Norman Wells
An Oil Town On The Mackenzie River Where Oil Was Found In 1920, The First Oil Field In The Canadian North, Now The Service Centre For The Sahtu Region And The Gateway To Canol Heritage Trail, The Mackenzie Mountains And The Keele River Canoe Routes. A Tiny Community With A Small Hotel, A Heritage Centre And Air Charters · Norman Wells, Northwest Territories
Norman Wells is a small town of about 700 people on the Mackenzie River, roughly 90 km south of the Arctic Circle in the Sahtu region of the Northwest Territories. Oil was found here in 1920, the first oil field in the Canadian north, and the field still runs beside the river, so the town is part industrial and part wilderness gateway. It is reached by scheduled flight from Yellowknife, and in winter by the Mackenzie Valley winter road (confirm status). The town is the base for the Canol Heritage Trail, an extremely demanding multi-week backcountry route for experienced hikers only, and for Keele River and Mackenzie Mountains trips arranged with outfitters. A small historical centre (confirm), a hotel, a store and air charters are the visitor services. Be plain with yourself: this is a working northern town, not a sightseeing stop, and the wild country around it is the real draw. It rewards planning and patience.
Norman Wells, a town on the Mackenzie River about 90 km south of the Arctic Circle in the Sahtu region, reached by scheduled flight from Yellowknife or by the Mackenzie Valley winter road; coordinates approximate, Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada
Norman Wells keeps normal small-town hours rather than visitor hours. The store, the hotel and the historical centre (confirm) commonly keep a weekday pattern of roughly 9 to 5, with shorter or closed days on weekends - phone ahead. Canol, Keele and mountain trips run mainly from late June to early September. The Mackenzie Valley winter road, when open, usually runs from about January to March - confirm dates and conditions. Winter is dark and very cold, and walking along the river is free at any hour. Sundays and holidays are quiet.