Travel Article: Camping in the Northwest Territories

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�	The Mackenzie River Delta¹

Canada's frigid Northwest Territories may not be the first thought-of destination for a spot of camping but it actually offers up numerous organized sites for doing just that.

Known for its winter scenes of ice fields, resilient wildlife and never-ending night skies lit by the ethereal aurora borealis, this legendary and mysterious land is a unique and wild summer destination too, where the sun never sleeps and temperatures can reach 35�C (95�F).

Adventurous souls who want to explore the Northwest Territories' rugged landscapes, wildlife, and First Nations cultures should consider heading to the area's national and territorial parks with a tent in tow during the warmer months for a real back-to-nature camping experience.

Most territorial parks mentioned here accept reservations.

WHEN TO GO

The Northwest Territories "enjoy" a sub-arctic climate in the south and true arctic weather in the north. The southern zone, much of the province's mainland, boasts above-zero temperatures from May to October, averaging maximums of about 20�C (68�F) during the hottest months of July and August. Up in the Arctic Islands or the Inuvik Region, however, the mercury barely makes it past 10�C (50�F) at the height of summer and temperatures sink to chilly depths well below zero during the rest of the year.

While summer visitors to the Northwest Territories' mainland can expect plenty of crisp sunshine and long hours of daylight, they should always prepare for sudden and steep drops in temperature and dress in layers (wool and polypropylene clothing works best).

Most organized campgrounds are open from mid-May to mid-September, logically limiting the camping season to temperatures more conducive to human survival.

SOUTH SLAVE REGION

The south-easternmost corner of the Northwest Territories encompasses the towns of Fort Smith and Hay River. Eager campers will find they are not short of choices in this lake-speckled landscape spreading south of Great Slave Lake to the Alberta border.


Louise Falls at Twin Falls Territorial Park²	�

Fort Smith Area
Conveniently located in Fort Smith�the northern gateway to the renowned Wood Buffalo National Park�the Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park features a campground with treed tenting and trailer sites, complete with electricity, drinking water, showers, toilets and firewood. The park's main attraction is the mighty Slave River and brave kayakers come for its challenging rapids.

Hay River Area
Located on Vale Island at the town of Hay River, the Hay River Territorial Park boasts a fully-serviced campground with sites for tents and RVs. Adorned with a sandy beach on the shore of Great Slave Lake, the park is a much-loved summer destination for families who enjoy swimming, boating and fishing.

Approximately 50 km (31 mi) south of Hay River, the scenic Twin Falls Territorial Park beckons visitors to admire its stunning natural attributes, such as the Hay River Canyon and the Louise and Alexandra falls. Campers can take advantage of great facilities at the Louise Falls Campground located at the heart of the park and near the falls of the same name, while the Escarpment Creek Group Campground offers partially serviced sites. Both campgrounds are signposted from Highway 1.

NORTH SLAVE REGION

Aside from the city of Yellowknife, the North Slave Region is a largely remote area northeast of Great Slave Lake known for diamond mining. The region offers organized camping at some of the sparkling lakes that bejewel the Ingraham Trail (Highway 3).

Situated just 3 km (2 mi) from Yellowknife, the Fred Henne Territorial Park lays claim to the biggest and busiest campground in the region. Offering full camping facilities, this summer oasis basks on the shore of Long Lake. Following Highway 3 for a further 30 km (19 mi) or so from Yellowknife, travellers will arrive at Prelude Lake Territorial Park, which is home to another busy campground with 63 non-powered sites, a kitchen shelter, toilets, drinking water and firewood. A great trout fishing spot, the park also features lots of walking trails.

Approximately 60 km (37 mi) east of Yellowknife, the ruggedly beautiful Reid Lake Territorial Park is an excellent launching point for canoe, kayak and power-boat trips into the surrounding lake systems. The well-serviced campground provides both walk-in and vehicle accessible sites.

Hidden Lake Territorial Park promises a true wilderness experience without developed services or organized campsites. It does, however, boast one of the area's most beautiful lakes and for this, the park is a popular overnight destination among avid canoeists, fishers and wildlife watchers. Those setting up camp here must bring their own water and firewood or fuel. Access to Hidden Lake is via water from Powder Point (35 km/22 mi east of Yellowknife) or on foot via the Cameron Falls Trail (48 km/30 mi from Yellowknife).

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�	Nahanni National Park³

DEHCHO REGION

This southwestern chunk of the province shares borders with British Columbia and the Yukon and is home to the communities of Fort Liard, Fort Simpson and Fort Providence. Popular with tourists, the region touts a stunningly diverse landscape with impressive rivers, waterfalls and mountains.

Fort Liard Area
Hay Lake Campground is a small, basic campground located just 1 km (0.6 mi) from Fort Liard, on the shore of Hay Lake, and offers drinking water, firewood and a kitchen shelter. It's first-come, first-served at this pretty spot.

Located approximately 115 km (71 mi) north of Fort Liard, Blackstone Territorial Park is a popular meeting point for canoeists and rafters passing through Nahanni National Park. The campground is set along the Liard River and has showers, toilets, drinking water and firewood.

Fort Simpson Area
The campground at Fort Simpson Territorial Park is conveniently located within walking distance of the centre of town at Fort Simpson�the gateway to Nahanni National Park. The campground offers excellent facilities, including powered sites and showers. Surrounded by wetlands, it is a prime spot for bird watching.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mountainous Nahanni National Park sports Canada's deepest canyons, natural hot springs, rare orchids and the famous Virginia Falls. Here, true adventurers are drawn to the South Nahanni River�which is recommended for only the most experienced independent white-water paddlers or those accompanied by licensed guides�and the wildlife-filled Mackenzie Mountains. No-trace camping is encouraged throughout the park, although open fires are not permitted. Otherwise, designated camping areas with composting toilets are located at Virginia Falls (reservations are required) and Rabbitkettle Lake. Access to the park is via float plane only.

The Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park provides non-powered sites with shower facilities approximately 150 km (93 mi) east of Fort Simpson. The Sambaa Deh translates to Trout River, and for good reason; however, the park is not only popular for fishing. Sightseers come for the spectacular river canyon and the Sambaa Deh and Coral falls located at each end of the campground.

Fort Providence Area
Both Fort Providence Territorial Park and Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park are convenient to the community of Fort Providence and offer camping facilities for a comfortable stay. Fort Providence Territorial Park is set along the Mackenzie River and welcomes fishers and hikers, while Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park boasts an impressive sight on the Kakisa River where the expansive falls rush over a straight limestone ridge.

INUVIK REGION

Popular with intrepid travellers wanting to explore the wild Arctic coast, play in the midnight sun and marvel at the Mackenzie Mountains, the Inuvik Region sits snug between the Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east. Inuvik and Fort McPherson are its main centres.


RVs on the Dempster Highway⁴	�

Inuvik Area
Happy Valley Territorial Park is located in Inuvik, overlooking the Mackenzie Delta and Mackenzie River at the end of the Dempster Highway. The fully-serviced camping area is within walking distance of downtown and offers both powered and non-powered sites for RVs and tents. Jak Territorial Park also features a well-serviced campground just a short distance from Inuvik along the Dempster Highway. This scenic, forested park bursts with cranberries, blueberries and cloud berries during the camping season.

Travelling farther along the Dempster Highway, approximately 40 km (25 mi) south of Inuvik, the Gwich'in Territorial Park Reserve offers very basic camping facilities at the Vadzaih Van Tshik Campground. The park is a significant migratory bird staging area and features limestone cliffs and rare arctic plants.

Fort McPherson Area
The nearest camping facilities to Fort McPherson are located at Nitainlaii Territorial Park, 9 km (6 mi) south of the community along Dempster Highway, and approximately 194 km (121 mi) south of Inuvik. This tranquil spot overlooks the Peel River and offers basic camping amenities.

Backcountry Camping
The Inuvik Region offers awesome opportunities for unique backcountry camping experiences during summer when the sun never sets. Both Aulavik National Park on Banks Island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Tuktut Nogait National Park in the northeast corner of the province's mainland offer starkly beautiful arctic landscapes, diverse wildlife and many haunting archaeological sites. Both parks are popular for wilderness hiking and paddling and while there are no visitor facilities in either of these reserves, self-sufficient no-trace camping is permitted anywhere, except at precious archaeological sites. Neither park is road accessible.

SAHTU REGION

South of the Inuvik Region, the Sahtu Region lays claim to the town of Norman Wells, the famed Canol Heritage Trail, and the province's only operational oil field. Norman Wells is accessible only by plane or river during summer. Visitors generally choose to stay in warm hotels, but the nearby McKinnon Territorial Park on the Mackenzie River offers basic camping facilities for the more adventurous souls.

If you enjoyed this feature, take a look at these great WorldWeb.com articles:
� Northwest Territories: A Wilderness to Explore
� Historic Sites in the Northwest Territories

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

The Mackenzie River Delta; NT, Canada

Louise Falls at Twin Falls Territorial Park; Hay River, NT, Canada

Nahanni National Park; Fort Simpson, NT, Canada

RVs travelling the Dempster Highway; NT, Canada

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Camping in the Northwest Territories