Great Slave Gateway

Highlights:

• Sandy beaches on Great Slave Lake
• Fascinating seaport, 1800 km from the sea
• Wildlife rich Slave River Delta
• Dene Cultural Centre

Leave Highway 1 at Enterprise for Hay River – the seaport on Great Slave Lake, just 122 km north of the Alberta border. Hay River has a campground and sandy beach and is a good base for day trips on the lake, or driving to nearby attractions, such as the Twin Falls, or Lady Evelyn Falls. There's an outfitter offering fishing, cruising and birdwatching on Great Slave Lake, and several fishing camp operators make their bases here. The Visitor Centre has all the details. On the east side of the Hay River, K'atlodeeche (the Hay River Reserve) is home to the Yamozha Kue Society (Dene Cultural Institute), which can arrange visitor programs.

From Hay River, drive 156 kilometres (97 miles) east on Highways 5 and 6 to Fort Resolution, on the Slave River Delta. Keep an eye out for buffalo on this paved route. There's a campground at Little Buffalo River crossing just a short paddle from Great Slave Lake and three boat launches along the highway.

Fort Resolution has bed and breakfast accommodation. A tour operator specializes in boat tours of the Slave River Delta and Simpson Islands, for fishing and bird spotting. (Or take a cruise from Hay River to the Slave River Delta.)

Fuel available at Enterprise, Hay River and Fort Resolution.