Liard Highway South — Alberta Border to Fort Liard (NWT Highway 7)
The Liard's edge — frontier highway, no crowds.
NWT Highway 7 runs 254 kilometres from the BC/NWT border northwest along the Liard River to Fort Liard, then continues to the junction with the Liard Highway proper near Fort Simpson. This stretch is one of the last true frontier highways in Canada — sealed in sections but predominantly gravel, with chunks that wash out badly in spring and become deeply rutted when wet. The Petitot River bridge crossing near kilometre 100 is a key waypoint, and the road passes through prime moose and black bear country through the entire run. The Liard River itself is visible and dramatic through most of the lower sections — wide, fast, and grey-green from glacial sediment.
A stock truck with decent clearance handles this road well in dry summer conditions, but the clay-mud sections after rain will sort out the overconfident fast. Best driven July through September; spring breakup through June can make sections impassable. The only fuel stop is Fort Liard — plan accordingly from the Alberta/BC side. No cell service for the majority of the route. This isn’t a technical trail, but its remoteness and distance from help make preparation non-negotiable. The reward is genuine wilderness driving without another vehicle in your mirror for hours.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 158 mi / 254 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2100 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Fort Liard, NT |
| Land manager | Government of Northwest Territories — Department of Infrastructure |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | inf.gov.nt.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma handle NWT Highway 7 without modifications?
Yes — a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle is the minimum and handles it fine in peak season (July–September) when the gravel is maintained. Lifted rigs are more comfortable on the rougher washboard sections, but not required.
When is Highway 7 open and what happens in shoulder seasons?
The road is open year-round but July through September is the reliable window — gravel is graded, conditions are stable. Spring breakup (April–May) turns sections into deep mud and some areas can flood near the Liard River. Winter travel is possible but requires full cold-weather preparedness and the road can close without notice.
Do I need a permit or pass to drive Highway 7 through the NWT?
No permit or fee required — it's a public territorial highway. Check the NWT highway report at inf.gov.nt.ca before you go for any road closures or advisories.
What's the hardest part of Highway 7 and what should I actually expect?
There's no single technical obstacle — the challenge is sustained isolation and variable gravel quality, especially after rain when the surface gets greasy and washboard gets punishing. The section closest to the Alberta border tends to be the roughest and least maintained.
How much fuel do I need and where can I get gas along the route?
Carry enough fuel for the full 158 miles (254 km) with reserve — Fort Liard at the north end is your only reliable fuel stop, and services there are limited. There is no cell service on this entire route, so if you run dry or break down, you're waiting on passing traffic, which is sparse.
Trail track
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