If you prefer the freedom of self-paced exploration, Hay River offers a variety of touring options to help you discover its unique charm and natural beauty. With a map and a sense of adventure, you can discover the area’s attractions on your own.
The Northern Lights in Hay River are unmatched, with the miles of vast lake access for front row seats to the light show! Castaways Cottages & Cabins, located right on the shoreline specializes in Aurora viewing experiences, with local Outfitters & Guides that can enhance your northern experience offering dog sledding excursions, traditional fire ceremonies, drumming, harvesting and story telling, with tobogganing, kick sledding and Sherp rides right on site. We also have a list of Aurora photographers that you can find under the Tours & Operators tab for tours that can assist you on your journey to capture that unforgettable moment!
Hay River has trails in every direction, with Castaways Cottages & Campgrounds having ATV rentals conveniently located on the sandy beaches of the Great Slave Lake. Book your 4-wheeler today, to adventure out on the land on your self guided tour down the shoreline. The northern trails and sand dunes around every corner will have you thrilled with the northern territory just waiting to be explored. 2 Seasons Adventures is also just up the beach if you decide to partake in a guided ATV or Side by Side tour.
For a broader exploration, consider a self-guided driving tour. The roads around Hay River lead to picturesque waterfalls, serene beaches, and other attractions. Pick up a map from the Visitor Information Centre, pack a picnic, and set out to explore the stunning landscapes of the Northwest Territories.
There is ample shoreline to cast your hook into the Hay River for that tasty freshwater Walleye just waiting to bite your line. If you feel like a fight with a local Northern Pike, you have come to the right place. The numerous shoreline fishing holes will give you plenty of opportunity to bring in the big one or simply satisfy your taste buds! If you have your own fishing vessel, head out on the Great Slave Lake to troll for the catch of the day which can be just about any species from monster lake trout, white fish, Inconnu, arctic char, arctic grayling, burbot, dolly varden, northern pike, walleye are a few of the dominant species in the Great Slave Lake.
The banks of the Hay River will keep you guessing, searching for history and wonder under every rock! Hay River’s fossil history includes the Devonian-era Hay River formation we call the Walking Fish tracks with ancient lobe-finned fish imprints in the shoreline, some of the oldest vertebrate trackways on Earth, found near Alexandra Falls, and later ichthyosaur remains from a forgotten collection. The impressions are believed to be from a Sarcopterygian, a type of ancient lobe-finned fish with fins that would evolve into limbs. The area was submerged by a shallow, brackish Devonian sea, which deposited sediment that fossilized the teeming life and was later eroded by the Hay River, revealing these ancient treasures. The entire Hay River Gorge from Enterprise to Hay River is riddled with fossils for the avid rockhound to find on their adventures.
The Hay River Golf Course is known as prettiest golf course North of 60. Located on the banks of the Hay River nestled in the Boreal Forest this nine hole golf course will have you begging for more if the foxes don’t steal your ball! The Hay River Golf Course recently upgraded their artificial greens in the fall of 2025, so start the 2026 season off swinging and book one of the 10-stall RV campground stalls they have right on site. The impressive log club house has a licensed bar and bar cart to quench your thirst on the course, with a full kitchen to satisfy your hunger after the game.
The terrain along the south shores of the Great Slave Lake is completely different than the north shores in Yellowknife where lake access is riddled with rocks and boulders. In Hay River you will find miles upon miles of Great Slave Lake access riddled with nothing but sandy beaches and driftwood. Dipping your toes in the tranquil clean clear waters of the Great Slave Lake is just one of the therapeutic experiences to partake in. This boundless lake access gives you the absolute best view of the northern sunsets and stunning Aurora Borealis that will dance before you like the curtain never closes.
Make a day of it and float the Hay River. Surender to the current and let it take you down stream to the Great Slave Lake! This favorite pastime has been a thing, as long as the river has been flowing. Residents and visitors alike indulge by purchasing a floatie from the local Home Hardware to float the gorge or simply rent from one of our Hay River Outfitters Canoe North or Castaways Cottages & Campgrounds to get you set up to kayak, canoe, paddle board down the Hay River to the sandy beaches of the Great Slave Lake.
There are rental shops and outfitters for all of the fun under the sun to be had:
Whether hiking, biking or walking Hay River has numerous trail systems for you to enjoy. Some more challenging and secluded such as the Oxbow Trail that follows the West Channel Snye, or the Twin Falls Gorge just outside of Hay River that will have you feeling like you are on the edge of the world looking down at the waters edge below. Other trails in the area like Rotary Trail will leave you in aww of the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife that accompany the Hay River shoreline that is riddled with fossils. These are just a few of the local trails that are awaiting exploration. In Winter months if you wish to stay warm our local Walking Track and take advantage of the 173 meter walking track located conveniently in the heart of downtown at the Community Centre. The facilities also offer equipment & drop in activities such as table tennis, foosball & air hockey year round.
The Western Arctic Marine Training Centre would like to bring awareness to the marine transportation industry and its importance. Northern Canadians depend on their coasts and waterways for sustenance, to receive critical supplies, and to deliver products to market. Indigenous coastal communities share centuries of cultural ties to Canada’s oceans and waterways, on which they rely as a source of livelihood, food security, and transportation routes. Take a tour of the Western Arctic Marine Training facility to see just how the development of a qualified northern marine workforce is established to support and sustain northern business and the far north communities that rely on these services provided by the Western Arctic Marine Training Centre located conveniently in the heart of downtown at the Community Centre. The facilities also offer equipment & drop in activities such as table tennis, foosball & air hockey year round. www.wamtc.ca
This breathtaking northern territory is covered in edible medicinal plants as far as the eye can see whether harvesting spruce gum to fight off the cold or wild camomile tea to calm your nerves. Mother earth and her sacred gifts are to be respected but also utilized, giving offerings & prayers of gratitude, only take what you need and harvest respectfully. Some additional common NWT Edibles and Medicinal include Spruce tips for tea and first aid, Labrador tea, and yarrow for coughs, skin issues & bug spray. Prior to foraging, always prioritize doing your own research and learning from experts that have obtained their ancestral knowledge of the land and its medicines. Please avoid foraging near roads or contaminated areas. located conveniently in the heart of downtown at the Community Centre. The facilities also offer equipment & drop in activities such as table tennis, foosball & air hockey year round.
If you would like to head out on the trails, the Hay River Ski Club has trails from 0.5 km to 10 km in length, groomed for both classic & freestyle skiing and snowshoeing. The 1, 2, 3 and 5 km trails are lit for nighttime skiing, although head lamps are still a good idea. Sixteen lane biathlon range and trails. The 3.2 km long Tigger Dog Walking Trail is our ‘anything goes’ trail – skis, snowshoes, walking, dogs can be off leash. Popular destinations for skiers are the Bird Feeders on the Ricardo Loop (bring some crushed peanuts and the birds will eat out of your hand), the Lookout on the Brendan Green trail across the river and the Ski Club log cabin complete with an airtight stove, BBQ, fire pit, picnic table, lanterns PABs (Patrick A. Bobinski Memorial) Cross Country Ski Races take place in late March, with classic and freestyle races, as well as fun sprints. These races were formerly known as the Ptubs. Youth ski (Ski Bunnies, Jackrabbits and Track Attack) and biathlon programming throughout the winter. Host to Polar Cup biathlon events throughout the season. Host site for the 2018 Arctic Winter Games – ski biathlon, snowshoe biathlon, snowshoeing events.
Hay River Ski Club Rentals: Memberships are available on the Hay River Ski Club website www.hayriverskiclub.com. Visitors can pay a daily trail fee to help offset our operating costs. Equipment and chalet access is available for visitors to use upon request. Rustic chalet, with a kitchenette, washrooms and waxing equipment. Skis (boots and poles) and snowshoes are available for all to use through membership or visitor prearranged rentals. Equipment and chalet access is available for visitors to use upon request. Enjoy a hot cup of tea or hot chocolate once you return from the trails!
MSS Rentals: Visit MSS for a large variety of ski & snowshoe accessories and equipment website www.hayriverskiclub.com
Hay River Community Centre: has a selection of used snowshoes or headlamps that can be signed out while visiting. https://hayriver.com/hay-river-community-centre/
Don Stewart Aquatic Centre is located in the Hay River Community Centre and is equipped with 25 meter four-lane lap pool, a leisure pool and kiddie pool with splash park, hot tub, sauna and a 150-foot-long indoor water slide. The Aquatic Centre is available for party and special event rentals. Other options include swimming in the Great Slave Lake while taking in the sun at our local beaches with many water sports and activities available in the area to partake in, will leave you wanting more of that northern splash!
The Hay River Community Hall hosts a modern NHL sized Ice Rink with bleachers capable of seating 285 spectators! The Arena Ice Surface is available for off season rentals such as dances, bingos, live events & tradeshows as well as large conferences. Regular weekly schedule includes public skating and shinny hockey as well as ice times allocated to local ice sport groups like HRFSC, HRMHA, Hazard, Rec, HR Rec Hockey League. Rental rates vary by season and activity. The Hay River outdoor skating rinks include Ray Benoit Rink, Old Town Rink & Pond Hockey Rinks.
Visit our local Community Centre to get a copy of the schedule or to sign out figure skates to attend public skate or shinny while visiting.
Visit Polar Pond to participate in the 2026 Polar Pond tournament taking place every March showcasing 10 rinks etched in the frozen Hay River landscape.
You will not want to miss out on our local Fisherman’s Wharf Market that takes place rain or shine every Saturday from 10am to 2pm from the second week in June until the second week in September. Here you will find up to 20 Northern Artisans and Chef’s selling their wares and fresh fried fish and chips down by the water where the commercial fishing vessels come and go from port. If you miss the market the RC Fisheries Food Truck sells fresh fried fish and chip along with other dishes in the West Channel. RC Fisheries and the New Commercial Fresh Water Fish Marketing Plant are now open and taking orders supplying Great Slave Lake freshwater fish to the masses for twelve months of the year. The local traditional shops don’t stop there, for those special northern gifts check out Hay River’s local gift shops Cariboodles Gifts & Goodies, The Soaring Eagle Bear Store, Rings IDA & The Hay River Visitor Centre where you will find hand crafted collectables.
