36 Best Places to Visit in Northwest Territories (2026)

Quick answer: The best places to visit in Northwest Territories (NWT) are Yellowknife and the Ingraham Trail, Nahanni National Park Reserve, Wood Buffalo National Park, Twin Falls Gorge, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean. Road-accessible highlights suit most travellers, while Nahanni and Great Bear Lake are fly-in adventures. Aulavik National Park is also fly-in only.

Northwest Territories is one of the most remote and rewarding travel destinations in Canada. It has dancing northern lights, 24-hour summer daylight, thundering waterfalls, free-roaming bison, and a highway that ends at the Arctic Ocean. It also has huge distances and limited roads, so planning matters more here than almost anywhere else in the country.

This guide groups the best places by region and by how you reach them, so you can build a realistic itinerary instead of a list you cannot actually drive. It covers 36 places in all. Where possible, each place lists the best season, how to get there, cost and a practical tip, and the descriptions cover what to see, what to do and what to eat.

Top Places at a Glance

Place	Region	Access	Best season
Aurora Viewing in Yellowknife (Aurora Village)	North Slave	Road / Flight	Mid-Aug to mid-Oct; Nov to early Apr
Old Town Yellowknife	North Slave	Road / Flight	Year-round
Houseboat Bay	North Slave	Walk / Boat tour	Summer for boat tours
Bush Pilots Monument	North Slave	Road	Year-round
Ragged Ass Road	North Slave	Road	Year-round
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre	North Slave	Road	Year-round
The Ingraham Trail	North Slave	Road	Summer; winter for aurora
Prelude Lake Territorial Park	North Slave	Road	Summer
Cameron River Falls Trail	North Slave	Road	Summer; autumn colour
Ramparts Falls	North Slave	Road	Summer
Blachford Lake Lodge	North Slave	Fly-in	Mid-Aug to mid-Oct
Great Slave Lake (Yellowknife Bay)	North Slave	Road / Boat	Summer; Jan to Mar for ice roads
Midnight Sun Golf at Yellowknife Golf Club	North Slave	Road	June and July
Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary (Highway 3)	North Slave	Road (Highway 3)	Summer
Nahanni National Park Reserve	Dehcho	Fly-in only	Summer
Rabbitkettle Hot Springs and Tufa Mounds	Dehcho	Fly-in / river trip	Summer (guided tours only)
Lotus Flower Tower and Fairy Meadows (Cirque of the Unclimbables)	Dehcho	Fly-in plus hike	July and August
Fort Simpson	Dehcho	Road / Flight	Summer
Sambaa Deh Falls and Coral Falls	Dehcho	Road	Summer
Wood Buffalo National Park	South Slave	Road	Summer; dark skies in fall and winter
Salt Plains and Pine Lake	South Slave	Road (gravel)	Summer
Fort Smith and the Slave River Rapids	South Slave	Road	Summer
Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park	South Slave	Road	Summer
Hay River and Great Slave Lake	South Slave	Road	Summer
Pine Point Ghost Town	South Slave	Road (ask locally)	Summer
Inuvik and the Igloo Church	Western Arctic	Flight / Dempster Highway	June to early Sept; winter for aurora
Great Northern Arts Festival	Western Arctic	Flight / Dempster Highway	July
Tuktoyaktuk and the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway	Western Arctic	Inuvik-Tuk Highway	June to early Sept
Pingo Canadian Landmark (Ibyuk)	Western Arctic	Inuvik-Tuk Highway	June to early Sept
Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson (Dempster Highway)	Western Arctic	Dempster Highway	June to early Sept
Aklavik and the Mad Trapper's Grave	Western Arctic	Air / winter ice road	Ask locally
The Smoking Hills (Cape Bathurst)	Western Arctic	Air to Paulatuk	Summer
Aulavik National Park	Western Arctic	Fly-in only	Summer
Great Bear Lake and Délı̨nę (Tsá Tué Biosphere Reserve)	Sahtu	Flight / winter road	Summer
Canol Heritage Trail and Norman Wells	Sahtu	Air plus long hike	Summer
Colville Lake	Sahtu	Air / winter road	Ask lodge

Yellowknife and the North Slave Region

Yellowknife, the territorial capital, is where most visitors start. It sits on the north shore of Great Slave Lake and is one of the best aurora-viewing bases anywhere. A direct Yellowknife to Inuvik flight takes about two hours, so the city is also your gateway north.

1. Aurora Viewing in Yellowknife (Aurora Village)

The northern lights are the number one reason people visit, and Yellowknife is the easiest place in the territory to see them on a schedule. Aurora Village runs guided viewing tours from downtown hotels, with packages that include airport transfers, a welcome kit and multilingual guides. Winter packages add cold-weather clothing rental, which matters when you will be standing still outdoors for hours at night. Hotels used by the packages include the Explorer Hotel, Chateau Nova and Discovery Inn, all in the city centre, so you can warm up between tours and walk to Old Town the next day.

There are two distinct seasons. In late summer and early autumn the lakes are still open water, so the lights can reflect on the surface and the nights are mild enough to stand comfortably. In winter the lakes freeze, the sky is crisp and dark, and you can combine the lights with snow activities during the day. Whichever season you pick, plan at least three nights, because the aurora needs clear skies and a longer stay simply gives you more chances.

Meals are not included in the packages, so your food plan is up to you. After a late tour, the Old Town fish-and-chips tradition at Bullocks' Bistro, which serves fish from Great Slave Lake, is a good first meal the next day. Between tours, use daylight hours for the museum, the Ingraham Trail or a houseboat tour.

• Best season: Summer/fall 2026 packages run August 12 to October 14, and winter/spring 2026-27 packages run November 20 to April 7.
• How to get there: Fly into Yellowknife (YZF). Transfers cover Air Canada and WestJet scheduled flights.
• Cost: Per person sharing a double room, summer/fall 3-night packages run about $825 to $935 (about US$580 to US$655), and winter/spring 3-night packages about $970 to $1,080 (about US$680 to US$755), before 5% GST. Meals are not included.
• Tip: Book at least three nights. Aurora needs clear skies, and a longer stay gives you more chances, so each package adds tours.

2. Old Town Yellowknife

The oldest part of the city is a mix of bush-pilot history, floating homes and lakefront walks. Look for the quirky houseboat community on Yellowknife Bay and the rock-top viewpoint over the water. Gold found on the North Arm of Great Slave Lake in the 1930s led to the founding of Yellowknife, and Old Town is where that story still feels close. Log buildings, small galleries and working floatplane docks sit side by side on a compact peninsula that is easy to cover on foot in a couple of hours.

Walk the streets slowly and you will find the things that make the neighbourhood distinctive: weathered cabins, hand-painted signs, views across the bay, and a quiet that surprises people who expect a northern capital to feel like a big city. In summer the lake is busy with boats and floatplanes, and in winter the bay becomes a frozen plain used by walkers and vehicles. Old Town is also the best place to start any trip, because the next four stops in this guide, Houseboat Bay, the Bush Pilots Monument, Ragged Ass Road and the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, are all within easy reach.

Food is part of the experience. Bullocks' Bistro has been on Weaver Drive since 1999, in a building that began as a 1936 trading post. It is casual and wood-panelled, customers help themselves to drinks from a cooler, and the menu is built around fish and chips and fresh fish with fries and salad, with fish from Great Slave Lake. Service can be slow, so treat it as a meal to enjoy rather than a quick stop.

• Best season: Year-round.
• Cost: Free to wander.
• Tip: Visit near sunset for the best light over the bay.

3. Houseboat Bay

Moored in Yellowknife Bay is an eclectic community of floating homes, one of the most photographed sights in the city. The houseboats are colourful, individual and a little eccentric, tied up along the shore of Old Town beside working docks. Most visitors see them from the rocky shoreline, but the best view is from the water. Sundog Adventures runs a historical boat tour of Yellowknife Bay that passes the shores of N'dilo, a Yellowknives Dene community, the shoreline of Giant Mine, the city's largest gold mine, and Houseboat Bay itself. The guide, a Yellowknife local, chooses the route and stories based on the weather, so no two tours are quite the same.

The standard tour lasts about an hour and runs daily at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm, with other times available by request. A longer Houseboat and Heritage tour adds coffee before the boat ride and lunch with ice cream at the Sundog Trading Post in Old Town, where all tours meet at 4 Lessard Drive. The trip is a good rainy-day alternative to hiking, and it gives useful context for how the city grew around the lake, the mine and the floatplane routes.

Houseboats are a living neighbourhood, not an exhibit. Photograph from a respectful distance, never step onto private docks, and remember that residents live here year-round, including through freeze-up and break-up, when the bay changes between ice and open water. A coffee and a walk along the rocks afterwards makes an easy half-day.

• Best season: Summer for boat tours; the houseboats can be viewed from shore all year.
• How to get there: Walk from Old Town; tours meet at Sundog Trading Post, 4 Lessard Drive.
• Cost: Standard tour $85 per adult (about US$60), $65 per child under 12, free under 5. The lunch tour is $115 per adult (about US$80).
• Tip: Book ahead for the lunch tour, and confirm its season when you book.

4. Bush Pilots Monument

This monument honours the pilots who opened up the north by air. It sits on a granite outcrop and gives wide views over Old Town and the lake, making it a good first stop for orientation. From the top you can see the bay, the houseboats, the floatplane docks and the city skyline spread across the Canadian Shield, which makes the monument far more than a plaque. Looking down at the planes, it is easy to understand why aviation shaped the territory, where distances are huge and roads are few.

The climb is short but the rock can be slippery after rain or snow, so wear shoes with good grip. Allow time to read the inscriptions, take photographs and simply enjoy the view. Light is best in the early morning and around sunset, when the lake turns gold, and on clear autumn nights the same outcrop is a handy place to wait for the first hint of green in the sky. In summer, midnight-sun evenings give you hours of soft light for photographs.

Make it part of a short Old Town loop rather than a stand-alone trip: start at the monument, drop down to the waterfront and the houseboats, then follow the shoreline to a late lunch. If you are travelling with children, the viewpoint is a good place to explain how planes carried food, mail and miners long before highways reached this part of the north.

• Cost: Free.
• Tip: Combine it with a short Old Town walk, so you see it in under an hour.

5. Ragged Ass Road

A famous street sign and a favourite photo stop, thanks to its unforgettable name. It takes only a few minutes, so combine it with a wander through Old Town. The street is a quiet residential lane rather than a tourist attraction, which is part of the charm: you are standing in a real neighbourhood, among small homes and gardens, with the sign as the only hint that something unusual has happened here. Visitors queue for a quick photo, so go early in the day if you want the sign to yourself.

The name comes from the rough-and-ready prospecting days of the city, when street names were chosen with humour as well as practicality, and the sign has become a symbol of the sense of humour that northerners are known for. Many travellers buy a souvenir or send a postcard with the street name on it. If you want a longer walk, loop from Ragged Ass Road through the lanes of Old Town toward the bay, passing log houses and quiet views.

Because the street is residential, keep noise down, stay on the road, and do not block driveways. Treat it as a ten-minute stop between the Bush Pilots Monument and lunch. In winter, take care on icy footpaths, and in summer carry insect repellent, since the lake breeze drops in the evening and the mosquitoes appear. Afterwards, a coffee or a fish meal in Old Town completes an easy morning.

6. Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre

The territory's museum is the best place to understand NWT before you head out. Exhibits cover Dene, Inuvialuit and Métis cultures, natural history and the region's northern heritage. It is the most useful single stop for first-time visitors, because the places you will see later, from Nahanni to the Arctic Ocean, are explained here through objects, photographs and the voices of the people who live in the north. Visiting on your first day gives context to everything that follows.

Plan for one to two hours. Start with the galleries on Indigenous peoples and the traditional land, then look at the natural history displays, which explain permafrost, wildlife and the rhythm of the seasons. These themes come back again and again on the road, so a short visit saves you from missing details such as why pingos form or why the lakes freeze so deeply. If you are visiting in winter, the centre is a good option on the coldest days, and in summer it works as a break from the sun and the insects.

The centre is also a good place to pick up information about guides and cultural experiences, and to see how local artists work, which helps when you want to buy authentic crafts later. Check the centre's website for current hours and admission before you go. Food options are close by in downtown Yellowknife, so you can follow the museum with lunch and then head out to the lakeside for an afternoon walk.

• Best season: Year-round, and a good rainy-day or cold-day option.
• Tip: Allow one to two hours, and visit on day one to set context for the rest of your trip. Check the centre's website for current hours and admission.

7. The Ingraham Trail

Highway 4, the Ingraham Trail, is 69 km (43 miles) long and starts just beyond Yellowknife's city limits. It runs east past jack pine outcrops and across the Yellowknife and Cameron Rivers, and links a chain of lakes with campgrounds, trailheads and paddling put-ins. Fred Henne Territorial Park, on Long Lake, has a sandy beach, 100+ campsites and the 4.3 km Prospector's Trail loop. At the far end, Reid Lake Territorial Park has quiet forested campsites and a small swimming beach. In winter it is also a popular place to watch the aurora away from city lights, using the pull-offs along the road. Always check road and weather conditions first.

This scenic route east of Yellowknife links lakes, trailheads, picnic spots and paddling put-ins.

The drive is the experience: bare Canadian Shield rock, spruce and jack pine, loons and eagles over the lakes, and constant opportunities to stop. In summer, people paddle, boat, canoe and fish, and northern pike are the target at Reid Lake. Reid Lake is also the starting point for paddling routes toward Jennejohn Lake and upstream to Tibbitt Lake. Birdwatchers can add loons and eagles to the list, and picnic spots appear at nearly every lake.

There are no restaurants along the road, so pack a picnic before leaving Yellowknife. A cooler with sandwiches, fruit and plenty of water is better than relying on anything en route, and bear-proof food storage matters at campsites. Fuel up first, tell someone your plans and carry bug repellent in summer. In winter, weather can change quickly, so check conditions before you set out.

• How to get there: Drive east from Yellowknife. A rental car is the easiest option, but check your rental agreement for road restrictions.
• Tip: Check road and weather conditions in winter, and never stop on the travelled lane.

8. Prelude Lake Territorial Park

About 30 minutes from Yellowknife, Prelude Lake is a 16 km lake with many islands. It has RV and tent pads, drinking water, picnic shelters, a playground, a marina and a boat launch. The Panoramic Trail is a half-kilometre mostly boardwalk walk with two lookouts, and the 3 km Nature Trail loops across bedrock, sand barrens and spruce bogs. Nearby day-use areas at Prosperous, Madeline and Pontoon Lakes give you quieter places to swim, picnic or launch a canoe.

This is the easiest place on the Ingraham Trail to camp with family, because the facilities are good and the scenery arrives quickly. Islands scattered across the lake make it a pleasant place to paddle, and a short walk from the campground rewards you with views of the water. On a still evening the reflections can be remarkable, and on clear nights the dark sky draws aurora watchers away from the glow of the city.

Pack all of your food, because there is no restaurant here, though a campfire meal is part of the appeal. Fish fresh from the lake is possible if you hold the right licence, so check territorial fishing rules. The Panoramic Trail is ideal for kids and beginners, while the Nature Trail suits a slower, longer walk where you can look at lichen, rock and bog plants up close.

• Best season: Summer for camping and boating, and clear nights for aurora.
• Tip: Bring bug spray in summer. The short lookout trail is ideal for kids and beginners.

9. Cameron River Falls Trail

Just off the Ingraham Trail, a short trail winds over bare Canadian Shield rock to a scenic waterfall. The one-kilometre walk leads to one of the region's most photographed waterfalls. It is an easy outing for most fitness levels and suits a half-day trip from Yellowknife. The path crosses smooth outcrops, spruce roots and little rock steps, and the sound of the falls grows as you approach. Reaching the viewpoint feels like a real wilderness moment with very little effort, which is why families and photographers love it.

The falls are most dramatic in the high water of late spring and early summer, but they are attractive all season. In autumn the surrounding vegetation turns gold and red, and the contrast with dark rock and white water is superb. Walk a little farther and you can look for smaller cascades and quiet pools along the Cameron River crossing, where hiking and fishing are both popular. Keep children close to the edges, because the rock near the water can be slick.

The trail has no food service, so bring water and snacks and plan a lunch stop at one of the lakeside picnic areas nearby. A thermos of hot tea or coffee makes a cold-weather visit much more pleasant. Combine the falls with Ramparts Falls and a swim or picnic at Prelude Lake, and you have a full day on the Ingraham Trail without a single difficult hike.

• Tip: Wear grippy shoes, because the bedrock gets slippery when wet.

10. Ramparts Falls

A short walk from the Ingraham Trail leads to cascading falls over rocky ledges. It pairs well with Cameron River Falls for a self-drive day. Unlike the single plunge at Cameron, Ramparts is a series of steps and shelves, so the water spreads and tumbles across the rock, creating pools and shaded corners that are ideal for quiet photography. The route is short and mostly easy, though the footing needs care.

The setting is classic Canadian Shield: pale granite, dark spruce, lichen and clear tannin-tinted water. In summer, this is a good place to sit on the rock and listen to the water, watch for birds and enjoy the cool air. In autumn, colour and low sun make the ledges glow. In winter, the falls partly freeze, which creates a very different, sculptural scene for those who visit in warm clothing and appropriate footwear.

Plan to carry everything you need, since there is no food on the trail. A picnic of sandwiches, fruit and something warm in a flask is ideal, and the lakes along the highway offer easy places to stop. Visit early in the day for fewer people, and always leave the trail as you found it. Together with Cameron River Falls, it makes a short, rewarding day away from the city, followed by dinner back in Old Town.

11. Blachford Lake Lodge

This fly-in wilderness lodge sits outside Yellowknife and is one of the most comfortable ways to watch the aurora. Autumn "Aurora Reflections" packages include a flight-seeing charter from Yellowknife, all meals, a nightly aurora watch until 3:00 am, a daily two-hour interpretive experience, and use of the hot tub and sauna. Guests also get a handicraft workshop, yoga equipment, aurora photography tips and on-site Wi-Fi, so the days are as full as the nights.

The lodge works as an all-inclusive retreat. You arrive by charter, settle into a lodge room or cabin, and spend your days on short guided experiences, nature walks or quiet time by the lake. At night, the aurora watch service keeps you informed so you can step out when the sky is active. In autumn, calm open water can reflect the lights, which is a highlight of the season. Guided fishing and motorized boat tours are not included, so book them separately if you want them.

Food is part of the package: all meals, snacks and coffee, tea and juice are included, so you can spend your time looking at the sky rather than looking for a restaurant. Alcoholic beverages are not included. This is a premium trip, so plan carefully, read the cancellation terms, and arrive in Yellowknife the night before the charter.

• Best season: Mid-August to mid-October for the autumn aurora packages.
• How to get there: By charter from Yellowknife, on Tuesday and Saturday flights, with check-in at about 9:00 am. Plan to arrive in Yellowknife the night before.
• Cost: The 2026/27 total, per person, was $4,970 for 3 nights (about US$3,480), $6,425 for 4 nights (about US$4,500) and $10,187 for 7 nights (about US$7,130). Add 10% gratuities, and single occupancy adds 50% to the package rate. Children 3 to 10 get 50% off accommodation.
• Tip: Avoid booking a departing flight from Yellowknife before 5:00 pm, since delays are possible.

12. Great Slave Lake (Yellowknife Bay)

Great Slave Lake is the deepest lake in North America, which makes it a giant playground for boating, fishing and sunset watching. The lake reaches 614 m in Christie Bay, and the tenth-largest lake in the world by area. From Yellowknife you can enjoy lakeside walks, boat trips and, in winter, the 6.5 km ice road to the Dene community of Dettah. The lake covers about 27,200 square kilometres, so it feels like an inland sea, with long horizons, big weather and light that changes by the hour. Even from the Old Town shoreline you get a sense of the scale.

Activities include boating, paddling, fishing, sunset watching and, in winter, walking or driving on the ice when conditions allow. The lake holds lake whitefish, lake trout, inconnu, northern pike, walleye and burbot, among other species, so it is a serious fishing destination. The East Arm lies within the proposed Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve, and the lake's history is tied to the 1930s gold discovery on the North Arm that led to the founding of Yellowknife.

The lake is also the source of the food that defines local dining. Whitefish and inconnu, a large northern freshwater fish also called coney, are traditional catches, and restaurants such as Bullocks' Bistro build their menus around Great Slave Lake fish. Freshly caught fish cooked simply, with fries and salad, is the most authentic taste of the region. If you want to try fishing, book a licensed operator and follow the rules.

• Best season: Summer for boating and fishing, and January to March for ice roads and snow activities.
• Tip: Ice conditions vary each year, so check official road reports before you drive on the ice.

13. Midnight Sun Golf at Yellowknife Golf Club

Golf at the edge of the subarctic sounds like a joke, but the Yellowknife Golf Club is a real 18-hole course set among jack pines, bedrock and ravens, with sand fairways and grassy putting greens. In June and July the sun barely sets, so you can play for hours after dinner without artificial light, and the club hosts its Midnight Sun Golf Tournament on the summer solstice every year. It is an unusual way to experience the long northern days, and it is a good activity if you are travelling with golfers.

The course is as much about scenery as score. Fairways cross rock and sand, and the natural northern setting gives you wildlife encounters and lake views that you do not get on a southern course. Because the conditions are different from a typical parkland layout, expect unusual bounces and plan to enjoy the round rather than chase a score. The club is at 5010 49 Street in Yellowknife, and you can call (867) 873-4326 or visit yellowknifegolf.com for current hours, fees and tournament details.

Golf is not limited to Yellowknife. Hay River has a nine-hole course along the river, Fort Smith has the nine-hole Pelican Rapids Golf Club, Fort Simpson has Seven Spruce, Inuvik has the three-hole Road's End Golf Club, and Ulukhaktok has a nine-hole course with artificial greens, billed as the world's northernmost. After a round, eat in town; fish from Great Slave Lake is the local specialty.

• Best season: June and July for the longest daylight.
• Tip: Call ahead for current tournament dates, rules and fees.

14. Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary (Highway 3)

Not all of the territory's bison live in Wood Buffalo National Park. The Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary, a protected boreal reserve of about 10,000 square kilometres just east of Fort Providence, is crossed by Highway 3, and the drive is one of the best ways to see the Mackenzie herd without leaving the pavement. Bison grazing along the road are an almost certain sight for summer travellers, and they sometimes stand on or near the road, so traffic delays are part of the experience.

The herd has declined to around 850 animals, down from about 2,400 in the 1980s, which makes each sighting feel precious. Watch for animals at the roadside, slow down, and photograph them from inside your vehicle. North Arm and Chan Lake roadside parks offer places to stretch your legs and enjoy the surrounding landscape. Never approach or feed the bison, and be especially alert at night, when dark animals are hard to see and collisions are a real risk.

The highway is also a convenient link between the Alberta border and Yellowknife, so plan roadside meals ahead and carry water and snacks. Fill your tank whenever you can, because services are spaced far apart. If you are driving between Hay River and Yellowknife, allow extra time for animals, and treat the sanctuary as one of the highlights of the journey rather than an obstacle.

• Best season: Summer for near-certain sightings.
• How to get there: Drive Highway 3 east of Fort Providence.
• Tip: Stay in your vehicle, and slow down at night.

Dehcho Region: The Epic Parks

15. Nahanni National Park Reserve

Nahanni is one of Canada's wildest parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include Virginia Falls (Náilicho), which drops about twice the height of Niagara Falls, the deep canyons of the South Nahanni River, hot springs, and the dramatic granite spires of the Cirque of the Unclimbables. Rabbitkettle Lake is another highlight. The park is a place where scale is the main attraction: canyon walls rise on both sides of the river, and the falls throw spray over the rock and the landing site.

Important: Nahanni is fly-in only. Most visitors travel by floatplane from Fort Simpson, and trips must be planned with Parks Canada permits and bookings. You cannot simply drive up, so book early and budget accordingly. There are no public roads into the park, and most visitors travel by chartered floatplane. Day visitors fly from Fort Simpson, and Virginia Falls and Glacier Lake are the only day-use landing sites. Overnight visitors must register with the park office and de-register after returning safely. A typical day tour follows the South Nahanni River canyons to Virginia Falls, where you spend about two hours on the ground with a guided hike to the top or bottom of the falls, then returns past the Ram Plateau and Ram Canyon with a stop at Little Doctor Lake.

River trips are the other way to visit. Parks Canada lists average trip lengths of 7 to 10 days to Virginia Falls and 10 to 14 days to Rabbitkettle Lake, while longer routes reach Island Lakes in 14 to 18 days. Food on a day tour is simple, so carry a lunch and water from Fort Simpson, and on a multi-day trip operators supply meals. Wildfire smoke can disrupt flights in summer, so keep a spare day in your schedule.

• Best season: Summer. Spectacular NWT lists a flight tour running June 1 to October 1.
• How to get there: Floatplane charters depart from Fort Simpson and Yellowknife in the NWT, Muncho Lake in British Columbia, and Watson Lake in the Yukon.
• Cost: One Fort Simpson day tour with Goose Flying Service was $2,520 for a group of up to 3-4 passengers (about US$1,765), plus 5% GST and a Parks Canada fee. It lasts about 5 hours, with about 2 hours on the ground at Virginia Falls. Overnight backcountry use costs $37 per person per night (about US$26), or $259 for an annual northern-parks pass (about US$180), and youth 17 and under are free.
• Tip: Book operators directly and early. Wildfire smoke can disrupt flights, so keep a buffer day.

16. Rabbitkettle Hot Springs and Tufa Mounds

Most visitors to Nahanni aim for Virginia Falls, but few know about Canada's largest tufa mound. The North Mound at Rabbitkettle Hot Springs is about 70 m (230 ft) across and 20 m (66 ft) high, and is the largest travertine mound in Canada. It was built after the last glacial period, about 10,000 years ago, by mineral-rich spring water depositing calcium carbonate in terraced pools whose walls can stand up to 30 cm tall. Images of the formation look more like Pamukkale or a geothermal terrace than a northern river valley.

The mound is fragile, so visitors may go only on guided tours run by park staff. You remove your shoes and walk barefoot on a prescribed path to get close to the North Mound, which protects the formation from boots and scuffing. The tour is short, but it is one of the most memorable moments in the park, because you are standing on a growing geological structure that is still being built by water. The South Mound has grown into a nearby hillside and is not as tall.

Rabbitkettle is reached by floatplane or on a longer river trip, and Parks Canada lists river trips to Rabbitkettle Lake at 10 to 14 days on average. Plan food and supplies as for any backcountry trip, with meals you can prepare on a stove, and carry insect repellent. Check with Parks Canada about tour times and registration before you book, because guided access is limited to protect the formation.

• How to get there: Fly-in by floatplane, or paddle for 10 to 14 days.
• Tip: Bring sandals or dry socks for the barefoot walk, and a towel.

17. Lotus Flower Tower and Fairy Meadows (Cirque of the Unclimbables)

Deep inside Nahanni, a vertical wall of granite rises above an alpine meadow. The Lotus Flower Tower is the best-known climb in the Cirque of the Unclimbables, a route of roughly 2,500 feet with about 19 pitches (Parks Canada describes it as eighteen pitches of world-class big wall trad climbing). It is celebrated in mountaineering circles alongside famous big walls elsewhere in the world, yet it is left out of most travel guides. Even if you never climb, the setting is spectacular.

Fairy Meadows is the base camp most climbers use. It has a pit toilet, a clear stream for water filtering and large overhanging boulders suited to kitchen areas. The hike from Fairy Meadows to the base of the tower takes about 45 to 60 minutes, and the last 15 minutes or so are on ice covered with rock debris. Most climbers go in July or August, but snow can fall in any month, so parties often plan two to three weeks to improve their chances of a good weather window.

To reach the cirque, book a floatplane through a licensed operator to Glacier Lake, then hike about 6 km to Fairy Meadows. Glacier Lake is a designated landing spot and needs no special landing permit, and the park discourages helicopter access. Overnight stays require a reservation, and you must register before visiting and de-register when you leave. Glacier Lake has food caches for mid-trip resupply, and all food must be carried in, so plan meals carefully and store them securely away from bears.

• Best season: July and August.
• Cost and permits: Reservation and registration required; see Nahanni fees above.
• Tip: Submit reservation requests well in advance, since prime climbing dates fill quickly.

18. Fort Simpson

Fort Simpson sits where the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers meet. Its Dene name, Łíídlı Kųę, means "the place where the rivers come together." It is the gateway to Nahanni, and also has a visitor centre, a riverfront heritage walk past Edhaa National Historic Site and Albert Faille's cabin, and fishing from the banks of the Mackenzie. Łíídlı Kųę Tourism offers canoe rentals and a community van tour. About 1,200 people live here, which makes it the hub of the Dehcho region.

Start at the visitor centre near the town entrance, where exhibits, maps, brochures and videos explain local history and staff can recommend sights and restaurants. The riverfront heritage tour also passes McPherson House, Lafferty House and a Hudson's Bay Company shed. Flightseeing over Nahanni leaves from here, with floatplane tours that can land for a walk to Virginia Falls and Sluicebox Rapids and fly over the Cirque of the Unclimbables and Rabbitkettle Lake's tufa mound.

Road-trippers can drive the Mackenzie Highway and cross the river on the MV Johnny Berens ferry, with mountain views at Camsell Bend. Paddlers can canoe or kayak the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers on trips from short outings to multi-day expeditions. Golfers can play the nine-hole Seven Spruce course within walking distance of downtown. For food, ask at the visitor centre for current restaurants, and carry a lunch for any flight, because services in small northern towns can be limited.

• Best season: Summer. The Open Sky Festival runs around Canada Day weekend, and the Beavertail Jamboree winter carnival takes place each March.
• How to get there: Fly, or drive the Mackenzie Highway and cross by the MV Johnny Berens ferry. Fort Simpson is 628 km (390 miles) from Yellowknife and 1,470 km (910 miles) from Edmonton.
• Tip: Stay a night before and after your Nahanni flight, because weather can shift schedules.

19. Sambaa Deh Falls and Coral Falls

Sambaa Deh Falls is a welcome break on the Dehcho route. Located along the Mackenzie Highway system, this is an easy stop where the Trout River drops through a scenic gorge. Territorial park facilities make it a pleasant camping and picnic spot for road-trippers. After hours on the road, a short walk to the viewpoint is the ideal stretch, and the sound of falling water in the forest feels like a reward. It is especially welcome on the long drive between the Alberta border and Fort Simpson.

The falls are impressive in early summer, when the river runs full, and softer in late summer. Photographers should arrive in the morning or the late afternoon for the best light on the gorge walls. Camping is simple, with a campfire, a picnic table and the sounds of the river as company, so it is a good base if you are driving the Dehcho loop and want to avoid long days at the wheel.

Named for the fossil-rich limestone around it, Coral Falls is a short stop near Sambaa Deh Falls. Check current trail conditions and access before you go. Access changes, so also ask the territorial parks office or the visitor centre. Neither stop has a restaurant, so pack your own lunch, bring plenty of water and keep food stored securely at camp. Both are easy to combine with a ferry crossing and an overnight in Fort Simpson.

• Tip: Confirm trail and campground conditions before you go, and check Coral Falls access on the same stop.

South Slave Region

20. Wood Buffalo National Park

Canada's largest national park straddles northern Alberta and the NWT. It protects one of the largest free-roaming wood bison herds, the vast Salt Plains, sinkholes and a Dark Sky Preserve that is superb for stargazing. Keep a safe distance from bison, which can be dangerous, and always stay in your vehicle if they are on the road. The park is a place for slow travel, where the main attractions are open landscapes, wildlife and the quiet of a dark night sky.

From the NWT side, drive Highway 5 (paved) to Fort Smith, the gateway to the park, which Parks Canada listed as open on June 4, 2026. Then use the all-weather gravel roads to the Salt Plains and Pine Lake. The Wood Buffalo National Park Visitor Centre in Fort Smith is the best place to ask about trail conditions, wildlife activity and guided programs. Wildlife watching is most rewarding at dawn and dusk, and a drive along the park roads can produce bison sightings.

At night, the dark skies reward stargazers, and in the right conditions aurora is visible without leaving the park. Camp or stay in Fort Smith, where hotels, motels and B&Bs are available, and bring your own food for day trips because there are no restaurants inside the park. Pack plenty of water, insect repellent and a reliable map or offline navigation, since cell service is limited.

• How to get there: From the NWT side, drive Highway 5 (paved) to Fort Smith. The Parks Canada road page listed it as open on June 4, 2026.
• Cost: Youth 17 and under are free. For adult entry and Discovery Pass prices, check Parks Canada.
• Tip: Check Parks Canada road conditions before every trip. The Visitor Centre number is 1-867-872-7960.

21. Salt Plains and Pine Lake

The glittering salt flats are a signature feature of the park and a great photo stop. The Salt Plains are a vast white flat formed where salty groundwater rises to the surface and crystallizes. Salt-tolerant plants grow here, and wildlife, including bison, wolves and bears, cross the open flats. Walking out onto the white crust feels strange in a boreal forest country, and the contrast between the bright salt, the green edge of the trees and the sky makes this one of the most photogenic stops in the territory. Salt was harvested commercially during the fur-trade era.

Pine Lake offers swimming and camping in summer, a welcome change after a day of dusty gravel roads. Confirm which park entrance and routes you will use when planning your drive. Both are reached by all-weather gravel roads from Highway 5, and Parks Canada lists them as open as of June 2026. Trailers are not recommended on the Salt Plains Access Road, so leave them in Fort Smith and travel light. Allow time for boardwalks, viewpoints and a slow drive, because wildlife can appear at any time.

Bring everything you need for the day, including water, snacks and sun protection, since the open flats offer little shade. A picnic by Pine Lake is a good way to end the outing, and if you are camping, plan meals you can cook at a campsite. In the evening, the same area is a fine place to look at stars. Always check road status first, because conditions can change after rain.

• Tip: Leave trailers in Fort Smith, and bring plenty of water.

22. Fort Smith and the Slave River Rapids

Fort Smith, population about 2,400, is the gateway to the park. A lookout with a telescope sits on the north edge of town, and the Rapids of the Drowned host the most northerly colony of nesting white pelicans. The Wood Buffalo National Park Visitor Centre is at 149 McDougal Road and open year-round. The town has two hotels or motels and several B&Bs, and it sits next to a large dark sky preserve. Fort Smith began as a trading post, with a Hudson's Bay Company post from 1872 and a mission from 1876.

The Slave River rapids, in order from upstream, are Pelican, Rapids of the Drowned, Mountain Portage and Cassette, with large waves, whirlpools and fast channels. They are a destination for expert whitewater kayakers, and the Slave River Paddlefest celebrates the sport, while less experienced visitors can paddle quieter sections or simply watch from the lookouts along the shore and walk the riverbank trails. Pelicans nest on the midstream islands, and the contrast between delicate white birds and heavy white water is unforgettable. Contact local paddling outfitters before attempting any challenging route.

Visit the Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre for local history, and pack a headlamp for after-dark sky viewing. Golfers can play the nine-hole Pelican Rapids Golf Club, which has an artificial green and a clubhouse deck above the river. Food options include the town's two grocery stores and local hotels, so ask staff for current recommendations. A free Wi-Fi connection is available at the Mary Kaeser Library.

• How to get there: About 162 miles (260 km) southeast of Hay River on Highway 5.
• Tip: Visit the Northern Life Museum & Cultural Centre, and pack a headlamp for after-dark sky viewing.

23. Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park

Two waterfalls in one park. Alexandra Falls drops 32 m on the Hay River beside the Mackenzie Highway, and Louise Falls, a 15 m drop, tumbles into a gorge with staircases and viewing platforms. Alexandra Falls is a broad curtain of water, and Louise Falls tumbles into a gorge with a staircase and viewing platforms. Short trails link both, so it is an easy highlight on the road toward Hay River. A 3 km trail links the Alexandra Falls day-use area to the main campsite at Louise Falls. Alexandra Falls is the easier stop, with a viewpoint close to the highway, while Louise Falls rewards a longer walk with views of the gorge and the water below.

The walk between the two is the best way to enjoy the park. The path follows the river, offering views of rapids, rock walls and boreal forest, and it is manageable for most visitors. Stairs and viewing platforms make the gorge accessible, but take care with young children near the edges. Early summer brings high flow and big spray, while late summer is quieter and better for relaxed walking.

The main campsite is at Louise Falls, so it is a good base for a night on the road between Alberta and Yellowknife. Bring food to cook at camp, because the nearest services are in Hay River, about 43 km northeast of Alexandra Falls. In Hay River, Fisherman's Wharf is known for fish and chips, which makes a good meal after a day at the falls. Keep valuables out of sight in your vehicle, and check campground status before arriving.

• Best season: Summer.
• Tip: Alexandra Falls is about 43 km southwest of Hay River, so combine it with a Hay River stop.

24. Hay River and Great Slave Lake

Hay River is the main transport hub on the south shore of the lake, with beaches, fishing and a working harbour. It is a good overnight stop on the highway to Yellowknife. The harbour gives a glimpse of northern working life, with boats, barges and fishing activity along the lake, and the beaches are a welcome place to stretch your legs after a long drive. In summer, the long daylight makes evening walks and lakeside picnics easy.

Activities include fishing, boating and simply watching the lake. A nine-hole golf course follows the river's curves, with a driving range and a log clubhouse overlooking the water, which is a pleasant surprise in a small northern town. The town is also the departure point for the long drive to Fort Smith along Highway 5, which is about 260 km (162 miles) to the southeast, and the stepping stone to Twin Falls Gorge to the southwest.

For food, Fisherman's Wharf is known for fish and chips, a good way to taste fish from the lake. Hay River also has hotels, grocery stores and fuel, so it is the right place to stock up before heading to Fort Smith or the Mackenzie Highway. Check opening hours of restaurants in advance, because small-town schedules can be seasonal. If you are travelling in shoulder seasons, ask locally about river and ferry conditions.

25. Pine Point Ghost Town

Pine Point is a mining boomtown that was erased. Construction of the Pine Point Mine, an open-pit lead and zinc operation, and the town began in 1962. The community became an incorporated town in 1974 and reached a peak population of 1,915 in 1976. The mine closed in 1987 and the town closed in 1988. Houses were sold cheaply, many buildings, including the ice arena, were moved to Fort Resolution, Hay River and northern Alberta, and the rest were demolished. The population fell to nine by 1991, and the site was absorbed into Unorganized Fort Smith on January 1, 1996.

Today the site is abandoned and the street layout is still visible, which is what makes a visit so eerie. Pine Point sits near the south shore of Great Slave Lake, between Hay River and Fort Resolution, along the Fort Resolution Highway and the former Mackenzie Northern Railway. Walking or driving slowly along the old streets, you can see where houses once stood, where the roads ran and how quickly the boreal forest reclaims land. It is a place for thoughtful, quiet exploration rather than a polished attraction.

Access and conditions are not documented in detail, so ask locally in Hay River before you go, drive carefully on gravel, and respect any posted signs. There is no food or fuel at the site, so bring water, snacks and a full tank, and tell someone your plans. Watch for wildlife, stay on existing tracks, and take nothing away. It makes a good half-day side trip for travellers interested in industrial history and the way northern towns rise and fall.

• Tip: Confirm road conditions and access locally before you go.

Western Arctic: Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk and Banks Island

26. Inuvik and the Igloo Church

Inuvik is the main hub of the Western Arctic. The Our Lady of Victory Church, known as the Igloo Church, is its most famous building. Visit the Western Arctic Visitor Centre for local information and seasonal events. The town is small and orderly, with colourful buildings and a sense of being at the end of the road, and it makes a comfortable base for exploring the delta, the Dempster Highway and the road to the Arctic Ocean. In summer, Inuvik enjoys the midnight sun, and in winter, long aurora nights.

Walk the main streets to see the church, murals, shops and local art, and ask at the visitor centre about guided cultural experiences. Local Indigenous operators can arrange tours with Inuvialuit and Gwich'in guides, and boat or flight options reach out into the Mackenzie Delta. Gardeners may be surprised by the greenhouse, which is part of the town's northern character, and which was open for tours from June to September in some seasons, so ask locally for current details.

Food in Inuvik is a highlight. Alestine's is a restaurant in a yellow school bus, named after the owner's mother-in-law, and its fish tacos are the most popular item, along with burgers on fried bread, chili and pulled pork. Mamaqtuq, opened by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, serves dishes such as muskox lettuce wraps, with plans to add wild game and other local foods. Try both for a taste of the north, and check opening hours, since small-town restaurants can have short seasons.

• Best season: June to early September for the midnight sun and road trips, and winter for long aurora nights.
• How to get there: Fly from Yellowknife in about two hours. One-way fares typically run $508 to $741 (about US$355 to US$520), and round trips $1,059 to $1,164 (about US$740 to US$815), on Canadian North and Air North. Or drive the Dempster Highway from Dawson City.
• Tip: Inuvik is a base for Tuktoyaktuk, so rent a vehicle there.

27. Great Northern Arts Festival

Held each July in Inuvik, this festival brings northern artists, carvers, printmakers and performers together. The 37th festival ran July 8 to 13, 2026 under the theme "Gathering," which celebrated creativity, community and togetherness. Dates shift each year, so check the festival website (greatnorthernartsfestival.org) for next summer. The festival is the best time to see northern art and to meet the artists who make it.

Visitors can browse and buy original work, talk with artists, and learn about traditions that range from carving and printmaking to beadwork and performance. Buying directly from artists means your money goes to the community, and the festival is a way to find authentic pieces that are not mass-produced. Even if you are not buying, the atmosphere is a good way to meet people, hear stories and see how art connects to the land and to everyday life in the Arctic.

Inuvik is small, and festival week is its busiest time, so book accommodation and flights early. The festival is held under the midnight sun, so evenings are long and bright, which is perfect for strolling between venues. Food stalls and local restaurants, including Alestine's and Mamaqtuq, give you options, and a taste of country food may be available through local events. Ask the visitor centre for the daily programme when you arrive.

• Tip: Book accommodation months in advance, since Inuvik is small.

28. Tuktoyaktuk and the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway

The Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway opened on November 15, 2017. It is 138 km of two-lane gravel road with eight bridges and 359 culverts, and it is an all-weather road. Since the highway opened in 2017, Tuktoyaktuk has been the first place in Canada where you can drive to the Arctic Ocean on a public road. It replaced the old winter ice road. Many travellers take a symbolic dip in the Arctic Ocean in summer, and local operators offer tours and cultural experiences. The drive crosses tundra, small lakes and permafrost landscapes, and you can feel the trees thinning as you go.

In Tuktoyaktuk, visit the shoreline, the community and the pingos nearby, and ask about boat tours of the pingos and cultural experiences led by local operators. The community ice house, dug about nine metres into the permafrost in the late 1960s, is where families have stored harvests of goose, fish, seal and caribou without electricity. It has been closed to tourists since 2016 because the hamlet wants to keep it for its original purpose, so respect that, and learn about it from your local guide instead.

Traditional Inuvialuit foods include maktak (whale skin), pipsi (dried or smoked fish), mipku (dry meat), caribou soup and bannock, along with putuligaat, deep-fried donuts. Berries such as aqpiit, blueberries and crowberries are gathered by families. Ask a local operator which foods are available to visitors, and never take photographs of people or food preparation without permission. The best time to drive is June to early September.

• Best season: June to early September.
• Tip: Fuel is sparse. Fill up in Inuvik and carry a spare tire.

29. Pingo Canadian Landmark (Ibyuk)

A pingo is an ice-cored hill formed in permafrost. Pingos are typically 3 to 70 m high. Ibyuk is the largest pingo in Canada, described as roughly 15 storeys tall and still slowly growing as ice builds beneath it. The Pingo Day Use Area sits at about km 145 on the highway, with the Pingo Pull Out at km 142. Parks Canada notes you can paddle from the day-use area to the boardwalk, and see the coin monument celebrating Inuvialuit culture. Standing next to a hill that is growing with ice is a surreal experience.

The landmark is close to Tuktoyaktuk, so combine it with a visit to the community and the Arctic Ocean. The area around Tuktoyaktuk has some of the world's best-known examples. Visit with a local guide or follow marked viewing areas, and avoid climbing on fragile pingos. Local Indigenous operators can provide cultural tours of Tuktoyaktuk and the surrounding area, and some offer boat tours of the pingos. Take the time to read the interpretive signs, learn how permafrost forms these hills, and understand why they are fragile and why climate change matters to northern communities.

Walk only on boardwalks and marked paths, and never climb the pingo itself, since the vegetation and ice are easily damaged. Bring insect repellent, a hat and layers, because wind from the Arctic Ocean can make summer days feel cold. Carry snacks and water, since there is no food at the day-use area. Pair the stop with a meal in Tuktoyaktuk or back in Inuvik for fish, bannock or muskox.

• Tip: Stay on boardwalks and marked paths, because pingos are fragile.

30. Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson (Dempster Highway)

Most travellers rush straight through to Inuvik, but two communities on the Dempster Highway are worth a stop. Tsiigehtchic sits where the Mackenzie and Arctic Red Rivers meet, and the MV Louis Cardinal ferry carries traffic across in the non-winter months, with an ice crossing in winter. About 138 people live here, and a Catholic mission was established in 1868. In 2007 a steppe bison carcass about 13,650 years old was found near the community, the first mummified soft tissue of its kind from the Ice Age in glaciated northern Canada.

Fort McPherson sits on the east bank of the Peel River, 121 km (75 miles) south of Inuvik, and is home to the Teetł'it Gwich'in, whose name for the community, Teetł'it Zheh, means "at the head of the waters." Here, the graves of the 1911 Lost Patrol, four Royal Northwest Mounted Police who died on a winter trip and were buried on March 28, 1911, are marked by a large tomb built in 1938, with a memorial to the 1910 patrol in the centre. About 647 people live here.

Both stops make the drive more meaningful, and both depend on ferries. The Peel River ferry, Abraham Francis, and the Mackenzie River ferry, Louis Cardinal, are free and typically run from early June to late October, with road access paused during spring break-up and fall freeze-up. Fuel, snacks and drinks should be bought in Inuvik or Fort McPherson, and you should carry a full-size spare, water and food. Ask locally for the day's ferry status before you drive.

• Best season: June to early September.
• Tip: Check NWT road conditions for ferry status each day.

31. Aklavik and the Mad Trapper's Grave

Aklavik is a Mackenzie Delta community best known for the story of the Mad Trapper of Rat River. In 1932 Albert Johnson, a trapper who had arrived at Fort McPherson in July 1931, became the target of a manhunt after a dispute over trap lines. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police pursued him for roughly 240 km over more than a month. There was a siege at his cabin on January 9, 1932, Constable Edgar Millen was killed on January 30, and Johnson was shot dead on the Eagle River in the Yukon on February 17, 1932.

Johnson is buried near the cemetery in Aklavik. His remains were exhumed in 2007 and later re-interred with religious rites. His true identity remains unresolved: DNA testing ruled out several candidates, and a 2021 familial DNA study pointed to Swedish ancestry, but nothing is confirmed. The story is a mix of Arctic endurance, mystery and tragedy, and standing at the grave site makes it feel real.

Visit with respect, because this is a community with a living culture rather than a historical stage set. Ask locally about access, which depends on the season, since delta communities are reached by air and by winter ice roads. Bring your own snacks, because services are limited, and try local foods through a community operator, such as whitefish, caribou soup or bannock, if available. A local guide will add depth to the story.

• How to get there: By air from Inuvik, or by winter ice road when open.
• Tip: Ask permission and follow community guidance before photographing.

32. The Smoking Hills (Cape Bathurst)

On the east coast of Cape Bathurst, beside the Arctic Ocean, cliffs have been burning for centuries. The fires result from autoignition of sulfur-rich lignite and oil shales exposed to air, and the smoke drifts across the water, which led early sailors on the Northwest Passage to notice the sulphurous haze. The nearest community is Paulatuk, about 105 km to the east. It is one of the most unusual landscapes in Canada, like a scene from another planet.

Paulatuk, a community of about 300 Inuvialuit, takes its name from "place of coal." It is the ancestral territory of the Copper Inuit, who still practise hunting, trapping and Arctic char fishing. You can reach Paulatuk by plane from Inuvik, and from there you can charter a plane into Tuktut Nogait National Park, covering nearly 19,000 square kilometres, where you can paddle the Hornaday River, see canyons and visit La Roncière Falls. Access to the Smoking Hills themselves is not described in public sources, so ask local operators in Paulatuk.

This is an expedition-level trip, so plan well in advance, work with local outfitters, and be prepared for weather delays. Food in Paulatuk is likely to be simple, with Arctic char and country foods central to local life, so ask your host or outfitter what is available and carry your own supplies. Because the hills are a sensitive natural site, take photographs, leave no trace and stay at a safe distance from smoke and unstable ground.

• How to get there: By air to Paulatuk from Inuvik; ask local outfitters about onward access.

33. Aulavik National Park

Aulavik, on northern Banks Island, covers about 12,200 km² and holds the highest concentration of muskoxen on Earth. Banks Island is estimated to have 68,000 to 80,000 muskoxen, with about 20% in the park. The Thomsen River is one of the most northerly navigable rivers in North America. The park is fly-in only, with four landing sites, and it welcomed just 34 visitors in 2022-23. The park's name and location, at 73°45′N, 119°37′W, make it feel like the edge of the map.

Visitors come to paddle the Thomsen River, hike across tundra, watch muskoxen and take in a quiet that few places on Earth can offer. The river valley offers a gentle, scenic route through an Arctic desert, and wildlife viewing here is exceptional. This is a trip for experienced, self-sufficient travellers with strong navigation skills, bear awareness and the ability to handle severe weather and long evacuation times.

The most practical way to visit is to charter a plane, and Sachs Harbour is the nearest community. Contact the park office and an outfitter well in advance for registration requirements and conditions. Plan all of your food carefully, with freeze-dried or non-perishable meals, a cook system and bear-resistant storage, and add extra days for weather delays. If you want a taste of local food, ask in Sachs Harbour about country foods such as caribou, muskox or Arctic char.

• How to get there: The most practical option is chartering a plane. Sachs Harbour is the nearest community.
• Tip: This is a trip for experienced, self-sufficient travellers. Contact the park office and an outfitter well in advance.

Sahtu Region: For Bucket-List Adventurers

34. Great Bear Lake and Délı̨nę (Tsá Tué Biosphere Reserve)

One of the largest lakes in the world, Great Bear Lake is famous for trophy lake trout. It is also the largest lake in the NWT. Most visitors stay at fly-in fishing lodges, so plan well ahead and expect a premium price. The official lake trout record is a 72-pound fish caught in 1991. The lake is the largest located entirely in Canada, and it is described as the last large pristine Arctic lake, which is why the surrounding region is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

Délı̨nę, a community of about 500 people, is the only community on the lake's shores, on the western side. Its name means "where the waters flow." The Tsá Tué Biosphere Reserve, about 93,313 km² and recognised by UNESCO in 2016, is described as the world's first biosphere reserve run entirely by an Indigenous community, the Sahtu Dene, the "Bear Lake People." Nearby, the Saoyú-ʔehdacho National Historic Site covers two peninsulas that are sacred to the Sahtugot'ine, jointly administered by Parks Canada and the Délı̨nę Got'ine Government. Délı̨nę also calls itself the birthplace of ice hockey, because Sir John Franklin's men played an early form of the game here in 1825.

You can reach Délı̨nę by flight from Yellowknife or Norman Wells, and by a winter road from Wrigley via Tulita. Fishing lodges include meals, usually built around fresh lake trout and whitefish, and community visits should be arranged with local tourism contacts. Wildlife in the area includes barren-ground caribou, muskox, wolves and bears. Respect community protocols, follow guidance from elders and guides, and do not collect artifacts.

• How to get there: Flights from Yellowknife or Norman Wells; winter road from Wrigley via Tulita.
• Tip: Book fly-in lodges and guides months ahead.

35. Canol Heritage Trail and Norman Wells

This remote, challenging trail follows the route of a wartime pipeline project. The Canol Road was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers during the Second World War to carry oil from Norman Wells to a refinery in Whitehorse, and the pipeline was abandoned after about thirteen months of operation. The trail runs about 350 km (220 miles) through the Mackenzie Mountains from Norman Wells to the Yukon border, and it is for experienced, well-equipped backcountry hikers only, ideally with a guide.

Along the route you find the relics of the project: abandoned trucks near Mile 222, a pump station at Mile 108, graders at the Little Keele River and leftover pipeline, telegraph wire, vehicles and buildings. Most hikers take 14 to 22 days, and the fastest known time is just over five days. There are no services, and most hikers arrange one to three air food drops. Grizzly and black bears live along the route.

River crossings are the main danger. Major crossings include the Ekwi, Twitya, Little Keele and Carcajou, and depending on water levels they can be difficult or impossible on foot. A hiker died crossing the Little Keele in 2016, and nine emergency shelters had been completed as of 2025. The eastern end is across the Mackenzie River from Norman Wells, so reaching the trailhead needs a crossing by air or boat. Plan meals and food drops carefully, carry a satellite communicator and take a guide unless you are highly experienced.

• How to get there: By plane from Norman Wells or Whitehorse to the western end; arrange a crossing for the eastern trailhead.
• Tip: Treat river crossings as the main hazard, and plan extra days.

36. Colville Lake

Colville Lake is a small Sahtu community, 80 km above the Arctic Circle, with a population of about 159. It is home to the Hareskin Dene and is described as one of the most traditional communities in the Northwest Territories. It was founded in 1962 by the Oblate priest, painter and author Bern Will Brown (1920-2014). He also led construction of the log church Our Lady of the Snows, which began in July 1964, was blessed in 1966, and was destroyed by fire in September 2025. The church can no longer be visited, but the story of how it was built from local logs by the community is part of the lake's heritage.

Today, a log-built museum displays artifacts of Brown and of traditional Dene life, and visitors can fish for Arctic grayling, lake trout and northern pike. A log cabin can be booked through Colville Lake Lodge, and the community also offers a place to stay at the Ptarmigan Net Place, traditionally called K'áhbamítúé. Hunting and trapping remain part of local life, so respect hunting camps and ask before taking photographs.

Colville Lake has no road access to the rest of Canada. You reach it by air, or by winter road from Fort Good Hope. Meals are usually arranged through lodges and community hosts, and fresh fish from the lake is the likely centrepiece. Bring snacks and supplies, check with the lodge about food and fuel, and allow extra days for weather. It is a quiet destination for people who want to meet the north on its own terms.

• How to get there: By air, or by winter road from Fort Good Hope.
• Tip: Confirm current attractions with the lodge, since the church was lost to fire in 2025.

5 Northwest Territories Oddities You Won't Find on Google Maps

Oddity	Location	Why it is unique
Smoking Hills	Cape Bathurst, near Paulatuk	Cliffs that have been burning for centuries, venting sulphurous smoke over the Arctic Ocean.
Northernmost pelicans	Slave River Rapids, Fort Smith	The northernmost colony of nesting white pelicans, fishing in raging whitewater.
The pingos	Tuktoyaktuk	Ice-cored hills, including Ibyuk, roughly 15 storeys tall and still growing.
Canol Heritage Trail	Norman Wells to the Yukon border	An abandoned Second World War pipeline road lined with relics.
Houseboat Bay	Yellowknife Bay	A floating community of eclectic houseboats beside Old Town.

Two more curiosities are worth the detour: the ghost town of Pine Point, and the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary, where bison graze along Highway 3.

Best Time to Visit Northwest Territories

Aurora Season: Two Windows

• Late August to mid-October: milder weather and a chance to see reflections on open water.
• December to April: frozen lakes, snow activities and crisp, dark skies.

Most guides call the aurora a winter-only activity. The autumn window is the secret: the night skies return without the deep cold, and the lakes are still open, which produces vivid mirror reflections of the lights on the water.

Midnight Sun: June to July

Nearly 24-hour daylight is ideal for paddling, camping, fishing and road trips. It is also the season for midnight golf, the Great Northern Arts Festival in Inuvik and the best driving window on the Dempster Highway, which Parks Canada gives as June to early September.

Shoulder Seasons to Avoid: Break-up and Freeze-up

Late October to mid-November, and late April to May, can bring freeze-up and break-up. Ice-road and ferry changeovers may cause closures, and conditions change each year, so check current updates before you travel. On the Dempster Highway, the Peel River and Mackenzie River ferries typically run from early June to late October, and road access to places such as Fort McPherson is interrupted during spring break-up and fall freeze-up. Check the NWT road conditions page before you set out.

Getting Around: Realistic Logistics

Flying vs Driving

Distances are huge, and many highlights have no road access. Yellowknife is the main flight hub, and you will not easily drive from there to Nahanni or reach Inuvik without long detours. You will not easily drive from there to Nahanni or Aulavik, and reaching Inuvik overland requires the long Dempster Highway. For Nahanni, plan a charter or scheduled floatplane service from Fort Simpson.

Two Separate Road Networks

The territory has two road networks that do not connect with each other inside the NWT. The South and Central network is reached through northern Alberta and links Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Simpson and Yellowknife, mostly on paved highway. The Western Arctic network is reached through the Yukon along the Dempster Highway to Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. There is no all-weather road linking Yellowknife directly to Inuvik within the territory, so most travellers fly between the two.

Ice Roads

Winter ice roads, such as those linking Yellowknife with Dettah and some communities like Aklavik, usually operate roughly between January and March. The Dettah road is 6.5 km long. Opening dates vary, so check official road reports and follow all safety rules. Note that the Tuktoyaktuk ice road closed permanently in 2017 after the highway opened.

Dempster Highway Essentials

The Dempster Highway is a long gravel road leading north from the Yukon to Inuvik. It runs from Dawson City to Inuvik. Parks Canada's road-trip itinerary gives a full Dawson City to Tuktoyaktuk round trip of about 1,300 km (800 miles) over 7 to 10 days, with the best driving window from June to early September. Fuel stops are at Dawson City, Klondike Corner, Eagle Plains, Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, and repair shops only in Dawson City and Eagle Plains. Carry two full-size spare tires, extra fuel, a repair kit and emergency supplies, and drive slowly on loose gravel. Sharp gravel can cut tire sidewalls, so check road conditions before you go. Services are very limited, so fill up whenever you can.

Many drivers also carry a spare fuel supply, a repair kit, spare radiator protection against insects, and a satellite communicator such as a Garmin inReach, because long stretches have no cell coverage. Pull off as far right as you can, and stop only where other vehicles can safely pass.

The Rental Car Trap

Many rental agreements limit or forbid driving on unpaved highways. We could not find a published list of which Yellowknife agencies allow gravel roads, so ask the agency in writing before you book if your plans include the Dempster Highway, the gravel roads in Wood Buffalo National Park or any unpaved section of the Ingraham Trail. Fly-and-rent in Inuvik is another option if you only want to drive the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway.

Distances in Practice

Route	Distance / time	Usual way to go
Yellowknife to Fort Simpson	628 km (390 miles)	Flight or long drive; gateway to Nahanni
Fort Simpson to Edmonton	1,470 km (910 miles)	Drive via Mackenzie Highway
Hay River to Fort Smith	About 260 km (162 miles)	Drive Highway 5
Yellowknife to Hay River	A long day's drive	Drive; highway route via Fort Providence area
Yellowknife to Inuvik	About 2 hours by direct flight	Flight; driving requires a very long multi-day route
Yellowknife to Tuktoyaktuk	Flight plus 138 km drive	Fly to Inuvik, then drive the Inuvik-Tuk Highway
Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk	138 km (86 miles) highway	Drive or tour
Inuvik to Fort McPherson	121 km (75 miles)	Dempster Highway
Dawson City to Tuktoyaktuk and back	About 1,300 km (800 miles) round trip	7 to 10 days by vehicle

Sample Itineraries

3 Days in Yellowknife (Aurora Trip)

• Day 1: Arrive, visit the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, then your first aurora tour.
• Day 2: Old Town, Bush Pilots Monument and Ragged Ass Road. In the afternoon, drive the Ingraham Trail to Cameron River Falls and Prelude Lake. Aurora tour at night.
• Day 3: Rest or lake activities, such as a houseboat tour, then a final aurora tour.

7 Days: Road Trip Through the South Slave

• Day 1: Fly into Yellowknife. Old Town and the museum.
• Day 2: Ingraham Trail day trip.
• Day 3: Drive to Hay River.
• Day 4: Twin Falls Gorge (Alexandra and Louise Falls).
• Day 5: Drive Highway 5 to Fort Smith. Rapids of the Drowned pelicans.
• Day 6: Wood Buffalo National Park: Salt Plains and Pine Lake. Stargazing at night.
• Day 7: Return to Hay River or Yellowknife.

10 Days: Yellowknife to the Arctic Ocean

• Days 1 to 3: Yellowknife and aurora.
• Day 4: Fly to Inuvik. Igloo Church and visitor centre.
• Day 5: Drive the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, stop at the Pingo Canadian Landmark, and dip in the Arctic Ocean (summer).
• Days 6 to 7: Cultural tours with local operators, then return flights.

Bucket-List Add-On: Nahanni

Fly to Fort Simpson, spend a night, then book a Virginia Falls floatplane day tour (about 5 hours).

Budget and Costs

Item	Typical cost (CAD)	Approx. US dollars
Yellowknife aurora package, 3 nights, double occupancy	$825 to $935 (summer/fall 2026); $970 to $1,080 (winter/spring 2026-27), plus 5% GST	About US$580 to US$655; US$680 to US$755
Blachford Lake Lodge, 3 nights, all in	$4,970 per person (2026/27)	About US$3,480
Yellowknife to Inuvik flight	$508 to $741 one way; $1,059 to $1,164 round trip	About US$355 to US$520 one way; US$740 to US$815 round trip
Nahanni floatplane day tour from Fort Simpson	$2,520 per group of up to 3-4, plus GST and Parks Canada fee	About US$1,765 per group
Nahanni backcountry fee	$37 per person per night; $259 annual northern-parks pass; youth free	About US$26 per night; US$180 annual
Yellowknife houseboat tour	$85 per adult (standard); $115 with lunch	About US$60; US$80

Fuel, groceries and restaurant meals cost more than in southern Canada, and tours from fly-in operators dominate the budget. Budget extra for rental vehicles in Inuvik and Yellowknife. US dollar amounts are rounded estimates at about 0.70 US dollars per Canadian dollar, so check the current exchange rate when you book.

What to Eat in the Northwest Territories

Northern food is built on what the land and water provide. In Yellowknife, the signature taste is fish from Great Slave Lake. Lake whitefish and inconnu are among the traditional catches, and Bullocks' Bistro in Old Town serves fish and chips and fresh fish with fries and salad in a historic log-building setting. In Hay River, Fisherman's Wharf is known for fish and chips.

In Inuvik, Alestine's, a restaurant in a yellow school bus, is famous for fish tacos, burgers on fried bread, chili and pulled pork, and Mamaqtuq serves dishes such as muskox lettuce wraps. For traditional Inuvialuit country foods, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation lists caribou soup, pipsi (dried or smoked fish), mipku (dry meat), maktak (whale skin), bannock (muqpauyaq) and putuligaat (deep-fried donuts). Wild berries include aqpiit, blueberries, crowberries and cranberries. Ask local hosts and operators before trying country foods, and respect that these are part of living traditions.

Where to Stay

• Yellowknife: Aurora Village packages use downtown hotels such as the Explorer Hotel, Chateau Nova and Discovery Inn.
• Ingraham Trail: Fred Henne, Prelude Lake and Reid Lake territorial parks have campsites.
• Fort Simpson: Stay a night either side of your Nahanni flight.
• Twin Falls Gorge: The main campsite is at Louise Falls.
• Fort Smith: Two hotels or motels and several B&Bs. Book early for summer.
• Colville Lake: Colville Lake Lodge and the Ptarmigan Net Place.
• Luxury and aurora: Blachford Lake Lodge, a fly-in lodge.

Plan and Book: Flights, Insurance, Cars and Gear

Flights. Yellowknife (YZF) is the main gateway, served by Air Canada and WestJet scheduled flights, with Canadian North and Air North on the route to Inuvik. Book early for aurora season and summer, and allow a spare day at both ends of any fly-in trip for weather delays.

Travel insurance. Remote travel makes insurance more important. Check that your policy covers medical emergencies, trip interruption and evacuation, and read the exclusions for remote and backcountry activities. Cancellations are common for fly-in trips when smoke, wind or fog stops flights.

Rental cars and fuel. Read your rental agreement for gravel-road limits, carry spare tires on unpaved highways and refuel whenever you can. Fuel in Canada is sold by the litre, and distances are in kilometres.

Gear. A satellite communicator such as a Garmin inReach, insulated boots, mitts and layers for winter, and bug repellent and a head net for summer are the main purchases. Winter aurora packages from Aurora Village include clothing rental.

For US travellers. Check the Government of Canada entry requirements for your citizenship. Air travellers generally need a valid passport. Prices in this guide are in Canadian dollars, and temperatures are in Celsius, so minus 40 degrees Celsius is also minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Indigenous Tourism and Cultural Etiquette

Northwest Territories is the homeland of the Dene, Inuvialuit and Métis peoples. Travelling with Indigenous-led operators is one of the best ways to understand the land. Experiences may include storytelling, drum dancing, snowshoeing, crafts, traditional food such as a fish fry, and cultural tours. The Dene community of Dettah, Fort Simpson's Łíídlı Kųę Tourism and Tuktoyaktuk's Inuvialuit operators are good starting points.

• Ask before photographing people or private property.
• Respect local rules in small communities, including alcohol restrictions in some areas.
• Buy authentic, locally made art and crafts.
• Follow guidance from elders and guides.

Packing and Safety

• Layering: winter can fall to minus 40°C, so use base, insulating and windproof layers, plus insulated boots, mitts and a face covering. Aurora Village's winter packages include clothing rental.
• Summer: bring bug repellent, a head net and rain gear.
• Communication: carry a satellite communicator such as a Garmin inReach on remote trips, since cell coverage is limited.
• Wildlife: keep a safe distance from bison, bears and other animals, and never approach them for photos.
• Wildfires: NWT has wildfire seasons, so check conditions before booking summer flights.
• Vehicles: in winter, carry blankets, food and a charged phone, and tell someone your route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need in Northwest Territories?

Plan three to four days for Yellowknife and the Ingraham Trail, and seven to ten days to add Wood Buffalo or the South Slave waterfalls. Add extra time for Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, or a fly-in trip to Nahanni.

Can you drive to the Arctic Ocean?

Yes. The Inuvik-Tuk Highway reaches Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean coast. The 138 km highway has been open since November 2017. You usually fly to Inuvik or take the long Dempster Highway, then drive the final stretch. Most visitors fly to Inuvik or drive the long Dempster Highway from Dawson City, then drive the final stretch.

What is the best month to see the northern lights?

Late August to mid-October and December to April are the best windows. September offers milder weather, with a chance of reflections on open water, while February and March give clear, cold nights.

Is Northwest Territories worth visiting?

Yes, if you want aurora, wilderness and Indigenous culture without crowds. Aulavik National Park had only 34 visitors in 2022-23. Plan carefully, because costs are high and distances are long.

Do I need a passport to visit Northwest Territories?

Visitors from outside Canada need a valid passport and, depending on nationality, a visa or an eTA for air arrivals. Check the Government of Canada entry requirements for your country before booking.

Do you need a 4x4 to visit Northwest Territories?

Not for most paved highways, including routes to Yellowknife and Hay River. The paved highway to Fort Smith also needs no 4x4. For the Dempster Highway, a reliable, well-equipped high-clearance vehicle with proper spares is strongly recommended.

Can you see polar bears in Northwest Territories?

Polar bears live in the far north, such as near Ulukhaktok and Sachs Harbour, not around Yellowknife. Sightings are rare for visitors and need specialist northern trips.

How expensive is a trip to Northwest Territories?

Costs are higher than in southern Canada because of fuel, food and flights. Budget for flights, rental vehicles, lodging and especially fly-in tours such as Nahanni, which can cost much more than a standard road trip. A 3-night Yellowknife aurora package starts around $825 (about US$580) per person sharing in 2026, Yellowknife to Inuvik flights typically run $508 to $741 one way, and a Nahanni floatplane day tour was $2,520 for a group of up to four.

Can you drive to Nahanni National Park?

No. There are no public roads into the park. Most visitors fly in by floatplane, usually from Fort Simpson, and overnight visitors must register with the park office.

What food should you try in Northwest Territories?

Try fish from Great Slave Lake, such as whitefish, at Bullocks' Bistro in Yellowknife, fish tacos at Alestine's in Inuvik, and traditional Inuvialuit foods such as bannock, caribou soup and pipsi through local hosts.

Is the Colville Lake church still open?

No. The Our Lady of the Snows church in Colville Lake burned in September 2025, so it can no longer be visited. The community's log museum and fishing are still part of a visit.

Can you visit the Tuktoyaktuk ice house?

No. The community ice house has been closed to tourists since 2016, because the hamlet wants it kept for local families. Local operators can tell you about it and offer other cultural tours.

Final Thoughts

Northwest Territories rewards travellers who plan carefully. Start with Yellowknife, add the waterfalls and parks that fit your season and budget, and consider the Arctic Ocean or a Nahanni fly-in for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Always check current road, park and weather updates before you go.