The Little Buffalo River in the Northwest Territories offers a short, accessible whitewater run below its namesake falls, located approximately 51–52 km northwest of Fort Smith along NWT Highway 5. The run is 2 km in length and is characterized by small riffles and modest wave trains through a forested corridor. The channel is tight, and the surrounding boreal forest — much of it recovering from past fire damage — presses in closely on both banks, giving the run a focused, creek-like feel despite its modest difficulty.

The put-in sits directly below Little Buffalo Falls, which drop through a narrow canyon of curved sandstone and limestone. Reaching the water requires carrying a boat approximately 20 metres down a steep trail along a crumbly sandstone and limestone bank, beginning from Little Buffalo Falls Territorial Park. The takeout is at a boat launch connected to the campground by an unmaintained gravel road, and most paddlers set shuttle there and complete two or three laps in a single session.

The primary season for this run is mid to late May, when snowmelt brings water levels high enough to make the rapids runnable. Water temperatures remain cold even in late spring. The run is considered beginner-level for experienced whitewater paddlers, but cold water and the persistent risk of fallen trees, strainers, and entrapment hazards — exacerbated by fire-damaged trees along the banks — demand attentiveness. Otters and beavers are frequently observed along the lower portion of the run.

Little Buffalo Falls Territorial Park provides the main staging area and includes six non-powered pull-through campsites, washrooms, a kitchen shelter, picnic area, boat launch, and interpretive displays. The park operates from May 15 to September 15 and uses self-registration with no on-site operator.

For paddlers seeking a longer commitment, it is possible to continue downstream from the falls run, paddling and portaging to Little Buffalo River Crossing Territorial Park and eventually to Fort Resolution on Great Slave Lake — a multi-day trip of roughly five days. Little Buffalo River Crossing Territorial Park, located 20 km south of Fort Resolution via NWT Highway 6, serves as the downstream terminus and offers 20 powered campsites, showers, a boat launch, and picnic facilities.