Hay River: Old Town, River and Great Slave Lake

Hay River lies on Great Slave Lake and combines a waterfront landscape with a local history that can be explored especially on Vale Island and in Old Town. The river, lake and settlement history give your stay different points of focus: you can explore riverside trails, learn about the community’s history or take in views of the water and wetlands. When choosing a holiday rental, it can therefore help to first consider which of these aspects of Hay River you want to shape your trip.

Old Town and the history by the water

Old Town is a settlement in Hay River on Vale Island. There, near the mouth of the Hay River where it flows into Great Slave Lake, is the Hay River Heritage Centre. The Hay River Museum is a dedicated local history museum: it is housed in a former Hudson’s Bay Company trading post on Vale Island and presents exhibits and artifacts relating to Hay River’s history. The two places offer different points of focus: the Heritage Centre is in Old Town, while the museum explores the community’s history through exhibits and historical objects. Check current visiting arrangements before going to a museum.

A notable milestone in the community’s history is 1963: a flood forced the town to move upriver to higher ground; afterward, many houses in Old Town were built on stilts. In this way, the settlement’s history is tied to the riverside landscape. This offers a different way to experience Hay River than focusing on the lake’s shores and recreational opportunities.

Trails, lakeshore and water activities

The network of walking and hiking trails extends for more than 20 kilometres. The trails offer views of the river, as well as opportunities to observe local wildlife. Hay River’s trails are part of the Trans Canada Trail. If you want a stay centred on exploring on foot, you can combine river views with nature watching here.

Porritt Landing offers a different way to get to the water: it is Hay River’s boat launch and recreation area. From there, you can travel by water to Great Slave Lake and fish in the river. The trails let you explore the surrounding area on foot, while Porritt Landing provides opportunities on and by the water.

Sandy beaches and recreational opportunities along the shore of Great Slave Lake are part of Hay River’s landscape. Conditions at the beaches and available activities can vary seasonally. If your trip is focused especially on spending time by the shore, take this seasonal variation into account when planning.

Nature and history nearby

Near Hay River, Hay River Territorial Park offers views of the water on Great Slave Lake, a diverse birdlife and a natural wetland landscape. On the other side of the river, the Hay River Missions National Historic Site commemorates decades of encounters between Indigenous peoples and settlers. These two places have very different points of focus: the park highlights the shore, wetlands and birdlife, while the historic site focuses on the history of those encounters.

Harbour views, recreation and local life

In Hay River’s channels, visitors can watch barges being loaded and see ships lifted out of the water using the dry-dock system known as a Synchro Lift. Here, ships and harbour work take centre stage, offering another perspective on this waterfront community. The Visitor Information Centre, built in 1984, provides tourists with information about Hay River and nearby attractions.

Recreational offerings have their own points of focus, too. Along the Mackenzie Highway is a nine-hole golf course with club rentals, motorized golf carts, food service and a place to camp with a trailer. In the centre of Hay River is a recreation facility with an Aquatic Centre, an NHL-sized ice rink, a running track and a curling rink. Alongside trips to the water, a range of sports and physical activities are therefore among the options to consider for your trip.

The Fisherman’s Wharf Market is a seasonal Saturday market held in summer from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local farmers sell produce and plants directly to the local community. Check the current schedule before visiting. Together with the trails, activities on the water and historic sites, the market helps give a varied impression of Hay River—and a good basis for deciding which experiences you want to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Yellowknife, Camlaren, Fort Providence, Fort Liard, Fort Smith.

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