South Nahanni River

The Nahanni River flows through the Selwyn, Mackenzie and Franklin Mountains before running into the Liard River, a tributary of the Mackenzie, at Nahanni Butte. On its way it passes through awe inspiring gorges, over wonderful waterfalls and hot mineral springs, their heat producing vegetation unusual for these climes.

The South Nahanni's rapid changes in gradient and speed of current make canoeing suitable only for those with whitewater experience. A permit must be obtained from the park authorities. Anyone planning a trip should for safety's sake inform the park authorities in Fort Simpson or the Nahanni Butte station at the entrance to the park. The 200 km (124 mi.) trip up the Nahanni River from Nahanni Butte to the Virginia Falls is an unforgettable experience of the great outdoors, taking in a change in level of 200 m (656 ft).

From Nahanni Butte the first stretch is to about 80 km (50 mi.) upstream, where the river divides itself into a number of "splits" and there are sulphurous hot springs (about 37°C (99°F)). Since the ground never freezes such exceptional plants grow there as ferns, roses, and wild cherries.

Soon the river passes through the towering walls of the first canyon, some around 1200 m (3950 ft) high, then after 27 km (17 mi.) Deadmen Valley opens up before, after 34 km (21 mi.) the second, dizzyingly high, canyon rears up, only to be followed by a third, where the river makes a turn of 90° through what is known as "the Gate", guarded by the mighty Pulpit Rock.

Beyond the canyons come the foaming torrents of Hell's Gate then, finally, after the fourth canyon the river rounds a bend to give a sudden breathtaking confrontation with the famous Virginia Falls.