Rae-Edzo to Snare River Hydro Road — North Slave Backcountry Access
Shield rock and hydro history — zero tourist traffic.
Northwest of Behchokǫ̀ (Rae-Edzo), a rough unmaintained track follows the old NWT Power Corporation transmission and maintenance corridor out toward the Snare River hydroelectric cascades — a series of small dams built in the 1940s and 50s to power Yellowknife. The road covers roughly 110km of Canadian Shield granite, muskeg crossings, and Precambrian boreal terrain that is about as raw as the NWT gets. The Snare Falls themselves are a legitimate payoff: a series of dramatic drops through fractured granite that most Yellowknifers have never laid eyes on. The track is not maintained for public use and that fact shows — expect washed-out culverts, downed timber across the road after any significant wind event, and at least two unbridged creek crossings that can run high in June.
This is a Difficult route that rewards experienced backcountry drivers who know how to travel in true wilderness. A high-clearance 4WD with a winch, full recovery kit, and a week’s worth of supplies is the minimum. No fuel exists after Behchokǫ̀ and the nearest mechanical help is Yellowknife roughly 100km southeast. Cell service ends at Behchokǫ̀ — carry a satellite communicator. Best window is July to early September when the worst of the mud has dried and before freeze-up complicates unbridged crossings. Check with Tłı̨chǫ Government regarding access protocols before heading out.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 110 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1340 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Winch-equipped 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Behchokǫ̀ (Rae-Edzo), NT |
| Land manager | NWT Power Corporation / Tłı̨chǫ Government |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | tlichogovernment.com |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum rig to run this trail?
Winch-equipped 4WD with genuine high clearance — this isn't a trail where a stock truck with all-terrains squeaks through. Locking differentials are strongly advised. If you're not comfortable self-recovering in a location with zero cell service and potentially no other traffic for days, don't start.
When does this road typically open and close for the season?
July through September is the realistic window. Spring breakup makes the dirt and clay sections impassable well into June, and early snowfall can shut things down by late September. Check conditions locally in Behchokǫ̀ before you leave pavement.
Do you need a permit to drive the Snare River Hydro Road?
The corridor runs through Tłı̨chǫ territory and follows NWT Power Corporation's maintenance road — contact the Tłı̨chǫ Government before your trip to confirm current access requirements. Don't assume it's open to the public without checking; this isn't a recreation trail managed for tourist use.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what makes it technical?
The Shield rock sections northwest of Behchokǫ̀ throw exposed bedrock slabs, embedded boulders, and soft drainage crossings at you in combination — the challenge is sustained, not one dramatic obstacle. Water crossings are unimproved and depths vary by season; some require wading to assess before you commit.
How far is it between fuel stops, and is there any cell service on the route?
Cell service is nonexistent for the full 110 km once you leave Behchokǫ̀ — carry a satellite communicator, full stop. Fuel up completely in Behchokǫ̀ or Yellowknife before you go; there are no services along the corridor and the nearest help is a very long walk back.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.