The Brock River flows through Tuktut Nogait National Park in the Western Arctic of the Northwest Territories, offering one of Canada's more demanding and remote wilderness paddling experiences. The river is characterized by dramatic canyon sections that have been carved through the landscape over geological time, with steep walls defining the most striking stretches of the route.

Whitewater on the Brock River ranges from class I to class III, making it suitable for paddlers with solid moving-water skills. The river is commonly accessed as part of a longer multi-day route, with one documented approach beginning at Nunavut Lake via charter flight from Norman Wells, continuing down the Roscoe River before joining the Brock. Exit options include the Brock delta or a pickup near Rat Lake Road near Paulatuk. The full route incorporating the Roscoe River, Brock River, First Creek, and Hornaday River covers approximately 250 kilometres and has been completed in around 13 days of travel time.

Paddlers should be prepared for extreme remoteness throughout the journey. Hazards include sporadic and unpredictable water levels, gale-force winds, and the possibility of encountering snow even in mid-summer. The canyon sections feature steep walls that can complicate portaging and route-finding. Sections of First Creek involve extensive portaging through difficult terrain, including eroded creek beds, muddy channels, backed-up lakes, and tussock fields. Wildlife encounters, including bears, are a real consideration in this environment.

Mid-summer is the documented paddling season, though conditions remain genuinely arctic even then. Packrafts have been used successfully on this route given the combination of paddling and extensive overland travel required. Those planning a trip focused primarily on the river itself may wish to fly directly to the Brock source lakes to avoid the more arduous Roscoe River approach, then paddle the canyon sections through to the delta. The Brock River Canyon is the scenic and logistical centrepiece of any trip here, and the combination of technical whitewater, towering canyon walls, and complete wilderness isolation defines the character of paddling this river.