From Northern Lights viewing in the winter to paddling excursions in the summer. There’s always something happening in and around Hay River.
With a population of just over 3700, Hay River acts as a hub for surrounding communities, some only accessible by air or water.
Hay River, Northwest Territories, was incorporated as a town in 1963 on Vale Island. Later as the community prospered the town expanded and split into two sections, Old Town (Vale Island) and New Town separated by the West Channel.
The community of Hay River hugs the banks of the scenic Hay River and the south shores of Great Slave Lake. 60° 48′ 35″ N, 115° 47′ 23″ W.
Witness firsthand Marine Transportation Services coming and going from port, transporting products, services, and necessities to northern remote communities.
Hugging the shore of the Great Slave Lake, Hay River is the “Hub of the North” and also a hub of activity! Hay River’s central location makes it easy to immerse yourself in adventures and the culture of the surrounding region, or simply enjoy the unique culture of the town itself.
Come experience everything The Hub has to offer, from Aurora Borealis and ice fishing in the winter to Fisherman's Wharf Markets and hiking trails in the summer. There’s always something happening in and around Hay River.
Since the 19th century, Hay River has been the ideal location for fishing, trade, and transportation throughout the North. Founded along the southern coast of Great Slave Lake, Hay River gained its reputation of being “The Hub of the North” once the highway from the south connected the territory to the south through this vital roadway. Since then, Hay River has been the place where people, commerce, and culture were always bustling.
Today, the town has grown and many things have changed, but Hay River is still The Hub, and it’s still the favoured place for visitors and Northerners alike to gather and be part of all the hubbub.
Early History
The Town of Hay River’s early beginning was established dating back to 1892 when Chief Shatla of the Slavey Dene decided to make the northeast bank of the Hay River their home and was a prime location being situated at the mouth of the Great Slave Lake where the fishing is abundant in over 21 species of fish. The dominant species are Walleye/Pickerel, Lake Trout, White Fish, Pike, Grayling and Cisco.
The first buildings were those of the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1868 followed by a Roman Catholic Mission in 1869 and an Anglican Mission in 1894. Anglican and Catholic missions soon followed. St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church, built 1938–40 on the original mission site in K’atl’odeeche First Nation, is still thriving today! The Hay River Heritage Centre resides in one of the original Hudson’s Bay buildings, where you can receive a guided history tour of Hay River and surrounding areas.
Connecting to the South
In the 1930s & 1940s the passage to Hay River was constructed by a Cat Train that would clear a trail through the bush in the winter months. This road followed the path that had traditionally been used by the Dene for generations and now was also used by missionaries, miners, free traders, adventurers, and surveyors.
In 1945 an agreement was signed between the Federal and Alberta Governments to build an all-weather highway from Grimshaw, Alberta to Hay River, Northwest Territories. This highway was completed in 1948 and would be known as the Mackenzie Highway, the main road for shipping goods further north. Thus, Hay River became the “Hub of the North”.
The West Channel located on Vale Island became the centre of the fishing industry and in 1949 it underwent a rapid growth period as fishermen and their families. Today you will witness the Commercial Fisherman come and go from the port while you take advantage of the Fisherman’s Wharf Saturday Market that takes place from 10-2 in the summer months. Here you will find local Artisans and Crafters selling their wares along with vendors serving the catch of the day, you guessed it.. fresh fried fish & Chips.
A Booming Economy
In the 1970s Hay River’s economic growth skyrocketed due to oil exploration. This exploration for oil led to an increase in shipping activity, which increased Hay River’s role as a leading supply centre for such development. The Hub of the North was fully established and shipping lanes from the Hay River ports began to supply the far arctic communities with fuel, necessities, and supplies to sustain them through the winter months. Hay River is located only 127 km from the Alberta/NWT border. As the Hub of the North, Hay River NWT is easily accessible by land for the transportation of products scheduled for the next trip across the Great Slave Lake and up the Mackenzie River.
In 1984 the Hay River Visitor Centre was established. Today Hay River is still known as the Hub of the North due to the thriving transportation services offered out of the Hub. While the historic “Great Flood of 1963” was recently challenged by high waters in 2022, the 3700 Hay River residents banded together to clean, clear, and rebuild the community back to its natural abundant glory!
Learn More About Town Services
Make the Visitor Information Centre one of your first stops in town. The friendly VIC staff are ready to assist you and they possess extensive local knowledge about our town, the surrounding area and up-to-date information on events happening in the ‘Hub of the North.’
Nestled on the southern shore of Great Slave Lake, Hay River is a picturesque town in the Northwest Territories of Canada. This vibrant community is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes characterized by a mix of lush forests, expansive water bodies, and rugged terrain.
The town itself is situated at the mouth of the Hay River, which flows from Alberta and empties into Great Slave Lake, providing a stunning backdrop and a wealth of natural resources for the community. The river and lake together offer a serene environment that is teeming with wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike.
Beyond the immediate vicinity of the town, the geography becomes increasingly diverse and dramatic. To the south and west, the land transitions into rolling hills and boreal forests, which are part of the larger Mackenzie River Basin. This region is characterized by its diverse ecosystems, ranging from dense woodlands to open meadows, supporting a rich array of flora and fauna. The area offers numerous trails and natural parks for hiking, camping, and wildlife observation, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the pristine wilderness that defines much of the Canadian North.
Further north and east, the landscape gradually transforms into the tundra, marked by vast, open spaces and a stark beauty that is unique to the Arctic regions. The tundra is a place of extremes, where harsh winters give way to brief but vibrant summers, during which time the land comes alive with wildflowers and migratory birds. This geographical diversity not only shapes the local climate and ecosystems but also influences the cultural and economic activities of the communities that call this extraordinary area home.
Whether you are drawn to the tranquil waters of Great Slave Lake or the rugged beauty of the surrounding wilderness, the geography of Hay River and its environs offers something for every explorer.
