Yellowknife to Whatì All-Season Road — Tłı̨chǫ Highway
Boreal highway into Tłı̨chǫ Dene heartland.
Opened in stages through the 2000s and fully extended to Whatì by 2022, the Tłı̨chǫ All-Season Road — locally called the Tłı̨chǫ Highway — runs northwest from Behchokǫ̀ (Rae-Edzo) through 97 kilometres of muskeg, boreal forest, and exposed Canadian Shield granite to the community of Whatì. The road crosses several unnamed creeks via culverts and low bridges, and the stretch past Lac La Martre offers sweeping views across open water that’ll make you pull over. Wildlife here is not shy — bison, wolves, and lynx cross regularly, and in late summer, caribou movement can stall your progress entirely. The road surface alternates between patched asphalt, coarse gravel, and stretches of frost-heaved dirt that demand attention.
Most of the route is manageable in a capable 2WD truck in summer, but a high-clearance 4WD is smarter given the frost heaves and wet shoulders. There are no fuel stops between Behchokǫ̀ and Whatì — carry extra. Cell service drops out almost immediately after leaving Behchokǫ̀ and doesn’t return until you hit the community. The Whatì band office and local contacts are worth reaching before you go. Best driven June through September before freeze-up turns conditions unpredictable. The reward is arriving in one of the most intact Tłı̨chǫ communities in the NWT, with zero tourist infrastructure and all the quiet that comes with it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 60 mi / 97 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1050 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD truck (4WD recommended) |
| Nearest town | Behchokǫ̀ (Rae-Edzo), NT |
| Land manager | Government of Northwest Territories — 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 2WD truck handle the Tłı̨chǫ Highway, or do I need 4WD?
A high-clearance 2WD truck can manage it in dry summer conditions, but 4WD is strongly recommended — sections of the gravel surface get loose, washboarded, and soft after rain. Don't push your luck with a low-clearance SUV or passenger car.
When is the highway actually open and driveable?
June through September is the reliable window. Spring breakup (April–May) turns sections to mud and can close the route entirely. Winter travel is possible but requires full cold-weather preparedness — this is the NWT, temperatures can hit -40°C.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to drive this highway?
No permit or fee is required to drive the Tłı̨chǫ Highway — it's a public territorial road managed by the GNWT. If you plan to camp on Tłı̨chǫ Nation lands beyond the roadway itself, respect is owed and checking with the Whatì band office beforehand is the right move.
What's the hardest part of this drive and what should I actually expect?
The route is rated moderate — no true technical obstacles — but the gravel sections throw up significant washboard and loose rock at speed, and road conditions can change fast after summer storms. The bigger challenge is isolation: if something breaks out here, you're a long way from help.
There's zero cell service — what's the gas situation before I leave Yellowknife?
Fill up in Yellowknife or Behchokǫ̀ before you go — there are no fuel stops on the 97 km run to Whatì, and services in Whatì itself are limited. Carry a jerry can as backup and plan your return fuel needs at the same time.
Trail track
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