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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.

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.

Seven Spruce Golf Course

Golfers at the Seven Spruce Golf course in Fort Simpson in the NWT

Golf under the midnight sun at this beautiful, grassy, 9-hole golf course. Within easy walking distance of downtown Fort Simpson, the Seven Spruce Golf Course features rolling fairways, a relaxing clubhouse, and laid-back vibes.

The course is built, maintained and regularly enjoyed by locals. You can rent some clubs if you didn’t bring your own, or just put your feet up and enjoy some hot food, cold drinks and great conversation on the clubhouse’s sunny deck.

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.

Goose Flying Service

Goose Flying Service plane parked on snow in the winter in the NWT.

We are a small air service with two bush planes based in Fort Simpson.

Operating on floats throughout the summer and skis in the winter, we are your connection to the Nahanni National Park and the Dehcho.

Owner and pilot, Sergei founded Goose Flying Service with the goal of providing a safe and reliable air service to Fort Simpson and the greater Northwest Territories.

Services include paddling & hunting drop-offs and air access to the remote communities of the Northwest Territories.

Caribou People Creations

Beaded seal fur mittens with beaded flowers and leaves at Caribou Creations in Lutsel K'e, Northwest Territories.

Caribou People Creations is a service started in 2019 provided by Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation to assist local arts and crafts persons market their products.  We have two large glass display cases filled with local crafts at the Band Office in Lutsel K’e where visitors can purchase items.  We also have an on-line store on our website with high quality photos of our products.

Lutsel K’e worked for many decades on protecting our land for our future generations and for the health of the Earth.  The result was the establishment of Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve and Thaidene Nene Territorial Park.  This encouraged the development of a local tourism economy including fostering arts and crafts and purchasing and renovating Frontier Lodge.  Lutsel K’e has a long tradition working in tourism having three of the major NWT fishing lodges in our region for over 60 years.  We also have a long history in arts and crafts production including items produced only in Lutsel K’e.

Canadian North

Canadian North airline Logo Fly the Arctic with inukshuk

Scheduled passenger, cargo, and charter flight service. Connections from the Northwest Territories and Nunavut to domestic and international destinations. Enjoy Aurora Class service and collect Aeroplan points.

Canadian North 2024 Tour Operator Pricing – Apply for your unique code today click here!

Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Cottage Rentals

Lidlii Kue Cottage Rentals living room in cottage in Fort Simpson, NWT.

Liidli Kue Cottage rentals is Fort Simpson’s newest accommodation provider for people visiting or traveling through Fort Simpson. We offer visitors a stay like no other available in town and our guests will enjoy privacy and all the amenities of home in a quiet setting with a wilderness feel and experience, right in town.

LKCR rents private cottages and an executive suite apartment for nightly, weekly and monthly rates starting from $165 -$250/night. We are located on top of the hill, 2km from town, overlooking the confluence of the beautiful Mackenzie and Liard rivers. We have 2 economy cottages, 2 one bedroom cottages, 1 two bedroom unit and a 1 bedroom executive suite apartment with a loft, as well as a 2 bedroom house located directly in downtown Fort Simpson.

With the exception of our economy cabins all units have fully functional kitchens with all the amenities of home to make your stay as comfortable and pleasurable as possible.  We also provide laundry facilities in some units, as well as Wi-Fi, satellite tv, a barbecue, picnic tables and outdoor fire pits with chairs for relaxing by a fire in the evenings if you wish.

We have a horseshoe pit, mountain bikes, snowshoes, and golf clubs for complimentary guest use and we have ample walking and hiking trails right from our back yard and it is a half hour walk into town. We are pet friendly and there is lots of private space and a small playground being developed for guests with children. River and historical  tours and sport fishing on the Mackenzie river can also be arranged for $100/hr plus fuel and we can accommodate up to six passengers. Snacks and a shore lunch can be arranged on multiple hour excursions.

Our site can also accommodate RV or trailer parking and there are rv and tenting sites available for rent. We also have a Teepee overlooking the river for guests to experience our aboriginal culture and we can provide cultural demonstrations, such as drying fish or making dry meat. Information and packages can also be arranged for a stay at our parent facilities North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge located 70 miles west of fort Simpson in the Nahanni mountain range adjacent to the Nahanni National Park.

Bannockland Inn

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Located on the river bank overlooking both the Liard and Mackenzie River, Bannockland Inn is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. We have 12 private bedrooms each with their own private bathroom attached. Continental breakfast is available or there is an AGA stove to cook your own meals, if you wish. All rooms have internet and TV access. Airport pick-ups and rides into town are available. Please contact us or visit our website for pricing and availability.