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Twin Falls Gorge Trail

Twin Falls Gorge Trail in the North west territories

Perch yourself atop some of the best views in the territory by taking the Twin Falls Gorge Trail. Following the rim of the gorgeous Hay River Canyon, this easy eight-kilometre hike begins at the community of Enterprise and leads south through majestic boreal forest. 

The path links together the three main destinations found within the marvellous Twin Falls Territorial Park. Hikers can take a dizzying spiral staircase down to the lip of Louise Falls’ cascading waters, and take in the awe-inspiring sight of the mammoth Alexandra Falls, where the trail reaches its end. 

Along the route you’ll find interpretive signage, viewing platforms, campsites and day-use areas, sitting benches and, of course, incredible views of the yawning limestone chasm of Hay River Canyon.

Frame Lake Trail

People enjoying the view at Frame Lake Trail Yellowknife NWT

Forming a seven-kilometre loop around the shores of Frame Lake in the heart of Yellowknife, the city’s favourite walking trail has a little of everything.

The eastern half of the loop is a paved, sedate urban path, leading you past architectural marvels such as the territorial Legislative Assembly, City Hall and the famous Prince of Wales museum, as well as the grassy picnic area of Somba K’e park.This is cyclist heaven weaving along the lake and in and out of Boreal Forest it is a great early morning ride.

The western half of the trail, however, is a taste of the Northern backcountry, allowing you to ascend rocky outcrops, cross black-spruce swampland (via convenient wooden boardwalks) and spy on local wildlife, including waterfowl, muskrats, foxes and even coyotes.

Although Frame Lake itself is not open for swimming or ice fishing, the frozen lake becomes a winter playground, cross-country skiers enjoy the groomed lake shore trails, and the city maintained skating rinks by Somba K’e park are the perfect spot for a lunch time hockey game or leisurely skate.  The lake is also a hub for snowmobilers to access the many trail systems around the area.

Ibyuk Pingo

A Pingo in the Northwest Territories

Erupting from the pancake-flat tundra just outside the community of Tuktoyaktuk is the bulbous, ice-filled mound known as Ibyuk, the second-largest “pingo” on Earth. These unique Arctic landforms provide a distinctive backdrop to this welcoming community at the end of the Dempster Highway.

Ibyuk is 305 metres (about 984 feet) wide at its base and rises to the height of a 15-storey building. Other pingos here range from five metres to 70 metres tall and represent different stages of growth, from budding newborns to elderly pingos that are shrinking and slumping back into the earth.

The Mackenzie Delta has the highest concentration of pingos on Earth – approximately 1,350 of them. Eight, including the famous Ibyuk and Split Pingo, are protected by Parks Canada in the 16-square-kilometre Pingo Canadian Landmark. The region was the first of what was to be a Canada-wide series of national landmarks proposed in the 1980s. The program, however, was never finished, leaving the pingos as Canada’s only official National Landmark.

For centuries, the pingos have acted as navigational aids for Inuvialuit travelling by land and water across this area. They were also of a convenient height for spotting caribou on the tundra or whales offshore. Today, the area is a popular tourist destination and the focus of scientific research to understand the origin and growth of these peculiar Arctic giants. Because of the delicate vegetation and permafrost active layer, walking on the pingos themselves is prohibited from April 15 to October 31. However, a boardwalk is in place to provide visitors with an opportunity to experience pingos up close.

Louise Falls

A person views the Louise falls in the Northwest territories

A four-kilometre day-hike downriver from Alexandra Falls – or upriver from Enterprise – is where you’ll find this 15-metre-high cataract in the Hay River Canyon. It’s here that Louise Falls can be viewed from one of the finest (and most popular) campgrounds in the Northwest Territories.

Together, Alexandra and Louise Falls make up Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park – a dramatically beautiful place to enjoy a picnic and stroll the paths. To get a little closer to Louise Falls, walk down the spectacular winding spiral staircase that leads to the river below and the bottom of the falls.

Interpretive displays along the trail between Louise and Alexandra falls provide historical information about the area, and explain the cultural significance of the falls.

Sambaa Deh Falls

Sambaa Deh Falls in the Northwest territories

Located directly beneath the Mackenzie Highway, the flashy, splashy Sambaa Deh Falls get well-deserved attention from passing motorists. Here, the Trout River flows through a steep canyon with narrow sides below a gushing waterfall. Most visitors stop to photograph the roadside falls, but there’s plenty more to see if you follow the network of trails that trace the canyon rim.

Take a stroll 1.5-kilometres upstream and you’ll arrive at the beautiful Coral Falls, named for the numerous coral fossils still found in the area. Coral is a sweeter, shyer waterfall than Sambaa Deh, and one that you’ll likely have all to yourself. Downstream, meanwhile, the path will take you to the water, where you’ll find stellar fishing for Arctic Grayling and Pickerel. Please take care, because the rocks may be slippery when wet, and there are no fences.

Both the falls and trails are found within Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park, a must-see for any visitors that’s located at the junction of Highway 1 and the Trout River. This river was a traditional transportation route before and during the fur trade. The falls forced travellers to portage around this dangerous stretch of water.

Today, the park and campground contains hiking and walking trails, a viewing platform overlooking the gorge and 20 non-powered camping sites with washroom facilities.

Sambaa Deh Falls, trails, and Territorial Park are all located along Highway 1 between Fort Providence and Fort Simpson, and not far from the community of Jean Marie River.

Lady Evelyn Falls

Lady Evelyn Falls in Lady Evelyn Territorial Park in the Northwest Territories. Photo George Fischer

So perfect it seems planned. This road-accessible cascade is just outside the little village of Kakisa. It occurs where the Kakisa River jumps off an ancient coral reef, forming a crescent-shaped, 17-metre-high curtain of spray. A staircase leads into the gorge at the base of the falls.

Make the trip out to see the Lady Evelyn Territorial Park even if you don’t plan to camp overnight. The Kakisa River is a warm and boulder-strewn waterway with many lovely spots for wading and swimming. The fishing is also excellent here – Northern Pike, Pickerel and Arctic Grayling can be caught by casting small spoons into the pools at the base of the falls.

There are 23 powered campsites in the park, plus washrooms and showers, a kitchen shelter, drinking water, firewood, interpretive displays and helpful staff. From the Mackenzie Highway, an access road leads 6.8 kilometres south to the park. From the parking lot, a short trail leads to Lady Evelyn Falls.

Whatı̀ Waterfall

Whati waterfalls near the community of Whati in the Northwest territories

A stunning landmark of this North Slave community is the thunderous Whatı̀ Waterfall. No trip to Whatı̀ is complete without a visit to Nàı̨lı̨ı̨, as it’s known in Tłı̨chǫ Yatıì (Tłı̨chǫ language).

It is believed that the appearance of a bright, colourful k’àlemı̨ı̨ (rainbow) over the waterfall’s cascading twin spillways is a sign of good luck. If darker colours appear, with blackish or purple hues, it is considered a bad sign. Because of these beliefs, only those strong enough to live with the rainbow’s fortune venture out to the falls.

The waterfall is only a short drive from Whatı̀, which is connected to the rest of the NWT by the recently constructed Tłı̨chǫ All Season Road (HWY9). In addition to Nàı̨lı̨ı̨ there are many reasons to get out on the land. Local operators offer guided tours and can show you the best spots to fish, picnic, and take in the scenery.

Nahanni National Park Reserve

Nahanni National Park Reserve

Nahanni National Park Reserve

Nahanni, the best-known Northern park, showcases the South Nahanni River, possibly Canada’s most epic waterway. Framed by four towering canyons, the river spills through the alpine habitat of broad-shouldered bears, nimble Dall’s sheep and elusive woodland caribou. Attractions include Virginia Falls, a literally earthshaking cascade, plus riverside hotsprings, burbling tufa mounds, and hike-able peaks. It’s a stellar day-long flightseeing trip from Fort Simpson, and an even better guided or independent expedition by canoe or raft.

Here are five ways that Nahanni will blow your mind.

Dory Point Day Use Area

Camp shelter at Dory point day use area in the Northwest territories

For roadtrippers, the Dory Point Day Use area is an ideal spot to stretch your legs, lay out a picnic and enjoy your first glimpse of the big Mackenzie River as it begins its 1,750-kilometre odyssey to the Arctic Ocean.

Situated just a few kilometres shy of the Deh Cho Bridge and the community of Fort Providence, Dory Point overlooks the western reaches of Great Slave Lake as it tapers to form the Mackenzie headwaters.

Here you’ll find picnic tables, a screened kitchen shelter, firewood and outhouses. The area is maintained during the summer tourism season, from mid May to September.

Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park

Twin Falls experience in the NWT

One of the most popular parks in the Northwest Territories, Twin Falls boasts a wealth of attractions. The park, 75 kilometres north of the Alberta border, stretches along the rim of Twin Falls Gorge, encompassing the 32-metre-high Alexandra Falls, where the Hay River plunges into a deep limestone canyon and then, a few kilometres later, where it drops again, off the three-tiered Louise Falls.

Visitors to the park can enjoy several dizzying overlooks that permit safe viewing of the falls, as well as a dramatic 138-step spiral staircase leading down to the lip of Louise Falls. An easy, forest-shrouded three-kilometre hiking trail (complete with interpretive signage) links the two falls, and picnic tables and kitchen shelters are found at both cascades.

At the Louise Falls Campground, also part of the park, you’ll enjoy well-spaced campsites nestled among the jackpines, plus washroom and shower facilities, tapwater, a kitchen shelter, picnic tables, firewood, a playground, and plenty more interpretive signs explaining the significance of this area to the local Dene culture.