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Fort Smith is a town of 2,500 people (2016) on the Slave River in the Northwest Territories near the Alberta border. Fort Smith provides various services to Wood Buffalo National Park visitors.
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Collection of over 17,000 artifacts including traditional work of the Inuit, Inuvialuit, Dene and Metis, as well as mission, trade, pioneer and portage items. It hosts displays of an authentic northern trading post, a typical northern kitchen from the 1940s, 2 mounted adult bison, a traditional trapper's cabin, a 1965 Polaris Sno-Traveler, and a river bank scene featuring a birch bark canoe. The museum also hosts an outdoor Indigenous cultural centre that showcases Canada's First Peoples' ways of traditional living before European contact occurred in the early 1800s. It host as functional cold cache, smokehouse and tipi for public use.
A museum ship that is part of the Northern Life Museum. The Radium King was built in 1937 to haul ore on the Mackenzie River, and her tributaries. This included uranium used in the US atom bombs of World War II. Later in her active career she hauled barges on Great Slave Lake.
See remains of the Oblate Catholic Mission, the centre of the Church's operations in the western Arctic from 1876 until the early 1980s, with sign boards describing various aspects of the history and activities of the mission. The Cathedral, 1911 Bishop's house, the fields that were cultivated (some of which have been restored), and several other buildings such as machine and carpentry shops, can be seen on this extensive self-guided tour.
A music and arts festival, usually in August. Musicians and artists from across the Northwest Territories and many other faraway places.
Paddle sports travel agency.
Paddlesports travel agency: paddling - kayaks, canoes, rafts & SUP. The Slave River offers some of the most thrilling whitewater rafting in Canada. These river trips cater to all skill levels, from flatwater to Class 5. The rapids on the Slave River, between Fort Fitzgerald and Fort Smith, offer 25 kilometers of whitewater adventure for all skill levels. The four main rapids in the whitewater segment of the Slave River are: Cassette Rapids, Pelican Rapids, Mountain-Portage Rapids and Rapids of the Drowned.
A challenging par 36 course with beautiful and forgiving grass fairways. Artificial greens, water hazards on three holes. Club and cart rentals are available. There are no tee times to book; there is a friendly ‘walk-on’ policy.
Cross-country ski centre.
This national park straddles northern Alberta and the southern NWT. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its bison population, this park is one of the largest national parks in the world, covering over 44,000 km².
A music and arts festival featuring musicians and artists from the Northwest Territories and beyond.
Fort Smith's annual Paddlefest takes place on the famous Slave River, one of the world's most renowned whitewater canoeing destinations. Paddlefest draws paddlers of all skill levels over a long weekend in August. This festival features a variety of fun events, including flatwater canoe races (tandem and voyageur), guided hikes, kids' paddling, rodeos and whitewater kayak races (beginners and advanced), stand-up paddleboarding jousts, a beach party, awards dinners, exceptional cuisine, and much more.
Pizzas, burgers, donairs, wings, salads, sandwiches.
Bakery goods, pies, pies, soups, gluten-free and vegetarian choices.
Chinese and Canadian food.
Restaurant.
42-room hotel with Wi-Fi and 80-person event space, souvenir shop carries work of local artists. Laundry service available. Pet friendly ($25/night). Pelican Restaurant and Dirty O'Fergies Pub on site.
Fully equipped suites with a kitchenette, dining area, living room with satellite television, a separate bedroom and bath. Rooms include air conditioning, and wireless internet.
Suite includes a lounge/dining room, bedroom and bathroom
Grocery.
General store.
By car
Fort Smith is accessible all year long via the Fort Smith Highway (Highway 5), a fully paved road of from Hay River to the north-west.
By boat
It is possible to travel by boat along the Athabasca River from Fort McKay and along the Slave River from Fort Chipewyan in summer.
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Fort Smith · Regional · YSM
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