Northwest Territories holidays

Canada’s wild northern frontier is a land of sprawling tundras, dense woodlands and colossal lakes. Holidays to the Northwest Territories are all about exploring this otherworldly landscape, whether you go dog sledding, hunt for the Northern Lights or paddle through icy waters. And don’t forget to experience the region’s rich Indigenous culture and unique festivals.

Top destinations in Northwest Territories

Yellowknife

Snowy Yellowknife tempts you with its rugged frontier vibes, pristine wilderness and an opportunity to see the Northern Lights in all their glory.

Northwest Territories: fast facts

Language

English, French + 9 others

Currency

Canadian dollar (C$)

Time zone

Yellowknife - UTC−7 (MST) and UTC−6 (MDT)

High season

June – August; December – March

Low season

October – November

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Northwest Territories holiday highlights

Northwest Territories
Adam Pisani

See the Northern Lights

With more than 200 annual appearances of the Northern Lights, the Northwest Territories is one of the best places on Earth to see them. Winter (mid-November to early April) offers the highest chance of a sighting. Book a tour to Aurora Village, where you can stay in a traditional tipi and discover the aurora’s Indigenous significance from a local guide.

Explore icy lakes

One of the best things to do in the Northwest Territories is to explore Great Slave Lake — North America’s deepest and one of the world’s largest lakes. Perched on its shores is Yellowknife, the regional capital and a perfect jumping-off point for activities like kayaking, fishing and birdwatching. Take a multi-day tour to delve into the lake’s narrow channels, rugged cliffs and tiny islands.

Experience Indigenous cultures

First Nations people make up over a third of the region’s population. Look out for Indigenous crafts like birchbark baskets, moose-skin moccasins and bone-carved jewellery, made using traditional techniques that have been handed down over generations. Book tours with Indigenous-led companies when possible. Visit Yellowknife on National Indigenous Peoples’ Day (21 June) to enjoy drumming, singing, craft stalls and a massive fish fry.

Things to do in Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories
Hans Pfaff

Top attractions

The deep waters of Great Slave Lake provide almost unlimited opportunities for recreation. Explore the cliffs of the East Arm, or paddle alongside the North Arm’s sandy beaches for incredible birdwatching. In Yellowknife, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre celebrates the Territories’ past and future through art and artefacts. The alpine meadows of Nahanni National Park Reserve offer unparalleled vistas.

Beaches

Summer beach days in the Northwest Territories are totally doable — just be sure to bring a warm layer. Hit the golden sands of Yellowknife’s Long Lake, or take a boat to Whitebeach Point, with its ivory-white shores and nearby bison sanctuary. And Pine Lake Beach in Wood Buffalo National Park is a tranquil spot for canoeing, kayaking and wildlife spotting.

Nature

Nahanni National Park Reserve is a wonderland of rushing rivers, towering waterfalls and steep canyons. Book a guided tour in the summer for whitewater rafting and Indigenous cultural experiences. Visit Wood Buffalo National Park to see bison, bears, wolves and lynx roaming epic landscapes. In winter, try snowmobiling along the Slave River or dog sledding along frozen lakes and through boreal forests.

Cuisine

The restaurants in the Northwest Territories focus on hearty comfort food like ‘Bannock’, a traditional bread rooted in Indigenous communities. Expect a bounty of locally caught fish like trout, pike and fire-smoked ‘dryfish’, along with traditional meats like moose and caribou. For rustic fare in a historical setting, head to Bullock’s Bistro in Yellowknife, a beloved local restaurant dating back to the 1930s.

Culture and museums

Nature’s North Wildlife Gallery in Yellowknife is one of the best museums in the Northwest Territories to learn about the region’s iconic animals. Also in the capital, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre showcases Indigenous artefacts, Gold Rush relics and Ice Age fossils. For a deeper dive into First Nations history, head to the Northern Life Museum in Fort Smith.

Nightlife

The Northern Lights aren’t the only show in town when it comes to nightlife in the Northwest Territories. Many of Yellowknife’s beloved restaurants do double duty as nightlife spots, with dance floors, live music and events like pub quizzes. The Northern Arts and Cultural Centre, the NT’s only performing arts centre, hosts a robust lineup of Canadian and international performances.

Find the best time to visit Northwest Territories

Weather in Northwest Territories through the year

March – May: Melting ice and snow can make spring wet and muddy. Below-freezing temperatures linger through April despite the longer days.

June – August: Summer sunshine brings average highs around 24°C. In Yellowknife, days are over 20 hours long. On Banks Island, the sun doesn’t set between late April and August.

September – November: Want to catch the Northern Lights before winter’s chill sets in? September is one of the best times to visit the Northwest Territories. By October, expect the first snows and average temperatures below freezing.

December – February: Winter’s short days make for spectacular aurora displays, but bundle up. During the coldest part of winter, you’ll experience temperatures of −20°C and lower.

Events in Northwest Territories

Inuvik Sunrise Festival (January): Celebrate the sun’s return after a long polar night with music, dance and crafts.

Snowkings’ Winter Festival (March): Head to this epic castle of snow and ice on Yellowknife Bay for music, comedy and snow carving competitions.

Midnight Classic Golf Tournament (June): Tee off under the Midnight Sun at this amateur golf tournament held at the Yellowknife Golf Club — it’s one of the Northwest Territories’ most unique events.

Folk on the Rocks (July): Long summer nights and Long Lake’s sandy shores make a stunning backdrop for this three-day music festival in Yellowknife. Performers from across Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, plus acts from elsewhere in the country, give the festival a uniquely Canadian sound.

Know before you go

Budget

It’s not always easy to have a cheap holiday in the Northwest Territories, but with a bit of planning, it’s possible to keep costs down. A meal in an inexpensive restaurant runs to about 25 Canadian dollars ($), while a local beer will usually cost you less than $8. A cup of coffee is around $5, and short taxi rides typically come in under $20.

Health and safety

Many of the region’s most beautiful parks are remote, with few designated hiking routes and poor phone reception. It’s extra important to be prepared before heading into the backcountry. In the summer, mosquitoes and horse flies (known locally as ‘bulldogs’) are everywhere. Insect-borne diseases aren’t common, but the bites can still be uncomfortable. Make sure you wear plenty of insect repellent.

Free things to do

Learn about Indigenous cultures with free admission to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and the Northern Life Museum in Fort Smith. It might be home to galleries and microbreweries now, but Yellowknife’s Old Town still has the feel of a prospector’s town. Pick up a free brochure at the Yellowknife Visitor Centre for a self-guided walking tour.

Family friendly

Speed through snowy forests and across frozen lakes on a guided snowmobile tour. Kids express their creativity and take home a piece of glass art inspired by northern wildlife at Old Town Glassworks in Yellowknife. Get up close with World War II–era aircraft and learn about the exciting life of an ice pilot on a hangar tour of Buffalo Airlines.

Getting around Northwest Territories

Yellowknife
Getty Images/iStockphoto

Public transport

Buses: YKTransit offers bus service within Yellowknife Monday to Saturday, from Old Town to Kam Lake Road. You’ll also find a handful of charter bus services selling guided aurora and wildlife tours, among others.

Boats: Free provincial car ferries provide river crossings along Highways 1 and 8 during the summer. The ferries tend to close down once rivers start icing over and are replaced by ice roads during the winter.

Domestic flights

Canadian operators like Air Canada, WestJet and Air North have connections to international airports in cities like Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto. Canadian North flies within the territory to Hay River and Inuvik, as well as to northern communities in neighbouring Nunavut. Or try a guided ‘flightseeing’ tour with a charter airline.

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Driving and car hire

Driving is one of the best ways to get around in the Northwest Territories, especially during winter. Ice roads over frozen lakes and rivers connect isolated communities that are otherwise difficult to reach. If you’re driving on an ice road, it’s especially important to follow posted speed limits and other traffic regulations. And make sure to check for road closures due to weather before beginning your trip.

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FAQs about Northwest Territories holidays

Whether you want to chase the Northern Lights or relax under the Midnight Sun, Yellowknife is the gateway to the Northwest Territories. Explore the town’s cool museums and festivals, or use it as a departure point for guided tours and remote wilderness lodges.
Just under a week is enough time to explore Yellowknife’s cultural offerings and one or two multi-day excursions. A longer trip gives you a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights, although it’s never guaranteed.
The best time to visit the Northwest Territories depends on what you’re after. Summer offers warm temperatures and is perfect for hiking, rafting and beach days. Winter is ideal for snow and ice activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling and chasing the Northern Lights. Just remember that winter also brings extremely cold temperatures and shorter days.
The biggest safety risks here are related to the outdoors. Keep a safe distance from wildlife and dress in plenty of layers year-round. Be sure to stop only in designated parking or viewing areas when admiring the Northern Lights and local wildlife.
There are 11 official languages here — nine Indigenous languages plus ​English and French. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, and you may be able to pick up a few words of Indigenous languages on local tours.
The Northwest Territories uses the Canadian dollar ($). Major credit cards are accepted at most businesses. It’s a good idea to carry some cash, though — service disruptions aren’t unheard of. Tip 15% at restaurants. And if you have a great experience on a tour, consider a small tip for your guide.

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