Yellowknife

Why Visit

Where Adventure Meets the Aurora

There is a strong sense of the frontier in Yellowknife’s Old Town, which borders Great Slave Lake, amid the droning bush aircraft and charming houseboats. You feel as though you are perched on the edge of a vast, uncharted, and difficult-to-understand wilderness, and you really are. There won’t be a single road if you draw a line north from Yellowknife to the Arctic Ocean.

Handpicked Adventures

There is plenty to do during your Yellowknife Northern Lights Tour. Here are the best experiences you can get:

  • Aurora viewing tours
  • Aurora photography tours
  • Cultural experiences
  • Custom group tours
  • Winter adventure packages
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Top Things to Do

Northern Lights

Take an Aurora Borealis Yellowknife, Canada tour and witness the spectacle like never before. The place offers 240 nights of clear northern light views due to its position directly below the aurora lights. The experience is magical. It is as if you are witnessing lights dancing above your head, surrounded by undulating waves and thick-moving swirls of pure ethereal lights. Some lights may reach so close that you feel as if they might touch you.

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Great Slave Lake

On your Yellowknife Aurora Borealis Tours, do not skip the visit to the Great Slave Lake, the tenth largest in the world and the deepest in North America. The Slavey First Nations, who have inhabited its beaches for thousands of years, are the source of its name. These days, it serves as a hub for water activities, a preferred spot for canoeists, and a landing and takeoff area for floatplanes.

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Old Town culture experience

Even though the Old Town was just built in the middle of the 1930s, its dilapidated streets, which are sandwiched between Back and Yellowknife Bays, have a palpable feel of the gold rush era. An interesting fact, many of its residents are older than Yellowknife. Fish shacks and floating houses coexist with quirky cottages and striking palaces.
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Prince of Whales Northern Heritage Centre

This well-established and carefully designed museum with a view of Frame Lake serves as NWT’s historical and cultural archive. You can witness natural history, European exploration, Northern aviation, and diamond mining. In particular, Dene and Inuit history and culture, their symbiotic relationship with their environment, and their reliance on wildlife for food, clothing, shelter, and transportation are all covered in expertly put together displays.

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Suggested Itinerary Ideas

Although Yellowknife is a year-round destination, the experience varies greatly depending on the season. Winter months offer frozen landscapes, snowy outdoor adventures, and prime northern lights viewing. Two of the greatest months to go are March and September. In March, there’s the Snowking Winter Festival, which features an ice castle and a schedule of kid-friendly events, concerts, and comedies. Additionally, it’s the best time to see Northern Lights in Yellowknife.

Day 1

Arrive in Yellowknife and prepare for your first night of Yellowknife Northern Lights Tours, heading out to a prime viewing location.

Day 2

Explore local culture and winter activities during the day, followed by another Yellowknife Aurora Borealis Tour at night.

Day 3

Enjoy outdoor adventures like dog sledding or snowshoeing, then end your trip with one final aurora viewing experience.

Day 4

Add more nights to increase your chances of seeing stronger aurora activity and explore more of the northern wilderness.

Nearby Places to Explore

Some of the most popular and rewarding nearby places to explore with your Yellowknife Aurora Borealis tour include:
  • Prelude Lake territorial park
  • Legislative Assembly
  • Ingraham Trail
  • Dettah

Plan Your Yellowknife Trip with Bell Tours

Seeing the Northern Lights is not just a trip-it’s a moment you remember for a lifetime. With Bell Tours, every detail is thoughtfully arranged, from expert-led Yellowknife Northern Lights Tours to comfortable viewing experiences under the Arctic sky. If you’re ready to witness the magic of the Aurora Borealis in Yellowknife, Canada, let Bell Tours design an experience that’s smooth, immersive, and truly extraordinary—crafted around the moments that matter most.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Yellowknife located?

Yellowknife is the capital city of Canada’s Northwest Territories. It is a remote city known for minimal light pollution and exceptional sky views, making it prime aurora-viewing territory.

Why is Yellowknife such a good place to see the Northern Lights?

Yellowknife sits directly beneath the auroral oval, giving it around 240 nights of clear northern lights viewing per year—one of the highest concentrations of aurora-viewing nights anywhere in the world.

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Yellowknife?

Yellowknife offers fantastic viewing across different seasons:

  • Late Summer / Autumn (August to September): Milder weather with clear skies reflecting over open lakes.
  • Winter (November to March): Peak winter viewing featuring deep snow, frozen landscapes, and crisp, dark nights. March is especially popular as it hosts the Snowking Winter Festival.

What kinds of tours does Bell Tours offer in Yellowknife?

Our curated packages include aurora viewing tours, aurora photography tours, cultural experiences, winter adventure packages, and custom group tours designed for your comfort and best chances of a sighting.

What does a typical Yellowknife aurora trip itinerary look like?

A standard multi-day trip includes:

  • Day 1: Arrive and head out to a prime viewing spot for your first aurora night.
  • Day 2: Explore local culture, winter activities, and enjoy another evening aurora tour.
  • Day 3: Enjoy outdoor adventures like dog sledding, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling, followed by a final night of viewing.
  • Day 4: Optional extra nights to boost your chances of catching stronger displays.

What is Yellowknife's Old Town like?

Built in the mid-1930s, Old Town sits between Back Bay and Yellowknife Bay. It keeps a gold-rush-era feel with fish shacks, floating houseboats, quirky cottages, and bush planes.

What is Great Slave Lake?

It is the tenth-largest lake in the world and the deepest in North America. Named after the Slavey First Nations, it is popular for boating, canoeing, and serving as a local floatplane hub.

What can I learn at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre?

Located overlooking Frame Lake, this museum covers the Northwest Territories’ natural history, Northern aviation, and local culture, with a strong focus on Dene and Inuit history and their connection to the land.

What other winter activities are available besides aurora viewing?

Popular winter additions include dog sledding, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and exploring nearby spots like the Ingraham Trail, Dettah, Prelude Lake Territorial Park, and the Legislative Assembly.

How do I book a Yellowknife Northern Lights tour with Bell Tours?

You can easily request a quote through the inquiry form on our website. To speak directly with our team, call us at 1-800-665-9501 or email tours@belltours.ca to arrange your customized aurora experience.

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