Discover the beauty of the North Slave Region! It’s a place where history, Indigenous culture and the wonders of the North’s natural worlds meet and offer visitors countless opportunities for adventures of all kinds. If you’re spending time in the Region, here is everything you must see during your stay in the North Slave Region.
The North Slave’s largest community, Yellowknife, is the territory’s administrative and business hub. It’s the springboard for a variety of activities throughout the Region, no matter what the season.
In the heart of Yellowknife, you can start your visit with a view into the past at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. Its vast collections feature everything from airplanes and gold-mining memorabilia to ancient archeological artifacts and a Dene moose hide boat.
Next door, take a tour of the spectacular domed NWT Legislative Assembly building perched on the shores of Yellowknife’s Frame Lake. The guided tour offers a peek at the stately assembly chamber and its huge polar bear hide. You can also see the diamond-tipped territorial mace, artwork by Group of Seven master A.Y. Jackson, intricate and ornate carvings by Northern artists, plus exhibits capturing the dynamic political evolution of the NWT. The Great Hall is open to the public and is regularly used for concerts, events, and even weddings.
Then, walk the scenic seven km (4.3 miles) loop around Frame Lake, stopping at the Somba K’e Park in the shadow of City Hall. This grassy park is Yellowknife’s hub of activity all year round, hosting events like the Yellowknife Farmers’ Market in the summer and an amazing display of holiday lights in winter.
Another must-see place is Yellowknife’s most popular lookout, Bush Pilot’s Monument, which rises high above Old Town, providing a stupendous view over Great Slave Lake, Back Bay, and the northern reaches of the city. It’s also a great way to see the Canadian Pacific Float Plane Base and Houseboat Bay. The monument rests atop “The Rock”—a six-story hill where the town’s original water tower once stood—and is accessed via a winding wooden staircase.
After seeing Yellowknife from new heights, wander through Old Town below, checking out its Hudson Bay Co. warehouse, the iconic Wildcat Cafe, and an old log schoolhouse just steps away over on Latham Island.
The great outdoors lies close by the City of Yellowknife: you can choose between Fred Henne Territorial Park, Prelude Lake Territorial Park, or Reid Lake Territorial Park, where you can enjoy fishing, swimming, canoeing, hiking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. The parks offer a safe, welcoming, and comfortable camping or day-visit experience.
In summer you can plan fishing, boating, stand-up paddling, or hiking trips with companies ready to help you out. In the colder season, they’ll assist you in chasing the Northern Lights, taking an ice road trek, or trying your hand at ice fishing.
Learn more about Dene history and the traditional ways of life in Dettah, a Yellowknives Dene settlement of about 220 people located only a short drive from Yellowknife. This thriving First Nations community has been a summer gathering site for Yellowknives Dene for generations.
Here, you’ll see many examples of the traditional Dene lifestyle, like whitefish drying on racks and moose hides being tanned in the sun. Visitors can learn about Dene history, culture, arts, and cuisine by getting out on the land with local experts.
In winter, you can travel to Dettah from Yellowknife across an ice road, a true Northern experience. Many locals and travellers take the scenic trip across the frozen lake by car, but winter bikers, snowmobilers, dog sledders, and even the occasional cross-country skier also take the ice road – your options for winter travel are endless in the NWT.
Łutsel K’e, which means “Place of the cisco fish,” in the Dene language, is the only settlement on Great Slave Lake’s storied (and beautiful) East Arm — site of the Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve. This scenic community of about 300 Dënesųłiné, or Chipewyan Dene, is accessible only by air, boat or snowmobile. From the community, a variety of tours will take you out into the surrounding areas.
Łutsel K’e is the epicentre of northern Dënesųłiné culture and the headquarters of Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve, which covers more than 26,000 sq km (48,650 sq. miles.). The park has received global recognition as a leader in environmental conservation and protection, and it’s easy to see why when faced with the stunning beauty of the East Arm. The community also purchased the nearby Frontier Lake Lodge, offering visitors a unique accommodation option in the Spectacular landscape.
This is where the barrens and subarctic boreal forest converge on the shores of the Great Slave Lake, of one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes, in a stunning display of rugged, northern beauty. The park includes 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 environs of Great Slave Lake.
Near Behchokǫ̀, an hour’s drive northwest of Yellowknife, you will find the incredible North Arm Territorial Park where you can have a picnic or spend an evening watching the Aurora on one of the best beaches in the entire North. Stop and rest on the picturesque shores of Great Slave Lake to take photos or simply to relax with a picnic.
As the largest Dene community in the Northwest Territories, Behchokǫ̀ regularly hosts events, meetings, wildly popular handgame tournaments, and other festivities that draw in travellers from across the NWT.
Be sure to notice the changing landscape that surrounds Behchokǫ̀ — the scenery abruptly changes here from rolling, well-treed Mackenzie lowlands to the stark northern granite of the Canadian Shield. The area is a perfect example of the sheer variety of natural beauty in the North Slave Region.
Whatì lies on the eastern shore of the pristine Lac La Martre. The community is now connected to the rest of the NWT by the recently constructed Tłı̨chǫ all-season road, making it incredibly accessible to North Slave travellers. The third-largest lake in the NWT, Lac La Martre is full of monster pike and giant trout, which makes Whatì a renowned trophy fishing destination. This lake is also home to Lac La Marte Lodge, owned by the Tłı̨chǫ Dene to share incredible experiences in Tłı̨chǫ territory.
No trip to Whatı̀ is complete without a visit to the thunderous Whatı̀ Waterfall or Nàı̨lı̨ı̨, as it’s known in Tłı̨chǫ Yatıì, the Tłı̨chǫ language. The waterfalls feature two 20-metre (66 feet) high thundering spillways, with several kilometres of cascading rapids downstream with fine grayling fishing in the rapids below.
It is believed that the appearance of a bright, colourful k’àlemı̨ı̨ – rainbow- over the waterfall cascading twin spillways is a sign of good luck. Anglers who have caught record-setting fish on a trip to Whatı̀ might agree, or perhaps the best luck is just getting to experience one of the North Slave Region’s most incredible sights.
Situated at the midway point between Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes is this charming community and traditional hunting area of the Tłįchǫ Dene. Immersed in traditional ways of life, here you’ll find fantastic grayling fishing and intricately beaded local crafts.
Access to Gamètı̀ is primarily available via daily flights from Yellowknife, or via winter road from Whatì. However, canoe trippers have been known to fly into Gamètı̀ and paddle their way back to Yellowknife and Great Slave Lake via the Marian Lakes/Camsell River Route.
Wekweètì is located on the cusp of the marvelous Barrenlands – the surreal sandy landscape that comprises much of the eastern North Slave Region. As the smallest and most remote of the Tłįchǫ Dene communities, many residents still maintain a livelihood by hunting and fishing – keeping traditional knowledge a part of life and preserving the beauty of the landscape.
A trip to Wekweètì isn’t without many modern amenities as well. There’s also a hotel and lodge for visitors, a store, a health centre and a school. The community is a quiet and comfortable place to return to after a day of hiking, fishing, or touring around the community and surrounding area.
Ready for the road to adventure? Plan your route along the best scenic road trips through the NWT – you’re sure to find a spectacular horizon calling to you.
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.
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
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
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Member
Nahanni River Adventures
Spectacular river journeys on Canada’s most iconic rivers. Travel with expert guides by raft or canoe and immerse yourself in......
Member
Blachford Lodge
What began as a “part time fishing lodge” has now become a “full time Aurora Wilderness Lodge” open year round......
Member
Yellowknife Vacations
We are an experienced team in the tourism industry and we provide services in Mandarin, Cantonese, English and other Asian......
Member
Trail Blazer Tours
Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......
Member
Canoe North Adventures
For over 30 years, Canoe North Adventures has made it our mission to create spectacular memories for life, and to show......
Member
B. Dene Adventures Inc.
Your Dene Connection in Yellowknife. B. Dene Adventures is a Traditional Dene Culture Camp business which teaches the Dene way......
Member
Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́ Tourism
We are the Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́ got’ine. People of the community of Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́, “the place where rivers come together”, in......
Member
Tundra North Travel
Tundra North Travel is an Inuit company based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories that was established with the dream of being......
Member
Red Cliff Adventures
Red Cliff Adventures has a traditional camp that is located in Lutsel K’e, on the shores of the East Arm,......
Member
North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge
Nestled in the Nahanni Range of the Mackenzie Mountains on Cli Lake, is the North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge. It is......
Member
Enodah Wilderness Travel/ Trout Rock Lodge/Enodah Kennel
Enodah Wilderness Travel / Trout Rock Lodge/ Enodah Kennel offer high-quality Aurora viewing experiences by night and dogsled tours by......
Member
Ji Guang Tour
With over 30 years of living in Yellowknife, we offer a variety of tourism experiences for our guests. We are......
Member
Hearne Lake Lodge
Hearne Lake Lodge is a remote fly-in fishing lodge only 20-minute floatplane ride east of Yellowknife. To serve you better,......
Member
Andrew Lake and Lynx Tundra Lodges
Arctic Adventure & Wildlife viewing on the edge of the tree line of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Lynx Lake 400 km......
Member
Nonacho Lake Fishing Adventures
Creating Memories for a Lifetime Nonacho Lake Fishing Adventures offers trophy lake trout and northern pike fishing. Wildlife abounds at......
Member
Nanook Aurora Tours
Offering four-hour Aurora tours including the ice road and City of Yellowknife. Pick-up and drop-off available. Small groups. Service in......
Member
Arctic Chalet Tours
Best Northern Road Trip! Now you can drive all the way to the Arctic ocean linking Canada from coast to......
Member
Namushka Lodge (1982) Ltd.
The all new Namushka Lodge! Come enjoy all the new amenities of a fly-in fishing lodge! Located on Harding Lake, 32......
Member
Destination NWT Ltd.
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 […]...
Member
Explore Yellowknife Year - Round Adventure
Explore Yellowknife is an adventure tour operator based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.We offer authentic northern tours like no other. Witness......
Member
Brabant Lodge
With us, you will find a unique Northern fishing experience with no distractions. Our amenities include Starlink Wi-Fi, standard queen-sized......
Member
Aylmer Lake Lodge
DISCOVER A MOMENT THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Aylmer Lake Lodge is located in Rocknest Bay, which is on the Barren......
Member
Simpson Air
Simpson Air (and its predecessor) is the oldest continuously-operated flying service in the Mackenzie Valley, established in the early 1960s.......
Member
Aurora Dream Tours
Our professional tour guides will take you on amazing Aurora viewing tours, city tours, ice road tours and much more.......
Member
Canoe North
Canoe North, located in Hay River, Northwest Territories offers kayak and canoe rentals and sales. We can set you up for a......
Member
Taltson Lake Lodge Ltd.
Fly-in fishing lodge located 150 air miles (240 kms) south of Yellowknife. Full American Plan or unguided....
Member
Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures
For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......
Member
Watta Lake Lodge
Comfortable lodge a 20 minute by floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Guided fishing for Lake Trout (to 34 lb), Arctic Grayling (to......
Member
Bluefish Outfitting
With Bluefish Outfitting you’ll get an unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Bluefish Outfitting offers personalized, guided fishing trips and boat tours on......
Member
Tah-Chay Adventures
Join us for an unforgettable experience on the mighty Mackenzie River. Day trips are available for a full or half......
Member
Polar Pack Arctic Adventures
We are an Inuvialuit owned and operated family business, run by locals Enoch and Amanda Pokiak, based in Inuvik in the Western......
Member
North Star Adventures
100% Indigenous owned! We are the world’s first Aurora Hunting tour company, we know Aurora. Learn about Aurora, why Yellowknife is the......
Member
Beck's Kennels
World class dogsled tours! We are one of the largest professional sled dog kennels in Canada. Over 150 happy, healthy......
Member
Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures
Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures is a professional fishing charter company with a professional NWT fishing guide looking to help you catch......
Member
Nahanni Mountain Lodge
Remote private wilderness paradise on Little Doctor Lake, 100 km west of Fort Simpson. Accommodates 20 in cabins. Fishing, swimming,......
Member
Great Slave Lake Tours
Great Slave Lake Tours offers winter and summer trips on Great Slave Lake, the ninth biggest lake in the world......
Member
Yellowknife Tours
Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......
Member
Sonny Aurora Tours
Join us on an Aurora hunting adventure. Our skilled tour guides know all the best places around Yellowknife to capture......
Member
Arctic Duchess Adventures
Come explore more then half a century of marine history under the Aurora!...
Member
Jackpine Paddle
Unplug from the commonplace with our Northwest Territories canoe and kayak expeditions. We specialize in true wilderness adventures to the......
Member
Diamonds de Canada
Canada has a deep love for our natural resources with diamonds being the highest expression of love. Thanks to Canada’s world class standard for sustainable mining, we are custodians of our precious lands and take great pride and care releasing these rare gems. From the moment our land is surveyed to the final reclamation (the […]...
Member
Dancing Skies Photo Tours
Dancing Skies is a new tour operator in Yellowknife, led by an experienced northern lights chaser and photographer with a passion for contemplation. Specializing in private tours and small groups of up to 5 people, we prioritize silent, serene observation and photography of the aurora, far from the crowds. With expertise in Space Weather data, […]...
Member
Trophy Lodge - Great Slave Lake
Fish for Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling and Northern Pike at the remote untouched East Arm of Great Slave Lake, one......
Member
Kasba Lake Lodge
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 […]...
Member
My Backyard Tours
We offer winter clothing rentals. Our winter clothing will keep you warm and comfortable for your outdoor fun – ask us......
Member
Arctic Tours Canada
Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......
Member
Bucket List Tour Company
We operate a fully equipped luxury coach and offer City Tours, Aurora Tours and tours to the Nahanni National Park Reserve......
Member
North of 60 Aurora Adventures
We offer tours such as aurora viewing, dog sledding, snowmobile rides, ice fishing and more. Come experience a once in......
Member
Frontier Lodge - Gateway to Thaidene Nëné
Fish & Explore Thaidene Nëné Frontier Lodge. Over 60 years of legendary fishing on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, at......
Member
K'iyeli Tourism Services
Extend your trip to Fort Simpson with a visit to our Dene Camp, K’iyeli. We have options available for an......
Member
Lac La Martre Adventures
“Like No Other Place On Earth” We are the only fly-in lodge located a 50 minute float plane flight from......
Member
Black Feather - The Wilderness Adventure Company
For over 50 years, Black Feather has had the opportunity to operate canoe, hiking and sea kayaking expeditions throughout the......
Member
Tukto Lodge
Tukto Lodge has been exceeding anglers’ expectations for more than fifty years. As the only fishing and eco-tourism lodge in......
Member
Plummer's Great Slave Lake Lodge
Great Slave Lake Lodge combines trophy lake trout, arctic grayling, and northern pike fishing with one of the best opportunities......
Member
Plummer's Great Bear Lake Lodge
Great Bear Lake Lodge is located on the Dease Arm of Great Bear Lake and is home to the biggest......
Member
NARWAL Northern Adventures
Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......
Member
Old Town Glassworks
Etching popular northern designs on unique 100% recycled glass, since 1994. Visit our gift shop in Old Town or come......
Member
NWT Diamond Centre
Come shop and experience the true beauty of Canadian diamonds. We feature and sell a variety of loose diamonds, mined, cut, and polished all here in the Northwest Territories. ...
Member
Scott Lake Lodge
One of the finest Pike and Lake Trout waters in North America, on the 60th Parallel. Enjoy luxurious private cabins......
Member
Sparks Lake Lodge
“Unforgettable remote fishing experience” We are the only lodge located on this fly-in only lake. With only 8 guests per......
Member
Plummer's Trophy Lodge
Trophy Lodge is a fishing lodge located on the Smith Arm of Great Bear Lake. We are famous for our......
Member
Yellow Dog Lodge, Inc.
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....
Member
AuroraTours.net
We are a local Aboriginal tour company based in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Our focus is on......
Member
2 Seasons Adventures
2 Seasons Adventures is a family-owned company. Our professional guides boast a lifetime of experience enjoying the unique lifestyle of......
Member
Peterson's Point Lake Lodge
Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge provides you access to known waters teeming with monster lake trout. Their current record is a......
Member
Aurora Village
Aurora Village – A Class of Its Own Aurora Village is a unique Aurora-viewing facility situated 25 minutes from downtown......
Fishing Charter based in Yellowknife offering specialized in Giant Northern Pike and Lake Trout. We have boats to operate either in the North and East arm....
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......
Book this entire cabin in the remote wilderness of the stunningly breath-taking, Mackenzie Mountains. This cabin is hands down the......
Our goal is to provide unique customized services for high-end customers. We excel at making personalized tours. You can see......
Join us for a fishing trip of a lifetime in the barrenlands of Northern Canada. Experience some of the world’s......
Exceptional fishing on Gordon Lake, 100 km northeast of Yellowknife. Fish for Lake Trout, up to to 56 lbs! Fly in by......
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......
Northstar Resort is a remote fishing lodge located on Thekulthili Lake, 95 miles (152 km) northeast of Fort Smith. Operates from......
Boat tours in the wildlife-rich Slave River delta and fishing at Taltson Big Pike Lodge....
Ena Lake Lodge is a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive luxury fishing and outdoors experience in Northern Canada. Come and experience authentic fly-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.......
Yellowknife Online produces Yellowknife specific articles and content for visitors, residents, and newcomers. Yellowknife Online has recently transferred that knowledge......
Chuck Gruben is an active Inuvialuit hunter and trapper very knowledgeable in the Tuktoyaktuk area offering customized tours (hunting, hiking,......
To truly experience the Northwest Territories, take your camping gear for a highway driving adventure! Long ribbons of road without......