Five reasons to head to Hay River (hint: one’s to enjoy REAL Great Slave pickerel)

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A few hours down the road from YK, Hay River has a small-town feel with big-city amenities. A beautiful place with an accessible and enjoyable waterfront area, there’s plenty to keep you busy for a few days.

Fishing: Catch more pickerel! (the kind from the NWT)

The most common fish around Hay River is the delicious pickerel, however lake trout, Arctic grayling, pike, iconnu, and whitefish are all prevalent. Simply cast from shore, or use one of the serene waterways – either way, the fishing won’t disappoint.

Photo courtesy Town of Hay River

Photo courtesy Town of Hay River

Golf: Play on actual grass!

Hugging the Hay River, amongst beautiful boreal forest, Hay River’s course is the best golfing experience North of 60 (sorry, Yellowknife Golf Club).

Photo courtesy of Town of Hay River

Boating and Floating: Choose from more options!

Whether a lazy float down the Hay River in a canoe, an exhilarating whitewater paddle, or an open water tour on Great Slave Lake, Hay River offers something for everyone. Along with beautiful bodies of water, Hay River has the North’s most pristine and scenic beaches. The sandy beach has a playground, RV parking, a picnic shelter with a wood stove, and a gazebo, all connected by a rustic boardwalk.

Photo courtesy Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce/flickr Creative Commons

Photo courtesy Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce/flickr Creative Commons

Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park: Your camera will thank you!

A short drive south of Hay River, the Alexandra and Louise Falls are a perfect day trip from Hay River. At 114 feet high, the Alexandra Falls are truly awe-inspiring. While significantly lower, the wider and more powerful Louise Falls are also impressive. Connected by a hiking path, the falls have a day-use area, a viewing platform, and staircase to the water’s edge.

Photo courtesy Town of Hay River

Photo courtesy Town of Hay River

Fisherman’s Wharf: Shop, chat and enjoy!

A throwback to the markets of old, the Fisherman’s Wharf operates every Saturday from mid-June to mid-September. You’ll find arts and crafts, market garden produce, baking, and of course freshly caught whitefish prepared several ways by locals. You can also sit down and enjoy the weekend sun.

Looking for a place to stay in Hay River? You can’t beat the full-service hospitality of the Ptarmigan Inn. Rest up, then get up and enjoy food and drink at Keys and the Doghouse pub or hit the gym and get a massage, all in the same place. Click here to book now!

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