Mackenzie Highway — High Level to Fort Simpson

Highway 1 — the Mackenzie Highway — crosses from High Level, Alberta into the Northwest Territories and runs northwest to Fort Simpson on a broad tongue of land between the Liard and Mackenzie rivers. It’s not a technical trail, but don’t let the designation fool you: stretches of frost-heaved gravel, wandering bison on the road at dawn, zero cell service, and fuel stops spaced 200+ kilometres apart make this a route that demands preparation. The Lady Evelyn Falls territorial campground and the crossing at the Liard River ferry (seasonal) are the key waypoints. Nahanni National Park Reserve lies just to the west — Fort Simpson is the jumping-off point for floatplane access into the South Nahanni drainage.

This is a high-clearance gravel route passable by most capable rigs in summer, but washboard and soft shoulders after rain will punish low-clearance vehicles and trailers hard. Best season is June through September; spring breakup turns sections to mush. Carry at minimum 20 litres of extra fuel, a full-size spare, and a satellite communicator. Dispersed camping is available at territorial campgrounds along the corridor. Permits are not required, but self-sufficiency is non-negotiable this far north.