The Slave River and the rapids surrounding Fort Smith are known for whitewater kayaking.

These islands serve as a sanctuary to the birds and are closed to human traffic from April 15 to September 15.

Locally built wooden vessels were navigating the river into the late 19th century.

Tugs and barges of the Northern Transportation Company's "Radium Line" were constructed in the south and disassembled.

The parts were then shipped by rail to Waterways, Alberta, shipped by barge to the portage, and portaged to the lower river for reassembly, where they could navigate most of the rest of the extensive Mackenzie River basin.