About Sambaa K’e

Welcome to Sambaa K’e

Nestled on the shores of Sambaa K’e (Trout Lake) is the Dene community of Sambaa K’e and home to the Sambaa K’e Development Corporation (SKDC). Sambaa K’e is a fly-in community with winter road access. 

Sambaa K’e is one of the more traditional communities in the Northwest Territories.

126

Kilometre Winter Road

97

Sambaa K’e Population

4

Bedroom Motel

3500

Foot Gravel Runway

Traditional Activities and time of the Land

Community members remain involved in traditional activities and time on the land – hunting, fishing, gathering plants and berries, and making tools and crafts.

Sambaa K’e Amenities

SKDC operates the community’s only store, petroleum sales, Sambaa K’e Lodge, lakeside and wilderness camping, boating tours, wilderness tours, transportation services, and an affordable rustic two trailer motel.

Land and Water-based Activities

In Sambaa K’e, visitors can experience many land and water-based activities – camping, hiking, photography, fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, and of course, Northern Lights – all in a wilderness environment in activities led by Dene guides. 

Camping areas are not serviced and visitors need to be self-sufficient, though supplies are available at the community store. Visitors must practice no-trace camping.

Sambaa K’e (South Slavey, place of trout)

Sambaa K’e drains an area of 5,694 km2 (2,198 mi2). Major rivers entering the lake include Paradise River East from the east, Ndu Tah Deh (Island River) from the south (next to the settlement), and éhdhaah Dehé (Moose River) from the north. Sambaalįąh (Samba Dehé) River, a tributary of the Mackenzie River, exits the lake from the northeast.

Sambaa K’e First Nation is working with other First Nations and the GNWT to create a 10,600 km2 (4,100 mi2) protected area including the Sambaa K’e watershed.