So you've decided this is the year to answer the lure of the North and now you're in Hay River, the 'Hub of the North' and the best possible spot to make your base for excursions into this part of the Northwest Territories.

The NWT Highway System fans out from here (see maps), taking you east and south to Polar Lake, Fort Resolution, Fort Smith and the fabled Wood Buffalo National Park.

If you choose a west and north route, you're on your way to Fort Providence, Yellowknife, the Ingraham Trail or to Fort Simpson and Wrigley, far downstream on the Mackenzie and the current terminus of the Mackenzie Highway; you can also reach NWT Highway 7, the Liard, and turn south and west to reach Blackstone Park, Fort Liard and eventually, British Columbia and the Yukon. (See map.)

Before you go outside our community, though, we hope you will take time to experience our unique attractions, not the least of which you'll find to be friendly, helpful people who are always glad to see visitors and - very often - pass the time of day with them. We are a cross-cultural community, and you will also be able to visit the Katl'odeeche Reserve and the Dene Cultural Institute, located on the east bank of the Hay River.

Check in at our Visitor Information Centre where staff will welcome you, provide you all sorts of information, answer your questions and offer suggestions about what you can see and do here.

As well, a drinking water supply is available, as is a dumping station. You will find several picnic spots throughout our community, including one at the VIC and, of course, Hay River Territorial Park and Campground, situated on Vale Island on the shore of Great Slave Lake. (See map.)

Our community has an excellent Public Library at which there are often special events with visitors There is a broad commercial and service industry base and you'll find our stores well stocked, especially with the needs of vacationers. (See maps.)

The community is served by a medical clinic and a fully modern hospital, with an ambulance corps and EMTs. The RCMP Hay River Detachment is located in the business core - and please, if you're planning hiking or a long boat trip, do check in with the Constable on duty.

You can find canoes for rent, aircraft for charter, bus service to Fort Smith and Yellowknife. There are tours available of some of our industries - check at the VIC for further information.


Best of all there are wonderful sandy beaches to walk, sunrises or sunsets over Great Slave Lake to watch, fishing to indulge in, stories to hear, campfires to sit round in the stillness of a Northern night.

Welcome to Hay River and the Northwest Territories - we hope you have a wonderful visit.