wildlife

Fort Smith is an access point for some of the most legendary fishing experiences in North America. The Canadian Shield, home to hundreds of remote lakes full of pike, pickerel and lake trout, is a short float plane flight away from Fort Smith. There are also numerous rivers to delight anglers who prefer fly fishing. And the fun doesn't stop in the winter: ice fishing here is world-renowned. See our list of local lodges and outfitters to book your fishing trip now.

Fort Smith is one of the most practical and cost-effective access points to the largest wilderness left in North America: the storied Arctic Barren Lands (mainland tundra) of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Canoeists from all over North America and Europe come to Fort Smith to paddle the Barren Lands on some of the most remote and wild rivers on the planet.

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.

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

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

courtesy WBNPLocated on Highway No. 5. Featuring: Interpretive exhibit with short trail and lookout.

Read more about Wetlands / Whooping Crane Pull-Off

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.