• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Blachford Lake Lodge

Blachford Lake Lodge

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Merch
  • Media Center
    • In The Press
    • The Royal Visit
  • Experiences
    • Accommodations at Blachford
      • Getting Here
      • The Lodge & Dining
      • Conferences, Groups & Special Events
      • Weddings & Honeymoons
    • Aurora Viewing
      • Canadian Signature Experience
    • Choose Your Season
      • Summer & Autumn Activities
        • What to Bring: Summer & Autumn
        • Wildlife & Nature: Summer
      • Winter Activities
        • What to Bring: Winter
        • Wildlife & Nature
        • Snowmobiling Canada’s Northern Wilderness
  • Packages
    • Winter & Spring Aurora Packages
    • Autumn Aurora Packages
    • Summer Fishing Packages
    • Christmas & New Year
    • Special Events

Summer & Autumn Activities

Summer & Autumn Activities

Our brief summer is a magical time at Blachford Lake Lodge. The lake warms quickly, and all around the forest is bursting with new growth. You fly in to Blachford Lake from Yellowknife on a bush plane on floats. You’ll be greeted on the dock by our friendly staff, and shown to your accommodation. Then, explore the lodge facilities. Lounge on one of our decks, in or out of the sun. Pull up a deck chair on the rock overlooking the lake and keep an eye out for moose by the island. Paddle a canoe or a kayak and go eye to eye with loons. Try your luck at fishing or hike our nature trails. Our solar heated lake is often warm enough for swimming, too. It’s like summer camp without the rules.

Canoeing and Kayaking

Our canoes and sea kayaks are always available for exploring Blachford Lake. As you silently travel in our northern wilderness, you can hear the calls and perhaps catch sight of loons. Graceful terns, gulls, bald eagles and rough legged hawks soar overhead. Ravens play in the air currents. You may surprise a beaver or young muskrats frolicking in the shallows, startle an otter, or catch a glimpse of a moose browsing the water’s edge. Haul out on a sun-warmed rock for a siesta, or slip into the fresh, clear water for a swim. Before you go paddling, just let our staff know where you are going. They will fit you with a life jacket, or PFD, and we ask you to please wear it when you are out on the water.

Hiking

Hikers, walkers and nature enthusiasts alike enjoy our nature trails, in both summer and autumn. These well marked two and four kilometer trails offer views of some of our unique geology, northern plant life and occasionally, our wildlife. The trails lead to a pond created by beavers, and offer views of Long Lake and Blachford Lake. There’s a tiny waterfall at Long Lake. Visitors often pause along the way to take photos, or sketch the scenery and details of the northern landscape. Each season has its pleasures, and in the long days of northern summer, the landscape and flora change almost daily. There’s good reference for what you have discovered in our northern library, in the main lodge.

Swimming

Yes, you can swim at Blachford Lake Lodge. On calm days, in the shallows, the lake is warm enough for swimming. Guests often take a dip by the wharf in front of the lodge, and bake in the warm sun on the smooth rock close by. Bring your bathing suit, even if you don’t go for a swim, you will certainly enjoy the hot tub and sauna!

Bucket-List Experiences

Have you ever paddled a clear lake under the sun at midnight? Here’s your chance. Get out and enjoy the unique experience of basking under the midnight sun. Ask us about camping overnight on the Royal Island (no additional charge), try out fishing, and enjoy the fresh taste of a shore lunch on Blachford Lake.

Summer Activities

Included, but not limited to:

Canoeing

Kayaking

Swimming

Fishing

Hiking

Photography tips

Hot tub/sauna use

Camping experiences

SUP boarding

Bonfire building

Bird watching

Hand salve making

Dream catcher making

Use of boat and motor

Viewpoints for visual artists

 *All activities are based on equipment, and subject to change based on availability, repairs, etc.

Autumn at Blachford

Late summer and fall is a great time to sit by a bonfire, listen to the loons, and watch the aurora being reflected in the water. 

Explore the lake by boat, canoe, or kayak to see eagles, loon families and beaver dams. Fish for lake trout and pike and hike our nature trails. 

You can see an old trapper’s cabin and an abundance of northern wildflowers and berries. 

Be sure to check the What to Bring page

Footer

FAQ

 

Q: How big is the aircraft that goes to the lodge?


A: 
Typically, you will fly on a Twin Otter. At times, you may however, have the opportunity to fly on a Cessna, Beaver, or Caravan. All are considered "bush planes". They are all very safe, and flown by experienced pilots. If you're feeling a bit nervous, feel free to bring your own water bottle or ginger tablets with you.

 
Q: Does that mean I can see Aurora all summer?

A: 
Not quite. From May through the beginning of August, we have 24 hours of light, so the Aurora are not visible.

 

Q: What amenities do you have at Blachford?


A: In addition to northern wilderness, clear lake water, miles of trails, cozy accommodations and sumptuous meals, we offer: hot tub, tipi, aurora viewing room, fireplace, full bar service, full washroom facilities with hot showers, toiletries, hairdryers, and daily housekeeping service.

 

Q: Can you prepare vegetarian or special dietary meals?


A: Definitely. Please, advise us of your special needs prior to your arrival.

 
Q: When are you in operation?

A: We are open from mid-December through mid-April, and from June to mid-October. We are closed a few weeks in autumn, while the lake freezes and in spring when the lake thaws.

 

Q: When and from where will my charter flight depart?


A: 
We will inform you via email approximately 4 weeks prior to your scheduled departure. There are a number of factors that will determine where you depart from, so thank you for your patience!

 

Q: How do we arrange guide service?


A: Guide service is available for all guests. Ask our office staff before you arrive. We do require pre-booking of guides to ensure that your needs are accommodated.

 

Q: Is there wifi available on site?


A: 
Surprisingly, yes! While your cell phone won't work (sorry, not sorry!) - we do have wifi that comes in via satellite. Each guest is provided with 250 MB/day of internet free of charge.

 

Q: What is your fishing policy?


A: We actively encourage a barbless "catch & release" program. However, a few small fish can be kept for a "shore" lunch or be brought back to the lodge for our chef to prepare.

 

Q: Do I require insurance to visit?


A: 
While it is not exactly mandatory, we 100% recommend that all guests have emergency medical insurance while visiting us. Please remember you're travelling into the true wilderness!

 

Q: Do you provide transportation from Yellowknife Airport to the Air Charter Base?


A: We can arrange transportation for you. We can also arrange for tours and hotel or B & B accommodations in Yellowknife. Air charter flights depart from a float plane base on the shores of Great Slave Lake.

 

Q: What is my baggage allowance? 


A: 
Each guest is allowed one large bag (up to 40 lbs), and one smaller "carry on style" bag (around 8 lbs).

 
Q: How long has Blachford Lake Lodge been in business?

A: We have been in operation since 1981. Blachford is owner-operated with the owner and most of the staff residents in Yellowknife.

 

Q: How crowded does Blachford Lake get in the busy season?


A: We are the only lodge on 17 km long Blachford Lake. There is no road access here, so you are unlikely to meet anyone other than your fellow lodge guests during your stay. The peace and quiet will be one of your best memories of your Blachford trip.

 

Q: Is alcohol available to purchase at the lodge?

A: Yes. We have a fully stocked bar on site.

 
Q: Is it guaranteed I will see Aurora, or catch the biggest fish?

A: 
Sorry, we can't guarantee anything... but we will try our best! The NWT is scientifically the best place in the world for Aurora viewing, so you've picked the right place. The science behind the Aurora says that if you stay for 3 nights minimum, you have around a 90% chance of getting a special lights show.

 

Q: What do you have in the way of outdoor activities?


A: Summer activities include fishing, SUP boarding, hiking, canoe/kayaking, swimming, motor boating, interpretive tours, bird watching, plant and animal identification. Winter activities include cross-country skiing (20 km groomed trails), snowshoeing, hiking, snowmobiling, ice fishing, ice skating, fat tire biking, igloo building, kick sledding, quinzhee or igloo building.

 

Q: I assume there is a liability waiver to sign, is this correct?


A: 
Yes. During the booking process, each traveller will be required to complete a waiver and sign off on our Terms & Conditions. This is mandatory for all guests and must be completed prior to arrival in Yellowknife.

Copyright © 2023