Lac de Gras — Ekati Diamond Mine Ice Road Terminus Viewpoint
Lac de Gras sits at roughly 64.7°N in the Northwest Territories Barren Lands and is the northern terminus of the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road (TCWR). Every winter, convoys of 60-tonne semis cross nearly 400 km of frozen lakes and portages to reach Ekati and Diavik diamond mines on the lake’s shores. Standing here in February you’re looking at one of the most remote industrial operations on the planet — Arctic sky, tundra ridgelines, and the distant flicker of mine lights on the horizon. It’s raw and it’s massive.
Civilian access to Lac de Gras itself is restricted — the TCWR is a commercial haul road, not a recreational route. Overlanders attempting the winter road need advance authorization from the TCWR Joint Venture. This POI documents the terminus and its geographic significance. No services, no camping, extreme cold conditions. January–March only; ice conditions vary annually.
End of the world's longest ice road.
Place Details
| Type | Point of Interest |
|---|---|
| Street address | 4919 50th Street, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories X1A 3S5 Get directions → |
| Nearest town | Yellowknife, NT |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD |
| Access road surface | Ice |
| Cell service | None |
| Best season | January-March |
| Land manager | Other |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coordinates | Open directions |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |