Park Pick

SIRMILIK NATIONAL PARK

Between the communities of Pond Inlet and Arctic Bay on northern Baffin Island, Sirmilik National Park’s 22,200 sq. km (8,572 sq. mi.) are comprised of three parts: Borden Peninsula is a plateau sliced by broad river valleys; Oliver Sound is a scenic fjord for boating, wilderness hiking and camping; and Bylot Island is a spectacular and rugged island of mountains, valleys, glaciers and seabird colonies. Kayak iceberg-dotted waters, trek to red rock hoodoo spires, spot migratory snow geese at their biggest nesting area and visit ancient archaeological Thule sites. Bylot abuts the proposed Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation area called the “Serengeti of the Arctic” for its abundance of seals, narwhal, beluga and bowhead whales, as well as walrus and polar bears ( www. parkscanada.gc.ca/sirmilik).