The Atlas Obscura Guide To Northwest Territories

10 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Northwest Territories

Updated May 27, 2026

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Unusual Attractions in Northwest Territories

The Smoking Hills, as seen from the sea.

Inuvik, Unorganized, Northwest Territories

The Smoking Hills

These hellish-looking cliffs in the Canadian Arctic have been burning for centuries.

(Flickr/DrJohnBullas)

Fort Smith, Northwest Territories

Diavik Diamond Mine

Ice roads, deep holes and 3,500 pounds of diamonds.

Ragged Ass Road

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Ragged Ass Road

This Canadian road's nickname stuck so hard the city had to keep it.

A teepee and Great Bear Lake, covered with snow as it is most of the year

Deline, Northwest Territories

Great Bear Lake

Locals believe the purity of this huge, untouched Arctic lake could be the salvation of human civilization.

collapsed pingo

Inuvik Region, Northwest Territories

The Tuktoyaktuk Pingos

Natural earth mounds formed in the far north.

Grave of the Mad Trapper of Rat River

Northwest Territories

Grave of the Mad Trapper of Rat River

A mad mystery man who led Canadian mounties on a 150-mile wilderness chase is still buried with his secrets intact.

The Inuvik community greenhouse was converted from an old hockey rink.

Inuvik, Northwest Territories

Inuvik Community Greenhouse

This greenhouse was once a hockey arena.

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Northwest Territories

The Inuvik community greenhouse was converted from an old hockey rink.

Inuvik, Northwest Territories

Inuvik Community Greenhouse

This greenhouse was once a hockey arena.

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Martian Landscapes 2

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Architecture 1

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Stories About Northwest Territories

Laurier University scientist William Quinton and a group of Indigenous Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ walk through a bog near the Scotty Creek Research Station in the Northwest Territories.

Canada's First Indigenous-Led Research Station Is a Symbol of Hope—And Our Climate Crisis

The Scotty Creek facility was part of an unprecedented First Nations effort to study and save the Arctic. Then the fire came.

by Ed Struzik, Atlas Obscura

November 28, 2022

The Inuvik Community Greenhouse was once a hockey arena.

Inside the Arctic Greenhouses Where the Summer Sun Never Sets

A greenhouse network provides locals with everything from jalapeños to flowers.

by Marina Wang, Atlas Obscura

September 22, 2020

The 73-mile-long Inuvik-Aklavik Ice Road forms each year when the Mackenzie River freezes over.

Canada's Ice Roads Are Melting Too Soon

Climate change is fraying these seasonal lifelines, causing hardships for the remote towns that rely on them.

by Karen Gardiner, Atlas Obscura

August 23, 2019

The Massive Black Wolves on a 'Flat Out' Run Along a Canadian Highway

by Erik Shilling, Atlas Obscura