Highway 35 continues on from High Level to the towns of Meander River and then Indian Cabins. North of Indian Cabins, you cross from Alberta into the Northwest Territories, at the 60th Parallel. Don’t miss the Visitor Centre, where first-time tourists are awarded a North of 60 Certificate. Highway 35 now becomes NWT Highway 1, also known as the Waterfalls Route. To see why, stop at Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park and take the trail that connects Alexandra and Louise Falls. The Dene Aboriginal people of this region call Alexandra Falls “Hatto deh Naili,” a place of power protected by spirits. Louise Falls cuts through stone formations that date back 400 million years.
In Enterprise, take the opportunity to stop at Winnies to refuel, sample some home-cooked meals and snacks and browse their fine selection of Dene arts and crafts.
Enterprise is a jumping off point for side trips to Great Slave Lake at Hay River or Fort Smith and Wood Buffalo National Park – see route below.
Side Trip - Enterprise to Fort Smith, Return (587 km/367 mi), +2-3 days
If you’re interested in checking out the points of interest on this side trip we recommend you leave the Mackenzie Highway (NWT Hwy #1) and travel Hwy #2 to Hay River “Port of the North”, a town of 3,500 and a major transportation hub for the north. Hay River offers great fishing and hosts one of several beautiful golf courses in the NWT.
Travel Hwy #5 east/southeast from Hay River to reach Fort Smith - home to the Northern Life Museum, world- renowned Slave River Rapids and gateway to Wood Buffalo National Park.
At 45,000 sq km, Wood Buffalo is the second largest national park in the world. It’s a naturalist paradise with free roaming bison, nesting grounds of the endangered whooping crane, amazing geographical wonders including the spectacular Salt Plains karsts landscape and much more.