Yellowknife
Prospector Trail
Northern Frontier Region, Northwest Territory, Canada

Prospector Trail

The Prospector's Trail is located in the Fred Henne Territorial Park in the community of Yellowknife, Northwest Territory, Canada. The 4 kilometre loop trail is an easy going, 2 hour hike exploring and learning about the rocks of the Canadian Shield and the lives of miners.

In 1935 gold was discovered in the region. Word spread quickly, and a year later mines were pouring gold and the community of Yellowknife was created. The Prospector's Trail is a look into that time. It is an education into the art of rock hounding and identifying rocks.

There are two trailheads in the Fred Henne Territorial Park leading to the Prospector's Trail. One trailhead is located in the campground section of the park. It is marked by a big interpretive billboard and a miners cabin. The other trailhead is located near the day use area of the park near Long Lake Beach.

The prospector's Trail is well marked with pins and tape. Along the route are posts with markings. There are self guided leaflets available in the campground identifying the markings and the key points on the trail. The trail discusses and identifies the different forms of igneous, volcanic, plutonic and metamorphic rocks.

The Prospector's Trail follows a dirt path with some sections of boardwalk and hiking on flat rock. It can be a very muddy hike at times. Mud and Long Lake nearby attracts mosquitoes- best to pack some bug spray. And because it can be a wet hike it is best to wear rubber sole shoes so to keep the feet dry.

During the winter the trail is covered in snow and is used as a cross country ski route.

There are other hiking trails accessed from the Fred Henne Territorial Park. Just outside the entrance of the park, across the highway (Hwy #3), is a trailhead which connects to the Bristol Air Freighter and the Frame Lake Trail.

How to Get to Prospector Trail

Travel the Frontier Highway (Hwy #3) north to the community of Yellowknife, Northwest Territory, Canada. As you enter the community ( 3 kilometres from the downtown core of Yellowknife on Hwy #3 ) look on your left for the entrance to the Fred Henne Territorial Park day use area and campground. Entrances are separate. Trailheads are in the park.