Northwest Territories Holidays

Best time to visit the Northwest Territories

The best time to visit the Northwest Territories (NWT) depends on what you want to do and see.

• Summer (June-August) is the most popular time to visit the NWT, as the weather is mild and there are many outdoor activities to enjoy, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and canoeing. The days are also very long during the summer, so you can make the most of your time.
• Fall (September-October) is a great time to see the fall foliage, which can be spectacular. The weather is still mild in the early fall, but it starts to cool down towards the end of October.
• Winter (November-April) is the coldest time of year in the NWT, but it is also a beautiful time to visit. The snow-covered landscapes are stunning, and there are many winter activities to enjoy, such as skiing, snowboarding, and dog sledding.
• Spring (May) is a shoulder season, with mild weather and fewer tourists. This is a good time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy the NWT's natural beauty at a more leisurely pace.

No matter what time of year you choose to visit, you are sure to have a wonderful time.

Highlights of the Northwest Territories

What are the Northwest Territories famous for:

• Yellowknife
• Inuvik
• Nahanni National Park Reserve
• Wood Buffalo National Park

Swipe left or right to learn more about each destination.

Yellowknife

One of the closest cities to the North Pole, the lakeside city of Yellowknife is the capital of the Northwest Territories and home to nearly half of the entire population. Once a gold rush town, the city was later revived by diamond mining and is now often called the ‘Diamond Capital’ of North America. A holiday heaven for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts, Yellowknife sits on the shores of the vast Great Slave Lake which during the summer months is simply crying out to be explored by boat or canoe.

Yellowknife enjoys a celebration and holds many festivals throughout the year, from summer music festivals and lakeside cook-offs to the extravaganza that is The Snowking - which lasts for the whole month of March and comes complete with an impressive full size snow castle built on Yellowknife Bay.

Downtown Yellowknife has several shopping centres with a range of shops including some great galleries with work by local artists and gift stores, and a good selection of pubs and restaurants. The city’s old town is located on the shores of Great Slave Lake and is a popular place to explore, with its colourful houseboats, waterfront restaurants, local artisans and the iconic Wildcat Café - one of the town’s first restaurants. In the centre of the old town is ‘The Rock’ and on its summit, the Pilot’s Monument, which is dedicated to the bush pilots of Canada who were essential in the settlement of Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. You can climb the wooden steps to the monument for some fantastic panoramic views.

A modern town in the midst of beautiful wilderness, Yellowknife is a great place to visit and explore on your holiday, whatever time of year you stop by.

Inuvik

Inuvik is a town in the Northwest Territories, Canada, located on the Mackenzie Delta, just south of the Arctic Circle. It is the third-largest community in the Northwest Territories, with a population of approximately 3,500 people. Inuvik is a unique and vibrant community, with a rich culture and history. The town is home to a number of Inuit cultural attractions, including the Aurora Research Station, the Inuvik Eskimo Dog Centre, and the Inuvialuit Cultural Centre. 

Inuvik is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including the Mackenzie Delta, the Arctic Ocean, and the Richardson Mountains. It is also a popular destination for those who want to experience the town's unique culture, see the northern lights, and enjoy the town's many outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, and dog sledding. If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable travel experience, Inuvik is the perfect destination for you.

Nahanni National Park Reserve

Nahanni National Park Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The park is known for its stunning scenery, including towering canyons, waterfalls, and alpine meadows. Nahanni is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bears, wolves, moose, and caribou. 

The park is divided into three main areas: the South Nahanni River Valley, the Virginia Falls area, and the Upper Nahanni River Valley. The South Nahanni River Valley is home to some of the park's most iconic features, including the Virginia Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in North America. The Virginia Falls area is also home to a number of ancient cliff paintings. The Upper Nahanni River Valley is a remote and rugged area, known for its towering canyons and alpine meadows. The valley is also home to a number of hot springs. 

Nahanni National Park Reserve is a popular destination for hikers, campers, and canoeists. The park also offers a number of guided tours, including helicopter tours and boat tours. If you are looking for a truly special and unforgettable travel experience, Nahanni National Park Reserve is the perfect destination for you.

Wood Buffalo National Park

Wood Buffalo National Park is the world's largest national park, located in the Northwest Territories and Alberta, Canada. It is home to the largest herd of free-roaming wood bison in the world, as well as a variety of other wildlife, including bears, wolves, moose, and caribou. The park is also home to a number of unique geological features, including the Peace-Athabasca Delta, which is the largest freshwater delta in North America. The delta is home to a variety of bird species, including waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds.

Wood Buffalo National Park is a popular destination for those who come to see the bison, experience the park's unique wildlife, and enjoy the park's many outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and canoeing. If you are looking for a truly unique and unforgettable travel experience, Wood Buffalo National Park is the perfect destination for you.

Summer/Winter outdoor activities

The Northwest Territories are an outdoor lover’s paradise. The province’s main draw however is its rugged, unspoilt landscapes and there are plenty of ways to get out and enjoy them. During the summer months, set out on foot to explore the many scenic hiking trails, from gentle strolls and day hikes with peaceful picnic spots to long overnight backpacking trips through the wilderness. Wildlife abounds, from bears, moose and huge wood bison to a wide variety of birds. For tranquillity like no other, head out onto the pristine lakes with a canoe or rowboat and potter around the bays and coves, or take a trip down one of the many rivers. 

During the winter, the lakes freeze, the landscapes are blanketed with deep snow and there are even more ways to get outdoors – from cross country skiing and snowshoeing to snowmobiling and dog sledding. Wildlife watching is still excellent, with the beautiful Ptarmigan and their winter coat of white feathers, the elusive snowy owl and graceful arctic foxes. Cast your eyes upwards during the dark nights of these winter months and you are likely to be rewarded with the mesmerising light show of the Aurora Borealis. The province provides ample opportunity to witness this natural phenomenon, whether you prefer to experience it in comfort from a heated seat on a purpose-built viewing platform, from the surface of a frozen lake, on an evening dog sled ride, or even from a steaming hot tub.

As the winter draws to an end, communities all over the province celebrate with lively festivals and events, starting with the Sunrise Festival in Inuvik in January and including the popular Snowking Festival in Yellowknife and the K’amba Carnival in Hay River hosted by the K’atl’odeeche First Nation, both in March. 

Swipe left or right for more.

City life

Yellowknife is a busy town with a good selection of shops and restaurants. Interesting museums include the Prince of Wales Heritage Centre which houses exhibits on the history and settlement of the area as well as its varied cultures. The city’s Old Town is a popular place to wander, with colourful houseboats, artists’ studios and waterfront cafés perched around the central mound named ‘The Rock’. You can climb to see the Pilot’s Monument on the summit, dedicated to the bush pilots who were integral to the early exploration and settlement of the province. The mount also boasts great panoramic views of the lake and around.

On the south shore of Great Slave Lake is Hay River, the province’s second largest town, which is an important transportation link as well as having a beautiful stretch of sandy beach. Another popular place to visit is the isolated Inuvik, which lies at the end of the famous Dempster Highway above the Arctic Circle and overlooks the maze of streams and lakes of the Mackenzie Delta.

The Northwest Territories are a destination like no other: a trip into the unknown, with vast open tundra, forests and mountains to explore, cascading waterfalls, rivers and shimmering lakes, and endless skies that dance after dark. With a smattering of towns perfect for refuelling and a little home comfort, your arctic adventure can be as adventurous as you make it.