Hay River

This is the gateway to the southern shore of Great Slave Lake. Sandy swimming beaches, a fascinating river delta and some fine fishing await the visitor here. This is where goods bound for Mackenzie River and Arctic communities are loaded onto seagoing barges for the long trip to the Beaufort Sea. There’s a freshwater seaport atmosphere with barges, working tugboats and huge shipyards.

There’s also a fishing fleet in Hay River, which harvests whitefish, trout and cod from Great Slave Lake. On summer Saturdays there’s a market on Vale Island featuring these fine eating fish. Hay River is earning title to "Whitefish Capital" for its year round harvest.

There's a hotel, motels and suite accommodation, as well as bed and breakfast. There's a campground in town and two more a few minutes drive from Hay River. There are wide sandy beaches and hiking trails. Golf is popular on a very attractive 9-hole course. Visitors can fish for pike and walleye at various points around Vale Island or rent a canoe to paddle the river and see the sights.

Sports events and fishing derbies are yearly highlights at Hay River and if there's a fiddling and jigging event on at the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre, don't miss it. Across the river, visit the Hay River Reserve, see and photograph two splendid little churches and learn about Aboriginal cultures in the North, at the Yamozha Kue Society.

For information, try the visitor centre for the latest on events and activites. The Hay River Heritage Centre features a collection of historic items and is open May to October in an historic Hudson's Bay building. Nearby attractions include Twin Falls Park, a working farm, fishing in the Kakisa River and a unique craft shop in Enterprise with a fine collection of Dene art and crafts.

K'atlo'deeche (pronounced "hat-low-day")

The Hay River Dene Reserve and the West Point First Nation in Hay River preserve the Slavey and Chipewyan Dene heritage in the Hay River area. The reserve is reached on a long, winding side road from Highway 5 although it is actually right across the river from town. The Dene Cultural Institute, Yamozha Kue, can provide visitor services and has a small store featuring local arts and crafts. Information and displays describe the history and culture of the Dene of the upper Mackenzie Valley. The reserve hosts a lively spring carnival with plenty of old time fiddling and jigging.

Tell me more about Hay River

Tell me about the Hay River Reserve

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