The Deh Cho Connection 

This driving adventure covers the Mackenzie and Liard Highways, as well as a portion of the historic Alaska Highway. This "connection" takes you from sprawling farmland and the gentle beauty of the boreal forest, to a land of waterfalls, savage mountains and peaceful, starlit nights. The journey is wild enough for an escape from the everyday, yet traveled enough for a safe and leisurely family vacation.

Starting at Mile 0 on the Mackenzie Highway in Grimshaw, Alberta, or Mile 0 on the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek, the Deh-Cho Connection offers an 1,800 kilometre (1,080 mile) wilderness journey through two provinces and the southern Northwest Territories. Whichever starting point you choose, you're in for a trip of a lifetime.

Day One

If you begin in Alberta, you will be traveling on Highway 35 (Mackenzie Highway), a paved two-lane highway north towards The Northwest Territories. The first stretch runs through the fertile farming areas of Grimshaw and Manning. Highlights include the Pioneer Village and Museum at Lac Cardinal and a bird sanctuary near Manning. Manning is also home to the historic Old Hospital Gallery and Museum, which is open most afternoons. The drive takes you to Notikewin Provincial Park, Keg River, Paddle Prairie and on to High Level to visit the Mackenzie Crossroads Museum and Visitors Centre. This is the last fuel stop before the NWT border.

Day Two

At the 60th parallel, the NWT Arctic Tourism Visitor's Centre displays arts and crafts, as well as offers traveler information and coffee. Be sure to pick up a North of 60 Certificate for crossing the 60th Parallel (60 Degrees North). You are now on NWT Highway 1, known as the "Waterfalls Route." The first stop is the Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park, near Enterprise. Groomed walking trails connect the spectacular Alexander Falls and Louise Falls. Continuing west at Enterprise on Highway 1 takes you towards Fort Simpson, along a 300 kilometre (180 mile) drive that parallels the Mackenzie River. Kakisa Territorial Park and Sambaa Deh Territorial Park provide rest stops as well as camping, fishing, nature walks and waterfalls along the way.

Day Three

Fort Simpson, the largest community in this region, is home to the oldest trading post on the Mackenzie River. After visiting the Papal Grounds where Pope John Paul II performed a mass in 1987 and the Visitor Centre, return south a few miles to where Highway 1 connects with Highway 7. At this junction, you leave the Mackenzie Highway and join the Liard Highway. This gravel road features inspiring views of the Liard River and the Nahanni Mountains, especially at Blackstone Territorial Park. Next is Fort Liard, a traditional community of the Dene (pronounced DEN-ay) people famous for its exquisite birchbark and porcupine quill baskets. There is a hotel here, as well as flight services into the spectacular Nahanni National Park Reserve.

Day Four

The next major stop is across the B.C. border at Fort Nelson, located at Mile 300 of the Alaska Highway. Founded as a trading post in 1805, it is a thriving community of 6,000. This region is a paradise for wilderness travelers, ribboned by rivers and crowned by the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Continuing south towards Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, the Deh Cho Connection provides campers with a host of sites and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Day Five

Fort St John, the next major stop, is the oldest fur trading post in the region. The city offers numerous unique attractions, shopping and dining. (See Dinosaurs & Dams Side Trip) Your journey takes you to Taylor and on to Dawson Creek, Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway. Be sure to have a full day to explore this historical community.