Fort Simpson and the Nahanni Gateway

A Dene And Metis Community On An Island At The Confluence Of The Mackenzie And Liard Rivers, With A Long Fur Trade History From 1803 And The Usual Base For Visitors Flying Into Nahanni National Park Reserve (A Separate Row). A Small Village With A Visitor Centre, An Historic Church And River Views. · Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories

Fort Simpson is a Dene and Metis village on an island where the Mackenzie and Liard rivers meet, in the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories. The fur trade brought a post here from 1803, and today it is a small community with a visitor centre, a historic church, river views and a few places to stay. It is the usual base for float-plane trips into Nahanni National Park Reserve, which is a separate row. Reaching it takes effort: the Mackenzie Highway, then the Liard River crossing, which is a seasonal ferry in summer and an ice road in winter, so confirm dates. Services are limited and prices are high. It suits people on their way to Nahanni, river lovers and those who want a quiet northern community. The village is small, so allow a few hours, or a night around a flight. Bring cash, supplies and patience, because shops are few and weather can delay flights by a day. Mosquitoes and black flies are heavy in summer.

Island village at the meeting of the Mackenzie and Liard rivers in the Dehcho region of the NWT, reached by the Mackenzie Highway and a ferry, with a visitor centre and the base for Nahanni float-plane trips, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada

The village has no single set of opening hours. The visitor centre is seasonal, usually open in the summer months with limited days and hours, so confirm before arriving. Shops, the fuel stop, the cafe and lodgings keep their own times and may close on Sundays or in the off season. The Liard River crossing runs as a ferry in the open-water months and as an ice road in deep winter, with a gap at freeze-up and break-up when there may be no crossing at all, so check the territorial road report. Float-plane flights run in summer, depend on weather and are booked with the operators.

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