Built in 1936, this one-and-a-half storey squared-log dwelling overlooks the Ehdaa Historic Site and Papal Flats in Fort Simpson. The house is located at the southern edge of the original Hudson’s Bay Company compound, boasting a beautiful view of the confluence of the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers – a key trade transportation route for many centuries.

An excellent example of Métis architecture and the fur-trade heritage of the community, the McPherson House also sits on grounds comprising a multi-component stratified archaeological site. Upper layers suggest that the Hudson’s Bay Company used this area for the construction of York Boats, while lower strata indicate use by Indigenous groups dating centuries before contact with European traders.

Festive sounds of celebration and solemn whispers of prayers have been heard seasonally at Ehdaa since oral tradition began for the Łiidlįį Kų́ę́ Dene.

For centuries Dene have gathered at this site, located on inviting, low-lying flat land on the southwestern end of Fort Simpson Island, near the confluence of the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers. Groups would journey here as part of their seasonal travels in order to strengthen and renew social and spiritual ties. Land use was allocated by the Elders, coming of age ceremonies were held, marriages were performed, disputes were settled, goods, knowledge and techniques were traded and games were played. Spiritual healing ceremonies, such as the drum dance, were practiced as well.

Today, the site remains an important location to the local Łiidlįį Kų́ę́ Dene, who continue to visit this sacred ground, holding seasonal celebrations at the Drum Circle, honoring their connection to the land and their culture.

Golf under the midnight sun at this beautiful, grassy, 9-hole golf course. Within easy walking distance of downtown Fort Simpson, the Seven Spruce Golf Course features rolling fairways, a relaxing clubhouse, and laid-back vibes.

The course is built, maintained and regularly enjoyed by locals. You can rent some clubs if you didn’t bring your own, or just put your feet up and enjoy some hot food, cold drinks and great conversation on the clubhouse’s sunny deck.

A mandatory stop on the drive North of Sixty, this booming 10-storey spillover on the Hay River is the centerpiece of Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park, not far from Enterprise. Shockingly, in 2003, an American daredevil kayaked over the falls – and lived.

This is a dramatically beautiful spot to enjoy a picnic, take a three-kilometre stroll to nearby Louise Falls, or just take in this magnificent waterfall from two viewing platforms. Interpretive displays along the trail provide historical information about the area, including the falls’ spiritual significance to the Dene people who regarded the Twin Falls as the sacred resting place of two spirits – Grandmother and Grandfather. The couple are said to remain here until the falls disappear, protecting the land and ensuring people respect creation.

The day-use area here has picnic facilities, kitchen shelters, tables, drinking water, outhouses and, of course, ready access to the sights and sounds of the waterfalls.

The Escarpment Creek Group Campground, located in Twin Falls Territorial Park, is a group campsite available for private rentals only. Guests who reserve can enjoy the exclusive use of 12 powered campsites, a group fire pit area with seating, outhouse, and potable water. This park is a lovely group camping destination for large groups of RV campers. There are no shower facilities at the park, but guests are welcome to use the facilities at the Louise Falls Campground. 

A hidden gem situated between Fort Liard and Fort Simpson, Blackstone Territorial Park boasts stunning mountain views, abundant wildlife, and a pristine location on the Liard River, downstream from its confluence with the South Nahanni. This is an excellent starting or ending point for canoeists, boaters or anglers.

At the convergence point of three rivers – the Peace, Liard and Mackenzie – Blackstone offers plenty of exciting activities for campers, picnickers and wilderness enthusiasts. The waters here are perfect for boating, while underneath the waves anglers can hook Arctic Grayling, Trout, and Arctic Char. Visitors should be on the lookout for black and brown bears, moose, hares and other wildlife, as well.

The road to Blackstone Territorial Park is itself part of the attraction. Travellers can reach the park via both the Liard Trail (Highway 7) and the Dehcho Travel Connection. The latter became a popular tourism destination in the ’90s during a contest where travellers of the 3,000-kilometre route were entered into a draw to win an Arctic diamond. Today, many visitors still follow the paths of gold seekers, explorers and trappers on the Deh Cho Travel Connection,visiting historic landmarks, wild parks, well-serviced campgrounds and traditional and modern communities as part of this epic road adventure that takes its name from the Mackenzie River, which is known as the Deh Cho or “Big River.”

Blackstone Territorial Park’s campground features 19 non-powered campsites, washrooms, showers, drinking water, firewood, a kitchen shelter, picnic areas, helpful staff and an intriguing interpretive centre. There’s also a furnished cabin with a woodstove in the park that can be rented.

Enjoy great fishing, bison and bird watching, and take advantage of the services available in nearby historic Fort Providence, featuring visitor services, tours, fishing, groceries, a motel and restaurant. The campground is on the north bank of the Mackenzie River, only two kilometres off Highway 3. There are 21 powered campsites, washrooms, drinking water, firewood, a kitchen shelter and a picnic area.

Located on Vale Island in Hay River, (follow the signs; it’s about 10 kilometres past the information centre), this park offers fantastic swimming on the sandy shores of Great Slave Lake, unique views of barges and fishing vessels plying the waters, and great opportunities to fish for Northern Pike. The campground has 35 powered campsites with nearby wilderness and modern amenities.

This idyllic park overlooks the confluence of the Mackenzie and Liard rivers, yet is within easy walking distance of the centre of town. Adjoining it are the Papal Site commemorating the 1987 visit of Pope John Paul ll and the ancient Ehdaa Historical Site, which has been a gathering place for the Łiidlįį Kų́ę́ Dene for generations.

This is a great location for bird-watching; dozens of species have been documented throughout the park, and migratory waterfowl can easily be spotted in season, including tundra swans and snow geese. You can also enjoy the chorus of frogs serenading the northern wildlife. A community trail is readily accessible from the park’s campsites and runs around the perimeter of Fort Simpson, linking several historic sites.

Take a break to enjoy a picnic or spend the afternoon fishing (in season, of course) along the fast-moving Kakisa River at this quaint territorial park. 

Amenities include washrooms, a boat launch and a picnic/day-use area. Watch for trophy Grayling, too One of the iridescent northern fish’s favourite spawning tributaries is the Kakisa River, and Great Slave Lake is home to the current world record for Arctic Grayling. 

Visitors to this territorial park can also hike the trail to Lady Evelyn Falls, where the Kakisa River drops off a limestone ledge, creating a frothing pool of trophy catches leaping and spinning through the air while fishers cast their lines.

Reach the park from Kakisa, which is at the end of a 13-kilometre detour from Highway 1, approximately two hours from the Alberta border, an hour-and-a-half from Hay River or four hours from the Northwest Territories’ capital, Yellowknife.

Make the trip to see Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park, a road-accessible destination just outside the little village of Kakisa, even if you don’t plan to camp overnight. The Kakisa River is a warm and boulder-strewn waterway with many lovely spots for wading and swimming. The fishing is also excellent – Northern Pike, Pickerel and Arctic Grayling can be caught by casting small spoons into the pools at the base of the falls.

But Lady Evelyn Falls is really the star attraction. It occurs where the Kakisa River jumps off an ancient coral reef, forming a crescent-shaped, 17-metre-high curtain of spray. A staircase leads into the gorge at the base of the falls.

There are 23 powered campsites in the territorial park, plus washrooms and showers, a kitchen shelter, drinking water, firewood, interpretive displays and helpful staff. From the Mackenzie Highway, an access road leads 6.8 kilometres south to the park. From the parking lot, a short trail leads to Lady Evelyn Falls.

A four-kilometre day-hike downriver from Alexandra Falls – or upriver from Enterprise – is where you’ll find this 15-metre-high cataract in the Hay River Canyon. It’s here that Louise Falls can be viewed from one of the finest (and most popular) campgrounds in the Northwest Territories.

Together, Alexandra and Louise Falls make up Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park – a dramatically beautiful place to enjoy a picnic and stroll the paths. To get a little closer to Louise Falls, walk down the spectacular winding spiral staircase that leads to the river below and the bottom of the falls.

Interpretive displays along the trail between Louise and Alexandra falls provide historical information about the area, and explain the cultural significance of the falls.

A beloved attraction in the Dehcho, Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park is a must-see for any visitors travelling on Highway 1. Most visitors stop to photograph the roadside Sambaa Deh Falls, where the Trout River surges through a limestone slot and over a dazzling drop, but there’s plenty more to see if you follow the network of trails that trace the canyon rim.

Take a stroll 1.5-kilometres upstream and you’ll arrive at the beautiful Coral Falls, named for the numerous coral fossils still found in the area. Coral is a sweeter, shyer waterfall than Sambaa Deh, and one that you’ll likely have all to yourself. Downstream, meanwhile, the path will take you to the water, where you’ll find stellar fishing for Arctic Grayling and Pickerel. Please take care, because the rocks may be slippery when wet, and there are no fences.

The river here was a traditional transportation route before and during the fur trade. The falls forced travellers to portage around this dangerous stretch of water. Today, the park and campground contains hiking and walking trails, a viewing platform overlooking and 20 non-powered camping sites with washroom facilities.

Sambaa Deh Territorial Park is located along Highway 1, just a short drive from Fort Providence and Fort Simpson.

This park is what we call a “destination park,” and with good reason. The sights to be seen are spectacular, the camping facilities excellent, the peace and tranquility are another world. The park has three main areas, located between the Mackenzie Highway and the Hay River, and linked together by a beautiful and dramatic trail: Alexandra Falls Day Use Area, Louise Falls Campground & Day Use Area, and the Escarpment Creek Group Campsite. They are well signposted on the highway heading either north from the Alberta border or south from Enterprise.

Twin Falls park offers excellent day-trip facilities for activities such as viewing the waterfalls, trail walking, or picnicking; a fully serviced campground for a longer stay; and a partially serviced group camping area at Escarpment Creek. The fully serviced campground is at Louise Falls, in the centre of the park, making the features at Alexandra and Escarpment easy to access and enjoy. Just the Hay River Canyon by itself is a spectacular sight, cut deep by a river with water the same honey colour as the steep rock walls to either side. And it’s only when you notice how small the trees look on the far side that you realize just how big that canyon is.