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Home Story The best beaches in the Northwest Territories this summer
Beaches in the Northwest Territories

The best beaches in the Northwest Territories this summer

It’s not quite summer until you stretch out on the beach and feel the hot sand between your toes.

The North is no exception – here’s the scoop on the best beaches in the Northwest Territories. (And yes, the NWT has beaches.)

Long Lake, outside of Yellowknife, NWT

Long Lake

On a hot summer afternoon, Yellowknife’s beach is the place to be. It has changing rooms, a nearby campground, a kitchen area, volleyball nets and more water-skiers than you can shake a lemonade at.

Yellowknifers like to make a day of it – and so can you. Hop on a bike and ride out to the beach on a road that locals call “the Airport Loop.” Once you arrive, there’s no better way to cool off than a dip in Long Lake.

And if you’re already camped out at Fred Henne Territorial Park, then you’re just a slip-and-slide away from all the fun.

Great Bear Lake beach in the NWT.

Great Bear Lake

Believe it or not, Canada’s northernmost “Great Lake,” Great Bear, has plenty of sandy shoreline.

And since it straddles the Arctic Circle, you can enjoy the brilliant summer sunshine 24 hours per day. (Just think about that tan.)

Pine Lake in the South Slave region outside of Fort Smith, NWT.

Pine Lake

The finest beach and campground in Wood Buffalo National Park, Pine Lake features soothing sand and shallow, warm, aquamarine waters.

It’s the ideal place for your summer vacation – go for a swim or paddle a canoe and gawk at the park’s amazing wildlife. Rent a cabin at Pine Lake to take your relaxation to the next level.

Vale Island Beach in Hay RIver

Vale Island

On blazing hot days, Hay River’s beach draws almost as many travellers from the nearby campground as it does driftwood from the lake and its feeder waterways.

At the end of Vale Island, let the South Slave region’s most accessible beach be your starting point for interpretive hikes, cool dunks in Great Slave Lake, or epic, bruised-sky sunsets.

Whitebeach Point on the North Arm of Great Slave Lake.

Whitebeach Point

A luscious expanse of white sand on the remote west coast of Great Slave, this is a favourite summer camping spot for sailors and pleasure boaters.

Even better, it backs onto busy bison territory near the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary.

Little Doctor Lake in the Dehcho.

Little Doctor Lake

Fly in to Little Doctor Lake this summer and have a beach all to yourself.

This slice of paradise on the fringes of Nahanni National Park Reserve features a posh lodge, stunning alpine scenery, fine fishing – and a broad sandy beach where you’re encouraged to kick back and let all your worries float away.

 

Beaufort Sea Adventures - Arctic Luxury Experience

Arctic Luxury Experience - 3 nights, 4 days

Beaufort Sea Adventures

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Step into a world where the Arctic’s beauty and culture come to life in ways few have ever experienced.  In Tuktoyaktuk, every moment is an invitation to connect with the land and its people on a deeper level. The vast tundra stretches endlessly before you, offering a sense of peace and wonder that can only […]...

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CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
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Nahanni, NWT, Canoe, Nahanni Park_2024_Nahanni River Adventures

Nahanni Canyons from Virginia Falls - 12 Day Rafting Trip

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Arctic Char Arctic Grayling Aurora Birding Boat Tours Camping Canoeing and Kayaking Experienced Paddling Fall Aurora Fishing Fly Fishing Hiking Tours Inconnu Lake Trout Nahanni to Dehcho Nature and Wildlife Nature Photography Nature Tours Northern Pike Novice Paddling Paddling Rafting Road Trips Tours White Water

This trip takes you through some of the iconic features for which this historic river is renowned, including Canada's deepest canyons and Nailicho / Virginia Falls - twice the height of Niagara! Our Nahanni River 12-day trip covers the same distance as our seven day trip but allows more time for additional hiking and exploring, as well as savouring the beauty of the Nahanni Valley area because… why rush if you don’t have to?...

$10,595

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Take in the stunning Western Arctic landscape by boat in our tour to the Pingos, a Canadian National landmark, in the Arctic Ocean. This tour includes a guided tour on the Mackenzie River to the mouth of the Arctic Ocean, a picnic at the Pingos with grilled locally caught fish and local foods, and plenty of wildlife viewing along the way....

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Summer Fishing Adventure

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All-Inclusive Lodges Canoeing and Kayaking Fishing Housekeeping Lodges Lake Trout Nature and Wildlife Northern Pike Stand up Paddling

Summer Adventure & Relaxation Welcome to your summer getaway, north of 60. Far from the noise and bustle of any city, Blachford Lodge is happy to be your home away from home in the summer months. Bask in the midnight sun (yup, you can read a book outside all night long!), catch a trophy fish, […]...

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$2,997

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person + $499 Air Charter + Gratuities (10%)

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Blachford Lake Lodge - Aurora

Autumn Aurora Package

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Welcome to Blachford Lodge. Aurora watchers and stargazers agree there are few better places to see the Aurora than Blachford Lodge. From mid-August, when night skies turn a velvety black to late October when the lake begins to freeze, Blachford guests can be treated to late night shows of the northern lights. On calm nights […]...

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$3,597

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person + $499 Air Charter + Gratuities (10%)

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paddling the Nahanni River canyons in NWT with Black Feather

Nahanni River 14 Day "Classic"

Black Feather – The Wilderness Adventure Company

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$9,495

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Red Cliff Island Boat Tour

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Thaidene Nëné Authentic Wilderness Camp

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Camping Cultural Demonstrations Fishing Nature and Wildlife Nature Tours On the Land

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Sundog Trading Post -Houseboat and Heritage Lunch

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Beaufort Sea Adventures

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© Northwest Territories Tourism 2024

Land Acknowledgement

Northwest Territories Tourism acknowledges that we are located in Chief Drygeese territory. From time immemorial, it has been the traditional land of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and more recently, the homeland of the North Slave Métis Alliance. We respect the histories, languages, and cultures of Inuit, First Nations, Metis, and all First Peoples of the NWT and Canada, whose presence and cultures continue to enrich our vibrant communities.

Best places to go 2024 - Condé Nast Traveler