Fort Smith

Discover Where the Wild Things Are

RV travelers who venture north to Fort Smith will be rewarded beyond their wildest dreams. Situated in the South Slave Region of the Northwest Territories on the border with Alberta, this friendly town welcomes you with rugged wilderness, shimmering night skies, larger-than-life wildlife and endless trails through compelling terrain.

Get Lost in Canada’s Largest National Park

Fort Smith is the gateway to Wood Buffalo National Park. Covering 17,300 square miles of lush boreal forest and salt plains of both the Northwest Territories and Alberta, it’s the largest national park in Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the summer, visitors can embark on a wealth of outdoor adventures such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, camping and canoeing. The park overflows with diverse wildlife species. Keep your eyes open for moose, lynx, beavers, foxes, sandhill cranes and birds of prey.

Home to 5,000 bison, the park has the world’s largest free-roaming herd of these unique mammals. These hoofed creatures may be difficult to spot, but some people report seeing them along the park roads or in the meadows.

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When October rolls around, the park turns into a winter wonderland. What once were scenic hiking trails are now transformed into snow-covered trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Other popular activities during this time include dog sledding and snowboarding.

Fort Smith’s remote and northern location makes it one of the best destinations to see the Northern Lights. The town boasts the largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, showcasing the dancing blue and green rays of the Aurora Borealis in crystal clarity.

Make a Splash in Slave River

Grab your boat, kayak, or canoe and make your way down the scenic Slave River. The original gateway to the north, this river provides easy access to Fort Resolution, Great Slave Lake, and the McKenzie River. The rapids from Fort Fitzgerald to Fort Smith will thrill experienced paddlers thanks to 25 kilometers of whitewater adventure.

Slave River is also a hotspot for bird watching. Every year around mid-April, white pelicans return to the whitewater rapids. If you come during this time, you’ll be able to see these majestic animals feed and nest in their natural habitat. The best places to view them are from the Mountain Portage Rapids and the Rapids of the Drowned, both located on the outskirts of Fort Smith.

Discover a Town Steeped in History

History and cultural enthusiasts will want to include the Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre in their itinerary. Here, you can immerse yourself in the region’s past and learn about its First Nations and Métis communities. Boasting over 17,000 artifacts, this museum houses one of Canada’s most impressive collections of northern native and early white settlement artifacts. Highlights include a trading post, reconstructed trapper’s cabin, birch bark canoe, stunning beadwork and an interactive fur trade exhibit.

For More Information

Town of Fort Smith

867-872-8400

www.fortsmith.ca

Northwest Territories Tourism

800-661-0788

www.spectacularnwt.com