After a peaceful night’s stay at Little Buffalo River Crossing Territorial Park outside Fort Resolution, head south on Highway 5 for Fort Smith. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself in Wood Buffalo National Park the largest national park in Canada. Don’t be surprised to find bison hogging the road. Respect these strapping beasts and drive with caution. Also, be on the lookout for black bears and lynx along the side of the road.
In Fort Smith, you’ll find a town of 2,500 nestled in among dense boreal forest. The town was an important entry-point into the Northwest Territories, situated where it is, along a major river and portage route. Learn about this history at the informative Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre, which features rotating exhibits from all over the NWT. And then feast your eyes on the land and water and skies to find out why Fort Smith is so adored by nature-lovers. You can hike into the nearby salt plains, hit the trails on your mountain bike, heed the call of some world-class white-water or gaze up at night for an unimpeded view of the cosmos. Fort Smith is largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, after all.
HIGHLIGHTS
Slave River Paddlefest, August long weekend: Pool toy races. Stand-up paddle-board jousting. Raft rides. Canoe races. Take part in the fun near the Slave River’s famed white-water rapids at one of the NWT’s premier events.
Thebacha and Wood Buffalo Dark Sky Festival, mid-August: Explore the wonders of the universe from world’s largest dark sky reserve.
