Frame Lake Trail is the easiest way to see the landscape of Yellowknife on foot. The McMahon Frame Lake Trail is the only paved trail in the city and runs along the eastern side of the lake closest to downtown, so it is the natural choice for a short walk without any hiking boots. It passes close to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, the Legislative Assembly and several downtown hotels, which makes it a very convenient way to combine a museum visit with some fresh air. Other trails around the lake and across the city are rougher, crossing rock outcrops and marsh with the help of boardwalks and bridges, and showing the Canadian Shield at close quarters: pale granite, lichen, birch and spruce, small ponds and views over the water. The route changes with the seasons, from long summer evenings and the first autumn colour to snow-covered paths in winter and, on a clear night, a view of the aurora from the lakeshore, away from main roads. It is free, needs no booking and suits all ages, although wheelchair users and families with strollers should stay on the paved section.
The setting
Frame Lake lies right inside the city, which is unusual. Within a few minutes of leaving a downtown hotel you can be on a trail with views over the water and the rock, and the contrast between the small capital and the wilderness around it is easy to feel. The paved section is flat and wide, and it is popular with joggers, dog walkers and people simply taking a break.
Walking options
A short out-and-back stroll on the paved path takes little time and links neatly with the museum. Longer circuits follow the rougher shoreline trails, with boardwalks and bridges across marshy ground. Wear shoes with good grip, because bare rock can be slippery, and in winter use traction aids if you have them. In summer, bring insect repellent, since mosquitoes and black flies are part of the northern experience in warm months.
Tips
In winter treat this as a short, bright-day walk, dress for severe cold, and do not walk onto the lake ice unless you are certain it is marked and safe. The trail is a good fit for the morning after a late aurora night, when you want something gentle. Check the city trails page for any maintenance or closures. Combined with the Northern Heritage Centre, which is free, it makes a very economical half day for travellers watching the budget.
It is also a useful place to understand how close the city sits to its landscape. Rock outcrops that look like hills turn out to be ancient exposed bedrock, and the lake, which looks modest, is part of the same network of waterways that stretches across the Shield. A slow walk with a camera at dusk can produce some of the best photographs of the trip without any tour fee at all.
What to expect
The experience
A paved lakeside path beside downtown, with rougher boardwalk and rock trails around the lake.
Best time
Summer evenings and autumn for colour; winter on bright days with good traction.
How long
Half an hour to two hours.
Tips
Stay on the paved path with strollers, wear grippy shoes on rock, and avoid walking onto the lake ice.
Quick picks
- Best for
- A free, easy first walk close to downtown hotels and the museum.
- Families
- Good for families on the paved section, which suits strollers.
- Couples
- A quiet sunset or aurora-night stroll away from main roads.
- Pair with
- The Northern Heritage Centre and the Legislative Assembly.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
Is Frame Lake Trail paved?+
The McMahon Frame Lake Trail on the eastern side of the lake is the only paved trail in the city. Other trails cross rock and marsh with boardwalks.
How close is it to downtown?+
It is within a few minutes of downtown hotels and runs near the Northern Heritage Centre.
Does it cost anything?+
No, it is a free public trail and needs no booking.
Can I use it in winter?+
Yes, on bright days with traction aids and serious cold-weather clothing. Do not walk onto the ice unless it is marked as safe.
Is it suitable for wheelchairs and strollers?+
The paved section is the best option. The rougher trails around the lake are not suited to wheels.
