Yellowknife and the Ingraham Trail Archives

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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.

Frame Lake Trail

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.

Long Lake Beach

The sandy shores of Long Lake play host every summer to the legendary Folk on the Rocks music festival. But this oasis is a perfect summer retreat on any sunny weekend of the year. You’ll be sure to see boaters, water skiers and maybe a volleyball game or two. The beach provides easy access to Prospector’s Trail, along with camping and other attractions in Fred Henne Territorial Park. A kitchen area, campground and changing rooms are all available on site.

Yellowknife Golf Club

Eighteen holes. Sand fairways. Grassy putting greens. Jackpines, bedrock and ravens. It’s safe to say you’ll never play golf anywhere like the Yellowknife Golf Club – especially if you come for the Midnight Sun Golf Tournament, which tees off on the summer solstice every year.

Dory Point Day Use Area

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.

The Ingraham Trail

A group of hikers view a waterfall in the Northwest Territories - Photo credit D. Roberts

Stretching 70 kilometres east of Yellowknife and threading together over a dozen gorgeous lakes, the scenic Ingraham Trail is one of the North’s most storied routes, and the beginning of your road to adventure.

Sprinkled along this northern highway are picnic spots, hiking trails, campgrounds and boat launches galore, all winding through a Precambian landscape of colourful wildlife and world-class fishing. Don’t forget to look up, either. The Ingraham Trail is also a prime (and convenient!) Northern Lights viewing location during peak Aurora season.

Also known as Highway 4, the trail was built in the 1960s as both an industrial and recreational roadway. Each winter it branches off into an ice-road tributary leading to three different diamond mines northeast of Yellowknife. But in the summer it leads to cottage country.

From its path travellers can easily explore the stunning beauty of Cameron Falls, the granite hills and woodlands of the Prelude Lake Nature Trail and Prelude Lake Panoramic Trail, the boreal forests and blue lakes of Ranney Hill-Martin Lake Trail, and the wild berries and rocky shores of Reid Lake Trail. The Ingraham is also your gateway to several incredible canoe trips around Hidden Lake, JenneJohn Lake North, Lower Cameron River and many more.

Tłı̨chǫ Adventures Ltd.

Tłı̨chǫ Adventures Ltd. is a subsidiary of Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation, a diversified investment holding company owned by the Tłı̨chǫ Government. Tłı̨chǫ Adventures is focused on tourism and adventure experiences in the Northwest Territories, including fishing, cultural experiences, and outdoor adventures.

Learn more about our operators My Backyard Tours & Lac La Martre Adventures

Sundog Trading Post Café

The sundog trading post cafe in Yellowknife under the green aurora.

The capital city’s most interesting neighborhood has no shortage of stellar spots to stop and savour a cup of coffee. Here, you quickly realize you’re situated near a central subarctic thoroughfare, as floatplanes, sailboats and watercraft zip by in all directions, and houseboaters zig-zag in between, on their daily paddle commute to the mainland.

The Sundog Trading post is one place that has a seriously great spot on the water looking out to Back Bay.

“Enjoy the log built feel and mix with the locals while you have a enjoy a menu of paninis, soup, salads, homemade ice cream with fresh waffle cones (all made on-site),” says owner Richard McIntosh, who along with his family offer one of the best spots to enjoy ice cream, local tea and espresso coffee.

Jackpine Paddle Equipment Rentals

If you rent from us, you’ll get high quality gear in great condition. To make things simple, all canoe rentals include a lifejacket, bailer, paddles, whistle and throw bag. All kayak rentals include lifejacket with whistle, paddle float, throw bag, spray skirt, bilge pump.

We offer 16’ and 17’ prospector canoes, as well as single and tandem fibreglass kayaks. Our boats are ideal for a day paddle to explore Yellowknife Bay, multi-day trip down the Ingraham Trail, or extended expedition deep into the Northwest Territories. We’ve also got you covered for drysuit and camping equipment rentals. All you need to bring is a sense of adventure.Visit our website for more information.

Hoarfrost River Huskies – Cargo Services

Hoarfrost River huskies float plane resting on the water in the summer in the NWT.

We operate an air charter company with two small bush planes on floats, skis and tundra tires and can customize all sorts of fly-in outdoor adventures and flight seeing tours of the north. We are ready to fly you where you need to go, winter, spring, summer, or autumn.

Give us a call for more information.

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Cameron Falls