Cold weather camping may be for the heartiest of outdoorspeople, but in the North it comes with the territory. There’s always the chance of waking up to unzip a rigid tent fly, frosted by the sub-zero night. After all, many popular campgrounds in our territorial parks do stay open until the end of September.
But really, cold nights are no reason to avoid weekend camping adventures in the Northwest Territories. Take your canoe out for one last paddle on Hidden Lake in the fall to marvel at the enthralling dance of the world’s best Northern Lights far from city lights. Or drive down the Dempster, while there’s a dusting of snow on the Richardson Mountains, to pitch a tent and get comfortable around a roaring fire in a territorial campground. Cold weather camping is the perfect excuse to cuddle up with someone you love—like a four-legged furball. Just make sure you’re prepared—and maybe practice your fire-starting skills if they’ve gotten rusty.
In case you’re still not convinced you can hack it, here are a few handy cold weather camping tips that will ensure you have a memorable trip in the Northwest Territories:
The coldest part of the night hits right around sunrise, so if you can find a tent spot that gets the earliest rays, you’ll warm up a lot faster. If your spot also offers windbreak, you’re set!
If you’re doing some true winter camping, you’ll need to stay hydrated. Heaping piles of fluffy snow into a boiling pot might seem like the quickest route to melting a couple litres of water. But if you’re camped near a frozen lake, a hatchet can make for even quicker work. While it can take a half-dozen pots of snow to melt down to a full pot of water — even with your best efforts to pack it down — ice is only slightly less dense than water, meaning that full pot isn’t so far away. And remember to pack more stove fuel than you might in the summer, since the ice isn’t going to melt itself.
Those shiny silver blankets that fold down to wallet-size are great for swaddling yourself in an emergency, but they can also help keep the heat in a tent on a cold evening. Lay the blanket out across the floor under your sleeping pad to reflect your body heat back up into the tent, rather than letting it get absorbed by the cold ground. Are you camping in some really cold weather? Bring a couple extra emergency blankets along and drape them along the tent walls to keep that heat radiating back at you.
For all your equipment needs, the place to turn is outdoor equipment outfitters. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of local experts in nearly every community in the NWT. Some may offer equipment rentals but every one of them will be ready to offer advice and expertise to ensure your experience is as enjoyable as possible
You’ve probably already heard that the worst thing you can do in the cold is get sweaty, and it’s certainly true. Keep that in mind while packing and stock up on layers—from light to heavier layers that can come off at the first sign of perspiration. And skip the cotton when you’re packing: stick to wool or synthetic fabrics to stay warm even if you do get damp.
If you’ve got extra hot water on-hand after chipping away at that frozen lake, pour it in your canteen for a little extra heat while you sleep. Cover the canteen in a sock and pop the DIY hot water bottle into your sleeping bag before you go to bed. While you’re at it, you may as well slip the morning’s clothes in there as well so you can put on something toasty when you wake up. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did.
The Northwest Territories is home to some of the most pristine national parks in Canada. The humbling beauty and wild landscapes of the North are on full display. Read our guide to the 6 Canadian national parks in the NWT for a taste of what awaits you there.
Dreaming of Northern vistas? Explore all the ways to get out and witness the magnificent landscapes and majestic wildlife of the Northwest Territories.
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
We are an experienced team in the tourism industry and we provide services in Mandarin, Cantonese, English and other Asian......
Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......
Your Dene Connection in Yellowknife. B. Dene Adventures is a Traditional Dene Culture Camp business which teaches the Dene way......
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,......
Nestled in the Nahanni Range of the Mackenzie Mountains on Cli Lake, is the North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge. It is......
Enodah Wilderness Travel / Trout Rock Lodge/ Enodah Kennel offer high-quality Aurora viewing experiences by night and dogsled tours by......
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......
Offering four-hour Aurora tours including the ice road and City of Yellowknife. Pick-up and drop-off available. Small groups. Service in......
Best Northern Road Trip! Now you can drive all the way to the Arctic ocean linking Canada from coast to......
The all new Namushka Lodge! Come enjoy all the new amenities of a fly-in fishing lodge! Located on Harding Lake, 32......
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 […]...
Explore Yellowknife is an adventure tour operator based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.We offer authentic northern tours like no other. Witness......
DISCOVER A MOMENT THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Aylmer Lake Lodge is located in Rocknest Bay, which is on the Barren......
Our professional tour guides will take you on amazing Aurora viewing tours, city tours, ice road tours and much more.......
What began as a “part time fishing lodge” has now become a “full time Aurora Wilderness Lodge” open year round......
For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......
100% Indigenous owned! We are the world’s first Aurora Hunting tour company, we know Aurora. Learn about Aurora, why Yellowknife is the......
World class dogsled tours! We are one of the largest professional sled dog kennels in Canada. Over 150 happy, healthy......
If are looking for a spectacular weekend retreat nestled in the serenity of the Mackenzie Mountains at Ten Stone Mountain Lodge. North-Wright......
Great Slave Lake Tours offers winter and summer trips on Great Slave Lake, the ninth biggest lake in the world......
Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......
Join us on an Aurora hunting adventure. Our skilled tour guides know all the best places around Yellowknife to capture......
Come explore more then half a century of marine history under the Aurora!...
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,......
We operate a fully equipped luxury coach and offer City Tours, Aurora Tours and tours to the Nahanni National Park Reserve......
We offer tours such as aurora viewing, dog sledding, snowmobile rides, ice fishing and more. Come experience a once in......
Extend your trip to Fort Simpson with a visit to our Dene Camp, K’iyeli. We have options available for an......
“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....
We are a local Aboriginal tour company based in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Our focus is on......
2 Seasons Adventures is a family-owned company. Our professional guides boast a lifetime of experience enjoying the unique lifestyle of......
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......
Raven Tours is a tour operator in Yellowknife, NT, Canada. We offer Aurora Viewing, Snowshoeing, and Hiking Tours. We hope to......
If you are looking for an Aurora Experience of a lifetime in Yellowknife – the best place in the world to......
Our goal is to provide unique customized services for high-end customers. We excel at making personalized tours. You can see......
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.......
Yellowknife Online produces Yellowknife specific articles and content for visitors, residents, and newcomers. Yellowknife Online has recently transferred that knowledge......
To truly experience the Northwest Territories, take your camping gear for a highway driving adventure! Long ribbons of road without......
Providing culturally based tours of Tuktoyaktuk with an opportunity to dip your toes in the Arctic Ocean! Ask us about......
Summer and winter packages on the Taltson River. Drive out by snowmobile from Fort Resolution or fly out from Fort......
We offer: Nature and wildlife viewing Snowmobile tours Fishing tours Boat tours Polar bear and muskox hunts. Contact us for......