Travelling to the Great White North’s North is something not everyone dreams of doing. It’s cold, desolate and can take quite a long journey to get up to the northern territories. Well, one trip to these arctic regions and you will be wondering why you ever apprehensive about visiting. As you head north of 60° you will leave the mainstream North American life behind, and enter a whole new world right in your own country. Here is a place where months of summer sunshine offer endless opportunities for outdoor activities and incredible wildlife populations. Where the long winter nights allow for unforgettable views of the aurora borealis. The roads here may be few and far between but many of these towns and villages are accessible by train or plane. We’ve gathered up a few stunning towns that will have you feeling wanderlust for Canada’s North in no time, now just to wait until safe travel is possible again…
Check Out These Beautiful Places In Canada’s North!
See Also: 8 Small Towns To Visit Across Canada
Yellowknife, NWT
If you ever find yourself in the capital of the Northwest Territories then you have got to stay at the stunning Blachford Lake Lodge, pictured above. Here you can witness the northern lights just about all year long, but it is best to go late summer or early autumn. Yellowknife offers the art and cultural museum Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, impressive waterfall views at Hidden Lake Territorial Park, a bustling community life fueled by the mining industry and so much more!
Only 7,700 people live in the capital of Nunavut but this small town has plenty to offer. The Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum is housed inside a former Hudson Bay Company building and showcases examples of traditional Inuit tools, clothing, artifacts, and artwork. The nearby Frobisher Bay is a great kite-skiing destination in the winter, as well as a snowmobilers playground. In the spring and summer, Iqaluit offers amazing places for fishing, kayaking, boating and even diving.
Located on the northern tip of Baffin Island, Pond Inlet is just about as far up as we dare to go in Canada’s North. This Arctic Safari is a hub of wildlife activity from the pods of narwhals and belugas in the springtime to its dense polar bear population. Here you can kayak between ice floes, take in the views at Sirmilik National Park and the Byam Martin Mountains and bask in the northern lights and the midnight sun.
Inuvik, NWT
Home of the famous Igloo-shaped church, this modern settlement on the Mackenzie River, Inuvik, translates to “Place of Man”. To the east of Inuvik is Tuktut Nogait National Park that boasts of overwhelming arctic rock scenery with incredible canyons and cliffs. Here you can also visit Ibyuk Pingo, the stunning ice-filled mound pictured above that attracts many adventurous hikers to its summit.
Fort Simpson, NWT
Located at the confluence of the Mackenzie and Liard rivers is this popular camping town in the Canada’s North. Here you will find a mix of nature, adventure, relaxation and the chance to discover Dene and Metis culture all within the small town and surrounding parks. In Fort Simpson you can take an air tour of Nahanni National Park and you will easily find out why it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dawson City, Yukon
Home of the Klondike Gold Rush during the 19th century, this small mining town showcases its rich history in museums and old heritage buildings. While there are plenty of gold rush attractions in the city, the nature surrounding it is worth mentioning as well. Here you can explore the many hiking paths or rent a mountain bike and take on the exciting trails on the Midnight Dome viewpoint.
