The Horton River is the most northerly flowing river in mainland Canada and flows through the amazing landscape of Canada’s Barrenlands. The floatplane lands at Whaleman River before disssapearing over the horizon, leaving you and your groupmates alone in the wilderness. The open tundra is dotted with dwarfed black spruce trees, as the river descends in to the three limestone canyons that make this river unique. With technical but playfull whitewater that willl present a challenge to intermediate canoeists, this section of river is not to be missed! This region is also one of the most biologically important regions in the NWT, hosting the Bluenose Caribou herd, as well as herds of muskoxen and arctic wolf-packs and grizzly bears.
Once you arrive and see the turquoise blue of the Horton River, your heart skips a beat. Paddling on it you can see every pebble, every fish and every rock below. Beach or turf campsites afford sprawling panoramic views across the ancient tundra, as caribou graze in the distance. 11 days to paddle 150 km sets a leasurely pace of paddling, allowing for many layover day hikes along the canyons rim and beyond. These spectacular hiking opportunities allow you to experinece the magesty of the canyons from above, and marvel at the geological processes that made them. In the swirling eddies, deep pools and side-streams, fly-fisherman will enjoy the world-class fishing for arctic grayling, lake trout and arctic char. The whitewater thrill of the canyons is also not to be missed, with many frolicing waves and fun to be had by all!
Each canyon of the horton builds in intensity, offering you the chance to hone your skills as you progress downstream. Along the walls of the canyons, eagle and falcons call as you paddle by. As you near the end of the journey you feel a rush of pride that you and your fellow travellers have explored this ancient landscape, and dream of the explorers and indigenous Inuvialuit people who have come this way before you.
This itinerary ends approximately 30km upstream of the Smoking Hills, a 4500 square km region bording the arctic coast of naturally intense geological activity, where the ground literally burns. Through studies by the University of Winnipeg, this landscape has been shown to be mildly toxic, poluting the water quality in the Horton River as it flows through it. As such we have discontinued travel to the coast, and finish our trip after the most spectacular part of the river ends, and before the water quality drops.
For an epic adventure, combine the Upper Horton River and Lower Horton Canyons trips for a 23 day river trip. Cost $19,895 CAD.
Accommodation and Meals
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