Ingraham Trail

(Highway 4)

 

The Ingraham Trail Route begins in Yellowknife and extends 70 km/43.5 miles to Tibbitt Lake. Lakes, campgrounds, picnic sites and boat launches dot this highway. A beautiful drive, the Ingraham Trail Route winds through Precambrian landscape, with scenic vistas of lakes, forest and ancient rock. A variety of outdoor recreation opportunities are available, including hiking trails, canoeing, boating, swimming, fishing and bird watching.

This route is paved to the Prelude Lake Territorial Park access. Camping facilities are available at Prelude Lake and Reid Lake Territorial parks.

Kilometres/miles reflect distances from junction of Highways 3 and 4, just north of Yellowknife.

Yellowknife River Territorial Park Day Use Area

Kilometre 7.7 (Mile 4.8)

This day use park is the first of nine parks along the Ingraham Trail Route. Located on the Yellowknife River, the park is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic or fishing. For the more adventurous, boat up the river and into the string of lakes it connects to, or downstream into Back Bay and Yellowknife Bay on Great Slave Lake.

Access to Detah

Kilometre 9.8 (Mile 6.1)

A paved access road leads 11 km/7 miles south to the small Dene community of Detah located on the shores of the Great Slave Lake.

Prosperous Lake Territorial Park Day Use Area

Kilometre 19.7 (Mile 12.2)

While the park is primarily a boat launch, don't be deceived by the apparent size of Prosperous Lake as seen from the shores – most of it is just out of sight and ready to be explored. Fish for monstrous lake trout or launch your canoe down river to the Tartan Rapids on the Yellowknife River.

Madeline Lake Territorial Park Day Use Area

Kilometre 24 (Mile 14.9)

A small park primarily used as a launching point for canoeists, boaters and anglers.

Pontoon Lake Territorial Park Day Use Area

Kilometre 26.4 (Mile 16.4)

A scenic little peninsula jutting into Pontoon Lake, this is a perfect spot to fish, picnic or soak up the midnight sun on the granite rocks framing the shore. Short trails allow you to get different views of the lake and watch for wildlife.

Prelude Lake Territorial Park

Kilometre 28 (Mile 17.4)

Prelude Lake is a water lover's dream. The largest developed park on the Ingraham Trail, it has numerous facilities to enjoy and 79 campsites to choose from (67 non-powered and 12 tent pads). There is a sandy beach where you can enjoy a wide range of water activities: swimming, canoeing, wind surfing and water skiing. The park's trail system offers a short stroll to a panoramic view or a longer, interpretive hike.

Hidden Lake Territorial Park

 

Hidden Lake Park is a natural 3000 hectare backcountry park. This park does not have any established facilities and can only be accessed by hiking, and/or paddling, depending on the route. Hidden Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes along the Ingraham Trail (Hwy 4), on a sunny day the lake appears aquamarine in colour, and fish can be spotted swimming in its crystal clear water. The Park can be accessed from Powder Point and Cameron Falls Day Use areas located along the Ingraham Trail. The Powder Point route is an unmaintained trail only suitable for experienced hikers, this route permits access by canoe via the east arm of Prelude Lake, there are a series of short portages before reaching Hidden Lake. Alternatively, the Cameron Falls Trail access route is a pleasant short hike well marked and maintained with easy to moderate route options through a forested trail to Cameron Falls. Above the falls, a bridge provides access by foot into Hidden Lake Park.

 

Powder Point Territorial Park Day Use Area

Kilometre 44 (Mile 27.3)

Powder Point is the main access into Hidden Lake Territorial Park's pristine wilderness. Enjoy the day fishing or picnicking at the day use area, or launch your canoe for back country adventure. Interpretive panels provide information on the park beyond visible shores.

Cameron River Falls Day Use Area/Hiking Trail Access

Kilometre 45.8 (28.4)

Located in Hidden Lake Territorial Park, this day use area provides access to a 1 km/0.6 mile trail – a moderately easy 20-minute walk – leading up and over rocky outcrops and in and out of valleys. Hikers are rewarded by a spectacular view of Cameron Falls. Benches overlooking the waterfall provide a scenic picnic or rest spot. For the more adventurous, follow the trail upstream to a pedestrian bridge crossing the river.

Cameron River Crossing Territorial Park Day Use Area

Kilometre 54.5 (Mile 33.9)

Picnic on the sandy shores of the Cameron River or walk the short trail to the Ramparts waterfall for picture taking and wildlife watching. The base of the falls, easily reached by the trail, is the ideal spot to soak up the sun or dip a toe into the water.

Reid Lake Territorial Park

Kilometre 59 (Mile 36.7)

With 65 non-powered campsites and 11 tent pads, fishing, swimming, canoeing, hiking, bird watching and wildlife viewing, this is a great place to camp and enjoy the outdoors. It is also an excellent base camp for power boating or extended canoe trips into the surrounding lake systems.

 

Tibbitt Lake

Kilometre 69.2 (Mile 43.0)

This is the end of the Ingraham Trail and there are no facilities here. You may see signs that indicate the beginning of the ice roads that are used in the winter to service the diamond mines.