Riding the Whitewater Rivers of the Northwest Territories
Quick Summary
The Northwest Territories is home to the best whitewater rivers in Canada, and every year thousands of paddlers make the trek for that reason alone. With hundreds of rivers to choose from, it doesn't matter if you're a beginner or a pro—you can get into a raft, canoe or kayak and enjoy anything from a day trip to a two-week expedition through remote wilderness.
Quick Facts
- Rivers Featured: 5 premier whitewater destinations (+ many more)
- Region: Northwest Territories, Canada
- Activity Types: Rafting, kayaking, canoeing (day trips to multi-week expeditions)
- Skill Levels: Beginner to expert (varies by river)
- Key Highlight: Virginia Falls (295 ft) – twice the height of Niagara
5 Premier Whitewater Destinations
1. Yellowknife River
If you want to take on some rapids but don't want to leave the city too far behind, the Yellowknife River is your best option. Not far from the capital city of the same name, the river has a section of whitewater known as the Tartan Rapids that are great for paddlers with some experience. The Tartan Rapids aren't long, but they're filled with rocks and eddies that should get the blood flowing. After tackling the rapids, many people hop back in the car and take them on all over again. The Yellowknife River can also be traveled on a longer trek—as many as 160 miles if you have a couple of weeks to spend.
Fort Smith sits right on the Slave River's doorstep; ground zero for NWT paddling culture and home to one of Canada's most storied whitewater festivals. Photo credit: Asymetric/Jason Van Bruggen
2. Slave River
In Fort Smith, a community on the southern border of the Northwest Territories, you'll find some of the best whitewater kayaking anywhere. The Slave River originates in Alberta and flows 270 miles, ending at Great Slave Lake. But Fort Smith is where the action is and, consequently, where you'll find a huge paddling community. On the Slave River you can find relaxing pools and fun frothing water, and you can find fast-moving channels with waves as big as a truck. Pick the right route or section to match your skill level. The best time to explore is during the annual Slave River Paddlefest, hosted by the Fort Smith Paddling Club—a summer event with guided canoe trips, raft rides, races and competitions.
Two canoes paddle glacier-fed turquoise water through a mountain corridor on the Keele River, Northwest Territories; this is what a two-week wilderness expedition looks like when the scenery never lets up. Photo credit: Canoe North Adventures
3. Keele River
A trip down the 215-mile Keele River is a trip back through the Indigenous history of the Northwest Territories. Dene people have used the river as a travel route for 12,000 years. Paddlers from across the world turn to the Keele for their next adventure. The river passes through alpine tundra, alpine plateaus and the Mackenzie Mountains, offering incredible surroundings for canoers and rafters. Swift currents, swirling eddies, and fast-moving rapids make for challenging but exciting travel. Embrace your adventurous spirit and paddle the iconic river on a two-week journey with an experienced guide from Canoe North Adventures.
A Nahanni-branded raft punches through standing waves below Virginia Falls; the South Nahanni's canyon rapids are expedition-grade whitewater in one of the world's most remote UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a guide makes all the difference.
4. Nahanni River
There are very few places in Canada that make paddlers as happy as the Nahanni National Park Reserve. Through the center of the reserve flows the rushing whitewater Nahanni River, passing through four large canyons—which can reach close to 4,000 feet in depth. At one point, the river plunges 295 feet off a cliff forming the Virginia Falls, which are twice the height of Niagara. Rafting takes place on the South Nahanni, below the falls, where the river continues for 150 miles filled with great rapids and interesting terrain. Spend a week with Nahanni River Adventures, named one of National Geographic's Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth.
A raft crew pulls ashore beneath towering limestone canyon walls in Nahanni National Park Reserve—the river is the road in here, and the cliffs closing in on both sides are why this UNESCO wilderness doesn't feel like anywhere else on earth.
5. The Mountain River
The 230-mile Mountain River is one of—if not THE—best wilderness canoeing river in Canada according to river guides. This river is a tributary of the powerful Mackenzie, originating in the Yukon and picking up steam along the way. Six canyons highlight the wild terrain, which houses Dall sheep, wolves and bears. Take on the Mountain with help from a guide like Black Feather, the Wilderness Adventure Company. You'll grab a float plane up to the Mountain's headwaters, surrounded by peaks over a mile-and-a-half high. Over two weeks, you'll weave your canoes through miles of barren wilderness, navigating rapids and camping on gravel bars. Bring your waterproof camera and take a deep breath—it's going to be a ride.
Other Notable Rivers: The Horton, the Natla, the Thomson, the Coppermine, the Thelon—the list goes on. Find the river that's right for you and start planning your adventure.