Kugluktuk

Kugluktuk (ᖁᕐᓗᖅᑐᖅ in Inuktitut syllabics; formerly, Coppermine) is a hamlet with about 1400 people (2021) in the Kitikmeot Region in western Nunavut.

Understand

The Roman Catholic Church at Kugluktuk

The traditional Inuinnaqtun name for the area means "the place of moving water", referring to the Coppermine River.

The region has a subarctic climate, but barely so, with July having an average temperature 10.9 °C (51.6 °F). Due to its geography, it is often the "hottest" spot in Nunavut. It has cold, dry winters, and moderate snowfall that is relatively high for its latitude. However, it is somewhat sheltered from the harsh cold winds blowing in from the north in winter.

Get in

By boat

Aside from cruise ships, there are no passenger ships serving Kugluktuk.

By plane

• 1 Kugluktuk Airport (YCO  ^IATA). Canadian North operates daily flights to Kugluktuk from Yellowknife (90 min; $550 one-way). It also has less frequently scheduled "milk run" flights from Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok. (updated Jul 2024)

Get around

You can easily navigate on foot within the community.

See

• Cliffs along the Coronation Gulf
• 1 Visitor Heritage Centre (Ulu building), ☏ +1 867-982-4555. M-F 8:30AM-5PM. This centre is run by the community government. From the air, this building looks like an ulu, a knife used by Inuit to cut meat. It showcases the history of the Copper Inuit, hunting tools, clothing, drum dancing songs and more. Free. (updated Jul 2024)

Do

Kugluk-Bloody Falls Terriorial Park

• 1 Kugluk Territorial Park (Bloody Falls), 15 km southwest of Kugluktuk (a rough road connects it to Kugluktuk; 1 hr by ATV in summer and snowmobile in winter and spring, 4 hrs by bicycle, full day walking. 30 mins by boat along Coppermine River). The area is typical Arctic tundra and along the sides of the river are the cliffs that lead to the falls. Rocky escarpments can be found and it is possible to see the Arctic Ocean from hills within the park. The fast flowing river, normally fairly wide, is forced through the cliffs in the park and create the falls before spreading out again. In addition to herds of caribou, a visitor to the park may observe grizzly bears and wolverines. Bird species such as the golden eagle, rough-legged hawk, peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, and swallows may be observed in the park. The last are found in large numbers and nest in the cliffs around the falls. It is an excellent area to camp, fish, picnic, pick berries, or take a paddling trip down the river. Guides can be arranged through the local hunters and trappers organization at +1 867-982-4908. Fishing activities for non-Inuit will require fishing license, which can be purchased at the wildlife conservation office in town at +1 867-982-7450. (updated Oct 2024)

Buy

The visitor centre has an on-site gift shop, selling arts & crafts (earrings, ulus, sealskin mittens, stone carvings, art prints) made by local artists. You may also encounter artists showcasing their products to sell while walking in front of their houses or at the co-op store.

Eat

The only restaurant in town, Tundra Takeout & Diner (in the co-op store building), has been closed for a while. You will have to buy groceries at the Northern or Co-op stores to make your own food.

Drink

There are no bars in this community.

Sleep

Bed and breakfast

• 1 Arctic Vision B&B, 7a Coronation Dr, info@arcticvisionbnb.com. 3-room bed & breakfast with an ocean view in the common area. Fully-furnished kitchen and on-site laundry are available. $230/night. (updated Jul 2024)

Hotel

• 2 Coppermine Inn, 2 Amagok St, ☏ +1 867-982-3333, coppermine@innsnorth.coop. Hotel run by the co-op. Free airport shuttle provided. $389. (updated Sep 2024)
• 3 Enokhok Inn, 2 Saddleback St, ☏ +1 867-982-3197, inn@enokhok.com. Twelve rooms and six executive suites. (updated Jul 2024)

Connect

Bell Mobility is the only cell service provider in this hamlet. 4G LTE is available.