campground sign and tipi

Riverside Retreat

MacKinnon Territorial Park

General Information

Located in the heart of Norman Wells, this is the only territorial park campground not accessible by road. MacKinnon campground offers seven non-powered campsites on the picturesque banks of the Mackenzie River, with views of the majestic Mackenzie Mountains. The campground offers modern amenities such as clean washrooms, a wheelchair-accessible portable outhouse, and a range of recreational facilities. MacKinnon Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and we do not accept online reservations.

Park Size

2.77 ha

Operating Date

May 15 – September 10

Address

MacKinnon Territorial Park is located in Norman Wells, a community only accessible by air travel (year round), or water via Mackenzie River in summer/fall. The park is located on Mackenzie Drive, approximately 6km from the town centre.

Phone

867-587-7171, ext. 1002 (Sahtu Regional Parks Office)

Email

parks@gov.nt.ca

On this page

Amenities

Campsites
Cultural Interpretation
Drinking Water
Fire Pits
Firewood
Gazebo
Greenhouse/Garden bed
Interpretive Displays
Picnic / Day Use Area
Playground
Stage
Teepees

Nearest community

The historic town of Normal Wells is the largest in the Sahtu Region and the perfect base for any number of adventures. Please note, the community of Norman Wells is only accessible by road during the winter.

Park Highlights

A Popular destination for locals hosting family BBQs and river paddlers traveling along the Mackenzie. Explore the parks walking trail, or challenge friends to a game of frisbee golf, or volleyball. For families, the playground is perfect, and the greenhouse with garden beds offers a touch of nature’s beauty. Relax under the gazebo or discover the local culture from the park interpretive displays, tipis, and trapper’s cabin. The perfect event venue, for guests to host or watch a local performance on the stage.
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Camping

  • 7 non-powered campsites  
  • Campsites are modestly sized and can fit roughly two four-person tents
  • Each site is equipped with a fire pit and firewood is always provided.

Activities

Camping
Canoeing
Frisbee Golf
Hiking
Playground
Sand Volleyball
Scenic Lookout

Special Notes

Accessibility
Portable outhouse and washrooms are wheelchair accessible.

Nearby attractions
Historical Aviation Museum - Located on DOT Lake, this working museum consists of two main log buildings, a handful of smaller historical buildings, and an open-air gull-wing float plane hangar.

This is canoe-tripping country, home to five alpine waterways that are synonymous with Northern adventure. Outfitters in Norman Wells can offer you the experience of a lifetime!

CANOL Heritage Trail
The longest hiking trail in North America, the 371 km trail is just west across the river from Norman Wells. Developed as a (short lived) oil pipeline during WWII, the now abandoned trail takes three weeks to complete and winds through some of the most remote wilderness on the continent. A day hike into the Franklin Mountains is available and a good choice for less experienced (or time-strapped) adventurers.

Safety information
For general information about safety resources while in the Northwest Territories, check our Safety resources page.

It is not uncommon for bears to enter the campground at MacKinnon Territorial Park. Avoid attracting wild animals to your campsite. Do not feed animals, and keep food, food waste, and anything else with a scent in a vehicle, hard-sided trailer, or bear-proof canister. Keep sites clean and dispose of garbage in designated receptacles. Please inform park staff of wildlife sightings/encounters in the park. Get more info on staying safe in grizzly and black bear country.

Weather information
Weather can range between 15 to 25 Celsius from May to September. See current weather conditions and forecasts from Environment Canada.