Nahanni National Park Reserve Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Nahanni National Park Reserve
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Virginia Falls
Nahanni National Park Reserve Location in Canada
Location	Northwest Territories, Canada
Nearest city	Fort Simpson Fort Liard Nahanni Butte
Area	30,050 km² (11,600 sq mi)
Established	1972
Governing body	Parks Canada

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Criteria	Natural: vii, viii
Inscription	1978 (2nd Session)

Nahanni National Park Reserve is a huge protected area in the Northwest Territories, Canada. It's about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Yellowknife. This amazing park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. This means it's considered very important for everyone in the world to protect. The park covers a massive area of about 30,050 square kilometers (11,602 square miles).

Exploring Nahanni National Park Reserve
Animals and Plants of Nahanni
Images for kids
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Exploring Nahanni National Park Reserve

Nahanni National Park Reserve is famous for its wild rivers, deep canyons, and tall mountains. It's a place of incredible natural beauty and adventure. The park protects a special part of the Mackenzie Mountains.

Virginia Falls: A Mighty Waterfall

One of the most famous sights in Nahanni is Virginia Falls. This waterfall is twice as tall as Niagara Falls! Water crashes down from a height of 90 meters (295 feet). In the middle of the falls is a large rock called Mason's Rock. This makes the waterfall split into two powerful sections.

Deep Canyons of the Nahanni River

The South Nahanni River flows through four huge canyons within the park. These canyons have steep walls that rise hundreds of meters high. They were carved out over millions of years by the river.

The First Canyon is known for its hot springs.
The Second Canyon features a narrow opening called The Gate.
The Third Canyon is very long and winding.
The Fourth Canyon is also very deep.

These canyons are home to many different animals and plants.

Why Nahanni is a World Heritage Site

Nahanni National Park Reserve was one of the very first places in the world to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. It earned this special title because of its:

Amazing natural beauty: The park has stunning landscapes, including Virginia Falls and the deep canyons.
Unique geology: The area shows how the Earth's crust has changed over time. It has special rock formations and caves.
Important ecosystems: It protects a wild and untouched environment where many animals and plants live.

Animals and Plants of Nahanni

The park is a home for many different kinds of wildlife. You might see:

Mammals: Grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep live here.
Birds: Many types of birds, including golden eagles, fly through the park's skies.

The plants in Nahanni range from thick forests to small plants that grow on mountain slopes.