Akami-Uapishku-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park is a new reserve protecting over 10,700 square kilometers (4131 Square miles) of boreal forest in northeastern Canada. Located in southern Labrador, it is the largest protected natural area in eastern North America and the largest National Park in eastern Canada. The traditional names for the region are Akami-apishku, an Innu word meaning White Mountains across, and KakKasuak, a Labrador Inuit word for mountain.
Since this is a newly designated park, services are limited until appropriate infrastructure can be built. The development process takes years of cooperation between Parks Canada, local authorities, indigenous people, and corporate interests as they all work together to provide sustainable services and facilities to last generations.
Services and activities are extremely limited at present. Visitors should be cautious when planning a trip to the area.
The Mealy Mountains area was named one the top 10 places in the world to visit in 2018 by National Geographic Traveler Magazine.
Hours of Operation
not applicable (no service centers yet open)
Entrance Fees
Discovery Pass Unlimited access to over 80 Parks Canada properties nationwide.
Single Location Seasonal / Annual Pass Unlimited access to a single Parks Canada location.
Starting 1 January 2018, admission to Parks Canada managed properties is FREE for all youth 17 and under!
Lodging and Camping in the Park
There are no park operated lodging or camping areas at the present time.
Contacting Mealy Mountains National Park
Mailing Address:
Parks Canada, Western Newfoundland & Labrador Field Unit
P.O. Box 1510, Station B
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL A0P 1E0
CANADA
Telephone:
Information +1 (709) 896-2394/2391
Emergency (Parks Canada Emergency Dispatch): +1 (877) 852-3100
Fax: +1 (709) 896-8707
TDD: +1 (709) 772-4564
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nl/mealy
Maps & Brochures: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nl/mealy/visit/map
The Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve protects pristine natural areas with outstanding views and unsurpassed beauty. The region has great cultural significance for Indigenous peoples. As the park is developed, visitors will be able to enjoy the exceptional natural landscapes, encounter indigenous cultures, and experience outdoor recreational opportunities such as canoeing/kayaking, backcountry camping and hiking.
The park is already well known for the high quality of outdoor experiences available:
Fishing. The beautiful White Bear, North and English Rivers include both Atlantic salmon and trout.
Hikiing. The park offers exceptional hiking opportunities for visitors. The Mealy Mountains have rugged peaks, forested valleys, racing rivers and plunging waterfalls waiting to be discovered. Where the park meets the Labrador Sea, the 50-kilometer stretch of sandy beaches known as the Wunderstrands offer an exciting coastal hiking experience.
Boating / Kayaking. Water craft excursions are an exciting way to explore the shore and experience the park from a different angle.
Contact local tour operators for specific ideas and itineraries available when you want to visit.
Programs and services are currently under development. For the latest information and updates, please contact the park.
Safety Tips for Visitors to the Akami-Uapishku-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve
Potential visitors unfamiliar with the terrain should not underestimate the remote, backcountry nature of the national park reserve.
It is imperative that visitors carry appropriate gear, be self-reliant, and be able to handle any medical or wildlife-related emergency that might occur during their stay. It is strongly recommended that all visitors cary a GPS device and a satellite phone and know how to use them.
Wildlife Danger
Precautions must be taken to ensure safety from black bears and on occasion polar bears. Please see Parks Canada’s web site: You are in Bear Country.
Black Flies / Mosquitoes
Warm weather brings with is the scourge of the north, namely a healthy population of black flies and mosquitoes. They are regularly encountered anytime from June to September, with populations peaking in July and August. Visitors should carry with them a bug jacket and sufficient supplies of insect repellent and first aid treatment for insect bites.
Coastal breezes may offer some relief from swarming insects, but should not be counted on as a remedy to avoid insect populations, especially during peak season.
Parks Canada Partners
Become a national, regional or local partner helping Parks Canada deliver on its mandate for conservation, connecting Canadians, and creating exceptional visitor experiences.
The Akami-Uapishku-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve is open to visitors year round, with every season offering unique experiences to enjoy. The park is accessible year round via helicopter or float plane. Aircraft charter companies operate from Goose Bay Airport.
Spring trips are possible up until the breakup of ice starts to occur in Lake Melville in May.
The most consistent access to the national park reserve is in summer, in July and August.
Late summer to early fall, before colder weather sets in, may be the best time to visit – especially since black fly and mosquito numbers start to diminish.
Visiting the park in winter is only possible when the ice becomes safe enough for travel, typically from early January to late April. Interested parties should check with park authorities and local tour operators for actual conditions at time of travel.
No matter what time of year, the Akami-Uapishku-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve is a place where seasons and weather influence the ability to travel. Visitors should always leave extra time in their itinerary in case of weather delays. Conditions may make it necessary to sit in a tent for days waiting for the weather to clear. Be prepared to make waiting an enjoyable part of your experience.
The Akami-Uapishku-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve is remote. There is no road access to the park. The closest communities to it are coastal cities and towns. Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Sheshatshiu, North West River and Mud Lake lie to the west, Rigolet to the north, and Cartwright and Paradise River are to the east. The best bet for potential visitors is to find an adventure travel tour operator offering excursions into the park.
Getting There
Visitors to Akami-Uapishku-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve can reach the park from the west, north or east.
Flying
The closest major airport is Goose Bay Airport (YYR), located at the western end of the park in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Direct flights into this airport are available from Deer Lake (YDF), St. John’s (YYT), Halifax (YHZ) and Montreal (YUL). The leading airlines serving Happy-Valley-Goose Bay are Air Canada, Air Borealis and PAL Airlines, all of which offer multiple flights a day.
From Goose Bay Airport it is possible to drive to the nearby communities of North West River (40 minutes) and Sheshatshiu (40 minutes) via NL 520 North. Paradise River (5 hours) and Cartwright (5 1/2 hours) can be reached via the Trans Labrador Highway.
Regional carriers offer flights from Goose Valley Airport to Rigolet Airport (YRG), north of the park.
Helicopter or float plane access can also be arranged through charter companies located near the airport.
More information on air access can be found online.
Driving
From Newfoundland, the island portion of the province, the community of Cartwright can be reached by taking the Labrador car ferry from St. Barbe, NL to Blanc Sablon, Quebec. Drive the short distance east on Route 138 to cross the Labrador border and take Highway 510 to Cartwright.
From Cartwright it is possible to circumnavigate the southern border of the park to Happy Valley-Goose Bay via the Trans Labrador Highway in about 5 1/2 hours.
GPS Coordinates
DD Coordinates: 53.3999984 -59.3666652
DMS Coordinates: 53°23’59.99″ N -59°21’59.99″ W
Geohash Coordinates: f9mzc14t83jyp
UTM Coordinates: 21U 342656.8991174 5919378.0406011
Getting Around
There is no driving access to the park. Private charter flights and boat service can be arranged locally or through travel outfitters serving the area.
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