Fort Smith

Hiking the Slave Rapids Portage

River Trails The trails beside the Slave River are now part of the Trans-Canada Trail, the historic route across Canada that reaches as far as the Arctic Coast. Hikers can follow the shoreline some 30 kilometres, with spectacular views of the four sets of rapids, some beautiful river-washed pink granite and nesting white pelicans. There are several places to hike in Wood Buffalo Park, as well – check with the Park office.

Fort Smith

Tthebacha ("Beside the Rapids") is located on the banks of the Slave River, once the main transportation route north. It lies below the rapids that forced river travelers to make a long portage. Today, these rapids are home to some of the most challenging and accessible whitewater in the Americas. Fort Smith was established in 1874 by the Hudson's Bay Company and grew rapidly.

Fort Smith

Kayaking Slave River Rapids

Pelicans There are four sets of rapids in a 25 kilometre stretch on the Slave River, the Cassette, the Pelican, the Mountain and the Rapids of the Drowned.