Tourism & Parks

NWT Campsite Etiquette & Rules

Camping- Wolgang Weber by Wolfgang Weber
Be sure your fire is out before you leave it, even for a few minutes!
Fire:

In the north, where plant life grows slowly, a forest fire could destroy a park for fifty years or more. To ensure that this does not happen, please take time to review the following guidelines:

  • use only the stoves or fire rings provided - open fires on the ground are not allowed in campsites.

  • be sure your fire is out before you leave it, even for a few minutes.

  • mossy ground cover can catch fire and set the whole area ablaze. Never discard matches, cigarettes, cigars, or pipe ashes in it, or build a fire on it.

  • moss can smolder for days before the fire "takes off". If you come across burning moss, please dig it up. Water and sand will not put it out.

Remember to be careful with fire while out on the land, and respect the restrictions on open fires when they are posted.
Keep it Clean: Please use the litter barrels for your refuse; even help out by picking up any litter that's present when you arrive. The parks staff will also appreciate it if you let them know of any major trash problem or overflowing litter barrels.
Length of Stay: Campers may stay in any one Territorial Park for up to 14 consecutive days per season.
Liquor: Liquor is not allowed outside the individual campsites. Persons found in possession of liquor in washrooms, eating shelters, roads, beaches, or other public areas will be subject to prosecution under the N.W.T. Liquor Ordinance. Please refer also to "Quiet Times" and "Rowdiness"
Permits: To occupy a campsite you must have an entrance permit. These may be purchased in advance from visitor centres or retail outlets. You may also purchase these on site from the parks staff. Overnight daily camp site permits are required for some campgrounds.
Picking a Spot: Campsites are available on a first come first served basis. See individual park pages for campgrounds that accept reservations, and how to secure a site. Vehicles must remain on the prepared gravel surfaces and tents must be placed on the campsite pad. There is no need to ditch around your tent.
Plant Life: It is illegal and unnecessary to cut down trees. Firewood is provided. Please report this or any other form of vandalism to a parks officer. Only through the help of the public can we preserve and protect our parks.

Quiet Time:

 Quiet time in all parks is from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Unreasonable noise or other objectionable behaviour will result in eviction from the park and possible prosecution under the law.
Rowdiness: It is not only bad manners but it is illegal to make excessive noise or use abusive, obscene or threatening language in the park. Nobody has the right to disturb the peace of other campers at any time of the day or night. This applies in particular to the operation of vehicles, machinery, radios and tape players.
Vehicle Traffic: All vehicles, especially motorcycles, must remain on the road surfaces. The maximum speed is posted on all park roads. After 11:00 p.m. vehicle traffic is restricted to campers returning to their designated sites. Only a permit holder's vehicle may occupy a site.
Weapons: It is illegal to hunt or even harass the park wildlife. Possession of firearms is not permitted in territorial parks, National Parks, game reserves or other protected areas in the Northwest Territories
Wildlife:

Pets must be leashed at all times. Leaving litter or feeding wild animals just creates a future nuisance problem. In particular, be sure to prevent bear problems by covering the garbage cans, keeping your food locked up and reporting any bears. For further information on bear safety issues, please visit Parks Canada and NWT Wildlife & Fisheries.

Bear Safety:

For further information on bear safety issues, please visit Parks Canada and NWT Wildlife & Fisheries.

Please Remember: All bears are dangerous!

Return to Top