Ingraham Trail Extended Mining Circuit

The Ingraham Trail starts as a paved highway but quickly becomes the gateway to Yellowknife’s vast mining heritage and wilderness playground. Highway 4 runs 70 kilometers northeast from Yellowknife, passing Prelude Lake and Cameron Falls before connecting to a network of old mining roads that loop through the Yellowknife River country. The real adventure begins on the secondary tracks leading to abandoned mines like Giant Mine’s back country roads, where headframes and tailing ponds tell stories of the city’s gold rush past, and spur roads branch off to hidden lakes where you might not see another soul for days.

This is perfect territory for stock SUVs and pickup trucks, though some of the mining spur roads reward higher clearance. Summer through early fall offers the best access, with bug shirts mandatory in June and July. No permits required for most areas, but respect private mining claims and First Nations land. Fuel and supplies are available in Yellowknife before heading out. What you get is classic Canadian Shield country—endless forests, pristine fishing lakes, and the kind of solitude that makes you understand why people choose to live this far north.