Getting out of town

A gravel road extends north of Rankin Inlet toward the Meliadine River and Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park, a popular park with 8 km of gravel roads, excellent fishing spots, picnic and group activities cabin and a small camping area. There is also a hiking trail through Qamaviniqtalik, which is a late Thule archaeological site with many stone tent rings, storage caches, drying racks, kayak racks, fox traps, and more.  The park offers hiking trails, interpretive signs, and ample opportunities to enjoy the land, for wildlife watching, fishing, birding, berrypicking, and enjoying the bloom of wildflowers in summer. The main road crosses the Char River and follows the Meliadine Esker through the park. A spur road beyond Nipisar Lake (Rankin Inlet’s water supply) extends to the Diane River where many residents maintain cabins.

The Meliadine Gold Project is under development about 22 km northwest of Rankin Inlet, and will likely begin operation in 2015. This mine will be a combination of open pit and underground mining, and will employ many people from the Kivalliq Region. A new all-weather road has been constructed to allow ground access to the minesite. During the construction period for the mine, there will be limited public access to this road. After that, it is intended to be a public road during most of the year.