Camping Experiences

General Camping

Camping details:

• Each site accommodates one RV, unless advertised otherwise.
• Amenities vary by park and campsite. Use our Find a Park map to find the ideal spot for your equipment size and needs.
• Most campsites are drive-in, but there are walk-in tent camping options available at select parks.

Campsite rates:

Nightly rates vary based on campsite type and park. Visit the Permits and Fees page for details on tent, non-powered, and powered campsite rates.

Reservations:

Many of our campgrounds fill up quickly! It’s best to reserve your campsite online as far in advance as possible. Reservations for the upcoming season can be made online beginning in April. For everything you need to know about booking a campsite please visit our reservation information page.

Camping safety:

Camping in the Northwest Territories offers a unique experience defined by the wilderness and its remoteness. Be sure you're prepared for the conditions you may face. Check out our Visit Responsibly and Travel & Safety Info pages for details. 

Non-reservable campsites

Some parks offer first come, first served campsites available only upon arrival. These can be booked through on-site operators or at self-registration kiosks. Campsites are generally available.

There are five NWT Parks campgrounds that are not reservable in advance: 

• Nataiinlaii Territorial Park
• Vadzaih Van Tshik Campground (Gwich'in Territorial Park)
• Gwich'in Territorial Park Campground
• Little Buffalo Falls Territorial Park
• MacKinnon Territorial Park

Group camping

Group camping details:

Group camping areas or parks provide the opportunity to camp together with friends or family in large open spaces with a variety of service types.

Five NWT Parks offer group camping: 

• Fort Providence Territorial Park
• Hay River Territorial Park
• Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park
• Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park
• Twin Falls Territorial Park

Campsite rates:

Group campsites are charged at the same rate that is typically applied to the park's powered or non-powered campsite. There are no additional charges for group camping. Visit our permits and fees page for a listing of campsite fees. 

Reservations:

Group camping sites can be reserved for exclusive use by reserving all campsites or shared with other groups by simply reserving a select number of campsites in the area.  

There are 5 NWT Park campgrounds that offer group camping areas that can be reserved online by choosing the Group Camping option. 

The maximum number of sites that can be reserved in one online transaction is six. To reserve more or to reserve all sites in a Group Camping Area for exclusive use, please contact the Call Centre at 1-888-822-2647.

The Escarpment Creek Group Campground at Twin Falls Territorial Park is available for larger groups who wish to camp together. Reservations for the park permit exclusive use and private access to the campground.

Backcountry camping

Backcountry camping offers a rustic experience for those who are self-sufficient and have some outdoor skills. With minimal established amenities and services, backcountry camping is perfect for experienced adventurers looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Our backcountry parks:

• CANOL Heritage Trail
• Hidden Lake Territorial Park

Accessing backcountry areas:

Backcountry parks can be accessed by hiking, paddling, river boating, or by air, depending on the park.

Reservations and fees:

Backcountry campsites are not reservable and there is no cost for overnight camping in these areas.

Preparation and safety:

Before heading out, ensure you're prepared by checking our Visit Responsibly and Rules and Regulations pages. For detailed maps and more information about our backcountry parks, visit the respective park information pages. Visitors to all backcountry areas are expected to practice Leave No Trace principles.
 

Seasonal Camping

Looking for a longer stay? Many of our parks have no limit to the length of stay for recreational campers. However, due to popularity, two of our parks limit stays to no more than 14 days in a 30 day period:

• Fred Henne Territorial Park
• North Arm Territorial Park

Rates:

Rates for reserving a long stay are the same as the regular campsite cost, except for the designated Extended Stay Campsites at select parks.

Extended stay campsites: 

Extended Stay Campsites are half or full season campsites offered at a discounted rate. They are only available at Prelude Territorial Park and Reid Lake Territorial Park and are assigned by lottery each year. Visitors interested in the convenience of a half- or full-season campsite at one of these parks should visit the Extended Stay page to learn more.

RVs

Water fill and dump stations are available at many parks. Potable water is available in all parks, but not all parks have RV water filling stations. Please use water wisely.

There are three RV water filling and dumping stations outside of Territorial parks:

• Hay River Visitor Information Centre (corner of McBryan Drive and Mackenzie Highway)
• Fort Simpson Visitor Information Centre (9401-100th Street, water filling station only, dumping station at Fort Simpson Territorial Park)
• Yellowknife Water Filling Station (on Old Airport Road, near the corner of Kam Lake Road, across from the Multiplex Arena)