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Yellowknife
Yellowknife · Northwest Territories, Canada (Yellowknife)
A northern town born of gold, and one of Canada's most popular aurora destinations.
Know before you go
- Don't photograph Indigenous ceremonies or people without consent
- don't walk onto lake ice that hasn't been confirmed safe
- taking cannabis across Canada's border is illegal
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
A capital born from a gold mine
In 1934 gold was discovered on the north shore of Great Slave Lake, where the Yellowknives Dene had lived for generations; prospectors followed and a settlement grew up. Yellowknife soon became the economic centre of the Northwest Territories and became its capital in 1967. Gold production declined in the 1980s and the city turned into a government service centre; today aurora tourism has become its new calling card.
Source: Wikipedia: Yellowknife
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Yellowknife is the capital, largest community and only city of Canada's Northwest Territories. The area has long been home to the Yellowknives Dene, after whom the city and nearby lake are named. Gold was found nearby in 1934 and a settlement grew up; it became the territorial capital in 1967, and after gold output fell in the 1980s the city changed from a mining town into a government service centre. Today many visitors come to experience the northern climate and traditional way of life, and to see the aurora. The Northwest Territories have 11 official languages, five of them widely spoken in Yellowknife.
Local customs
- The Old Town has early log cabins and floatplane docks
- Dene culture and languages are still very much alive
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Canada: cannabis cannot cross the border
- Learn the different cannabis rules in each province
- Carrying cannabis across the border without Health Canada authorisation
Even if bought legally in Canada, taking it out of the country without authorisation will get you arrested.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Canada travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't photograph Indigenous ceremonies or people without consent
- don't walk onto lake ice that hasn't been confirmed safe
- taking cannabis across Canada's border is illegal
Locals appreciate DO
Locals appreciate visitors who respect Indigenous culture and don't treat a frozen lake as a safe road.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Late August–early April, at night |
|---|---|
| Time needed | 3–4 days |
Travel tips
- Winters are extremely cold and need professional cold-weather gear
- join an aurora tour with heated cabins. In autumn (late August to early October) the lake hasn't frozen and you can see the aurora reflected in it. The aurora depends on solar activity and weather, so check the aurora forecast (Kp index) and cloud cover before you go
- chances are usually best between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Get away from city lights, bring a tripod and dress very warmly.
Photos
Photos
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TravelingOtter · CC BY-SA 2.0
Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0
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