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Prelude Lake Territorial Park in the Northwest Territories

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Prelude Lake Territorial Park