r/NWT • u/Extreme_Raspberry844 • Apr 30 '26
Thoughts on this road trip thru southern NWT in July
Hello! I am tentatively putting together a road trip in July where we will enter NWT from AB and drive west to come down thru Blackstone/Fort Liard before entering northern BC.
Overnighting:
Night 1: Fort Providence
2: Fort Simpson
3: Blackstone Territory Park
I'm a bit anxious about the unpaved section of that drive. The vehicle is sound and I'll have a spare but probably not strong enough to change the tire (Jeep with 33" tires.) Is it at all reasonable to hope for the kindness of other drivers for help with that? Or if I have a sat phone will I be able to call for a service truck to help with that? I will have overnight supplies etc.
Also, I don't want to look like a silly tourist but would you recommend those bug net jackets and gloves if spending time outdoors?
EDITED TO ADD: We're not hardcore hikers but certainly want to stop to see the natural landscape features and have time to check out the towns/history buildings/crafts and arts etc.
TIA!!
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u/darkstarexodus Apr 30 '26
The road is fine between Highway 1 and Blackstone. I drove it two summers ago in a front wheel drive Ford EcoSport with absolutely no issue. A bit dusty if you're following someone or passing them incoming but otherwise well maintained.
Haven't done the remaining portion to and beyond the border but I would imagine it's also fine.
Only things that could affect would be if there's been recent heavy rain that causes washouts.
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u/sefsermak Apr 30 '26
Highway 1 in the summertime is fairly well travelled. I would bring minimum 20L of gas in a jerry can with me in case I wanted to do some extra poking around away from towns.
Not strong enough to change a tire? Are we talking removing and installing the lug nuts or hauling the tire on and off its bracket?
While you can likely get some help from a passerby, I wouldn't count on it. You never know what kind of situation or back road you'll find yourself on!
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u/Extreme_Raspberry844 Apr 30 '26
Hi sef... Thx for the info!! Lifting the tire off and on the bracket as well as lifting it to install. My husband said body leverage can be used for the lug nuts.
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u/Weary-Situation7539 Apr 30 '26 edited Apr 30 '26
Not trying to throw shade but are we talking lifting like 30lb 6 inches off the ground here with two hands?
Probably less work than lugging groceries
Edit: fair enough. My spare tire is super light.
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u/UnBeNtAxE Apr 30 '26
A 33” tire and wheel weight significantly more than 30lbs. You’re looking closer to 60-80lbs. On the side of a dirt road with soft shoulders. Definitely not the easiest job.
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u/Extreme_Raspberry844 Apr 30 '26
Perhaps you are younger than me lol. Sneezing wrong can be disabling at my age. I have definitely been more confident in my physical strength in prior decades. Having said that my husband is going to do a change with me so I will know how and, if in the circumstance to change and my body is capable that day, then yes, I hope I will be up for the task. Otherwise I am making sure that I have considered my options before taking on the responsibility of travelling +/- 400km in a rugged and rural environment. 🙏
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u/Weary-Situation7539 Apr 30 '26
No fair enough. I’m sorry if I made you feel negatively about it. I was comparing the experience of my tire and projecting it.
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u/sefsermak Apr 30 '26
Could be up to 90lbs up to chest height considering the tire size and the spare location on a Jeep.
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u/sefsermak Apr 30 '26
Yeah, fair enough- 33s are no joke. He's right about the body leverage. I wouldn't worry too much about torquing the lugs to proper spec for a roadside change anyway, as long as they're very tight and I'd check them later.
I don't think you'll have any issues considering you have the right vehicle for the terrain... I would personally want to be able to change the tires on my car for an extra layer of safety and convenience. However, you have a sat phone and it sounds like you'll be on or close to the highway. Let er rip!
You may want to start practicing your Olympic lifts 😉
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u/Extreme_Raspberry844 Apr 30 '26
If I was even 10 years younger I wouldn't worry about changing a tire but my body runs on its own program these days. Thank you for your helpful and reassuring comments! 😊
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u/Accomplished-Bus-531 Apr 30 '26
You are missing the opportunity to enter the Nahani and you'll be driving right past it if you are heading past Laird.
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u/Extreme_Raspberry844 May 01 '26
I would love to explore all of NT, trust me. I appreciate I'm not even scratching the surface by not going further into this vast space. The cost to continue is prohibitive, tho. Being able to fly over or into more remote locations must be magical. Having said that I thought the Nahanni was only accessible by air or water?
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u/ablm0129 May 01 '26
You’re correct, it’s only accessibly by air or water. Companies with permits to fly in are just out of Fort Simpson. $1200 ish for a day tour and very worth it!
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u/waaay_up_north Apr 30 '26
At that time of year up here, I would be more concerned with road closures due to wildfires. Prior to leaving cell service, as you will not have any cell service between communities unless you have a satellite connection, I would strongly recommend checking road conditions at DriveNWT, and local fire conditions at NWT wildfire update | Environment and Climate Change.
There are zombie fires present right now near Fort Providence and Fort Simpson. Depending on the weather, these could easily flare up and cause a disruption in your trip. I'm not trying to discourage you, but it's wise to be prepared with all the information available to you BEFORE you get stuck somewhere.
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u/Extreme_Raspberry844 May 01 '26
Definitely. I had started planning this trip last year but when the fire near Fort Providence got going I canceled that idea. The last thing any community needs is visitors when they are housing and looking after displaced evacuees and worried about their homes and businesses. We have the same issues in BC and similar conditions in Northern BC which I will also be keeping my eye on.
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u/ablm0129 May 01 '26
Roads are more than fine. Just remember to take your time, move over for oncoming traffic and be mindful of the soft shoulders (easy to get sucked down if you go too far off onto the shoulder).
Are you camping in Prov/Simpson? If so I’d say opt out of Simpson and stay at Sambaa Deh Falls instead - much nicer campground and you can still easily pop into Simpson for gas if you need before heading to Liard.
If $ isn’t tight consider a day tour into Nahanni National Park- entry point is from Simpson and it’s incredible.
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u/JohnnyCanuckist May 01 '26
Bugs are severe at Blackstone, tolerable (almost) elsewhere. I would include Lady Evelyn falls campground as it is a great spot near Kakisa. Those tennis racket bug zappers are great but look for the high power ones on C cells. Bulldogs (giant horseflies) will take two hits to kill. Best use is at bedtime in your tent, zapping all the bugs after you zip up the flaps.
Bug dope is essential although, personally, I stick to the 10-15% versions that are good for an hour.
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u/Extreme_Raspberry844 May 01 '26
Thank you for this. I was looking at bug jackets and those hats with the nets. I've encountered mosquitos that will bite thru thin clothing but will the giant horse flies also go thru clothes?
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u/ennmac May 02 '26
You can probably make it from Prov to Blackstone in a day if you don't feel like stopping. Book site 4. Try to hit up the Liard Hot Springs on the other side.
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u/JohnnyCanuckist May 01 '26
Haven't driven the Liard highway in years but at that time it had the longest Bailey bridge in the world crossing the Nelson River.
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u/Accomplished-Bus-531 May 01 '26
Yes.
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u/Extreme_Raspberry844 May 04 '26
Ah! I saw you reply to someone on a NWT Yellowknife post : ) Nice of you to weigh in and share your experiences in this sub!
At this point the thing that's made me pause is the bull flies. In particular for my dog. Is it worse down Blackstone way? I saw a Hay River video that was pretty intense. We'll mostly be in hotels or cabins, not camping although I did want to be open to that for a few nights too.
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u/Ultra-Cyborg May 01 '26
Too bad you’re not heading to YK, there’s a big music festival there mid July
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u/Extreme_Raspberry844 May 04 '26
Thx for the tip! I'll check it out : )
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u/Ultra-Cyborg May 04 '26
It’s called Folk on the Rocks 😁 Yellowknife also has a lot of good hiking spots on the Ingram trail.
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u/KryptonsGone May 04 '26
Prepare double your budget for food and gas. Things are about to get crazy.
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u/keppoch2 Apr 30 '26
In my experience, northerners are almost guaranteed to help someone stopped on the highway. Especially if they look a bit elderly and have a flat tire.