The Fort has a population of about 1,000 inhabitants where tourism plays a key role in the economy, especially in the summer months. The primary method of transportation to Fort Chipewan is air, serviced by a regional airline from Edmonton and Fort McMurray. There are no permanent roads to the Fort but it can be reached from Fort Smith on a winter road. In summer, the Fort can also be reached by boat via Fort McMurrary, 280 km to the south on the Athabasca River.