Thaidene Nëné, Canada's Newest National Park Reserve
Meaning “Land of the Ancestors,” Thaidene Nene guards the glorious East Arm of Great Slave Lake – 27,000 square kilometres of spectacular and pristine waterways, forests and Canadian Shield. To get there, you can hop on a scheduled or charter flight to Łutsel K’e from Yellowknife.
Here’s why you need to visit:
Fishing
Thaidene Nene is an angler’s paradise. Christie Bay crawls with succulent Whitefish, Lake Trout, Inconnu and more. McLeod Bay, meanwhile, shelters Lake Trout a century old and as fat as a fireplug. All around the East Arm, Arctic Grayling leap as the base of inflowing waterfalls and Northern Pike ply shallow bays and channels. Whether you’re flyfishing at the mouth of the Hoarfrost, sinking your line into the seemingly bottomless depths offshore of Lutsel K’e, angling from a paddleboard, or trolling behind your kayak, you’ll gather fish stories to last a lifetime.
Big waters to explore
Thaidene Nene boasts stunning landscapes, but the waterscape, too, is a wonder to behold. Aquamarine McLeod Bay, glutted by streams gushing from the Barrenlands, is clear as glass and cold as fresh-melted snow. Christie Bay, with its dark, abyssal canyons that drop 2,000 feet below the surface, holds secrets dating from the ice age. Wildbread Bay, ringed by cliffs, is a liquid amphitheatre, accessible through the fabled keyhole of “The Gap.” Hearne Channel is a liquid corridor teeming with fish and waterfowl. These are just a few of the thousands of coves, cayes and creeks to explore in Thaidene Nene.
Chipewyan heritage
Since time immemorial, Thaidene Nene has been home to Dene people – especially the Dënesųłiné. Often called Chipewyan, a thousand generations of them have paddled the waters, roamed the ridges and camped in the bays of the East Arm and adjoining Barrenlands. Evidence of their enduring habitation is everywhere you look, from the numerous arrowheads shimmering on the shores of Artillery Lake to the old cabins and graves at the abandoned village site of Kaché.
The Barrenlands
Though plucky trees stud the shoreline of the East Arm, the windswept Arctic plains are never far away. Follow legendary Pike’s Portage from Fort Reliance to Artillery Lake and you’ll suddenly emerge onto the Barrens – an otherworldly zone of glacial eskers, rock-ribbed hills, and artifacts from the Chipewyan and Caribou Inuit cultures. Here are the headwaters of storied rivers like the Thelon and Coppermine, Arctic species such as open-ground grizzlies and muskoxen, and an ecosystem utterly unlike the relatively plush, friendly environs of Great Slave Lake.
Lodges
Thaidene Nene is where Northern sportfishing began. Way back in 1938, Manitoban businessman C.C. Plummer founded Plummer’s Lodge at Taltheilei (“open water”) Narrows, the gateway to McLeod Bay. Nearly 80 years later this renowned fishing mecca still draws sportsmen from all over the world. It shares Great Slave Lake’s East Arm with several other first-rate fishing destinations, including Trophy Lodge near Reliance, Indian Mountain Lodge near Utsingi Point, and Frontier Fishing Lodge just outside of Lutsel K’e.
Pethei, Kahochella and Douglas Peninsulas
Study a map of Great Slave Lake and you’ll see it: a great ragged claw, slitting the East Arm in two. This is the fearsome spur formed by the Pethei, Kahochella and Douglas Peninsulas: an imperious prong of basalt buttresses, rising sheer from the blue-green waters. At the tip of the claw, a stunning lookout, Utsingi Point, pokes westward, toward the constellation of islands at the mouth of the East Arm. All along it, boaters will find a paradise of camping, hiking and fishing spots, and more scenery than you can shake a gnarled stick at.
Łutsel K'e
This community (formerly called Snowdrift for its location near the mouth of the Snowdrift River) is the epicentre of Northern Dënesųłiné culture and the headquarters of Thaidene Nene National Park Rerserve. The town is proudly traditional, with the Chipewyan language widely spoken and traditional hunting, trapping and fishing serving as the economic mainstay. It’s also home to several famous Northerners, including celebrated painter John Rombough and the revered priest, historian and activist René Fumoleau.
Historic Fort Reliance
Built as a winter camp by George Back during his 1833 overland expedition down the river that now bears his name, Fort Reliance lies at the eastern extremity of Great Slave Lake, on the brink of the Barrenlands. The Hudson’s Bay Company rebuilt the fort in 1855, and it was later used by an American hunter, Charles “Buffalo” Jones – who, contrary to his name, kept live muskoxen here. It is now a National Historic Site of Canada, and visitors can explore the old stone chimneys and ruins of the log structures.
Intriguing tales from Canada's Northwest Territories
Spectacular river journeys on Canada’s most iconic rivers. Travel with expert guides by raft or canoe and immerse yourself in......
What began as a “part time fishing lodge” has now become a “full time Aurora Wilderness Lodge” open year round......
Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......
For over 30 years, Canoe North Adventures has made it our mission to create spectacular memories for life, and to show......
Your Dene Connection in Yellowknife. B. Dene Adventures is a Traditional Dene Culture Camp business which teaches the Dene way......
We are the Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́ got’ine. People of the community of Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́, “the place where rivers come together”, in......
Tundra North Travel is an Inuit company based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories that was established with the dream of being......
Red Cliff Adventures has a traditional camp that is located in Lutsel K’e, on the shores of the East Arm,......
With over 30 years of living in Yellowknife, we offer a variety of tourism experiences for our guests. We are......
Commercial air charter service providing air support for hikers on Canol Road, sightseeing in the beautiful Mackenzie Mountains, and fly-in fishing......
Best Northern Road Trip! Now you can drive all the way to the Arctic ocean linking Canada from coast to......
Destination NWT Limited is a tourism operator located in Yellowknife, Canada. DNWT specializes in outdoors adventures, aurora photography, and cultural experiences: Best rated Snowmobile Tour, winter gears included, exciting trail riding Aurora Tour in a Luxurious lakeside Lodge Unique Aurora tour while Ice Fishing indoors Full panoramic moonroof vehicle for Aurora Viewing DNWT’s tours allow […]...
DISCOVER A MOMENT THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Aylmer Lake Lodge is located in Rocknest Bay, which is on the Barren......
Simpson Air (and its predecessor) is the oldest continuously-operated flying service in the Mackenzie Valley, established in the early 1960s.......
Canoe North, located in Hay River, Northwest Territories offers kayak and canoe rentals and sales. We can set you up for a......
For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......
Comfortable lodge a 20 minute by floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Guided fishing for Lake Trout (to 34 lb), Arctic Grayling (to......
Join us for an unforgettable experience on the mighty Mackenzie River. Day trips are available for a full or half......
We are an Inuvialuit owned and operated family business, run by locals Enoch and Amanda Pokiak, based in Inuvik in the Western......
100% Indigenous owned! We are the world’s first Aurora Hunting tour company, we know Aurora. Learn about Aurora, why Yellowknife is the......
Remote private wilderness paradise on Little Doctor Lake, 100 km west of Fort Simpson. Accommodates 20 in cabins. Fishing, swimming,......
Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......
World Class Fishing Within Reach Yet Beyond Belief For 3 generations we have been honing the Kasba experience to be like no-other. Our level of hospitality, dedication to the fishery, and a legendary passion for the experience that permeates through our entire team is undeniably contagious. No matter what you’re looking for in your fishing […]...
We offer winter clothing rentals. Our winter clothing will keep you warm and comfortable for your outdoor fun – ask us......
Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......
“Like No Other Place On Earth” We are the only fly-in lodge located a 50 minute float plane flight from......
For over 50 years, Black Feather has had the opportunity to operate canoe, hiking and sea kayaking expeditions throughout the......
Tukto Lodge has been exceeding anglers’ expectations for more than fifty years. As the only fishing and eco-tourism lodge in......
Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......
Etching popular northern designs on unique 100% recycled glass, since 1994. Visit our gift shop in Old Town or come......
Unplug from the commonplace with our Northwest Territories canoe and kayak expeditions. We specialize in true wilderness adventures to the......
“Unforgettable remote fishing experience” We are the only lodge located on this fly-in only lake. With only 8 guests per......
Yellow Dog Lodge is a comfortable lodge with 3 private cabins for our guests. The lodge is a short (15 minute) floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Located on Duncan and Graham Lakes, the lodge is your hub for adventure. Choose from an additional 5 lakes for guided day trip excursions. Each lake is unique and offers unspoiled first class fishing. We are the only lodge that operates guided trips on each of these remote lakes located in the NWT taiga wilderness. Packaged trips feature superb sport fishing and safe outdoor adventure. The lakes and streams offer the finest Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye and Arctic Grayling in the region. As an added bonus, our guests will enjoy the midnight sun and may even catch the northern lights later in the fall or early spring....
Gana River Outfitters is a family owned and operated outfitting business offering remote wilderness hunts in the beautiful Mackenzie Mountains......
2 Seasons Adventures is a family-owned company. Our professional guides boast a lifetime of experience enjoying the unique lifestyle of......
Outfitting to all of us is a way of life, one that we cherish because we love to hunt, love the......
Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge provides you access to known waters teeming with monster lake trout. Their current record is a......
Aurora Village – A Class of Its Own Aurora Village is a unique Aurora-viewing facility situated 25 minutes from downtown......
Create your own story. We offer a variety of services to make your Sahtu adventure a reality! We offer everything from......
Book this entire cabin in the remote wilderness of the stunningly breath-taking, Mackenzie Mountains. This cabin is hands down the......
An Indigenous, family owned business with much history, knowledge and stories to share about the Spectacular Northwest Territories! We used......
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is located in the community of Wrigley, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are a Designated Authority in......
Welcoming and friendly with a rustic charm and all modern conveniences, Grey Goose Lodge immediately catches your eye as you......
For 35 years, Sambaa K’e has offered world-class fishing on Trout Lake just north of the Northwest Territories-British Columbia border.......
Fishing and Barrenlands wildlife photography, including migrating caribou, at the Obstruction Rapids in the central Barrenlands north of Yellowknife....
To truly experience the Northwest Territories, take your camping gear for a highway driving adventure! Long ribbons of road without......
Remote naturalist’s lodge snuggled in the Mackenzie Mountains, in the largest mountain wilderness in North America. Located along the Canol......
Beaufort Sea Adventures is a family-owned and Indigenous-operated business, proudly offering Arctic experiences in Tuktoyaktuk. Our family lives and breathes the North, giving us a unique insight into the hidden gems that make Tuktoyaktuk truly special. We offer guests an authentic cultural immersion, sharing our Inuvialuit heritage, stories, and deep connection to the land and […]...
Arctic Red River Outfitters is a family run business in the Northern Mackenzie Mountains in the Northwest Territories of Canada.......
Offering Cultural tours, sport fishing, canoeing and snowmobile tours. Contact us for more information....
An Arctic Barrenlands trophy fishing adventure for the serious sportsman. Located on Lynx Lake (420 km east of Yellowknife) Lynx......
Call us about our exciting year-round packages and experience the best of the Dehcho region and Denendeh....
Old Town Paddle & Co. are the most northern Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) outfitter in Canada....
Aurora viewing tours, city tours, and hikes at Cameron Falls. We book all your activities and accommodation....
Explore the wild splendor of the northern boreal plains, where whooping cranes call and bison roam free. Visitor reception centres......
Providing culturally based tours of Tuktoyaktuk with an opportunity to dip your toes in the Arctic Ocean! Ask us about......
We offer: Nature and wildlife viewing Snowmobile tours Fishing tours Boat tours Polar bear and muskox hunts. Contact us for......
We run a small all-inclusive lodge that can handle ten people at a time. From this lodge we organize hunting......
Family owned and operated tour company specializing in Arctic expedition cruising....
