10 Iconic Shots Every Photographer Needs in the NWT

From the glistening winter ice roads to the golden peaks of Nahanni National Park Reserve, the Northwest Territories is bursting with dramatic scenery and photo-worthy landmarks. Each region offers its own character, from glacial rivers and Indigenous cultural landmarks to the swirling Aurora overhead. Ready to build your dream Northern photo gallery? Here are 10 must-shoot locations across the NWT.

Walk on Water: Ice Roads of the North

In the NWT, winter brings a one-of-a-kind driving (and photo) experience – ice roads. These frozen routes form when rivers and lakes freeze thick enough to support full-sized vehicles, often over 1 metre (3.3 ft) deep. Try the 6.4 km (4 mi) Dettah Ice Road from Yellowknife, or capture the sprawling ice highway between Aklavik and Inuvik in the Western Arctic.

Pro Tip: Get your camera close to the ice surface to showcase the deep, clear ice textures and always check local safety updates before venturing out.

Freeze the Moment: Creative cold-weather Photos

When temperatures dip below –25°C (–13°F), the NWT becomes your personal photo lab. Try dramatic instant-freeze tricks: toss water to create a frozen arc, or freeze noodles mid-air.

Share it: Short videos of these stunts make amazing social content, just be quick, your fingers will get cold fast!  Great for sharing to #SpectacularNWT on Instagram.

Houseboat Bay

Climb Bush Pilot’s Monument for a photo of colourful houseboats dotting the frozen lake—or glowing in midnight summer light. Canoe, kayak and SUPs are available for rent in the summer, so you can get a close-up shot of this unique and picturesque community on the shores of Great Slave Lake.

Up close with Bison

Driving through the South or North Slave regions? Keep your camera ready as wood bison sightings are frequent along Highway 3 and in Wood Buffalo National Park. These massive, shaggy giants are unforgettable subjects. Remember to always photograph from inside your vehicle for safety.

End of the Road: Arctic Ocean Sign in Tuktoyaktuk

Take a once-in-a-lifetime road trip along the Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk Highway, the only public highway in North America that reaches the Arctic Ocean. Your journey ends at the iconic sign where land meets sea.

Photo Moment: A perfect “I made it” moment and ideal for tagging #SpectacularNWT.

Standing tall: Fort Simpson’s giant Tipi

This 15-metre (50-ft) log structure,rising up from the Ehdaa National Historic Site and located on the Papal Grounds in Fort Simpson honours Pope John Paul II’s 1987 visit. Built from massive yellow-cedar logs, it’s a powerful cultural landmark and dramatic photo subject. This remarkable project, the vision of local Dene elders, was commissioned by Fort Simpson’s Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation.

Granite Giants: Cirque of the Unclimbables

Hidden deep in the Dehcho Region, the Cirque of the Unclimbables is a cluster of towering granite spires rising from alpine meadows inside Nahanni National Park Reserve, one of the first ever UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The jagged peaks, like the famous Lotus Flower Tower, are a dream for climbers and photographers alike.

Access is only possible by air, making flightseeing tours and chartered floatplane trips the best way to experience this breathtaking location. Several local operators offer flightseeing adventures from Fort Simpson, giving you aerial views of the Cirque, Náįlįcho (Virginia Falls), and the South Nahanni River.

Pro Tip: Camp in Fairy Meadow to catch golden-hour light glowing on the stone walls, or capture dramatic shots from the air on a clear day.

Pingos of the Western Arctic

Outside the community of Tuktoyaktuk, you’ll encounter a rare Arctic phenomenon: pingos. These ice-cored hills, formed over centuries by permafrost pressure, rise dramatically from the tundra. The most famous, Ibyuk Pingo, is the second-largest in the world, standing an impressive 70 metres (230 feet) tall. This remarkable landscape is protected as the Pingo Canadian Landmark, one of only a handful of National Landmarks in Canada, established to preserve these unique geological formations.

For the best experience, join a local Indigenous-led tour to learn about the land, hear traditional stories, and get up close to these frozen giants. Operators in Tuktoyaktuk offer guided trips that bring the landscape to life in every season.

Pro Tip: About 3 kilometres from Tuktoyaktuk, there’s a roadside viewpoint known as the Pingo Pullout, the perfect place to capture a scenic shot of these otherworldly hills. 

Driftwood Masterpiece: Norman Wells Log Bridge

In the Sahtu Region, this rustic 10-metre (32-ft) bridge, crafted from massive driftwood logs by the late master builder Rick Muyres, is a surreal photo subject, especially when rimmed with frost or softened by fresh snow. While in the area, book a flightseeing tour over the rugged Mackenzie Mountains and historic Canol Trail. Whether you’re on the ground or in the air, this community is a hidden gem for wide-angle landscapes and character-rich moments.

The Northern Lights

No image captures the NWT spirit like the Aurora Borealis. Thanks to low humidity and clear skies, from late August to the end of September, and from mid November until early April, the Northwest Territories is where you’ll find some of the best and most vivid Northern Lights displays in the world. No photo backdrop can ever match fluorescent hues of green, purple, and pink across the dark, starry NWT skies.

Pro Tip: Want the perfect shot? Book a guided Aurora viewing experience and learn from expert tour operators the best camera settings and techniques to get the perfect Aurora shot.

Whether you’re drawn to wild Arctic landscapes, powerful cultural landmarks, or once-in-a-lifetime light shows in the sky, the Northwest Territories offers no shortage of unforgettable photo moments. Each region has its own story to tell, and the best way to capture it is to go see it for yourself. So pack your camera, head North, and start building your dream gallery of #SpectacularNWT shots.

From river canyons and roaming bison to celestial skies and Indigenous cultural moments, the Northwest Territories is a photographer’s paradise. 

Ready to plan your trip? Explore even more ways to unforgettable moments in the Spectacular NWT.  Here are some insider tips on how to photograph the Northern Lights.

Further information on the Northwest Territories can be found at www.spectacularnwt.com.