Top Yellowknife Outdoor Activities

The landscapes around Yellowknife—in Canada’s Northwest Territories—are marked by snowy banks, frozen lakes, and forest trails. Head out into the frosty wilderness for an adrenaline-fuelled snowmobile ride on this small-group snowmobile tour. Snap photos of the Arctic wastes as you kick up powdery snow on a trek to discover the region’s frozen scenery.

Increase your chances of seeing the aurora borealis on a night tour from Yellowknife. Get picked up directly from your hotel or the airport, and stop at three spectacular lakes along the Ingraham Trail for optimal viewing. A professional photographer accompanies your driver-guide, with unlimited photos available after the tour. Step off the coach for a different background in each photo shoot, and enjoy warm beverages and cookies on board.

See more of the pristine landscapes surrounding Yellowknife than you could hope to by exploring solo with this half-day guided hiking tour to Cameron Falls. Explore lush boreal forests, pass by some of the world’s oldest rock formations, and gaze out over crashing waterfalls, all the while keeping an eye out for local wildlife such as ptarmigans, whisky jacks, and ravens.

Many tours allow you to head into the wilderness on a hunt for the Northern Lights, but not many let you relax in comfort waiting for the show to begin. Spend time in a cozy, warm lodge near Madeline Lake on this aurora-chasing experience while your guides keep an eye out for the lights, letting you know the best time to go peer at the night sky.

This aurora experience is designed for travellers who want maximum results in minimum time. Over just two nights, you’ll chase the Northern Lights across three of Yellowknife’s most iconic viewing locations—Prelude Lake, Pontoon Lake, and Hidden Lake. Each destination offers a completely different foreground, landscape, and sky perspective, giving you a rare and diverse set of aurora memories that most visitors never get in a single trip. Unlike standard tours that stay in one spot or follow crowded routes, this experience is crafted with insider knowledge built from years of guiding in Yellowknife. You’ll visit hidden vantage points that only local guides know how to reach safely in winter conditions. Small groups mean more mobility, more flexibility, and the best chance to adapt to weather—and it also means your guide can focus on getting the perfect photos for you at every stop.

Connect with nature and native wildlife in Canada on this small-group half-day Cameron Falls hiking tour from Yellowknife. Follow your guide along hiking trails, gain insight into the region’s fascinating geology, and keep an eye out for native animal and birdlife along the way. Trek past lush forest, shimmering lakes and trickling streams, and enjoy breathtaking views over the rugged Canadian wilderness.

Go beyond the city lights on a true aurora-hunting adventure along Yellowknife’s scenic Ingraham Trail. Rather than waiting at one fixed location, we travel between promising dark-sky viewing areas based on the night’s weather, cloud cover and aurora activity. When the official ice roads are open and conditions are safe, we may even venture onto frozen lakes for breathtaking, wide-open views of the northern sky. Stay warm between viewing stops in a heated 16- or 24-passenger bus while enjoying hot chocolate, maple cookies and chips. With convenient pickup and drop-off from selected Yellowknife accommodations, local guidance and a flexible route, this is a comfortable and memorable way to experience the magic of the North. The locations visited depend on cloud cover, weather, road conditions, aurora activity and the guide’s judgment. Aurora sightings and ice-road access cannot be guaranteed.

Join us on a dogsledding odyssey traversing untouched frozen lakes and picturesque forested portages. Our professional dog mushers will take you step-by-step through this unique northern experience, from setting up the dog team, riding on a sled through the trails, and thanking our amazing furry athletes afterward with some well-deserved cuddle time. After your journey, share your stories from the trail and warm up with a hot beverage in our heated Aurora Station! ***Please message us to confirm your activity pick-up time, as it varies by location.

Enjoy snowy vistas framed by craggy mountains while you learn the skill of jig fishing on this half-day small-group experience. Depending on the weather, either head out onto the ice for some open-air jig fishing or catch some fish inside a warm tent instead. Once you’ve reeled in your catch, enjoy a dinner cooked right on top of the ice.

Get a taste of life as it was on the chilly tundra of the Northwest Territories. Cozy up in a rustic cabin on this private experience for a midnight lunch of hot bannock and fish chowder, and listen to stories shared by your local hosts. Guests are invited to dress up in provided costumes for fun photoshoots and the aurora borealis may make an appearance. You’re welcome to bring a drink of your choice (teas and coffee are provided) to celebrate under the stars.

1. Higher Success Rate with Flexible Routing With fewer guests (typically 4–15 people), small group tours allow guides to make quick route adjustments based on real-time weather and aurora forecasts. You’ll have a better chance of escaping cloudy skies and catching the Northern Lights. 2. Better Photography Support Your guide will have more time to help each guest with aurora photography, including camera settings, framing, and even taking portraits under the aurora. Some tours provide tripods and optional photo packages. 3. More Comfort, Less Crowding Smaller groups mean more space per guest in the vehicle, a quieter viewing experience, and less waiting around. You can relax, stay warm, and fully enjoy the peaceful Arctic night.

Perfect for those seeking a bit of adventure and a chance to test their skills, axe throwing offers a thrilling way to spend an afternoon. Whether you're a seasoned thrower or a complete beginner, it's an engaging activity that combines focus, precision, and a touch of friendly competition. Gather your friends, family, or team and see who can hit the bullseye first. It's not just about strength; it's about technique and finesse. So why not give it a try and unleash your inner lumberjack? North of 60 Aurora Adventures has lanes available for hourly rentals, shuttles available upon request. Axe throwing lanes are booked by the hour and can accommodate up to 4 people per lane (the group of 4 would take turns throwing). We have 4 axe throwing lanes available.

Set off on thrilling snowmobile trips this winter, featuring essential pre-boarding training and warm-up to ensure safety and confidence. Navigate icy trails and snow-covered landscapes with a guide, racing through dense forests and gliding across pristine lakes. Guests can enjoy the comfort of heated helmets and handles, making this an unforgettable ride. Ample free time allows for exploration and capturing the stunning winter scenery.

Hunting for the Aurora, we will drive you to different lakes in our quest. The lakes provide a perfect reflective surface for viewing the aurora in autumn. In the Winter season, you may go even further down to the middle of the lakes! We will provide snacks & warm beverages to enhance your experience with us. If we do not have at least 4 guests to materialize our Aurora by Bus Tour, we will provide you with an option to join other scheduled Aurora Tours available for that night. We will take our Travellers in each hotel and take you to different lake locations to find a place to enjoy the great light. We will take photos for Travellers. During the journey, we will also provide our guests with hot drinks and biscuits, as well as expertise in North Polar Light and Yellow Knife. If you don’t have enough for a four-person tour on the lake, we invite you to consider taking part in another tour that we already have. We provide activity pick-up and drop-off services for our guests at hotels and downtown AirB&Bs. Activity meeting time will be sent to you before the tour. We provide shuttle services to hotels and city centre B&B for all Traveler attending the event.If you live further away, please visit the nearby hotel collection in private! We will confirm the collection time with you before the Trips begin. ***Please email us to confirm your activity pick-up time at yellowknifetours@gmail.com*** *** Please contact us at yellowknifetours@gmail.com to confirm the event delivery time.***

A structured 4-day/3-night shared Yellowknife package with airport transfers, winter gear rental, two mobile aurora hunts, one stationary aurora-viewing camp, and three daytime experiences: city sightseeing at 10:00 a.m. on Day 2, the ice road and scenic winter drive at 2:00 p.m. on Day 3, and the 2.5-hour Local Art & Souvenir Tour at 2:00 p.m. on Day 4. Hotel accommodation is not included. Day 4 timing is coordinated with the guest's flight and may be adjusted or arranged separately if needed.

Maximize your chances of seeing the elusive aurora borealis on this northern lights tour from Yellowknife. Leave the bright lights of Yellowknife and delve deep into the Canadian countryside away to improve your chances of seeing the lights. Hear about the science band stories behind the natural phenomenon from your guide, and stay warm with a hot drink.

Experience an unforgettable adventure in Yellowknife with your loved ones on Private Northern Lights Searching experience, where you and your party can immerse yourself privately in the breathtaking beauty of the auroras! Enjoy a convenient private hotel pick-up in a comfortable vehicle, led by a knowledgeable photographer guide who takes you to the best spots away from city lights. Learn about solar winds, Earth's magnetic field, night photography and ancient tales that celebrate these lights. Witnessing the northern lights offers a unique blend of education and awe, making it a must for your bucket list and creating lasting memories of the wonders of our universe. Savor complimentary hot beverages and snacks while marveling at the stunning northern lights, creating an enchanting atmosphere. After this awe-inspiring experience, your guide will safely return you to your hotel, leaving you with cherished memories of nature’s spectacular light show. Tour not wheelchair accessible.

Ride a double snowmobile and share the experience with a total of just 10 participants during a safe but thrilling excursion out of Yellowknife. A snowmobile instructor guides you through a winter wonderland of fresh snow while you explore backcountry trails. Slip on provided winter gear to keep warm and set off for 1 hour—photo stops included.

We only use brand-new equipment! Old-style snowmobiles are hard to turn and operate. Our 2024 snowmobiles are effortless to steer and come with features like heated handlebars, throttle, and heated helmets. We only serve one party at a time so there is no rush if you're learning for the first time, but also those who are more experienced can take advantage of a more advanced ride.

We will pick you up and drive you to an easy-to-moderate hike with our guides. This tour is a total of 4.5-hours of scenic drives and adventure that blends land-based knowledge, storytelling, language, and the natural beauty of the North. Explore scenic viewpoints, learn Dene history, and walk to iconic places like Cameron Falls and the Ramparts with guides deeply connected to the land and its stories. - Guided drive along the scenic Ingraham Trail with local stories shared throughout - A guided hike to Cameron Falls (approx. 1.5 km, about 20 minutes each way) with boardwalks, rocks, staircases, and short steep embankments - A shorter, gentler walk to the Ramparts, featuring hardened pathways, boardwalks, and a staircase-bridge to a stunning viewpoint - Photo opportunities, scenic lookouts, and meaningful moments connecting with the land - Small-group experience with a focus on respect, safety, and connection Duration: 4.5 hours Activity Level: Easy to moderate

Yellowknife is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, but don’t leave anything to chance during your visit. This 5-day tour takes you out on multiple aurora-viewing trips, to maximize your chances of seeing the colorful natural light show. Four nights’ accommodation are included, plus all transportation, so you can just turn up and enjoy the experience.

Guests will enjoy a hassle free day relaxing near Madeline Lake. Roundtrip transportation from Hotel to Hotel. No need to carry boats around since all equipment are by the water. Enjoy a great lunch. 5hrs total tour time including 1hr transportation time.

If you’re in Yellowknife, odds are you’re up for adventure—and that’s what you’ll find on this guided fat-bike tour. With extra-wide wheels for added stability, you’ll venture on the shores of Great Slave Lake, through Old Town Yellowknife, and beyond. You’ll get fantastic views, likely spot some incredible wildlife, and get a deep, guided look at this unlikely, historic spot.