Great Slave Highway Route (Hwy #2 and Hwy #6)
Northwest Territory, Canada

Great Slave Highway Route (Hwy #2)

The Great Slave Highway Route includes Hwy #2 and Hwy #6. The route is identified as a marine route because it follows the shores of Great Slave Lake and for its rich history as a main transportation route in the development of the Northwest Territory.

Today, Great Slave Lake is considered the marine port of the Northwest Territory, so much so, the Canadian Coast Guard has a base in Hay River. Hay River is the small community on the shores of the great lake. It is a marine community of boats, barges, canoes and kayaks.

The Great Slave Highway Route (Hwy #2) begins in the community of Enterprise. Enterprise is a small village located at the junction of the Waterfall Highway (Hwy #1 E) and the Great Slave Highway (Hwy #2).

The Great Slave Highway Route travels north from the community of Enterprise, N.W.T. to Hay River on Highway #2, and then continues to Fort Resolution on Highway #6. Highway #6 ends in Fort Resolution. The total distance of the Great Slave Highway Route to Fort Resolution measures 183 kilometres (113 miles).

It is very wise to travel with a good spare tire, emergency supplies and a full tank of gas when traveling in the NWT, as there are long distances between gas stations when visiting in Hay River and Fort Resolution.

The road is hard packed gravel with sections of pot holes and rib rattlers (series of small bumps). And always drive the speed limit with your headlights and seatbelts on. Always be aware of wildlife on the highway.

Mile "0" on the Great Slave Highway Route begins in the community of Enterprise, N.W.T. on Highway #1.

At kilometre 13 (mile 8) is Paradise Gardens. It is a garden market. The rich soil from the Hay River provides good growing conditions for wheat and vegetables. Paradise Gardens is also a put-in point for canoes paddling the Hay River.

The community of Hay River is at kilometre 38 (mile 24) on the Great Slave Highway Route. The downtown of Hay River is on the mainland and the best sandy beaches of Hay River are located on Vale Island. On Vale Island in Hay River is the Hay River Territorial Park .

From Hay River it is 156 kilometres to Fort Resolution and 269 kilometres to Fort Smith. Better gas up. Highway #2 continues east until it connects to a fork in the highway - south to Fort Smith (Hwy #5) and north to Fort Resolution (Hwy #6). Both gravel highways.

The Great Slave Route goes north. It is a gravel highway with some rough pot holes and rib rattlers (series of bumps). Beware of wildlife on the road.

At kilometre 159 (99 mile) is Little Buffalo River Crossing Territorial Park. It is a picnic site and campground with a boat launch.

Just ahead at kilometre 182 (mile 113) is the small Dene First Nation community of Fort Resolution. There is a gas station, general store and few other services.