Travelers driving along the Northwest Territories Waterfalls Route searching for waterfalls and scenic points of interest will undoubtedly come across Lady Evelyn Falls along their journey. Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park is different from some of the other stopping points along the route because it has both waterfalls and a place to camp. The Lady Evelyn Falls campground is the ideal location to stay overnight because it is approximately halfway along the Waterfalls Route and it offers RV campers plenty of amenities to comfort even the weariest of travelers.
The Waterfalls Route is located along Northwest Territory Highway 1. The Highway, more commonly known as the MacKenzie Highway, is 245 miles (325 km) long and contains cascading waters, scenic overlooks, and numerous historical points of interest. People taking the journey experience rugged wilderness wrapped in heritage. One of the more prominent pieces of history lies along the MacKenzie Highway in the form of signage displaying symbols of a quill and a knife. The quill represents Sir Alexander Mackenzie, who was the first person to record the history of the indigenous people of this region of the Northwest Territories. The knife pays respect to the indigenous people and their history in the trapping industry.
People taking the trip along the MacKenzie Highway will have a blend of history combined with some of the region’s most stunning waterfalls, creating an unforgettable journey through the Northwest Territories.
While driving in the Northwest Territories, always have your headlights on, look for wildlife crossing the road, and keep a safe distance between vehicles to reduce flying gravel. Some of the routes have river and ferry crossings. Always check your driving conditions ahead of time to know if the route has ice or other natural conditions that might impact your planned journey. Plan your gas stops ahead of time, as there is a considerable distance between many of the fill-up areas.
Cell phone coverage varies through the territory. Bring a detailed map, so you don’t have to rely on cell phone coverage to get to your desired location. Prepare your vehicle with an emergency road kit, and extra food, water, and blankets. Many of the camping areas have cell phone service, and Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park has both cell phone service as well as Wifi.
Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park is located at mile 103.8 (167.1km) on the NWT Highway 1.
Plan to arrive before the park closes. Visitors may not enter the park between 10:30 pm and 7:00 am. There is a convenient parking lot at the park's day-use area.
The Lady Evelyn Falls Campground is a pet-friendly, seasonally operating campground that is close to Lady Evelyn Falls. The park offers many camping amenities such as restrooms, showers, firewood sales, and a dump station. The campground is close to a playground and a picnic area. The sites are large, but narrow, with many sites accommodating RVs and trailers up to 30 feet in length. There is a mix of pull-through and back-in sites, all offering electricity from 15 to 30 amps. Every site has a fire pit and a picnic table, giving campers the best setup to sit outside. There isn’t a filling station in the park, so make sure you fill your holding tanks before setting up camp for the night. There are places to get drinking water, but campers are limited to the amount of water they may take. Quiet hours are between 10:30 pm and 7:00 am. Please respect the sounds of nature and silence your generators during these hours.
Lady Evelyn Falls is one of the highlights along the Northwest Territory’s Waterfall Highway. To see the falls, park in the day-use area and take the .18 mile (300 m) trail that leads from the parking lot to the viewing platform. The viewing platform gives spectators a view of the falls from the top. For the more adventurous people, there is a trail that leads to the base of the falls. All of the platforms and surfaces can be slippery or icy, depending on the season, so before you head to see Lady Evelyn Falls, make sure you bring comfortable and sturdy shoes with you to ensure a safe viewing experience.
When traveling along the Waterfalls Route, the first point of interest along the journey is the 60th Parallel Visitor Information Centre. It's open seasonally, and it is located along the Mackenzie Highway / NWT Highway 1 at kilometer zero. This attraction is one of the most photographed areas along the drive because photos near the entrance show the beginning of a rugged and adventurous journey. Before heading toward Lady Evelyn Falls, prepare yourself for the trip by picking up souvenirs, park guides, camping permits, fishing licenses, and local information. Don’t forget to ask for your North of 60 Certificate to commemorate your adventure. It’s a must-have for anyone traveling into the Northwest Territories.
Before heading deep into the Northwest Territories, it's smart for RVers to plan a stop in the town of Enterprise before continuing towards Lady Evelyn Falls. Enterprise is located at mile 51 (kilometer 83) and is the first town along the Waterfalls Route. Enterprise has gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and information about the weather and road conditions along the route. While it may be an early stop, RVers should take full advantage of the amenities and stop for fuel, food, and a break from the rough roads before heading further into their journey.
The day-use area in Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park is suitable for guests of all ages. The day-use area is located near a large parking lot that connects the campground to the trail leading to Lady Evelyn Falls. There are a few other footpaths that lead in and around the day-use area as well as picnic tables, restrooms, sheltered ramadas, and a restroom and shower. If the family is feeling restless from riding in the car or RV, take some time at the playground where you can listen to the falls in the distance while the kids have fun playing.
Fishing at Lady Evelyn Falls can be an experience for the entire family because the best way to catch a fish at the base of the falls is with a spoon hanging from a fishing pole. Bring your poles to the edge of the Kakisa River near the small pools under the falls. Fish like Arctic grayling, pickerel, walleye, and Northern pike clamor to the warm and rocky hiding spots, making them easy to lure. The Northwest Territories require that all people between the ages of 16 and 65 have a valid fishing license. If you plan on fishing, pick up your permit before you begin your journey to Lady Evelyn Falls.
If you plan to visit the Northwest Territories during the late fall through early spring, then your chances of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are favorable. Images of the falls surrounded by the sky’s dancing lights are spectacular, and witnessing the phenomenon for yourself is something you will never forget. If you don’t want to take the chance and catch the Northern Lights on your own, then it is best to arrange a Northern Lights tour. Local companies plan day-time adventures with aurora sightseeing trips at night. The tour groups bring you to the areas where the lights are most often spotted, so you don’t have to worry about chasing the lights, because the hard work is done for you.
