Feel The Adventure In Fort Smith, NWT
1. Camping or Glamping?
Enjoy an overnight stay at the Pine Lake Campground in Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP). With sites next to the day-use area, it’s a stones throw to the pristine blue water and sandy beaches of Pine Lake. Self-registration sites operate on a first-come-first-served basis. Warning: There’s no Cell Service. For more information or help with planning your trip to WBNP Call: 867-872-7960
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Set up camp at Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park. Each site is very private, sheltered with trees, and there are picnic sites, toilets, fresh water, a kitchen shelter, showers, electric hookups, a dump station, firewood, firepits and a playground all in great condition! With easy access to the town it's the perfect place to go glamping! Reserve at nwtparks.ca.
2. Whatever Floats Your Boat
Rent a canoe or stand-up paddleboard from the Fort Smith Paddling Club or ask about their Beginner Paddler Nights. Rental costs start at $30/day plus Paddling Club membership one-time fee of $35/person or $70/family. You must pick up and return the boat from town. To contact the Fort Smith Paddling Club email: fortsmithpaddlingclub@gmail.com
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Rent a canoe or stand-up paddleboard from Wood Buffalo National Park. and play around on the water at Pine Lake. Rental costs start at $50/day but the boats are already waiting at Pine Lake! Contact the Wood Buffalo National Park Visitor Center to book ahead of time.
3. Experience Canada's Largest National Park (June 28th-August 18th)
With over 44,000km² of wilderness to explore, Wood Buffalo National Park offers the perfect venue for an afternoon outing with breathtaking views of the boreal forest around every bend.
Option 1: Salt Plains
Visit the Salt Plains Lookout on Tuesday between 10 am and noon for a chance to see the endangered Whooping Crane. Uncover their troubled past and discover how they’re coming back from the brink of extinction. Get to know why whooping cranes love it here at the Salt Plains and take in the unique landscape with a Parks Canada Guide.
Option 2: Grosbeak Lake
Head to the Grosbeak Lake Trailhead on Pine Lake Road Thursdays at 7 pm to uncover the why behind the wild and weird Grosbeak Lake. Hike with a Parks Canada Guide and discover more about rocks, plants, animals and the land around you. Nothing will prepare you for your first look at this prehistoric sea.
View the Trails within Wood Buffalo National Park
4. Hike, Bike & Swim
Spend the afternoon at Mountain Portage rapids on the Slave River. Hike or bike the riverside trails, go for a swim in one of the warm water bays and watch for nesting Pelicans or adventurous whitewater paddlers. For information on accessing hiking trails near Fort Smith click here: Fort Smith Trail Map.
5. Little Buffalo Falls
This picturesque little campground features six non-powered campsites. The area was devastated by a forest fire in 1981, but has since naturally reforested. Now, it’s an ideal spot to observe how nature replenishes the land. Take a daytrip to relax by the small waterfall or launch your canoe to go fishing in the gorge below. Located approximately 50 km northwest of Fort Smith on Highway 5. Little Buffalo Falls Campground has a kitchen shelter, tables, fire pits, campsites and outhouses.
6. Flyover
Want the chance to see the Northwest Territories from a bird's eye view? You’re in luck! Northwestern Air Lease offers Charter Planes. Take to the skies and witness the majesty of Wood Buffalo National Park and the surrounding area. Behold the behemoth that is the Slave River and see if you can spot any rare wildlife. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week out of Fort Smith Call 1.877.872.2216 or book online