The best camping near Yellowknife
Set on a lakeshore and surrounded by wilderness, life in the ‘Knife is very good.
Yellowknife camping guide
Where to go
Fred Henne Territorial Park
Situated under 10 minutes from downtown, this park showcases the wonders of Long Lake. Swim at the small, sandy beach, or launch a boat, canoe, or kayak and get out onto the water. Then learn some geology while hiking the four-kilometre Prospector’s Trail, which highlights the gold-bearing rock in the area.
Prelude Lake Territorial Park
This is the largest developed park along the Ingraham Trail—the main highway out of Yellowknife. The lake is big, stretching 16 kilometres and filled with islands, perfect for exploring by canoe or kayak. There’s also a swimming beach, plus really good fishing—the lake trout in this part of the country can grow to an almost unbelievable size. Walk the panoramic trail for views out over Prelude Lake.
Reid Lake Territorial Park
Not far from the end of the road (where the Ingraham Trail ends), you can proceed from here on the water and further into the wilderness. Connected to a number of waterways, expert paddlers can launch from this park for extended trips onto the Lower Cameron River or Jennejohn Canoe Routes. Or just settle in here to camp, swim, fish, bike, birdwatch, and sit around the fire.
Hidden Lake Territorial Park
Large and undeveloped, this is a favourite for canoeists, who can reach its clear, cold, aquamarine waters through a series of portages. You might feel like you have the whole place to yourself, backcountry camping on the shore and paddling around the rugged, picturesque islands.
When to go
Summers north of the 60th parallel are brief, but glorious. Temperatures rise a bit and the sun seems like it will never set—the longest day of the year stretches for almost 20 hours, with twilight lingering much longer. It’s also busy, especially during the mid-July Folk on the Rocks, the city’s biggest music festival. Spring and fall are prime times to see the northern lights, especially around the equinoxes. And while winter is cold, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy between ice fishing, sledding, and other snowy pursuits.
Know before you go
- While Yellowknife is a city with modern conveniences and big retailers, the wilderness closes in quickly once you leave town. Don’t depend on cell service outside city limits, and pack everything you’ll need along the way.
- Consider taking a trip by float plane, arriving and departing on the waterfront on Great Slave Lake. The peace and solitude of a fly-in camping trip is an unforgettable experience.
- Pack bug spray—the mosquitoes, blackflies, and horseflies can be relentless.
- Bullocks Bistro is a local legend, serving up northern specialties from bannock burgers and wild game to some of the finest fish and chips in the world.
- Bring a sleep mask, especially if you’re tenting. In summer, the sun sets late and comes back up very early.
