.
There are several area and road closures in place, due to fire operations, active wildfires and unsafe conditions in burned-over areas. Get more information on fires in the park here and related closures here.


Travel is not recommended along the Pine Lake Road. Significant downfall from windy conditions is impacting the road. Fire remains active along portions of the road. Hay Camp Road is closed. There is a NO STOPPING area on Pine Lake Road from Salt River Bridge (Park boundary) to the junction with Parsons Lake Road.   

 

Spanning the Alberta-Northwest Territories border, the largest national park in Canada protects a large swath of the Northern Boreal Plains ecosystem, the largest herds of wood bison in the world, vital whooping crane habitat, extraordinary examples of karst and caves, and the Peace-Athabasca Delta. This is the traditional territory of the Dene, Cree, and Métis and is home to many spectacular species, including whooping cranes, bison, wolves, and more.

Head to Pine Lake

Swim in the lake, picnic at Pine Lake beach, stay at the campground or in a rental cabin, and  rent a canoe or paddleboard.

Fire information and updates

Get up-to-date information on the current fire danger status and wildfire situation. 

Take a hike!

Visit Grosbeak Lake – a must-see site with a winding trail through an otherworldly boulder field speckled white with salt.  

Visiting Wood Buffalo National Park

Activities and experiences

Things to do, places to visit, trails, experiences and red chairs.

Plan your visit

How to get here, weather, accessibility, gift shop and fees.

Safety and guidelines

Important bulletins, backcountry travel, AdventureSmart and winter safety.

Camping and cabins

Frontcountry camping, group camp, backcountry camping and rental cabins.

Road conditions

Find current road conditions in the park.

How to get here

Information about getting to Wood Buffalo.

About Wood Buffalo National Park

Science and conservation

Plants, animals, waterways, wildfire management, research and conservation projects.

Culture and history

Cultural history, natural heritage and history.

Wood Buffalo National Park Action Plan

Action Plan, ongoing work and Indigenous and stakeholder engagement.

Stewardship and management

Jobs, management plans, permits and contact information.

Contact us

Fort Smith main office: visitor centre
Phone: 867-872-7960
24 h hotline: 867-872-7962

Fort Chipewyan satellite office:
Phone: 780-697-3662
Fax: 780-697-3560

Email: woodbuffaloinfo-infowoodbuffalo@pc.gc.ca 

Hours of operation

Wood Buffalo National Park Visitor Centre Hours

Monday - Friday,
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed over lunch hour
(12 p.m. – 1 p.m.)

Social

More places to discover with Parks Canada

Nahanni National Park Reserve

Remote granite pinnacles lure top alpinists, wilderness river tripping opportunities attract paddlers, interpreters share cultural and natural history with river trippers, campers and day flight visitors.   

Tehjeh Deé

Nááts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve

In the headwaters of Tehjeh Deé (South Nahanni River) Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve is a place where culture and nature are intertwined. Nááts’įhch’oh offers whitewater paddling and off-the-grid hiking in the Northwest Territories for experienced adventurers.

Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve

Located at the eastern end of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories, Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve is part of a larger group of protected areas around the East Arm and Artillery Lake regions. Thaidene Nene means ‘Land of the Ancestors’ in the Dënesųłiné—or Chipewyan—language.

Date modified :