Summer Activities

A group of people sitting in chairs next to a RV bus
A group of people in kayaks on a river
Two people hiking on a trail with trees
Group of people standing around a model rocket as it is launching.
Person smiling as they stand behind elevated flower beds inside a greenhouse. There are flowers everywhere around the greenhouse.
Person mountain biking on trail. The trail is flanked by trees on both sides.
Assortment of recently-harvested. multicoloured carrots.
Two people riding bicycles through trail.
Table with yellow squash, eggs, green peas, and zucchini on display for sale.
Sign for Pelican Rapids Golf & Country Club. The sign is green and has the logo for the golf and country club on it.
Group of people standing by the shore. There is an assortment of floatation devices by the water.
Girl with fox mask sitting on red outdoor lounge chair.

Warm weather means a lot more time outdoors and Fort Smith has a number of exciting summertime activities and sports.

Explore Fort Smith

Are you visiting Fort Smith? Plan your trip!

Check out information on:

  1. Where to Stay
  2. What to Do
  3. Where to Eat

Paddling

Canoers and kayakers from around the world travel the Slave River and its tributaries. The routes are rich with history and the pristine scenery is like few other destinations in the world. Twenty-five kilometers of world-class white water rapids entertain even the most avid thrill-seekers and wide, smooth riverways are a great place for novices to pick up new skills. For information about paddling in the area go to the Fort Smith Paddling Club: https://fskayak.webs.com/ . For information on one of the best paddling events of the summer go to Slave River Paddlefest: http://slaveriverpaddlefest.ca/

Golfing

Fort Smith’s Pelican Rapids Golf and Country Club is very proud of its technical and challenging golf course. Parts of the nine-hole course border the Slave River, with a spectacular view right from the first tee. The new artificial greens are state-of-the-art and the fairways are well-maintained natural grass. Meals and refreshments are available at the clubhouse. The course is open from May to September.

Phone number: 867-872-GOLF

Fishing

The NWT is renowned for its incredible fishing and some of the best spots are along hundreds of remote rivers, streams and lakes near Fort Smith, each full of pike, pickerel, and lake trout.

Each spring, there is a pickerel (walleye) run on the Salt River and local fishermen throw out a line or set their nets at the base of the Rapids of the Drowned. Buy your NWT licence from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources just off Highway 5 or at Kaeser’s store downtown.

For information on fly-in day trips or weeklong packages, contact the Visitor Centre on 149 MacDougal Road or at 867-872-3065.

Hiking and Biking

See the region’s iconic wilderness and wildlife along hiking and biking trails. Trail routes wind through Fort Smith and Wood Buffalo National Park and showcase powerful views of the four sets of rapids between Fort Fitzgerald and Fort Smith. For more information on routes and their difficulty levels go to: Fort Smith Hiking & Biking Trails

Swimming

The crystal clear water of Pine Lake, a 60-kilometre drive from Fort Smith, is an ideal swimming location. The lake was created by a series of five sinkholes and is bordered by soft, sandy beaches. Cabin rentals, a campground and a day-use area can accommodate long or short stays and facilities include a cook shelter, picnic tables, fire pits, firewood, outhouses, playground and change rooms. Call 867-872-7690 for more information.

When the weather isn’t a balmy 30C, or if indoor swimming is more appealing, there is an accessible and family-friendly pool in the Fort Smith Recreation and Community Centre. The pool facilities include a waterfall, two water slides, jacuzzi hot tub, sauna, steam room and swimming lanes.