Discover Northwest Territories' Unspoiled Wilderness and Family Retreats
Popular lakes
Upcoming events
Travel Tips
Embrace the Local Culture
Engage with local artisans to acquire authentic Dene beadwork and birch bark baskets. Attend the Great Northern Arts Festival in Inuvik for a vibrant cultural experience.
Respect Nature
Spot Arctic mountain avens' heliotropic blooms in alpine meadows; observe Dall's sheep grazing on lichen-rich slopes.
Be Flexible
From Yellowknife, embark on a 5-hour road trip (500 km) to Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park for hiking and camping. In Hay River, a 3-hour drive (300 km) leads to Twin Falls Gorge for hiking and camping.
Support Local Businesses
Experience Bullock's Bistro's fresh wild fish in Yellowknife's Old Town. Explore Weaver & Devore Trading's outdoor gear in Yellowknife. Rent kayaks from Canoe North in Hay River for lake adventures.
Aurora-Lit Wilderness Expanses
Northwest Territories’ 33,000 square kilometers of Great Slave Lake creates North America’s deepest waterway at 614 meters, where trophy lake trout weighing 30 kilograms cruise beneath dancing aurora borealis 240 nights annually. Wood Buffalo National Park spans 44,807 square kilometers of boreal wilderness where 5,000 wood bison roam, while Virginia Falls thunders twice Niagara’s height at 96 meters. Yellowknife’s houseboats and Hay River’s fishing lodges welcome adventurers seeking midnight sun paddling from May through July, when daylight stretches 20 hours across this pristine subarctic playground.
Indigenous Celebrations and Lakefront Gatherings
Great Bear Lake’s 31,153 square kilometers of crystal-clear waters host the Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę’s annual Spiritual Gathering each August, celebrating Sahtú Dene traditions alongside world-class fishing for Arctic grayling. The Folk on the Rocks festival transforms Yellowknife’s Long Lake beach into a musical amphitheater drawing 5,000 revelers, while March’s Snowking Winter Festival features an ice castle covering 1,500 square meters. Waterfront properties range from traditional log cabins with wood-burning saunas near Fort Providence to modern architectural retreats featuring floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Prosperous Lake, accommodating intimate couples or multi-family reunions of 20.
Mackenzie Mountains and Midnight Adventures
The Nahanni Range’s granite spires reach 2,773 meters above UNESCO-protected waterways, where paddlers navigate 500 kilometers of whitewater beneath peaks harboring Dall sheep and grizzlies. Float plane-accessible lodges dot remote lakes throughout the Mackenzie Mountains, offering heated yurts and luxury wall tents equipped with proper beds and gourmet kitchens. Pet-friendly wilderness camps near Cameron Hills welcome four-legged explorers, while group compounds around Prelude Lake feature multiple cabins connected by boardwalks, hot tubs under stars, and private docks for fishing expeditions targeting northern pike averaging 10 kilograms.

Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to see what Northwest Territories has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
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Yellowknife offers heated aurora viewing cabins from $180 CAD with September-March displays. Hay River provides lakefront options starting at $150. Fort Smith features affordable stays under $140. Lake.com helps families find NWT’s prime aurora properties.
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Old Town Yellowknife offers authentic experiences from $165 CAD. Frame Lake area provides modern amenities starting at $175. Detah delivers Indigenous culture under $155. Lake.com’s family filters identify heated, equipped properties.
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Ingraham Trail features wilderness lodges from $200 CAD near endless paddling. Great Slave Lake offers float plane access starting at $250. Mackenzie River provides adventure bases under $180. Lake.com showcases remote water access.
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Yes! Great Slave offers trophy fishing, houseboats, and midnight sun adventures. Yellowknife Bay rentals from $170 provide boat launches. Wildlife includes caribou and eagles. Lake.com features lakefront properties with fishing guides.
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Virginia Falls amazes via Nahanni access from $300 CAD. Wood Buffalo Park offers bison viewing starting at $160. East Arm’s fjords deliver wilderness luxury. Lake.com connects families with NWT’s spectacular yet remote attractions.
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Fort Providence welcomes pets with riverside cabins from $145 CAD. Yellowknife offers fenced properties starting at $165. Many lodges include sled dog experiences. Lake.com’s pet filters show NWT’s limited but welcoming options.
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August-September brings 15°C weather, fall colors, and early auroras. March offers best aurora viewing with winter activities. June-July delivers midnight sun and bugs. Lake.com’s seasonal guide helps plan epic NWT adventures.