Northwest Territories Explorers Map

Description:
This map shows cities, towns, villages, rivers, lakes, highways, major highways, secondary roads, winter roads, national parks, trails, themed routes, trails, ferries, waterfalls, historical sites, parks with campgrounds, and diamond mines in the Northwest Territories.

Adventure Travel and Outdoor Recreation in Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories is Canada's third-largest territory, covering approximately 1,346,106 square kilometers of subarctic and arctic wilderness. Located in northern Canada, it shares borders with Yukon to the west, Nunavut to the east, and the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan to the south. The capital city, Yellowknife, serves as the primary hub for adventure tourism activities in the region.

Geography and Climate

The territory encompasses diverse landscapes including boreal forests, tundra, mountains, and numerous lakes and rivers. Great Slave Lake and Great Bear Lake, two of the largest lakes in North America, are located within its boundaries. The Mackenzie River, Canada's longest river system, flows through the territory for approximately 1,738 kilometers.

The climate varies significantly across the territory. Southern regions experience subarctic conditions with temperatures ranging from -30°C in winter to +25°C in summer, while northern areas have arctic conditions with more extreme temperature variations. Summer months (June to August) provide nearly 24 hours of daylight in northern regions, while winter brings extended periods of darkness.

National Parks and Protected Areas

Nahanni National Park Reserve, established in 1976, covers 30,000 square kilometers and was designated as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1978. The park features Virginia Falls, which stands 90 meters high—nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls. The South Nahanni River attracts whitewater rafting enthusiasts from around the world, offering Class III and IV rapids.

Wood Buffalo National Park, shared with Alberta, is Canada's largest national park at 44,807 square kilometers. It serves as a critical habitat for the world's largest free-roaming wood bison herd and the endangered whooping crane.

Tuktut Nogait National Park, located in the northern tundra region, covers 18,181 square kilometers and protects calving grounds for the Bluenose-West caribou herd. The park name translates to "young caribou" in Inuvialuktun.

Wilderness Activities

Paddling and Water Sports

The Northwest Territories contains over 300,000 lakes and countless rivers, making it a premier destination for canoeing and kayaking. The Horton River, Thelon River, and Burnside River offer multi-day expedition paddling opportunities through remote wilderness areas. These routes typically require 10 to 21 days to complete and demand advanced paddling skills and wilderness experience.

Great Slave Lake provides opportunities for sea kayaking, with its 27,200 square kilometer surface area and maximum depth of 614 meters. The East Arm of the lake features dramatic granite cliffs and numerous islands suitable for exploration.

Hiking and Backpacking

The Canol Heritage Trail, a 355-kilometer route following a World War II-era pipeline corridor, crosses the Mackenzie Mountains from Norman Wells to the Yukon border. The trail takes approximately 14 to 21 days to complete and passes through elevations ranging from 150 to 2,000 meters.

Day hiking opportunities exist near Yellowknife, including trails at Prelude Lake Territorial Park and Cameron River Falls. The Ingraham Trail, a 70-kilometer highway east of Yellowknife, provides access to multiple trailheads and wilderness camping areas.

Fishing

The territory supports populations of lake trout, northern pike, Arctic grayling, and inconnu. Great Slave Lake produces lake trout exceeding 20 kilograms, with the record catch weighing 29.5 kilograms. Trophy pike fishing typically yields fish between 10 and 15 kilograms. Fishing licenses are required for non-residents, and specific regulations govern catch limits and seasons.

Aurora Viewing

The Northwest Territories lies directly beneath the auroral oval, a ring-shaped zone around the magnetic North Pole where aurora borealis occurs most frequently. Yellowknife markets itself as the "Aurora Capital of North America" due to its location at approximately 62.5°N latitude. Statistical data indicates aurora visibility on more than 240 nights per year under clear sky conditions.

Peak viewing seasons occur from mid-November to mid-April, when darkness extends beyond 18 hours per day. Aurora viewing infrastructure includes heated viewing pods, traditional teepees, and specialized photography tours. The phenomenon occurs when charged particles from solar wind collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere, producing light displays in colors ranging from green to red, blue, and purple.

Winter Activities

Snowmobiling trails extend throughout the territory, including ice roads across frozen lakes. The Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road operates annually from January to April, creating a 600-kilometer ice road that serves mining operations and recreational travelers.

Dog sledding experiences range from half-day excursions to multi-day expeditions. Traditional knowledge from Indigenous peoples informs modern dog mushing practices in the region. Ice fishing gains popularity during winter months, with typical ice thickness ranging from 1 to 2 meters on major lakes.

Wildlife Viewing

The territory hosts approximately 5,000 wood bison in wild populations. Caribou herds, including the Bathurst and Bluenose herds, migrate through various regions seasonally. Muskox populations inhabit the tundra regions, while moose are common in forested areas. Bird species include peregrine falcons, bald eagles, and numerous waterfowl species. Polar bears can be encountered in coastal areas near the Arctic Ocean.

Cultural Tourism

Indigenous peoples, including Dene, Métis, and Inuvialuit, comprise approximately 50% of the territory's population. Cultural tourism programs offer opportunities to learn traditional skills such as hide tanning, drum making, and fish preparation. The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife houses exhibits on natural and cultural history. Several communities offer cultural programming, including Behchokǫ̀, the largest Indigenous community in the territory with a population exceeding 2,000.

Access and Infrastructure

Yellowknife Airport serves as the primary entry point, with daily scheduled flights from Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa. The Dempster Highway, which extends from Yukon to Inuvik, represents the only public road crossing the Arctic Circle in Canada. The Mackenzie Highway connects southern communities to the road network of northern Alberta.

Tourist facilities range from full-service hotels in Yellowknife to wilderness lodges and territorial campgrounds. The territorial park system includes 33 parks and campgrounds. Satellite communication devices are mandatory for many backcountry activities, as cellular service remains limited outside population centers. Emergency response times in remote areas can exceed 24 hours.

Seasonal Considerations

Summer season (June-August) provides optimal conditions for paddling, hiking, and fishing, with average temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. Mosquito and blackfly populations peak during this period, particularly in July. September offers autumn conditions with changing foliage colors and reduced insect activity, though early snowfall can occur at higher elevations.

Winter season (November-April) enables aurora viewing, ice-based activities, and winter camping. Temperatures frequently drop below -35°C, requiring specialized equipment and clothing. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) serve as shoulder seasons with variable conditions and reduced tourist services. Many wilderness lodges and tour operators close during these transition periods.

Maps of Northwest Territories: | Large detailed map of the Northwest Territories with cities and towns | Northwest Territories Road Map | Northwest Territories Tourist Map | Northwest Territories National Parks Map | Northwest Territories Travel Map | Northwest Territories Official Languages Map | How to get to the Northwest Territories Map | Northwest Territories Campgrounds Map | Northwest Territories Physical Map