NATLA-KEELE RIVER -- The Keele River system drains a large mountainous area just north of the Nahanni River. The Natla is the southern-most branch dropping 400 meters from the high alpine meadows of O’Grady Lake in 115 km of rapids and swifts.

This excellent section of whitewater is similar to the ‘Rock Gardens’ of the upper Nahanni and is best reserved for the confident whitewater canoeist. After joining the Keele the river flows another 300 km, crossing some of the most beautiful ranges in the Mackenzie Mountains.

With lots of easy runnable rapids this stretch is fun for any canoeist. Here the river is wide and fast, the mountain scenery is on a grand scale and there are good opportunities to see wildlife. Over the course of the trip we may see caribou, moose, Dall’s sheep, wolves, wolverine and grizzly bears.

Eagles, hawks and a variety of song and shore birds can be spotted by the keen birder. There are many excellent places to hike into the mountains.

There are several options to enjoy this little paddled river:

• a 9 day canoe trip on the Natla River section only for experienced whitewater paddlers
• a 20 day expedition paddling the entire Natla-Keele for experienced paddlers,
• a 12 day Keele River trip only option - open to paddlers of any skill level