NWT Campsite Etiquette & Rules

Fire

With short growing seasons, NWT forests grow very slowly. A forest fire could potentially destroy a Territorial Park for fifty years (or more). To do your part to ensure that fires don't spread, please take time to review the following guidelines:

  • If there is a fire pit use it, but first make sure it is free of hazards. Otherwise, look for some bare ground
  • Clear debris such as leaves or twigs away in a three-metre diameter area around the fire site, and build a circle of rocks to prevent the fire from spreading
  • Adults, not kids, should start campfires. Use tinder (e.g. dry needles or grass) or crumpled newspaper to ignite the fire — never gas
  • Keep the fire under adult surveillance at all times: supervise children and pets; and prevent the fire from getting too big or sparks from flying into the bush
  • Have a bucket of water, sand and a shovel handy
  • Totally extinguish the fire before you go to sleep or when you leave the site
  • Use only the stoves or the fire rings provided in your campsite - no fires are allowed outside of designated fire pits
  • Mossy ground cover can catch fire quickly and set the whole area ablaze. Never build a fire on mossy ground. Never discard matches, cigarettes, cigars, or pipe ashes on mossy ground. 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 garbage or food wastes. You can 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

There are not limitations on the length of stay at NWTParks, with the exception of Fred Henne Park; that will not allow campers to accumulate more than 14-days of campsite bookings in the park within a thirty-day period during the most busiest time of year (between June 15 and August 15).

Liquor

Liquor is not allowed outside the individual campsites. Persons found in possession of liquor in public areas may be subject to prosecution under the N.W.T. Liquor Ordinance.

Camping Permits

To occupy a campsite you must have a camping permit. These may be reserved in advance by visiting www.nwtparks.ca/campgrounds. You may also purchase camping permits directly from the park gatehouse.

Camping Permit Terms and Conditions

Upon your arrival and check-in at the Territorial Park Gatehouse, you will be issued a camping permit by Gatehouse staff. On the reverse side of the camping permit are the (15) Terms and Conditions for camping permits. Each camper must adhere to the Terms and Conditions. A full listing of the Terms and Conditions can be previewed by clicking here.

Picking a Spot

Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Vehicles must remain within the designated campsite area (not on the roadway) and tents must be placed on the campsite pad.

Plant Life

It is illegal to cut down trees within a Territorial Park. Firewood is available at the gatehouse of all Territorial Parks with campgrounds. If you see someone cutting trees within the Territorial Park, please report it (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 10:30 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.

Noise

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, and music players.

Vehicle Traffic

All vehicles, including ATV’s and motorcycles, must remain on designated roadways. The maximum speed is posted on all park roads. Visitors are not permitted in the park between 10:30pm and 7:00am. Only a permit holder's vehicle may occupy a site.

All Terrain Vehicle

ATV permits are required for any ATV use in designated Parks, including Parks with campgrounds. Special ATV Permits can be obtained at the park gatehouse. All ATV’s with a Special ATV Permit must be insured, registered and operated by persons at least 14 years of age and wearing a helmet. ATV’s may not be operated between the hours of 10:30pm and 7:30am.

Firearms

It is illegal to hunt or harass wildlife in a Territorial Park. Possession of firearms (of any kind) is not permitted in Territorial parks, National Parks, game reserves or other protected areas in the Northwest Territories.

Wildlife

To ensure the safety of your pet, pets must be leashed at all times. Leaving litter or feeding of wild animals will create 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 the Government of the Northwest Territories, Environment and Natural Resource Bear Safety web page.

Bear Safety

For further information on bear safety issues, please visit the Government of the Northwest Territories, Environment and Natural Resource Bear Safety web page. All bears are potentially dangerous! Report all bear sightings to the Gatehouse.