The Burnside River flows through scenic low artcic tundra in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The river flows out of Contwoyto lake (66 degrees N 111 degrees W) and runs for 280 km before emptying into the Arctic Ocean at Bathurst Inlet. The Burnside is a fast river with a few rapids and makes a great canoeing route. There are caribou, muskoxen, grizzlies, and wolves along the river during the summer months. A unique archaeological site, a shelter made of caribou antlers, is located on the upper river. The Burnside River crosses the Bathurst Fault as it approaches Bathurst Inlet and there is a dramatic falls and canyon here.

The town of Kingoak, or Bathurst Inlet sits just beyond the mouth of the river on the shores of the inlet. A long-time Inuit meeting place and former HBC post, Bathurst Inlet has been home for several decades to the Bathurst Inlet Lodge. This is an excellent naturalist's lodge open during the summer months for those interested in the flowers, wildlife, Inuit history, and scenic geology of the area. An excellent book "Barrenland Beauties: showy plants of the Arctic Coast" by Page Burt, the Lodge naturalist, is available from Outcrop Ltd.

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Rainbow near the mouth of the Burnside River.

Wolf pup on den along Burnside River.

Canyon along the lower Burnside.

Burnside River | Coppermine River | Hanbury River | Hood River | Mara River | Thelon River | Thomsen River | Yellowknife River