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The best of First Nation accommodation in Canada

There are 634 different First Nations in Canada and one of the best ways to learn more about them is with a cultural stay in Aboriginal-owned accommodation.

Spirit Bear, British Columbia

It’s all about the three bears: spirit, grizzly and black at the world’s only Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy on the pristine ancestral lands of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation.

spirit bear lodge tour british columbia bear watching
Although not a spirit bear, this bathing grizzly is one of the bears that can be spotted on a guided tour with Spirit Bear Lodge in British Columbia (photo: Spirit Bear Lodge).

Sleep in style after a day exploring the Great Bear Rainforest, in the traditional longhouse-inspired lodge with king-size beds and en-suite bathrooms for each room.

 

Need to know: Spirit Bear Lodge is located in the Heart of the Great Bear Rainforest on Swindle Island in the small remote First Nations Village of Klemtu, accessible by seaplane and water taxi, and children over the age of 12 are welcome. Guests should be physically active, since good mobility is essential for travel on the trails and for getting in and out of boats. Also check out our Search for the elusive Canadian Spirit Bear.

Bear Cave Mountain, Yukon

This extraordinary partnership between the Vuntut Gwitchin Nation and nature tour company Nakina Adventures opens up a secret world of grizzly bears, moose, caribou and wolverines for intrepid travellers to discover.

Bear Cave Mountain Yukon Canada Wilderness Bears adventure
The wildlife gets very close and personal; a bear roams outside the cabins of Bear Cave Mountain, Yukon (photo: Bear Cave Mountain Eco-Adventures).

Perfect for photographers, artists and nature-lovers, you’ll benefit from the years of knowledge of on-site guides and learn about the eco-system of the Ni’Inlii Njik Wilderness Preserve along the Arctic Circle.

 

Need to know: You’ll helicopter over some of North America’s most wild and remote wilderness to reach camp, just under two hours from Dawson City. Cabins are heated, and there are hot showers. Bear Cave Mountain Camp

Manawan, Quebec

traditional fishing manawan quebec big walleye pike whitefish
Celebrating that big catch, a guide can teach you how to fish the traditional way with nets in Manawan, Quebec (photo: Sebastien Desnoyers).

Leave the modern world behind and join the Atikamekw nation for an authentic back-to-basics cultural teepee camp in the vast wilderness of Kempt Lake.

 

In camp you’ll spend time with your guide and discover more about the Atikamekw’s history and living culture.

 

In winter this is a frozen wonderland to enjoy snowshoeing, snowmobiling and traditional ice fishing with nets. In summer, learn to paddle the large ‘rabaska’ traditional canoe and enjoy dinner by the campfire.

 

Need to know: Pick up is from Montreal, a three-hour drive from Manawan. The teepees are on an island that’s only accessible by boat in summer or snowmobile in winter. voyageamerindiens.com

Buffalo Rock Tipi Camp, Alberta

Buffalo Rock Tipi Camp Alberta teepee adventure
Sleep under the stars in a traditional teepee at Buffalo Rock Tipi Camp, Alberta.

Dive into the world of the Blackfoot/Plains People at this rustic site in south-western Alberta.

 

Choose your own adventure: head into the wilderness with a First Nations guide to learn about Old Man River Valley and its wildlife and medicinal herbs, learn to play traditional games with songs and hand-drumming, or experience a spiritual sweat lodge guided by a Blackfoot elder.

 

Need to know: This is basic camping in a teepee, so visitors need to bring their own bedding. There are non-flush toilets on site and camp showers. The campsite runs on solar power. buffalorocktipicamp.com

Shakat Tun Adventures, Yukon

Shakat Tun James Allen Yukon traditional adventures
Shakat Tun host, James Allen will teach you how to tan a moose hide amongst other traditional skills in the Yukon wilderness (photo: Shakat Tun Adventures).

Get back to the land staying off-grid in cosy wooden cabins hand-built by James Allen, former chief of the Champagne Ashihik band and owner of Shakat Tun Adventures.

 

Join a small group of adventurers and learn traditional skills such as moose hide tanning, toolmaking, fishing with nets and drying and smoking your catch. Hear stories by the campfire in breathtaking Yukon wilderness.

 

Need to know: This is basic, rustic accommodation with outhouse facilities and battery-operated lighting. Pick up from Whitehorse, the camp is around three hours’ drive away.

Haida House, BC

Haida House BC cultural luxury adventure holidays
Soak in the lakeside view of Haida House, cosy rooms and a gourmet restaurant means you can enjoy the wilderness in luxury (photo: Haida Gwaii Tourism).

Make your pilgrimage to Haida Gwaii, the Galapagos of the North, to discover an age-old culture.

 

Be dazzled by soaring old-growth forests, ancient Haida villages, the thriving contemporary Haida art scene and its beautiful wildlife from black bears and eagles to grey and humpback whales.

 

One of the most celebrated Aboriginal places to stay, your accommodation is in luxury at Haida House, near to Tlell village, with its gourmet restaurant, and cosy rooms.

 

Explore the archipelago with a Haida House cultural ambassador to hear traditional stories and uncover the secrets of the islands.

 

Need to Know: The 10-room Haida House lodge offers free wi-fi, and all rooms have a private bathroom.

Moose Factory Cree Eco Village, Ontario

Moose Factory Cree Eco Village lodge Ontario cultural holiday
Not a lot of lodges can boast about an almost 100-per-cent eco-friendly interior, but Moose Factory Cree Eco Village lodge in Ontario can.

Soak up the contemporary culture of the Cree Eeyou Nation in environmentally-friendly luxury on Moose Factory, an isolated island at the mouth of the Moose River just south of Hudson Bay.

 

Head out on a boat trip to spot beluga whales, pelicans, eagles and – if you’re lucky – bears fishing for their lunch.

 

Accommodation-wise, the lodge boasts an almost 100-per-cent eco-friendly interior complete with nail-free furniture, clay-tiled floors and earth toilets. creevillage.com

 

Feast on First Nations-inspired food in the cedar and pine ‘shaapuhtuwaan’ – a modern take on the traditional Cree dining hall – before snuggling under an all-wool Cree-designed blanket at night.

 

Need to Know: Travel on the Polar Bear Express train from Cochrane to Moosonee after taking the bus from Toronto and spending the night in Cochrane, and enjoy the impressive views over the vast Abitibi River, or fly Air Creebec from Timmins or Montreal. ontarionorthland.ca

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Great Spirit Circle Trail, Ontario

Great Spirit Circle Trail, Ontario glamping adventures teepee
There’s no need to go without creature comforts while exploring the Great Spirit Circle Trail in Ontario, this teepee comes with 500-thread-count sheets (photo: Aboriginal Tourism Ontario).

Find an Aboriginal-inspired adventure to suit everyone on the Great Spirit Circle Trail on Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater-lake island.

 

Delve into native plants on a culinary and medicinal foraging experience, learn traditional tea blending, paddle a canoe on the lake, or learn how to make and play a traditional drum.

 

From serious eco-adventure to shopping for crafts from Anishinaabe artists, the Great Spirit Circle Trail has you covered.

 

Need to know: Go glamping with 500-thread-count sheets in Spirit Island Adventure’s teepees, or stay at the band-owned and operated Mantoulin Inn and Conference Centre for an indoors stay with First Nations-inspired decor and dining.

Wanuskewin, Saskatchewan

Experience life as it was lived for 6000 years on the Prairies with the Northern Plains First Nations.

 

Step back in time at Canada’s longest ongoing archeological excavation, discover the thrill of the bison hunt by learning how to shoot with a bow and arrows, and to use the traditional atlatl spear.

 

Hear the story of the Ojibway People’s dreamcatchers then make your own, then sleep soundly in a traditional teepee.

 

Need to know: Teepee camping is rough sleeping on the ground, although with notice, bespoke breaks with camp beds, bedding and a First Nations-inspired traditional ‘Three Sisters’ dinner with bison on the menu can be arranged. There are no showers on site, but bathrooms are in the park building. wanuskewin.com

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12 grand journeys throughout North America

    Continue
    Discover North America’s epic adventures — from Route 66 and Alaska cruises to Hawai‘i road trips, NYC culture, Mexico trails and more.

    1. Route 66, the Main Street of America

    Travelling with: Ricky French

    Sunset on Route 66 in the California Mojave Desert.
    Hit the open road and trace America’s legendary highway. (Image: Getty/Der_Thomasa)

    Dubbed the Main Street of America, Route 66 radiates serious main character energy, cemented into popular culture through everything from John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath to the Disney Pixar film Cars. Spanning nearly 4000 kilometres from Chicago to Los Angeles, the historic highway celebrates its centenary next year, a timely invitation to take the mother of all road trips along the Mother Road. Allow two to three weeks to tackle the full length, or bite off a smaller chunk at either end, cruising the dramatic deserts of California or the more pastoral landscapes of Illinois, lined with neon-lit diners, retro gas stations and quirky roadside attractions.

    2. Mexico’s Día de los Muertos

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    emblematic catrina of mexico with flowers and necklace with sempasuchil flowers
    Celebrate life and honour loved ones in vibrant style. (Image: Getty/Fabian Pacheco)

    You might know Oaxaca as the birthplace of mole and mezcal. But the state in southern Mexico is also where the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) began. Time your visit to coincide with the colourful holiday, on 1–2 November, which honours and celebrates loved ones who have passed away. Oaxaca is also Mexico’s Michelin-starred culinary capital, with 18 restaurants and a humble taco stand listed in the 2025 guide.

    3. Museum-hop in New York City

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    The Guggenheim Museum’s iconic spiralling exterior, a highlight of North America Epic Adventures.
    Step inside and marvel at bold, world-class art. (Image: Damiano Fiore)

    Your map app will look like it’s been scattered with confetti after you’ve dropped pins on all the museums you want to visit in New York City. Must-sees are the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art aka the Met, and the Museum of Modern Art. The American Museum of Natural History is also a draw. It’s also worth venturing into the boroughs to browse institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum, which has a huge permanent collection categorised by culture.

    4. The USA’s music scene

    Travelling with: Elizabeth Whitehead

    The Seattle skyline at night, aglow with city lights on North America Epic Adventures.
    Soak up skyline views and dive into the city’s coffee culture. (Image: Abigail Boone)

    If you’re a muso, chances are you’ve wanted to make a pilgrimage to the United States, the epicentre of so many beloved genres. Whether you’re head-banging your way around the Grunge Circuit in Seattle, chasing the twang of the pedal steel through Tennessee or bouncing between blues bars in the Mississippi Delta, the USA’s rich music culture has something that’ll strike a chord.

    5. Road-tripping Hawai‘i

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    A woman surfing in Hawaii, gliding across turquoise waves on North America Epic Adventures.
    Catch the waves and ride Hawaii’s iconic swells. (Image: Ben Ono)

    Hawai‘i is one of the most diverse US states to road trip around. Of the six major islands to visit, the Island of Hawai‘i packs in everything from the snowy summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa to black-sand beaches and lava fields frozen in the act of flowing forward. Change down a few gears on the island of O‘ahu, too, where you can find your own patch of sand on Waimanalo Beach. Visit poi and pineapple plantations. And hang ten on beginner-friendly waves on the North Shore.

    6. Cruising Alaska

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Explora Journeys ship cruising in Alaska.
    Sail past glaciers and spot whales in pristine waters.

    Seeing Alaska from the sea allows you to cover a lot of distance quickly. This immersive frontier now beckons more than ever before with Explora Journeys adding the American state to its global destination portfolio. Best of all are the pre-and post-journey immersions that connect the luxury of a cruise onboard Explora III with the rugged grandeur of the Alaskan interior. UnCruise Adventures also weaves in access to remote national parks, legendary wildlife corridors and authentic cultural experiences on its Alaskan itineraries.

    7. The Wixárika Route in Mexico

    Travelling with: Elizabeth Whitehead

    People journeying through the Wixarika Route.
    Journey deep into sacred Huichol traditions and art.

    For generations, the Indigenous Wixárika People of Mexico have walked a sacred path known as Tatehuarí Huajuyé, or ‘The Path of Our Grandfather Fire’. The annual pilgrimage route spans 500 kilometres, taking in significant sites in Wixárika spirituality and cosmology. The route passes through the deserts, mountains and forests of northern Mexico before reaching Wirikuta, believed to be the place the sun first emerged. The route is a living cultural landscape of Indigenous culture pre-Columbian influence and, in July this year, was formally inscribed into UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

    8. Drive the Iceberg Coast in Canada

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Iceberg off the east coast of Canada
    Chase icebergs along Expedition 51 on Canada’s east coast. (Image: Canadian Tourism Commission/ Chris Hendrickson)

    Download the icebergfinder.com map to better plan your road trip along Canada’s Iceberg Coast. The new highway, which has been nearly 25 years and CAD$1.1 billion in the making, threads through the country’s pleated coastlines around Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick before looping in the French islands of St Pierre and Miquelon. As well as chasing icebergs along Expedition 51, travellers will have the opportunity to engage with cultures that have thrived in the pristine provinces for thousands of years.

    9. A foodie tour of Nova Scotia

    Travelling with: Katie Carlin

    Lunenberg Nova Scotia
    Try lobster rolls in Lunenburg on the east coast of Canada in Nova Scotia. (Image: Natalia Kvitovska/ Unsplash)

    World-famous for its lobster, Nova Scotia is a Canadian province best savoured through its culinary clout shaped by sea and terroir. Bite into lobster rolls at historic Lunenburg’s Salt Shaker Deli & Inn and sip maple rum at Ironworks Distillery. Winery-hop around Wolfville’s rising vineyards (don’t miss Lightfoot & Wolfville). Take a maple syrup tour at Sugar Moon Farm near Earltown. And pull up a seat at waterfront Bar Sofia in Halifax, where Nova Scotia oysters aguachile arrive bright with cucumber, lime and pickled onion.

    10. Soak up the sun in the Caribbean

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Overwater bungalows off a beach in the Caribbean
    Experience the white-sand beaches and cerulean seas of the Caribbean on board a cruise.

    The Caribbean is on the radar for seasoned cruisers. And it’s easy to see why, with white-sand beaches, cerulean seas and swaying palms so picture-perfect they look AI-generated. Cruise with Windstar, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity on its inaugural Xcel season to the Caribbean to enjoy action-packed excursions such as snorkelling coral reefs and shopping for local trinkets. And those sea days? Spectacular.

    11. Red Chair Hikes of Canada

    Travelling with: Kassia Byrnes

    Red Adirondack chairs overlooking Lake Minnewanka in Canada
    Take a seat at Lake Minnewanka, one of more than 400 red Adirondack chairs scattered across Canada’s hiking routes. (Image: Getty Images/ Autumn Sky Photography)

    No one appreciates the great outdoors more than Canadians, emerging from snow-covered winters to tread glacial rivers and snowshoe through forests, or to hike mighty mountains and wildflower-strewn valleys come spring. Along popular hikes around the country, more than 400 red Adirondack chairs have been placed in peaceful, breathtaking locations. What started as a social media contest now sees hikers soaking in classic Canadian lake and mountain vistas, overlooking historic sites or gazing down on the mountainous path they just travelled.

    12. Ride the Rocky Mountaineer from Denver to Moab, USA

    Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

    Sweeping views from the Rocky Mountaineer.
    The Rocky Mountaineer will continue as the Canyon Spirit in 2026, seen here carving through Ruby Canyon.

    Sighting wild animals is one of many incredible thrills along the two-day luxury Rockies to the Red Rocks route onboard the Rocky Mountaineer across America’s Southwest between mid-April and mid-October. In addition to the lone bear, we spot bighorn sheep, elk, beavers, pronghorn antelope, bald eagles and ospreys. Riding the rails onboard the luxury train, which was founded in Canada in 1990 and has been awarded the prestigious World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train several times, has never been about just getting from A to B. Ride the train from Denver to Moab and you will see the scenery change from snow-capped peaks to meadows, red-rock canyons and soaring cliffs that resemble ornate Gaudí-esque cathedrals. But it’s not until you get off the train that you can produce the ultimate Venn diagram, with nature and adventure in the intersecting spheres.