A miracle of Canadian nature - national park Wood Buffalo. Read what Wood Buffalo is famous for in today's article.

What is Wood Buffalo famous for?

Canadian lands national park, stretching from Alberta to the Northwest Territories of Canada, Wood Buffalo founded in 1922. Today Wood Buffalo is the largest park in Canada and one of the largest national parks in the world.

• The area of ​​Wood Buffalo Park in Canada is about 4.4 million hectares.

A visit to Wood Buffalo should definitely be on your list of places to see and die, as is Yellowstone National Park in the USA . Through the expanses of the magnificent, large-scale natural complex bison of the steppe and forest species- the last representatives on the planet. Wood Buffalo is famous as one of the world heritage sites, included by UNESCO in 1983.

History of Wood Buffalo National Park

The national park was opened in 1922 to preserve the shaggy bison population.. At the time of the creation of the park, there were up to 2,500 animals, but by 1960 the population had increased to 10 thousand. After 1983, Wood Buffalo Park lives on active tourism and patronage programs.

Location

Wood Buffalo stretches across the northwestern part of the country, between Lake Athabesca and Great Slave Lake. The administrative location of the park lies in the vicinity of Alberta and Mackenzie. Basically, the entire territory of Wood Buffalo is forested land, sometimes swampy plains, rivers, clear blue lakes and tundra groups of trees.

• In Wood Buffalo Park, the inland delta of the Athabasca and Peace Rivers formed, which flow into Lake Athabesca - it is one of the largest inland deltas in the world.

You can get to Wood Buffalo from Fort Smith or Fort Chipuyan. First you need to fly to Edmonton in Canada, then choose to get to the proposed cities. From Fort Smith you can easily get to the park along the McKenzie Highway, but for fans of air travel, the road from Fort Chipuyan will be more pleasant - there is no highway here.

Wood Buffalo Park is a huge area without roads. For hiking and returning to the wild, excursion tours are offered, which must be arranged in advance with the management. Everyone who arrives at the park is registered, then he is offered a route and a guide. Hiking trails are conditional markings. Most of the territories are inhabited by predators - lynxes and wolves.

• What animals can you find: caribou, white-tailed deer, bison, musk rat, bear, moose, porcupine, skunk, crane, lynx, wolf, etc.

Although the possibility of meeting them is minimal, it is still necessary to be on the safe side. Wood Buffalo - for real "lungs of Canada" Huge territories coniferous forests maintain a cool climate at any time of the year. You can enjoy the echoes of primeval nature at the camping sites. Wood Buffalo Park is a great place to visit with family or friends. It works all year round and pleases with its non-static beauty - each new natural season leaves an indelible impression.

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Wood Buffalo is a national park in the provinces of Alberta and Northwest Territories, Canada. Founded in 1983. It is Canada's largest national park, covering an area of ​​44,807 km2. Within the boundaries of the park there are wooded plateaus covered with scars. forest fires, a plateau eroded by glaciers, a significant freshwater delta formed by three largest rivers, salt flats and best samples karst relief North America. It also includes the most extensive North America pristine grass and sedge prairies creating best conditions bison habitat. The park has a long tradition of using natural livelihoods. It was inhabited more recently, as the glaciers receded, by nomadic groups of Mikesu-Cree First Nations, some of whom continue to hunt, snare and fish here. The climate is characterized by one of the longest and coldest winters and short, warm summer, reservoirs are ice-free only in June, July and August.

The 47 species of mammals found here include caribou, arctic fox, black bear, moose, beaver and muskrat, and 227 species of birds have been recorded, including falcon, bald eagle, great gray owl and snowy owl. The reserve is also known for the fact that its territory is home to the largest
wild herd of American bison (about 2,500 heads). The whooping crane population is approximately 140 individuals, of which 40 pairs are breeding. This is an amazingly beautiful bird, snow-white, 1.5 m in height, wingspan - 2.6 m. Twice a year these fairy birds overcome full of dangers a 4,300 km journey to winter quarters in Texas. Back in 1941, there were only 15 whooping cranes left. There are 36 sites intended for camping on the camp territory. Several of them are located on Pine Lake (60 km from Fort Smith), the most extensive is Kettle Point Group Camp, it is intended for large groups tourists. A place at this campsite must be reserved in advance. If you need to organize overnight parking in the park, you must obtain permission from the Wood Buffalo administration.
Wood Buffalo is open to visitors all year round, and each season has its own charms. The park has many hiking trails of varying lengths and complexity, from very short walking trails to long and complex ones.
Almost any trail allows you to see the indescribable beauty around you. surrounding nature. Since wild animals behave very carefully in nature, the likelihood of encountering them during a walk is very small, but from a distance you can see a lot of interesting things. The park is interesting not only for travelers, but also for serious researchers wildlife. Thus, in Wood Buffalo Park, in its southern part, the world's longest beaver dam was discovered, its length is about 850 meters (usually 10-100 meters). A lot of interesting materials on the development of the region and the protection of the region’s wildlife can be seen in the collection of the Fort Smith Museum. In Fort Smith, you can rent a boat or canoe and take the Wood Buffalo Waterway to Fort Fitzgerald, Fort McMurray, Fort Chipuyani. On large rivers such as the Athabasca River, Quatre Forces River, Peace River, Slave River, motor boats are allowed.

Information

• Country: Canada

Source. planetofdream.com

Wood Buffalo has a moderately cool climate - winters are quite cold and summers are short but warm. You can visit the park at any time of the year - nature will always appear in all its glory.

On the territory of Wood Buffalo Park there are many mixed and coniferous forests, plains and meadows, tundra woodlands and large number rivers and lakes. It is also home to one of the world's largest deltas, formed by the Peace River and Athabasca River.

Since there are no roads in the national park, here in natural environment A herd of American bison is breeding and thriving. Its population numbers about 2,500 individuals, and the replenishment and growth in the herd is due to the presence of large areas of untouched meadows in park areas. It is also home to the nesting grounds of rarely seen peacocks and whooping cranes, and is a good habitat for wolves, caribou and beavers. Wood Buffalo Park was listed in 1983 World Heritage UN.

The park has 36 camping sites that require advance reservations. The largest campground is Kettle Point Group Camp. Housing can also be found in the nearby cities of Hay River, Yellowknife, Fort Smith and Fort Simpson, where you can rent a hotel room or, if desired, rent a room or house, which will significantly reduce accommodation costs.

The park is open to visitors all year round, and each season has its own charm. There are many hiking trails here, varying in length and complexity, from the shortest to the most complex and long. And almost any walk will allow you to enjoy it to the fullest beautiful views nature of Canada. The routes are usually designed to avoid the nesting areas of whooping cranes and other rare birds and animals.

Water lovers in Fort Smith can rent a canoe or boat and travel along the river to Fort McMurray, Fort Fitzgerald or Fort Chipuyani. Please note that the use of motor boats is only permitted on large rivers- Quatre Forches River, Athabasca, Slave River, Athabasca River. Here in Wood Buffalo you can enjoy one of nature's rare phenomena - the Northern Lights. In spring and autumn, the chances of seeing unusual, fabulous colors in the sky increase many times over.

This park will be of interest to both travelers and tourists, as well as serious researchers, who will find unexpected finds and discoveries here. Thus, in the southern part of the park, the longest beaver dam in the world was discovered, the length of which was almost 850 meters (with the usual size being 10-100 meters). You can get acquainted with interesting materials on the development of this area and the protection of wildlife by visiting the Fort Smith Museum.

And in the end, I would like to note that in our time, the production of cardboard and plastic cards is a responsible and complex activity that requires the availability of permits and compliance with certain standards. Therefore, only very high-quality materials are used to produce discount, insurance, club, key cards and business cards.

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One of the largest in the world and the largest in Canada, Wood Buffalo National Park covers an area of ​​more than 44,000 square meters. km in the provinces of Alberta and the Northwest Territories between lakes Athabasca and Great Slave. Which is not surprising: all flora and fauna in the territory of this park are under state protection.

How to get there

The road to Wood Buffalo is not easy. First, by flight to the Canadian city of Edmonton, then by charter flight or by road to the settlements from which the park is accessible: Fort Smith (Northwest Territories) or Fort Chipuyan (Alberta).

The park's main office is located in Fort Smith. The McKenzie Highway leads here (drive to Hay River, then 5 km to Fort Smith). The administration branch is located in Fort Chipuyan, accessible only by air.

Search for flights to Edmonton (closest airport to Wood Buffalo)

Weather in Wood Buffalo

The climate in this region is moderately cool, winters are usually quite cold, summers are short and warm. The whole year can be considered a favorable time to visit the park.

Nature of Wood Buffalo

Wood Buffalo has many forests, both coniferous and mixed, meadows, plains, tundra woodlands and many lakes and rivers. It is noteworthy that the park contains one of the largest deltas in the world; it was formed by the Athabasca and Peace Rivers at their confluence with Lake Athabasca.

The increase in the bison population is facilitated by large areas untouched meadows in forest areas parka. Here they are created by nature and protected by man. favorable conditions for such rare animals and birds as reindeer caribou, beavers, musk rats, wolves, whooping cranes and pelicans. In 1983, the Park was included in the UN World Heritage List.

Wood Buffalo National Park

Lodges and Camps in Wood Buffalo

There are 36 sites intended for camping on the camp territory. Several of them are located on Pine Lake (60 km from Fort Smith), the most extensive is Kettle Point Group Camp, intended for large groups of tourists. A place at this campsite must be reserved in advance. If you need to organize overnight parking in the park, you must obtain permission from the Wood Buffalo administration.

You can find accommodation in the cities closest to the park: Fort Smith, Hay River, Fort Simpson and Yellowknife. Here you can not only rent a hotel room, but also rent a room or a house, which is more convenient and profitable in case of long-term accommodation.

Flora and fauna of the park, notable places and routes of Wood Buffalo

Wood Buffalo is open to visitors all year round, and each season has its own charms. The park has many hiking trails of varying lengths and complexity, from very short walking trails to long and complex ones. Almost any trail allows you to see the beauty of the surrounding nature, indescribable in words. Since wild animals behave very carefully in nature, the likelihood of encountering them during a walk is very small, but from a distance you can see a lot of interesting things.

It was in Wood Buffalo Park that the world's longest beaver dam was discovered, its length is about 850 m.

Tourist routes avoid the nesting places of rare birds, such as the whooping crane: the delicate nature of these birds will not benefit from meeting people. In Fort Smith, you can rent a boat or canoe and travel by water to Fort Fitzgerald, Fort McMurray, or Fort Chipuyani.

The use of motorized boats is permitted only on large rivers such as the Athabasca River, Quatre Forches River, Peace River, and Slave River.

In force geographical location park here you can also enjoy such rare natural phenomenon like the northern lights. In autumn and spring, there are more chances to see magical colors filling the entire sky than at other times of the year.

The park is interesting not only for travelers, but also for serious wildlife researchers. Sometimes the most incredible discoveries and finds await naturalists here. Thus, it was in Wood Buffalo Park, in its southern part, that the world’s longest beaver dam was discovered, its length is about 850 meters (usually 10-100 meters). A lot of interesting materials on the development of the region and the protection of the region’s wildlife can be seen in the collection of the Fort Smith Museum.

• Where to stay: In one of the most interesting places from a tourism point of view - the western province of Canada, Alberta. Her largest city Calgary, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and parks, offers a lot of accommodation options - from budget two-room apartments to excellent five-room apartments. Selection of hotels in

It is not easy for those who have never been to Wood Buffalo to imagine the greatness of this place. Wood Buffalo National Park is the name of the protected area Wood Buffalo National Park, which is located in the north-west of Canada and occupies flat expanses of over 44 thousand square meters. km. It is the largest national park on the American continent, with a total length of 283 km from north to south and 161 km from east to west. Administratively, the park is located in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, and geographically lies between Lakes Athabasca and Great Slave.

Most national park occupied by bodies of water - lakes, rivers, swamps. Having visited Wood Buffalo, you can see one of the most beautiful and huge inland deltas, which was created by nature. It is created by the Athabasca and Peace Rivers, the waters of which flow into Lake Athabasca. The park is predominantly flat, but towards the west, towards the Caribou Mountains, the terrain begins to change. Due to their proximity to the Pole, the protected lands have another advantage for tourists. In winter and autumn, park guests have an amazing opportunity to watch the wonderful reflections of light in the sky - the northern lights.

Wood Buffalo's vegetation is varied and rich. The park contains conifers and mixed forests, shrubs, woodlands characteristic of the tundra, meadow flowers and grasses, as well as the characteristic herbaceous flora of wild prairies. All this in combination with local climatic features– long cold winters, which are replaced by short warm ones summer days– creates wonderful living conditions for many animals and birds.

The permanent inhabitants of the national park are moose, several species of deer (black-tailed and white-tailed deer, caribou), marmots, hares, porcupines, musk rats, skunks and beavers. Interestingly, in this area, researchers discovered beaver dam, the length of which was 850 m. This is considered a world record, since the length of such structures is usually no more than 100 m. In addition to the listed animals in the park there are American black bears, wolves, wapiti, lynxes, as well as more than two hundred species of birds. Among birds, white whooping cranes and pelicans attract increased attention, but their nesting sites are protected by environmentalists and are therefore closed to tourists.

Along with this, as the name of the park suggests, the main inhabitants of Wood Buffalo are American bison, for the sake of preserving the population, of which the protected area was created. These massive animals are somewhat similar in appearance to the European bison. Bison weigh about a ton, their body reaches three meters in length and two meters in height. Biologists distinguish steppe and forest subspecies of the animal; both of them are represented in the park and, largely thanks to the protection of Wood Buffalo, still live on our planet. At the time of the creation of the national park, which was 1922, the number of forest bison was not more than one and a half thousand; today the herd reaches 2.5 thousand individuals and is recognized as the largest on the mainland. The number of steppe bison is significantly larger than forest bison and reached the limit of 10 thousand animals back in the 1960s.

The special nature of Wood Buffalo was the reason for its inclusion in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which occurred in 1983 and influenced the travel of tourists to these places. However, getting to the national park is not so easy. First you need to fly to the Canadian city of Edmonton, then take a charter flight or car to either settlement Fort Chipuyan, in the province of Alberta, or to the city of Fort Smith, in the province of the Northwest Territories, which provide access to protected areas. Fort Smith, where Wood Buffalo National Park is located, is accessible via the McKenzie Highway, while Fort Chipuyan, where the main office is located, is accessible highway no, only by air.

Thinking through tourist trip to the park, it must be borne in mind that there are almost no roads in Wood Buffalo. There is only one car route for excursions in the protected area, and there are a large number of rules for traveling by car, the violation of which is subject to hefty fines. To compensate for this, there are many walking routes to suit every taste. If you wish, use short paths or choose complex, long hiking trails that require some experience. The likelihood of a close encounter with predators (wolves, lynxes) is minimal, since they are by nature cautious and shy away from human society.

In Canada, tourists are allowed boat trips on big rivers. By renting a regular boat or canoe in Fort Smith, you can sail to Fort Chipuyan, Fort McMurray, or Fort Fitzgerald and enjoy beautiful views Wood Buffalo from an unusual angle.

Those wishing to explore natural attractions for several days can stay in the towns that are adjacent to the national park - Fort Smith, Hay River, Yellowknife and Fort Simpson. Local residents are very happy to rent out a room or house; camping sites or hotel rooms are also acceptable. The campsite is under the authority of Wood Buffalo, which provides parking permits.