Camlaren on Gordon Lake

Camlaren is on an island in Gordon Lake, 85 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife. Its mining history spans three clearly distinct periods of operation and can also be seen in surviving traces: a stone chimney and the ruins of log cabins still stand at the site. The precise location offers a starting point when searching for a vacation rental; you can then consider whether the history of this island site matches the focus you want for your trip.

A mine with several periods of operation

In the fall of 1936, Gordon Lake attracted prospectors; work at Camlaren began that same year. In 1937, a shaft was sunk on the Hump Vein. Don Cameron and the McLaren brothers staked Camlaren. The mine operated in 1937–1938, 1962–1963, and 1980–1981, making it the largest mine in the Gordon Lake group. Mining was suspended during the war; later, another company rehabilitated the shaft and mining plant. The dates show a history of interruptions and distinct periods, not continuous operation.

The route taken by the ore is also part of this story: from 1962 to 1964, ore from Camlaren was transported to the Discovery Mine for processing. The mining site and processing site were therefore separate stages in the production of the time. Miners explored the Hump Vein on two levels. Taken together, these details paint a picture that includes both work at the shaft and the processing of ore outside Camlaren.

Traces of work and everyday life

A stone chimney from the mine manager’s house still stands at the site. There are also ruins of log cabins where the miners and their families lived. These remains tell not only of the mine’s operations, but also of life at the site: the chimney points to the manager’s house, while the cabin ruins recall the workers’ family homes. In this way, home and work life together form part of Camlaren’s historical picture. For anyone interested in mining history, this offers a special perspective: the mine can be understood not only through operating dates, but also through the built traces of life on site.

Camlaren and the wider destination of the Northwest Territories

The broader destination of the Northwest Territories offers a wider perspective alongside Camlaren’s history. In the Northwest Territories, the aurora borealis can be seen on up to 240 nights a year. There are two aurora seasons: fall, when the land and lakes are still warm, and winter, when the lakes are frozen. These seasonal differences give regional travel planning its own rhythm and offer a different focus from Camlaren’s mining history.

Wood Buffalo National Park represents another side of the Northwest Territories destination. It is Canada’s largest national park and also the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserve; it includes the salt plains at Grosbeak Lake. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, it helps to first decide on the scope of your trip: Camlaren is about the history of a mine on Gordon Lake, while the aurora and Wood Buffalo are part of the broader Northwest Territories destination.

Discover more destinations: Fort Smith, Fort Providence, Fort Liard, Hay River, Yellowknife

Go to the broader travel overview: Fort Smith Region.