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Home Story Sleep like a log: Cabin Rentals on the NWT’s Rustic Frontier

SLEEP LIKE A LOG: CABIN RENTALS ON THE NWT'S RUSTIC FRONTIER

Imagine it – You’ve just finished your day exploring the Northwest Territories by bike, on a hike, or with a paddle firmly gripped in hand. You’ve lugged giant Northern pike from a lake, stayed up to watch the nightly Northern Lights show overhead and shared so many laughs around the campfire that your face hurts.

You’re positively tuckered out, and ready to wind down in preparation for whatever tomorrow’s adventures will bring. Lucky for you, in the Northwest Territories we know that the best way to end a day of spectacular outdoor adventure is with equally spectacular accommodations and hospitality.

No matter where you find yourself in the Northwest Territories – on a houseboat, at a rustic wilderness lodge, under the Midnight Sun on a Northern beach – there’s a cozy bed in a quiet and tranquil place where you can drift off in peace. Here are some of the most unique places to stay if you’re looking for the best accommodations in the Northwest Territories.

PETERSON'S POINT LAKE LODGE

A quick charter flight out from Yellowknife, Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge provides you access to waters teeming with simply monstrous Lake Trout. The lodge is equipped with modern conveniences, but you may find yourself wanting to slip away from the outside world and fully embrace a life of wood-fired saunas, personally-tailored meals, and breathtaking wildlife and Aurora viewing opportunities. 

Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge provides a comfortable and rustic experience without softening the allure of a truly remote setting. The warm hospitality of this all-inclusive lodge has many guests turning what they thought was a once-in-a-lifetime trip into a yearly adventure. 

FRONTIER LODGE - GATEWAY TO THAIDENE NËNÉ

Summers on the East Arm are a fisher’s dream, and Frontier Lodge provides equally fantastic accommodations with an irreplaceable sense of authentic Northern character. With over 60 years of experience providing Northern hospitality, this all-inclusive resort knows how to make your experience unforgettable.

Frontier Lodge is situated just outside of Lutsel K’e and the boundaries of Canada’s newest National Park reserve – Thaidene Nëné. Immerse yourself in this ancient Land of the Ancestors – trek its rugged wilderness, fish its crystal clears waters and experience local Dënesųłıné culture, all before retiring to your cabin.

NAMUSHKA LODGE

Come enjoy all the new amenities of a fly-in lodge at Namushka Lodge! Located on Harding Lake, it’s a short 52 km (32 mile) trip east of Yellowknife. Enjoy fishing for Lake Trout, Pike, Whitefish and Walleye. For the outdoor adventurer, rockhounding and bird watching (Bald Eagles, Loons, Grebes) is available. They accommodate groups of eight to twelve and operate from mid-June through October. They are also during the winter for snowmobiling, skiing and ice fishing excursions. At Namushka Lodge, you’ll quickly see why “Family, Friends and Fishing” is one of their mottos! 

CASTAWAYS COTTAGES & CAMPGROUND

Castaways Cottages & Campground is a 100% locally owned Indigenous business located a comfortable 10 minutes from downtown Hay River. It provides great access to the modern comforts of the bustling regional hub, with perfect outdoor spaces for a spectacular weekend break or week-long getaway. 

Castaway Cottages will be your home away from home while you stay in the Northwest Territories and you can expect no less than complete comfort, modern furnishings and simply amazing views. No matter the time of year, witness everything that is stunning about the natural landscapes of the NWT – from everlasting summer sun to dazzling winter Aurora.

ARCTIC CHALET

Experience a chalet’s luxury and rustic comfort at the top of the world. Arctic Chalet in Inuvik has the only log-cabin rentals north of the Arctic Circle and, while they are newly renovated and modernized for a comfortable stay, you’ll find yourself settling into the traditional beauty of the tranquil Arctic environment.

Stay in the main two-story log home or find complete privacy in one of the log cabins. Here you are also away from the city lights of Inuvik for an undiminished view of the Arctic Aurora. You’ll even hear the occasional howling of the chalet’s team of White Huskies that want to meet and welcome you to the North.

DET’AN CHO TOURIST CAMP

Det’an Cho Tourist Camp, on the banks of the Little Buffalo River just shy of Fort Resolution, has cabins – plus canoes and paddle boats for rent. Fort Resolution is the oldest occupied community in the Northwest Territories and a stay at Det’an Cho Tourist Camp immerses you in the history and culture of the community. 

For those looking for a truly authentic and rustic experience, they have cabins available year-round with amazing access to outdoor areas and amenities that provide a relaxing place to spend your nights as you tour the community and surrounding area.

YELLOW DOG LODGE

Located on Duncan and Graham Lakes, Yellow Dog Lodge is your hub for adventure in the NWT taiga wilderness. Only a 15 minute float plane ride away from Yellowknife, this comfortable lodge offers three private cabins. Yellow Dog Lodge is a wonderful spot to disconnect and unwind, but it also offers great opportunities for fishing under the Midnight Sun or Northern Lights watching during the fall and winter Aurora seasons. 

MACKENZIE CABINS

Looking for an iconic place to rest your head on your road trip up through the Territory? Mackenzie Cabins is situated on Highway 3, just outside Fort Providence, about halfway up from the southern border towards Yellowknife. More than a stop along the road, Mackenzie Cabins rents sunny timber-frame cottages on the banks of the mighty Mackenzie River, which is perfect after a day of Arctic grayling fishing on the nearby Kakisa River. 

Whether you are fishing off the shore, hiking along the river, or resting in your cozy, rustic cabin, Mackenzie Cabins is the perfect place to experience some nature or simply enjoy some quiet.

WHISPERING PINES COTTAGES

Whispering Pines Cottages is an adorable log micro-house (complete with loft bunk!) in the heart of Fort Smith, gateway to Wood Buffalo National Park. Each cabin is private and comfortable. It’s the perfect place to cozy up during the winter or to grab a quick nap in the middle  of an eventful summer’s day. Enjoy the rolling heat and rustic smells from your wood-burning stove, or relax into your evening in the hot tub – available for your enjoyment in the summer and winter. 

Dreaming of Northern vistas? Explore all the ways to get out and witness the magnificent landscapes and majestic wildlife of the Northwest Territories

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.

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