Getting Here
Flying to Inuvik is the most popular option and for those visiting from a distance, it is usually the most convenient.
With a one-night layover, Inuvik is reachable from anywhere in North America within two days. There are daily flights from Edmonton, Yellowknife and Whitehorse. And weekly flights from Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa.
*Depending on where you are flying from, you may need to arrange a flight with another airline before reaching a destination where airlines that serve Inuvik are located.
The following airline companies fly to and from Inuvik all year long:
Air North
Connects Inuvik to Vancouver, Whitehorse, Calgary, Edmonton, Yellowknife, Ottawa, Dawson City and Old Crow.
Canadian North
Connects Inuvik to Edmonton, Yellowknife, Iqaluit, Ottawa and Norman Wells.
First Air
Connects Inuvik to Edmonton, Iqaluit, Yellowknife, Whitehorse and Norman Wells.
If you plan to drive to Inuvik, then the Dempster Highway will be part of your plans – and likely the highlight of the trip. After all, some road trips are better than others.
The Dempster Highway, built in 1979 as the only all-weather Canadian road to cross the Arctic Circle, connects Dawson City, Yukon to Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
The unpaved, gravel road is a winding adventure through spectacular scenery. It is common for drivers to see plenty of wildlife, including Dall’s sheep, woodland and barren ground caribou and grizzly bears. Campgrounds, a hotel, a restaurant and a service station can be found along the route.
The highway closes for approximately six to eight weeks in the fall when the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers freeze and again in the spring when they thaw.
*The extension of the Dempster Highway, the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, is scheduled to open in fall 2017. At that time, vehicles will be able to drive all the way to the Arctic Ocean at any time of the year.