The 8 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in Northwest Territories, United States

The spectacular Twin Falls Territorial Park is located on NWT Highway 1, at km 80 after you enter the Territory. This iconic Park includes Alexandra Falls Day Use Are, Louise Falls Campground and Escarpment Creek Group Campsite. The Alexandra Falls Day Use Area is a dramatically beautiful spot to view the 32 metre Alexandra Falls, enjoy a picnic, and stroll the boardwalk to Louise Falls. There are two viewing platforms in the park to capture a 'selfie' and view the magnificent falls. The nearest campsite is at the Louise Falls Campground which offers powered and non-powered campsites surrounded by jack pines, spectacular flora and 400 million year old limestone formations along the Hay River gorge. A unique 138 step spiral staircase leads you down the embankment to a viewpoint overlooking the three-tiered Louise Falls.

Prelude Lake is a water lover’s dream. The largest developed park on the Ingraham Trail, it has numerous facilities to enjoy and 79 campsites to choose from (67 non-powered and 12 tent pads). There is a sandy beach where you can enjoy a wide range of water activities: swimming, canoeing, wind surfing and water skiing. The park’s trail system offers a short stroll to a panoramic view or a longer, interpretive hike. You have to book ahead for this park, it is very popular with the locals and sites fill up during the summer months.

Blackstone Territorial Park is located on the Liard River, along NWT Highway 7 near Fort Liard NWT. This park has 19 non-powered campsites and makes for a beautiful spot to stop for a few nights. The principle attractions are the Liard, Blackstone and Nahanni Rivers, and the Nahanni Mountain Range. The Park’s setting on the Liard River is spectacular, rich with historical significance, alive with abundant wildlife and framed by stunning mountain views. This is an excellent starting or ending point for canoeists, boaters or anglers as it is situated near South Nahanni and Blackstone Rivers’ confluence with the Liard River. Blackstone is one of the parks located along the Liard Trail and the park has its own Visitor Information Centre, boat launch and shower facilities. The visitor centre is open seven days a week from mid-May to the end of September. The nearest community to the park is Fort Liard, approximately 115 km to the south, or Fort Simpson, 166 km to the north.

Located along NWT Hwy 1, just west of Enterprise. McNallie Creek is a nice spot to stop and stretch your legs or have a picnic. The beauty of the 17-metre McNallie Creek Falls will surprise you. At the viewing platform, a plaque explains the origin of the creek’s name. Look for the cliff swallows nesting in the ravine walls.

Located on the Yellowknife River, the park is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic or fishing. For the more adventurous, boat up the river and into the string of lakes it connects to; or downstream into Back Bay and Yellowknife Bay on Great Slave Lake.

Nataiinlaii Territorial Park is located just outside of Fort McPherson NT, along the Dempster Hwy. route (NWT Hwy 8). There are 23 non-powered campsites perched on a cliff overlooking the Peel River, surrounded by stands of white birch and white spruce trees. This is an ideal place to unwind. Spend time in the Park’s Visitor Centre for a fascinating glimpse into the life of the local Gwich’in people, past and present.