Qausuittuq National Park

Qausuittuq National Park was established on September 1, 2015. It was opened to the public and received its first visitors in 2016.

Archaeological studies in the Bathurst Island area indicate occasional human use over the past 4500 years by prehistoric and historic Dorset and Thule Inuit. Human presence fluctuated with changes in climate, ice cover and the corresponding availability of wildlife for subsistence. Human use was primarily in the southern and eastern part of Bathurst Island, rather than within the park area.

The area was explored by British naval expeditions during the mid-19th century, primarily those associated with the search for the lost Franklin expedition. Several cairns remain on the north coast. Exploration of the area continued sporadically, including scientific and commercial studies beginning during the 1960s.

The community of Resolute, on Cornwallis Island to the southeast of the park, was established in 1953. Inuit from the community use the land and waters of the Bathurst Island area to hunt and fish.

This area was chosen to represent the Western High Arctic natural region, one of 39 such regions identified by Parks Canada. This region encompasses most of the high Arctic Archipelago (the Queen Elizabeth Islands and the Grinnell Peninsula on Devon Island, but not Ellesmere Island or Axel Heiberg Island). The park also protects important Peary caribou habitat. It is north of the existing Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area.

The park geology is composed primarily of sedimentary rocks such as limestone, sandstone and dolomite. The area was glaciated in the past as evidenced by landforms such as eskers, moraines and beach terraces. The area is generally rolling hills.

The severe climate limits soil and nutrient development, which in turn limits vegetation. This region has low vascular plant diversity and is dominated by herbaceous species. Plants include purple saxifrage, dwarf willow, sedges, grasses, lichens and mosses.

Terrestrial wildlife species adapted to this environment include Peary caribou, muskoxen, Arctic wolves, Arctic foxes and bird species such as snowy owls, snow geese, king eiders, jaegers, and various gulls and shorebirds. Marine species in the area include ringed seals, bearded seals, polar bears, walruses, bowhead whales, beluga whales and narwhals.

Given that the name means "place where the sun does not rise", expect cold weather.

Bathurst Island has a cold dry climate. The cool central Arctic climate pushes almost unimpeded into the low-lying islands of the northwest and north-central sector of the Queen Elizabeth Islands; reaching to Bathurst Island. Mean temperatures range from -35 °C in January to 5 °C in July. Annual precipitation is less than 130 mm.

• Park website

The park is accessible from the beginning of June until the end of September.

Contact the park office ☏ +1 867-975-4673, or toll-free ☏ +1-888-773-8888.