Before you go
There is no road for ordinary cars: reach the park from Kugluktuk by ATV or snowmobile on a rough 13 km road, or by boat on the Coppermine River.
Photo Credits (1)
Difficulty
Hard
Trail Length
24.6 km
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
210 m
About Bloody Falls
Bloody Falls is a waterfall on the Coppermine River, in the Kugluk/Bloody Falls Territorial Park of Nunavut, Canada. It was the site of the Bloody Falls Massacre in 1771 and the murder of two priests by Uloqsaq and Sinnisiak, two Copper Inuit men in 1913.
Why This Waterfall Exists
Bloody Falls flows over layered sedimentary rock laid down about 720 million to 1.2 billion years ago. Over time, the stream has worn through these layers at different rates, creating the step that forms the waterfall.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The hard 24.6-km out-and-back trail gains 210 metres of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
There is no short walk from a parking area. Kugluk/Bloody Falls Territorial Park is about 13 km (8 mi) from Kugluktuk by a rough road that is seldom passable for ordinary vehicles; visitors travel it by ATV in summer and by snowmobile in winter and spring. Boats can travel up the Coppermine River from its mouth to about 1 km below the falls.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Bloody Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Pets must be kept on a leash in Nunavut territorial parks, and owners must pick up pet waste.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Bloody Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Summer, when the valley is green; wildflowers peak in July. Families visit in fall for berry picking and fishing. Winter and spring trips are possible by snowmobile.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with the managing park or local authority for current conditions.
Safety Information
This is bear country: grizzlies are occasionally seen and Nunavut Parks advises travelling in daylight and never approaching a fresh kill. Keep back from the river edge, where rock is slippery and currents are strong. Weather and conditions change quickly, cell coverage is unreliable, and visitors must be self-reliant, so carry emergency communications and tell someone your plans.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Kugluktuk hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Bloody Falls Frozen?
Updated about 12 hours agoPartly frozen highs above freezing lately 6 more freezing days forecast
Bloody Falls is probably icing up: 8 freezing days in the last two weeks, with 6 more freezing days in the forecast. Expect icicles and ice at the edges with water still running through the middle.
- Days below freezing
- 8 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 6 of the next 7
- Flow
- no gauge
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
Location & Access
Getting There
Kugluk/Bloody Falls Territorial Park is about 13 km from the hamlet of Kugluktuk. A rough road connects the two and is used by ATVs in summer and snowmobiles in winter and spring; ordinary vehicles seldom get through. Operators in Kugluktuk can organize ATV or boat trips to the falls; contact the Kugluktuk Heritage and Visitors' Centre.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Nunavut Parks describes access by ATV, snowmobile or boat rather than by car, and we found no information on a parking area.
Elevation
11 metres above sea level
Coordinates
67.743470° N, -115.367184° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
1) Check local road and weather conditions before you go; contact the Kugluktuk hamlet office or Nunavut Parks for current information. 2) Wear sturdy, waterproof boots and bring layers, wind and cold are common. 3) Keep well back from the river edge; rocks are slippery and currents are strong. 4) Carry insect repellent and sun protection for summer visits. 5) Pack out all trash and respect cultural/historic sites. 6) Carry a personal locator beacon or satellite communicator if travelling from Kugluktuk into more remote areas.
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This challenging 24.6 km trail gains 210 m in elevation — come prepared with proper hiking boots and trekking poles. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
The backcountry standard — filters 99.9% of bacteria and weighs just 3 oz.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof
Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.
Where to Stay
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Kugluktuk hamlet (local cultural sites and services), the mouth of the Coppermine River, opportunities for fishing (char) and birdwatching during migration seasons. Local guided cultural tours may be available through community providers.
Wildlife
Caribou and muskox are frequently seen, along with red and arctic foxes and occasionally wolves or grizzly bears. Peregrine falcons, gyrfalcons, rough-legged hawks and golden eagles may nest on cliffs along the river, and arctic char run upstream through the falls.
Cities near Bloody Falls
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