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Home Story Why The NWT Is A Must-See For Every Canadian
A paddler on a lake in the NWT

Why The NWT Is A Must-See For Every Canadian

It’s an urge you’ve always had. A longing for adventure in a legendary land. A desire to get off the beaten path, to go somewhere completely new. To see more of Canada and finally take that trip to the North – it’s just a quick flight or scenic road trip away after all.

Over the years, you’ve heard friends try to describe seeing the spellbinding dance of the Northern Lights—before they concede that words can’t come close to doing the lights justice.
Maybe you’ve pictured yourself alone in pristine nature, or out on remote waters hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town, engaged in an epic battle with an unseen leviathan.

Or perhaps you want to feel something less tangible, but just as real. You’ve come to notice the North has a special ability to turn strangers into lifelong friends over the course of a few hours, after they share intimate moments and once-in-a-lifetime experiences on the land, in the skies,
or on the waters.

Whatever you are seeking, the Northwest Territories will have it. Because here, you’ll see what makes the North so spectacular. You’ll understand what attracts both feisty trophy fishing enthusiasts and contemplative canoe trip-takers to the same waters. You’ll discover something about yourself and you’ll be able to agree that the Northwest Territories is a must-see destination for every Canadian.

a person sits on the beach next to a tent watching the northern lights overhead

The Northern Lights

Enjoy a romantic evening and fine Northern dining in a private teepee before snuggling up deep
in a heated seat to watch Northern Lights that are so close you imagine you can touch
them.

Or fly by bush plane to a lakeside Aurora-viewing lodge, and clink a flute of champagne,
comfortably soaking up to your shoulders in a hot tub, as tendrils of light whip across the sky
above you. When the show ends, retreat to your own bush cabin, kept toasty by woodstove,
and sleep easy knowing that if the lights pick back up again, a staff member will come and
gently wake you.

Or travel to an igloo village—a veritable winter wonderland. Spend an evening sampling
Inuvialuit and Gwich’in fare and listening to expert storytellers unwind fantastical local legends
and personal histories, as the Aurora do their age-old dance in the heavens. Later, crawl into
unparalleled comfort under layers of fur blankets in a custom-built igloo, marvelling at the
ingenuity of the Inuit, for a night you will never forget.

A man walks down a snowy highway in the NWT

Road Trips 

One of the most inedible aspects of visiting the Northwest Territories is getting here in the first
place. As you go further north, you will observe the trees get smaller (or disappear
altogether) as the distance between communities increases and the wildlife is closer and wilder than you’ve ever seen before.

A late-summer’s drive up the Dempster and on to the Arctic Ocean is a must for any lover of the
open road. You will cross some of the nation’s biggest rivers by humble ferry, cruise along
mountain and tundra vistas, and visit some friendly communities, where Northern hospitality is
on full display. Be dazzled by the burst of colours on the barrenlands, which wow you. In Tuktoyaktuk, at the end of the road, cap off your trip with a dip in the Arctic Ocean, the only opportunity Canadians have to drive to the Northwest Passage.

The southern portion of the Northwest Territories is also well within reach from Alberta or B.C.
Take the Dehcho Connection, a 3,000-kilometre wilderness route where bison routinely stop
traffic and a half-dozen roadside waterfalls are sure to take your breath away. Take a detour
into the South Slave region to explore the wonders of Wood Buffalo National Park—the largest
park in all of Canada. Or make a stop in Fort Simpson, the launch pad for day trips into the wild
Eden of Nahanni National Park Reserve, with towering Virginia Falls, ancient canyons and
magnificent spire peaks.

Be sure to bring your tackle box and rod along for your Dehcho Connection adventure, as
creeks, rivers and lakes across the Northwest Territories are veritable underwater highways and
metropolises for Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Arctic Grayling, Walleye and more. Feel the thrill of
reeling in dinner, which you can fry up over a roaring fire at one of the route’s many well-
maintained, RV-accommodating campgrounds.

Paddler enjoy a trip in the NWT

Paddles in Paradise

Where one road stops, others begin.

In the Northwest Territories, our rivers are the original highways that stretch to every corner of this great, wild land.

What will you see as you travel these waterways? Will you gaze at grazing muskoxen along the shores of the Thelon River? Or be one of the few dozen intrepid adventurers to explore the ancient canyons of the Hornaday River in Tuktut Nogait National Park this year? Perhaps you will portage around Virginia Falls, where the South Nahanni River tumbles more than 80 metres in an earth-trembling cascade. Or stop and pick wild strawberries in alpine meadows, a short hike off the Mountain River.

Take a self-powered trip back in time to a natural world that seems all-together untouched by the outside.

Holding a huge Lake Trout in the NWT

Record Breaking Fish

A visit to the Northwest Territories lets you truly get away from it all.

At the NWT’s premium fishing lodges, you don’t have to worry about a thing. Skilled chefs
concoct gourmet meals for you and staff can tailor daily schedules and side-trips to fit your
every whim. All your flight and travel plans are taken care of—really, you just need to show up.
Once you get a few hundred kilometres from the closest town, feel free to turn off your phone
and not look at it again for a week. You won’t be bored—the pristine landscapes and scores of
mighty underwater giants will have your full attention. Here, the waters are so clean and
unpolluted that you can dip a mug in for a drink. And these same lakes and streams are
populated by some of the largest, fighting-est, feistiest fish on the planet.

The Northwest Territories is home to world-record Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Arctic Char and
Arctic Grayling. And your expert guides will know exactly where to look for them.

This is that next-level fishing experience you’ve always been dreaming of.

Bullock’s Bistro

Iconic Eats

The Northwest Territories has an arts scene as diverse and deep as our land and waters.

And that’s because the NWT is home to many nations: Dene, Inuvialuit and Metis artisans create stunning works with materials harvested from the land. Visit any gallery or
museum to see the intricate beading on handmade moosehide moccasins, the ornate dyed
porcupine quillwork on birchbark baskets, the careful traditional stitching on beaver fur mitts,
the meticulous attention devoted to each detail of a soapstone carving, the perfect symmetry
of each component in a moose hair tufting design. At the many craft or art sales held around
the territory, the artist who created the work will often be sitting at the table in front of you,
selling her or his art.

The Northwest Territories is a place to go to push yourself—and your palette. Whether it’s a
fresh caught fish at the world-famous Bullock’s Bistro or a spread of traditional country food at
a bush camp, a lavish meal of delectable Northern game or a flight of craft beers at the NWT
Brewing Woodyard Pub, the territory is experiencing a culinary renaissance, making
the most of the bounty around it.

This is a trip you have always wanted to make.  Make this the time you
embrace your adventurous side and finally plan to go north to the NWT. Read a kilometre-by-kilometre guide to the NWT’s best road trip routes to point you in the direction of iconic photo spots, thriving communities, and detours to truly spectacular landscapes and unique experiences – this place will change you.

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Nahanni River Adventures

Spectacular river journeys on Canada’s most iconic rivers. Travel with expert guides by raft or canoe and immerse yourself in......

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Blachford Lodge

What began as a “part time fishing lodge” has now become a “full time Aurora Wilderness Lodge” open year round......

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Trail Blazer Tours

Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......

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Canoe North Adventures

For over 30 years, Canoe North Adventures has made it our mission to create spectacular memories for life, and to show......

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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......

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Ji Guang Tour

With over 30 years of living in Yellowknife, we offer a variety of tourism experiences for our guests. We are......

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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......

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Nonacho Lake Fishing Adventures

Creating Memories for a Lifetime Nonacho Lake Fishing Adventures offers trophy lake trout and northern pike fishing. Wildlife abounds at......

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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......

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Arctic Chalet Tours

Best Northern Road Trip! Now you can drive all the way to the Arctic ocean linking Canada from coast to......

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Morning Star Travel

Feel the best Aurora Tours...

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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 […]...

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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......

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Aylmer Lake Lodge

DISCOVER A MOMENT THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Aylmer Lake Lodge is located in Rocknest Bay, which is on the Barren......

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Simpson Air

Simpson Air (and its predecessor) is the oldest continuously-operated flying service in the Mackenzie Valley, established in the early 1960s.......

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Aurora Dream Tours

Our professional tour guides will take you on amazing Aurora viewing tours, city tours, ice road tours and much more.......

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Canoe North

Canoe North, located in Hay River, Northwest Territories offers kayak and canoe rentals and sales. We can set you up for a......

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Taltson Lake Lodge Ltd.

Fly-in fishing lodge located 150 air miles (240 kms) south of Yellowknife. Full American Plan or unguided....

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Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures

For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......

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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......

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Beck's Kennels

World class dogsled tours! We are one of the largest professional sled dog kennels in Canada. Over 150 happy, healthy......

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NWT Charter Services

Charter the bus, travel the North by road Your go-to solution for reliable and convenient ground transportation in the North! Shuttle Services Group Travel Sporting Events Corporate Events Out-of-Territory Trips School Trips Luggage Customized Itineraries Budget Friendly Rates and so much more!  ...

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North-Wright Airways Ltd.

If are looking for a spectacular weekend retreat nestled in the serenity of the Mackenzie Mountains at Ten Stone Mountain Lodge. North-Wright......

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Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures

Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures is a professional fishing charter company with a professional NWT fishing guide looking to help you catch......

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Nahanni Mountain Lodge

Remote private wilderness paradise on Little Doctor Lake, 100 km west of Fort Simpson. Accommodates 20 in cabins. Fishing, swimming,......

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Great Slave Lake Tours

Great Slave Lake Tours offers winter and summer trips on Great Slave Lake, the ninth biggest lake in the world......

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Yellowknife Tours

Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......

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Sonny Aurora Tours

Join us on an Aurora hunting adventure. Our skilled tour guides know all the best places around Yellowknife to capture......

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Jackpine Paddle

Unplug from the commonplace with our Northwest Territories canoe and kayak expeditions. We specialize in true wilderness adventures to the......

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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 […]...

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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, […]...

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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......

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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 […]...

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My Backyard Tours

We offer winter clothing rentals. Our winter clothing will keep you warm and comfortable for your outdoor fun – ask us......

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Arctic Tours Canada

Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......

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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......

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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......

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NARWAL Northern Adventures

Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......

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Old Town Glassworks

Etching popular northern designs on unique 100% recycled glass, since 1994. Visit our gift shop in Old Town or come......

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Scott Lake Lodge

One of the finest Pike and Lake Trout waters in North America, on the 60th Parallel. Enjoy luxurious private cabins......

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Plummer's Trophy Lodge

Trophy Lodge is a fishing lodge located on the Smith Arm of Great Bear Lake. We are famous for our......

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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....

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AuroraTours.net

We are a local Aboriginal tour company based in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Our focus is on......

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2 Seasons Adventures

2 Seasons Adventures is a family-owned company. Our professional guides boast a lifetime of experience enjoying the unique lifestyle of......

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Aurora Village Sport Fishing

Offering fishing trips from May to September....

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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......

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Aurora Village

Aurora Village – A Class of Its Own Aurora Village is a unique Aurora-viewing facility situated 25 minutes from downtown......

Raven Tours is a tour operator in Yellowknife, NT, Canada. We offer Aurora Viewing, Snowshoeing, and Hiking Tours. We hope 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......

Exceptional fishing on Gordon Lake, 100 km northeast of Yellowknife. Fish for Lake Trout, up to to 56 lbs! Fly in by......

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......

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......

Yellowknife Online produces Yellowknife specific articles and content for visitors, residents, and newcomers. Yellowknife Online has recently transferred that knowledge......

Warburton Bay has a magic of its own. Located on the southwest end of Mackay Lake, it is close to......

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......

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