aurora viewing

courtesy WBNP

Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada’s largest national park. It was established in 1922 to protect the world's largest herd of free-roaming wood bison, currently estimated at more than 5,000. It is the only known nesting site of whooping cranes.

Axe Handle Hill

Axe Handle Hill Park is located at the eastern end of the Town of Fort Smith between Pine Crescent and Park Drive.

When using the trails along the Slave River during the summer (May through October), it is important to be aware of wildlife, particularly black bears. Be Bear Aware. Black bears use the river as a migration route, and though human encounters with bears are rare, they do happen. Inform yourself about how to avoid an encounter with a bear, and know how to react if one does occur.

There is no shortage of outdoor activities to pursue in and around our beautiful community, regardless of the season.

Trails

Fort Smith has dozens of hiking, cycling, snowshoeing, and skiing trails, as well as trails for dog teams, snowmobiles, and off-road vehicles. We are also part of the Trans Canada Trail.

Parks

photo courtesy ITI, GNWTThe night skies of Fort Smith provide the venue for some of the most brilliant displays of aurora borealis in the world, due in part to the town’s proximity to the north magnetic pole. Our location is ideal for viewing the northern lights. On clear nights, the skies above Fort Smith glow with green, yellow, pink, and sometimes red dancing lights that brighten, dim, and simmer in an awe-inspiring show.