Guided Experiences 2025

Regularly Scheduled Guided Experiences

Fire on the Land: Life After the Flames

When: Every Saturday 2pm-3pm – Starting July 5th

Where: Salt Plains Lookout

Explore the essential role fire plays in the boreal ecosystem—from the natural fire cycle and wildfire history in Wood Buffalo National Park to how trees, animals, and landscapes adapt and thrive after the burn. Learn how Parks Canada manages fire today and how Indigenous knowledge has long understood fire as a tool of renewal.

Private Programs

From June 1st to August 31st, 2025, Contact the Visitor Centre at 1-867-872-7960 or email woodbuffaloinfo-infowoodbuffalo@pc.gc.ca to book a private program with our interpreters.

Wings Over the North: Migration & Mitigation

Where: Salt River Day Use, Pine Lake Day Use, Salt Plains Lookout, Fort Smith Visitor Centre

Soar into the stories of the skies with a look at the remarkable birds that call Wood Buffalo National Park home. From the endangered whooping crane to graceful pelicans and secretive owls, this program dives into bird behavior, migratory patterns, and the conservation efforts keeping them flying.

Horns & Howls: Bison, Wolves and Predator/Prey Relationships

Where: Salt River Day Use, Pine Lake Day Use, Salt Plains Lookout, Fort Smith Visitor Centre

Discover the powerful relationship between bison and wolves, and how their interaction shapes the landscape. Learn about the differences between wood and plains bison, the history of bison conservation, and the intricate balance between predator and prey in Canada’s largest national park.

From Fur to Forest: Busy Beavers & Their Big History

Where: Salt River Day Use, Pine Lake Day Use, Salt Plains Lookout, Fort Smith Visitor Centre

Dive into the world of nature’s engineers and explore how beavers shaped Canada’s ecology and economy. This fun, family-friendly program features amazing beaver facts, the legacy of the fur trade, the world’s largest beaver dam, plus a nod to Parka, Parks Canada's iconic mascot.

Bear Aware: Tracks, Snacks & Bear Facts

Where: Salt River Day Use, Pine Lake Day Use, Salt Plains Lookout, Fort Smith Visitor Centre

Learn all about black bears in Wood Buffalo National Park —how they live, what they eat, and how their seasonal cycle differs from true hibernators. This program also covers essential bear safety information and tips on how to respectfully coexist with these incredible creatures.

Under the Northern Lights: Dark Skies, Bright Stories

Where: Salt River Day Use, Pine Lake Day Use, Salt Plains Lookout, Fort Smith Visitor Centre

Wood Buffalo National Park is one of the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserves—come explore what that means! From auroras to constellations, this program celebrates the beauty of the night sky, the effects of light pollution, and the cosmic wonder of the midnight sun in the subarctic north.

Wings on the Water: A Rapids Walk - Offered by the Town of Fort Smith.

Where: Fort Smith Visitor Centre

Take a guided hike from the Visitor Centre down to the world-famous Slave River rapids—home to the northernmost nesting site of the American White Pelican. Along the way, discover the rich plant life, Indigenous connections to the land, and the river’s role in Fort Smith’s paddling culture and natural history. Expect scenic views, local stories, and a chance to spot pelicans gliding overhead.

Stories from Thebacha: A Walking Tour - Offered by the Town of Fort Smith.

Where: Fort Smith Visitor Centre

Curious about the culture, languages, and layered history of Fort Smith? Join an interpreter on a walking tour through the heart of town, exploring everything from Indigenous place names and Métis history to the community’s role in religion, trade, and reconciliation. This program offers a dynamic introduction to the people, past, and pride of Fort Smith.