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Blackstone territorial park information center in the Northwest Territories

A hidden gem situated between Fort Liard and Fort Simpson, Blackstone Territorial Park boasts stunning mountain views, abundant wildlife, and a pristine location on the Liard River, downstream from its confluence with the South Nahanni. This is an excellent starting or ending point for canoeists, boaters or anglers.

At the convergence point of three rivers – the Peace, Liard and Mackenzie – Blackstone offers plenty of exciting activities for campers, picnickers and wilderness enthusiasts. The waters here are perfect for boating, while underneath the waves anglers can hook Arctic Grayling, Trout, and Arctic Char. Visitors should be on the lookout for black and brown bears, moose, hares and other wildlife, as well.

The road to Blackstone Territorial Park is itself part of the attraction. Travellers can reach the park via both the Liard Trail (Highway 7) and the Dehcho Travel Connection. The latter became a popular tourism destination in the ’90s during a contest where travellers of the 3,000-kilometre route were entered into a draw to win an Arctic diamond. Today, many visitors still follow the paths of gold seekers, explorers and trappers on the Deh Cho Travel Connection,visiting historic landmarks, wild parks, well-serviced campgrounds and traditional and modern communities as part of this epic road adventure that takes its name from the Mackenzie River, which is known as the Deh Cho or “Big River.”

Blackstone Territorial Park’s campground features 19 non-powered campsites, washrooms, showers, drinking water, firewood, a kitchen shelter, picnic areas, helpful staff and an intriguing interpretive centre. There’s also a furnished cabin with a woodstove in the park that can be rented.

Fred Henne Territorial Park

Swim at Long Lake’s sandy beach. Camp, picnic, canoe or enjoy the amenities and attractions of nearby Yellowknife. Hike the four-kilometre Prospector’s Trail, highlighting the gold-bearing geology of the area. Or follow the Jackfish and Frame Lake trail system, leading you through through the idyllic shield-country wilderness en route to downtown Yellowknife. The Fred Henne campground offers 62 powered sites, 39 non-powered sites and 12 tent pads, plus washrooms and showers, drinking water, firewood, kitchen shalters and picnic areas, a boat launch, and helpful staff.

Prelude Lake Territorial Park

One of the most scenic trails in the Yellowknife area loops over granite hills and through woodlands as part of this popular vacation spot for NWT residents. The largest developed park on the Ingraham Trail, Prelude Lake Territorial Park offers a variety of facilities, including a sandy beach for swimming, a dock and boat launch, and boat rentals.

Prelude Lake itself is about 16 kilometres long and stretches east and west, forming part of the Cameron River system. There are several islands, and many pleasant places to fish for trout and pike here. There are also two magnificent trails in the park: one a short stroll to a panoramic view; and one a longer, interpretive hike.

Panoramic Trail offers an easy, well-marked half-kilometre walk (much of it on boardwalks) to two lookout points that provide splendid views of Prelude Lake. You can access this trail either from the boat launch parking area near the beach, or from the parking lot located between the boat launch and the campsites.

The Nature Trail forms a loop, passing through several natural zones that vary from loose sand to bedrock to muskeg and swamp, with an equally varied array of inhabitants. Follow a series of informative signs along the way, with pictures of some of the creatures that you may see, including squirrels, ruffed grouse, whiskey jacks, snowshoe hares and crossbills.

Prelude Lake Territorial Park is located 29 kilometres east of Yellowknife. Turn left onto the Prelude Lake access road from the Ingraham Trail and drive past the campground to the day-use area. There are 79 campsites to choose from – 67 non-powered and 12 tent sites. Be sure to pick up a trail guide when you arrive, available at the campground office.

Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park

SAmbaa Deh Falls in the Northwest Territories

A beloved attraction in the Dehcho, Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park is a must-see for any visitors travelling on Highway 1. Most visitors stop to photograph the roadside Sambaa Deh Falls, where the Trout River surges through a limestone slot and over a dazzling drop, 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.

The river here 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 and 20 non-powered camping sites with washroom facilities.

Sambaa Deh Territorial Park is located along Highway 1, just a short drive from Fort Providence and Fort Simpson.

Fort Providence Territorial Park

Enjoy great fishing, bison and bird watching, and take advantage of the services available in nearby historic Fort Providence, featuring visitor services, tours, fishing, groceries, a motel and restaurant. The campground is on the north bank of the Mackenzie River, only two kilometres off Highway 3. There are 21 powered campsites, washrooms, drinking water, firewood, a kitchen shelter and a picnic area.

Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park

Lady Evelyn Falls in Lady Evelyn Territorial Park in the Northwest Territories

Make the trip to see Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park, a road-accessible destination just outside the little village of Kakisa, 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 – Northern Pike, Pickerel and Arctic Grayling can be caught by casting small spoons into the pools at the base of the falls.

But Lady Evelyn Falls is really the star attraction. 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.

There are 23 powered campsites in the territorial 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.

Little Buffalo River Falls Territorial Park

View of Little Buffalo Falls Territorial Park in the Northwest Territories

Devastated by a forest fire in 1981, Little Buffalo Falls Territorial Park is now, 40 years later, an ideal spot to observe the regeneration of nature in the north.

Relax by the Little Buffalo waterfalls, a narrow cascade that plunges to the basin below. Launch your canoe or kayak into the gorge below. This picturesque spot features six non-powered campsites, along with a playground, trails, interpretive displays and a kitchen shelter. A short distance from the site is the boat launch to the Little Buffalo River.

Little Buffalo Falls Territorial Park is just off the highway on the way from Hay River to Fort Smith. The campground is open from mid-May to mid-September.

Bear Rock

Towering 400 metres above Tulita, Bear Rock has been a sacred site for the Dene for thousands of years. Dene oral history speaks of a great law-giver and traveler, Yamoria, who confronted a pack of giant beavers that had been terrorizing hunters. Yamoria killed three of the beavers and draped their vast pelts upon the rock, forming three dark circles that can still be seen on the mountain to this day. Bear Rock is a traditional place of prayer and reflection for the Dene. This ancient outcrop is pocketed by caves and sinkholes. Marine fossils of ancient fish and corals have been found in these crevices. Hikers can take a tour with a local guide to follow the trail to the summit of the peak where they’ll find a scenic lookout above the confluence of two spectacular rivers and sweeping views of the Sahtu.

Cameron Falls

For a pretty little hike through classic Northern shield-country, drive 45 kilometres east of Yellowknife to the Cameron Falls Trail. The path twists through evergreen forests, across boardwalks and over undulating outcrops until, 20 minutes later, you arrive atop a lookout facing the waterfall, where the Cameron River tumbles 17 metres down a slanting stone face. From here, you can continue upstream, where a bridge permits access to the far side, with excellent picnicking, fishing and (on hot days!) swimming at the base of the falls.

Sambaa Deh Trails

Samba Deh Falls in the Dehcho Region of the NWT

Gaze upon the mighty Sambaa Deh Gorge, which gapes where the Trout River slices through thick spruce woodlands, not far from the community of Jean Marie River. Most visitors stop here to photograph the roadside falls, where the river surges through a limestone slot and over a dazzling drop, 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 Falls, and one that you’ll likely have all to yourself. Downstream, meanwhile, the path will take you down 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, gorge, trails, and Territorial Park are all located along Highway 1 between Fort Providence and Fort Simpson.

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Blackstone Territorial Park