Overview
Fort Smith is a town of 2,500 people on the Slave River near the Alberta border, serving as the primary access point for Wood Buffalo National Park visitors. The town offers access to one of the world's most renowned whitewater canoeing destinations, with Class 5 rapids on the Slave River between Fort Fitzgerald and Fort Smith.
Budget Travel · Day Trips · Museums · Nature · Trekking
Before you go
Connectivity
WiFi is available at the Pelican Rapids Inn and Wood Buffalo Inn. Limited connectivity is typical for remote northern communities.
Money
Fort Smith is a small northern Canadian town; prices tend to be higher than southern Canada due to shipping costs. CAD is the local currency.
Safety
Check NWT wildfire conditions at nwt.ca/ecc or call +1-867-445-5484 before travelling. Subscribe to public safety alerts at gov.nt.ca.
Transport
Fort Smith Regional Airport (YSM) has flights via Northwestern Air from Edmonton, Fort Chipewyan, Hay River, High Level, and Yellowknife. Highway 5 connects the town to Alberta.
Weather
Summer months bring nesting pelicans to the rapids near Fort Smith and are the best time for wildlife viewing, including possible whooping crane sightings by air charter.