Tips for First Time Visitors to Canada's Arctic

Adventures Abound in Yellowknife NWT the Wildest Little City on Earth

Yellowknife Northwest Territories Travel Guide - Yellowknife NWT is a rugged and remote city in Canada's North. Known as the 'Wildest Little City on Earth', Yellowknife is famous for Northern Lights dancing across the sky and its long summer days. Its wild landscapes and untouched wilderness are a haven for outdoor adventure seekers. Yellowknife has rich Indigenous and gold rush histories. Whether you are a culture explorer or seeking iconic artic adventures like fly-in canoe tripping, fishing, or dog sledding, then Yellowknife has something for you. In this guide, tips are shared to help make your first visit a smooth and unforgettable experience.

Yellowknife Northwest Territories Travel Guide

The City of Yellowknife is the capital of the Northwest Territories in Canada. With a population just over 20,000, Yellowknife is the largest and only city in the territory making it an ideal base for exploring the territory. 

Located on the shores of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife is part of the Chief Drygeese Territory and is on the traditional lands of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. In fact, the city's name comes from the copper knives made by the Yellowknive's Dene First Nation.

The City of Yellowknife as we know it now was 'settled' by gold prospectors in 1934. Although the last gold mine shut down in 2004, mining is still a major industry. This is due to the discovery of diamonds in 1991. Interestingly, the most common Dene name for Yellowknife is Somba K'e. The direct translation is "Where the money is". Given Yellowknife's long mining history and status as a government town, this name seems fitting.

Some of the first businesses opened in Yellowknife in the 1930's were the Corona Inn, Weaver & Devore Trading, Yellowknife Supplies and Post Office, and The Wildcat Cafe. A number of these businesses located in Old Town are still open today. 

Getting to Yellowknife NT

By car

Driving to Yellowknife gives adventure seekers the freedom to explore as they please. Yellowknife Northwest Territories Travel Guide helps you get there. 

Rental cars picked up at the Edmonton International Airport in Alberta typically include unlimited mileage. From here, the drive to Yellowknife about 1,5000km and takes 15 hours. This route takes visitors through parts of the Wood Buffalo Waterfall Route in NT.

Driving to Yellowknife from the Vancouver International Airport is 2,381km and takes 25hrs. This route passes through some beautiful Canadian landscapes including Jasper National Park in Alberta before it connects with the route from Alberta that passes through the Wood Buffalo Waterfall Route.

By Plane

There is regular service from Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver as well as 6 times per week from Toronto to the Yellowknife Airport. Direct flights are also available from Whitehorse and Ottawa. WestJet, Air Canada, Air North, and Canadian North primarily serve Yellowknife.

Renting a Car in Yellowknife Northwest Territories

We rented a car for a day and picked it from the Yellowknife Airport. Most hotels have free shuttles to and from the airport making it easy to get back and forth. 

Car rentals in Yellowknife only include 50km and have an $0.40 charge for each additional kilometer. We drove the full length of the Ingraham Trail which is 69km one-way. Our additional mileage charge was $60. 

The Yellowknife Airport has National, Hertz and Budget rental companies. Be sure to check their days and hours of operation. For example, Budget is closed on Saturdays and Sundays and closes by 5pm every other day. We rented through National and had no issues. There is another rental option nearby called Gastown Rent-a-car.

Getting around Yellowknife

Learn about the Yellowknives Dene First Nations & Northern way of Life

Yellowknife Visitor's Centre

Yellowknife Northwest Territories Travel Guide - Start your cultural explorations at the Yellowknives Visitor's Centre. The Visitor's Centre has a non-commercial gallery to showcase northern and First Nations artists. There is also an interpretive centre. Here visitors can learn about the aurora borealis, the history of Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and Yellowknife's mining industry. Staff are knowledgeable and can help you get the most out of your arctic adventure. If this is your first time up north, then make sure to get your Order of Arctic Adventurer's North of 60 Chapter membership certificate. 

Dene Yellow Knives Communities in Northwest Territories

Ndilo is a small Dene community of 300 on the tip of Lantham Island, just past Old Town. Ndilo has a public school, a Dene School, the band office and is home to the Det'on Cho, a First Nations investment company. We decided to go for a walk around Lantham Island to explore Old Town and Ndilo. It was a quiet day when we walked through the village. We saw one gentleman working in his shop. He greeted us as we passed. We waved and said hello in return. 

Dettah, is another small a Dene Community. Population 220. During the summer access to the community is from the Ingraham Trail, however in the winter there is an ice road on Great Slave Lake connecting Dettah to Yellowknife. Fellow Canada Adventure Seeker, Diana Johnson-Santos visited in the winter and traveled along the ice road. A First Nations company called B. Dene Adventures runs a traditional culture camp just outside of Dettah. The camp teaches visitors about the Dene traditional way of life. 

The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre

The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is a fascinating museum to visit and should be part of your Yellowknife Northwest Territories Travel Guide. The focus is on preserving the cultures, human history, and the natural history of the Northwest Territories. Admission is free; however, donations are appreciated. The Heritage Centre is accessible.

Closed on Mondays, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. On Thursdays it is open until 8:30pm. Check their website for the most up to date information.

Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories

Perhaps it seems strange to include a tour of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories as an opportunity to learn about First Nations cultures. In Canada, Legislative Assemblies are typically designed and provinces governed from a European perspective, but not this one. Traditional teachings and practices are incorporated into every detail of the building's design and the running of the territory. The wisdom of the First Nations cultures when it comes for governing are inspiring. It made me wish that other provincial and territorial governments would incorporate some traditional teachings into their methods. Tours offered Monday to Friday at 10:30 am and are free of charge.

Things to See & Do in Yellowknife

Old Town

Yellowknife Northwest Territories Travel Guide to Old Town - Perched on the shores of Great Slave Lake and tucked in between rocky outcrops, Yellowknife's historic Old Town is a charming mix of gold-rush era buildings and a vibrant art scene. Here, the rugged beauty of the North combines with an eclectic mix of local shops, galleries, cafes, and street art that beckons adventure seekers to explore. Additionally, Yellowknife's famous houseboats add a Maritime touch to the landscape, despite being in Canada's north.  Canada Adventure Seekers Diana Johnson Santos created a video about her visit to Old Town.

Cultural Crossroads - A massive public art installation greets visitors to Old Town. The piece is called Cultural Crossroads and is on McAvoy Rock. It is a collaboration between the Metis, Dene, Inuvialuit, English, and French people celebrating the rich cultural diversity of the area. The rockface is covered in colourful handprints along with the phrase, "The Power of Working together" which is written in all 11 official languages of the Northwest Territories.

Yellowknife Northern Lighthouses - These cute little lighthouses seem out of place this far from the ocean. However, these lighthouses found around Yellowknife serve a different purpose. They forecast the Northen Lights (Aurora Borealis). When the lights turn red, your chances of seeing the Aurora are favourable. 

Bush Pilots Monument - Bush pilots and engineers were vital for opening up the north. To this day they provide essential services to remote northern communities including transporting people and delivering supplies. The Bush Pilot's monument pays honours them and the crucial role they played in the survival and development of Canada's north. Those willing to climb the 130 stairs to the top of "The Rock" are rewarded with incredible views of Yellowknife, Great Slave Lake, and watching float planes come and go. Canada Adventure Seeker Lisa Muldoon also visited here and created a photo gallery.

Float Planes - One of my favourite pass times in Yellowknife is watching float planes. Many tour operators offer site seeing float plane tours. The cost is $500 for a 30min tour. Numerous float plane companies also offer fly-in fishing, backpacking and canoe trips. 

Old Town Glassworks creates recycles wine bottles into unique glass-etched pieces. They also offer glass etching workshops 5 days a week. 

Hiking Frame Lake Trail

Experience the untamed beauty of the Canadian Shield without leaving Yellowknife's city limits. The 7km hike around Frame Lake is in the heart of the city. The eastern portion of the trail is paved and passes through the Capital Park Area. Here, urban adventurers will come across several attractions including Somba K'e Park, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, and the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. Alternatively, the western portion of the trail gives hikers a taste of the Northern backcountry. This part of the trail crosses over rocky outcrops and swampy wetlands. The feeling is that of exploring the remote Canadian wilderness, even though you are still within city limits.

Rotary Centennial Waterfront Park is a serene 1.3-hectare (3.2 acre) park on the shores of Great Slave Lake. With an expansive boardwalk extending into Yellowknife Bay, this park is an ideal spot for a leisurely stroll. It is also home to the Yellowknife end of the Dettah Ice Road. 

Daytrips & Excursions from Yellowknife

Ingraham Trail Roadtrip

Yellowknife Northwest Territories Travel Guide - Road Trip on on the 70km (43.5 miles) long Ingraham Trail band visit a whopping 9 Territorial Parks! With numerous lakes, the rocky Canadian Shield and forests Ingraham Trail is a popular place for outdoor adventure seekers to explore. Popular activities include water sports, camping, picnicking, and fishing. Other things to do include canoeing, swimming, fishing, and birdwatching. 

Cameron River Ramparts

Cameron River Ramparts is one of the most beautiful sites along the Ingraham Trail. There is a short 1.6km out and back trail to the ramparts. Plan for 30 minutes to complete the hike and to take photos at the ramparts. There are no benches along the trail. 

Cameron Falls Yellowknife

Without a doubt the 17-meter-high (49 feet) Cameron Falls is top destination on the Ingraham Trail. The 3.1km out and back trail begins in Hidden Lake Territorial Park. The natural trail crosses uneven, rocky areas and has some stairs. There are benches perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the waterfalls. Further down the trail a pedestrian bridge crosses the river letting adventure seekers get a close-up view of the falls. 

Aurora Borealis Viewing

Yellowknife is one of the world's best places to watch the Aurora Borealis. In fact, the Northern Lights are visible 240 days a year! Aurora watching season is from September to May. Aurora Village, along the Ingraham Trail is a world-famous aurora viewing resort. 

Fly-in Canoe Camping & Fishing Adventures

Fly-in overnight canoe camping and fishing adventures are true Northwest Territories' bucket list adventures. Since our trip was only a short one, we didn't have time for a fly in canoe trip. Instead, we rented a canoe from Ahmic Air Ltd. in Old Town and spent the day paddling around Yellowknife Bay on Great Slave Lake. 

Where to Eat in Yellowknife

Bullock's Bistro Fish & Chips

Wildcat Cafe Old Town Yellowknife

Wildcat Cafe in Old Town Yellowknife - Built in 1937, the Wildcat Cafe is one of Yellowknife's oldest buildings. It is one of the most popular places to eat in Yellowknife and is famous for its cinnamon buns. It was closed when we passed through. Fortunately, Canada Adventure Seeker, Lisa Muldoon has been there and created a photo gallery.

NWT Brewing Company and The Woodshed Brewhouse & Eatery

NWT Brewing Company and The Woodshed Brewhouse and Eatery - NWT Brewing Company Canada's northernmost brewpub! Serving up great food and good beer, NWT Brewing and The Woodyard Brewpub & Eatery are locally owned, and family run establishments in Old Town Yellowknife. 

Trader's Grill Fine Dining

Trader's Grill - Fine dining in Yellowknife is found at Trader's Grill in The Explorer Hotel. Diners can explore the tastes of Northern Canadian Cuisine. Dishes feature meats like elk, bison, or lake trout. I ordered a bison stew. Trader's Grill is a beautiful restaurant with a large fireplace and views looking out into the Yellowknife Wilderness. 

Trapline Lounge Yellowknife

Trapline Lounge at the Explorer Hotel - You will find Yellowknife's best cocktails at the Trapline Lounge at the Explorer Hotel. We have a tradition that we call Fancy Friday. When visiting a new place, we try to find the best place enjoy fancy drink. In Yellowknife, this place is the Trapline Lounge in The Explorer Hotel. 

Sundog Trading Post Cafe

Sundog Trading Post Cafe - The best ice cream in Yellowknife is found at Sundog Trading Post Cafe in Old Town. They make their ice cream in house, and they even make a vegan option! We stopped in for a great coffee and some Bannock and jam. In addition to the cafe, Sundog Trading Post has a gift shop perfect for souvenir hunting. They also offer a variety of activities and tours. 

Javaroma

Javaroma - Javaroma is a gourmet coffee and tea shop in downtown Yellowknife. Javaroma serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is also THE place to pick up delicious sandwiches along with other grab and go picnic items ideal for an Ingraham Trail Road trip. Javaroma was near our hotel, so we stopped here most days for a quick breakfast.

Flame Craft Grill'n Chill

Flame Craft Grill 'n Chill Restaurant - Flame Craft Grill 'n Chill was the newest restaurant in Yellowknife when we visited. They are located next to the Aurora Bayside Inn and have a patio overlooking Great Slave Lake. The food and the service were both excellent. The owners were very attentive and sweet, however the best part of eating at Flame Craft Grill 'n Chill is dinning on the patio and watching the float planes come and go.  

Gold Range - Yellowknife has a reputation for being the 'Wildest Little City on Earth'. As the first bar to serve draft beer in the Northwest Territories, the Gold Range certainly helped Yellowknife get this reputation. The bar is so notorious that its stories have been immortalized in several books. However, this is one book you don't want to judge by its cover. It might look like an old dive bar, and you are certainly not drinking craft beer here, but everyone is welcome. They often have live bands and the best time of year to pay the Gold Range a visit is in the week leading up to Folk on the Rocks when the bands performing in the festival stop by to jam.  

Best Time to Visit Yellowknife

Yellowknife is a great Northern adventure anytime of year. Days are long in the summer, with Yellowknife receiving as much as 20 hours of daylight during the summer solstice. The average temperature in July is a comfortable 21 Degrees Celsius.

Summer festivals include events such as the Yellowknife Air Show, Folk on the Rocks, the Northwest Territories Culinary Festival, Old Town Ramble & Ride and the Yellowknife Pride Festival. 

Don't let the cooler temperatures and lack of sunlight fool you into thinking that people just hibernate all winter long in Yellowknife. They are hardier than that. In fact, they embrace all that winter has to offer. 

The winter festival line up is equally as impressive as the summer event list. There is the Frostbite 55, a 55km long snowshoe and cross-country ski. The Still Dark Festival at the end of January. There is also the Longjohn Jamboree with an ice carving competition, dogsled races and more. Canada Adventure Seeker Diane Johnson Santos visited Yellowknife during the Snow King Winter Festival where she enjoyed live music from inside a gigantic snow castle! 

Where to Stay in Yellowknife

Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts & Log Cabins

Old Town Log Cabins - These log cabins are in Old Town Yellowknife and are seconds away from Great Slave Lake. Old Town Cabins are great for families as they have large living spaces, full kitchens, and baths. One of the cabins is accessible. 

Camping in Yellowknife

Fred Henne Territorial Park - Fred Henne Territorial Park is the closest campground to the City of Yellowknife. It has 62 powered sites, 39 non-powered sites and 12 tent pads. Amenities include washrooms, showers, drinking water, firewood, cooking shelters, and picnic areas. With a long sandy beach and a boat launch, Fred Henne Territorial Park is a popular destination for swimming and waterskiing. Those looking to explore the wilderness will enjoy Prospector's Trail, a 4km long hiking trail throughout the park. 

Prelude Lake - With 79 campsites Prelude Lake is the largest campground along the Ingraham Trail. This campground has 76 non-powered sites and 12 tent pads. There is a sandy beach perfect for water activities like swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding, wind surfing, and water skiing. Prosperous Lake also has a few short nature trails. This walk-in tent site has my favourite view along the Ingraham Trail in the Northwest Territories. 

Reid Lake Territorial Park - Reid Lake Territorial Park has a day use area and 74 non-powered campsites. The campground has 65 non-powered sites and 11 tents pads. Popular activities here are fishing, swimming, canoeing, hiking, bird watching and wildlife viewing. The park has beach volleyball, playground, and a sandy beach. 

Travel Tips & Practical Information

Currency is the Canadian dollar. Most major Canadian banks have branches in Yellowknife.

Taxes - There is no Territorial Sales Tax. So, there is only the Federal 5% GST. Fortunately, foreign visitors can claim back the GST on eligible expenses when they return home through the GST Rebate. Be sure to keep your receipts.

Tipping - Tipping is customary in Canada. Typically, people will tip 15-20% at restaurants, $1 a drink at a bar, and 15-18% at cafes. The amount varies depending on the quality of service.

Languages - Although the Northwest Territories has 11 official languages, English is the most widely spoken. A few of the other languages are French, Dene Suline, Dogrib, South and North Slavey.

Adventures Abound in Yellowknife the Wildest Little City on Earth

Yellowknife is a perfect destination for travelers looking to enjoy a rich cultural heritage for outdoor adventures in untamed wilderness. Learning about life in the north, the history of this wild little city in Old Town and exploring the Ingraham Trail were highlights of our unforgettable trip. Have you need to Yellowknife? Let me know what tips you would add to the Yellowknife Northwest Territories Travel Guide in the comments!

Yellowknife Northwest Territories Travel Guide

Tips for First Time Visitors to Canada's Arctic