Dettah Ice Road
A roughly 6.5 km road laid across the frozen Great Slave Lake in winter, linking old Yellowknife with the Dene village of Dettah. Drivers can cross the lake by car.
The Dettah Ice Road is one of Canada's best-known ice roads. In summer, travelling from Yellowknife to the village of Dettah on the far shore requires a detour of about 27 km. In winter, once the lake has frozen thick enough, the government clears a straight route across the ice that is only about 6.5 km long. Driving across a lake surface with dark green cracks visible through the ice is a winter highlight for many visitors, and you can also join an ice road sightseeing tour or go ice fishing beside the road. The destination, Dettah, is a community of the Yellowknives Dene. Please respect residents' daily lives and do not photograph private homes at will. The Government of the Northwest Territories announces the opening period, speed limits and load limits based on ice conditions, so check official notices before you go. Before renting a car, confirm that the rental contract allows driving on the ice road. Do not stop or get out along the way at random, and keep a safe following distance.
Opening hours
Seasonal opening (winter; per government announcements)
Nearby sights
- Great Slave Lake (Yellowknife Bay)
- Snowking Winter Festival Snowcastle
- Tin Can Hill
- Ragged Ass Road
- Old Town & Bush Pilots Monument
- Bullocks Bistro
- Wildcat Cafe
- Twin Pine Hill Trail