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Fort Smith Visitor Guide
Mushroom hunting
Morels are an edible gourmet mushroom that can be found in the boreal forest surrounding Fort Smith. They are highly prized not only for their nutty flavour and meaty texture, but also for the thrill of the hunt to find them.
In the Fort Smith area, the morel hunting season generally runs from early June to the end of July, peaking at the end of June. Daily temperatures have to be at least +15 degrees Celsius and night-time temperatures have to be at least +5 degrees Celsius.
Salt River Trail System
Located in Wood Buffalo National Park, includes the North Loop 7.5 km, South Loop 9 km, Karstland Loop 750 m, Salt River Meadows Loop 1.5 km.
Read more about Salt River Trail System
Pine Lake Campground and Day-Use Area, Kettle Point Group Camp - WBNP
courtesy WBNPSituated in Wood Buffalo National Park, Pine Lake is an aquamarine lake in the middle of the boreal forest, about 60 km (a 45-minute drive) from Fort Smith. Created by a series of three sink holes, the lake is a get-away destination for residents of Fort Smith.
Rainbow Lakes Backcountry Campsite - WBNP
Accessed by a 6 km hike from Pine Lake Road, this site includes a tent pad, picnic table, outhouse and bear cache. It is situated beside a beautiful sinkhole lake.
Read more about Rainbow Lakes Backcountry Campsite
Salt River Day-Use Area - WBNP
Located on Pine Lake Road. Featuring: Karstland Interpretive Trail with exhibits, picnic area and shelter, hiking trails. Wheelchair-accessible.
WBNP contains the best example of gypsum karst terrain in North America. Here, just inside the park boundary, the Salt River Trail System offers an opportunity to explore this unusual landscape of caves, sinkholes and underground streams.
Trails include the Karstland Loop (750 m), Salt River Meadows Loop (1.5 km), South Loop (9 km), and the North Loop (7.5 km).
Salt Plains Viewpoint and Day-Use Area - WBNP
photo by Ian Forsyth
The Salt Plains are a unique combination of geology, plants, wildlife and climate. Located 25 kms west of Fort Smith in WBNP, the flat salt-encrusted landscape covers 370 square kilometers. Here, salt-saturated water rises to the surface and evaporates, leaving layers of salt behind. In some places, brilliant white salt mounds, up to one metre in height can be found.
photo by Heidi Selzler
Wetlands / Whooping Crane Pull-Off - WBNP
courtesy WBNPLocated on Highway No. 5. Featuring: Interpretive exhibit with short trail and lookout.
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Snake pits
photo by Heidi SelzlerEvery spring (April and May), visitors flock to the Salt River Day-Use Area in Wood Buffalo National Park to check out the “Snake Pits”, the northern-most colony of red-sided garter snakes in North America. During this time, the snakes make a brief above-ground appearance for mating prior to migrating to their summer feeding grounds. At this time, the males form “mating balls” around the females, resulting in piles of dozens of small garter snakes all over the ground.
Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, X0E 0P0, CANADA
Phone: (867) 872-8400, Fax: (867) 872-8401
Email: Town of Fort Smith
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30AM - 12:00PM, 1:00-5:00PM
Closed weekends and statutory holidays
Copyright 2010 Town of Fort Smith. All rights reserved.