Yellowknife, Northwest Territories​

Yellowknife is the capital city and largest community in the Northwest Territories.   The city is located on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, approximately 400 km (250 miles) south of the Arctic Circle.  The surrounding landscape is very rocky and slightly rolling, with many small lakes in addition to the larger Great Slave Lake.  Trees such as spruce and birch are abundant and there are also many areas of sand, muskeg and bare rock.

Yellowknife's high latitude causes a large variation between day and night. Daylight hours range from five hours of daylight in December to twenty hours in June. Twilight lasts all night from late May to early July resulting in virtually no true darkness.

Yellowknife has the sunniest summer in Canada, averaging 1034 hours of sunlight from June to August.  The average temperature in July is 17 °C (63 °F) although daytime temperatures are often considerably warmer.  Yellowknife has a subarctic climate and averages less than 300 mm (12 inches) of precipitation annually. 

Accommodations

Yellowknife offers a wide range of visitor accommodation. Large hotels, smaller motels, and bed & breakfast establishments are available.  Detailed information on accommodations is available through Spectacular Northwest Territories and Extraordinary Yellowknife.

Territorial campgrounds, including Fred Henne Territorial Park which is adjacent to the Yellowknife airport, are open during the summer months.  Advance bookings are required and services and amenities vary.  Further information and online booking is available through Northwest Territories Parks.

Camping is not available on the Yellowknife airport property or at the Fly In site.

As Yellowknife is a busy tourist destination during the summer months, early booking of accommodations is strongly recommended.

Preferred Hotel Rates

The organizing committee worked with several Yellowknife hotels to arrange discounted rates for participants attending the 2023 Midnight Sun Fly In. 

​The discounted rates were as follows:
Explorer Hotel (867-873-3531):  $220/night
Chateau Nova (867-766-6682):  $179/night

Discounts may also be available to COPA members from hotel chains participating in COPA National membership benefits programs.

Restaurants

Restaurant and dining options in Yellowknife range from street food and fast food to fine dining.  Local food selections include fresh fish from Great Slave Lake, muskox, and buffalo.  Ethnic selections include Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai and Korean.  A restaurant listing and further information is available through Spectacular Northwest Territories and Extraordinary Yellowknife.​

Groceries and Beverages

Yellowknife has three grocery stores and two liquor stores as well as numerous convenience stores.  Liquor stores are closed on Sundays and statutory holidays.  Locations and hours of the grocery and liquor stores are as follows:

Transportation

Yellowknife is serviced by three taxi cab companies, all of which operate 24 hours per day.  Contact information is as follows: Additional information on transportation options in Yellowknife, including public transportation and rental vehicles, is available through Spectacular Northwest Territories and Extraordinary Yellowknife.​

Preferred Vehicle Rental Rates

National Car Rental (867-920-2970)
A car rental discount may be available to participants attending the Midnight Sun Fly In.  Contact the Yellowknife location by telephone to request a discount.

Visitor Attractions

Yellowknife and the surrounding area provide numerous opportunities for sightseeing and outdoor adventure.  Visitor attractions include territorial parks, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, and fishing and outdoor excursions.  Detailed descriptions of amenities and activities can be found through Extraordinary Yellowknife and Spectacular NWT.

Yellowknife/Northwest Territories Visitor Information

Extraordinary Yellowknife
Spectacular Northwest Territories
City of Yellowknife Visitors Guide
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