Wells Gray Provincial Park, Waterfalls, Clearwater River, Helmcken Falls

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Wells Gray
The main entrance to Wells Gray Provincial Park is located approximately 10 km (12 miles) north-west of Clearwater on Clearwater Valley Road.

Getting Here
There a few ways you can enter Wells Gray Provincial Park. One is to take Hwy 5 either from Kamloops in the south, or from Tête Jaune Cache in the north. Access to the main section, called the Corridor Area, of the park can be made through the open year-round Clearwater Valley Road at Clearwater. Another section of the park at Murtle Lake is accessed by the summer-use only road at Blue River. If you happen to be at 100 Mile House, take the road to Canim Lake and follow the signs to Mahood Lake which is on the western side of the park.

Main Attractions
The main attractions in Wells Gray Provincial Park are the vast number of waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, rivers, and creeks found throughout this wilderness setting in British Columbia's highest park of the Cariboo Mountains. Other geographical landscapes include open valleys, woodland forests, fields of long grasses and wildflowers, steep rugged mountains, snowcapped glaciers, and the ancient remains of a volcanic lava flow. The park is also well known for its world-class hiking trails, kayaking, and canoeing routes into some of British Columbia's most remote lakes and rivers where you can find stunning landscapes, unique beauty, and vast opportunities for wildlife watching.

Wildlife Watching
The park is abundant with species that include sheep, cougars, wolf, deer, moose, Mountain goats, lynx, wolverine, Black and Grizzly bears, plus up to at least 200 species of birds and a large selection of small mammals including squirrels, rodents, mink, fisher, and marten.

Waterfall Park
The park is often referred to as the "Waterfall Park" and has 39 officially-named waterfalls of decent size with Helmcken Falls being the most famous as it is Canada's fourth highest waterfall. It is located about 32 km (20 miles) north of the park boundary near Clearwater. Other accessible falls from the road include Dawson, Spahats, and by short trail, Sticta. Some waterfalls must be accessed by wilderness hiking trails that will take you through rugged terrain offering panoramic views of some of the highest peaks in the Cariboo Mountains, such as the one to Pyramid Mountain.

Fishing
With the appropriate license, the angling opportunities found in the park include Rainbow trout in the Clearwater and Azure waterways, plus in Angus Horne Creek and Barella Creek. Kokanee, Rainbow, and Lake trout, whitefish and Burbot are present in Mahood Lake.

Redspring Picnic Site
Wells Gray Provincial Park has a number of day-use and picnic grounds to choose from. A favourite called Redspring is located on the way to Clearwater Lake. Here you are situated next to the Clearwater River just upstream from Helmcken Falls at the 51.3 km (32 miles) mark. Just remember to watch yourself and children near the river's edge as there can be a very dangerous torrent at any time, and as with all BC Parks, there are no lifeguards present.

Vehicle-Accessible Campgrounds
For vehicle-accessible campgrounds, the park has a number available for you to choose from. The most popular ones can be found in the Corridor Area near Clearwater Lake where you can find Clearwater Lake and Falls Creek Campgrounds available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to get a reservation, Mahood Lake, a great spot for families located on the south-western side off Hwy 24, offers a number to choose from. Mahood Lake is the only lake in the area that is not glacier fed, offering better swimming opportunities. Just remember, as with all provincial parks in British Columbia there are no lifeguards present, and caution must be observed around all children and non-swimmers.

Park Facilities
A sani-station/dump is available for RVs operating during the collecting season in the summer across from the north end of Falls Creek Campground. Other conveniences and attractions include a number of fresh-water taps, picnic areas, wheelchair-accessible areas, viewpoints, flush and pit-toilets, a children's adventure playground at Mahood Lake, plus numerous hiking and mountain biking trails.

Wilderness Campsites
The park has a number of remote wilderness campgrounds located throughout the whole area with camping done at your own risk. The camping is generally situated on Azure, Clearwater, Murtle, and Mahood Lakes. A lot of the area in and around the wilderness campgrounds is full of dead trees caused by the Mountain Pine beetle epidemic. Caution must be exercised when camping next to possible dangerous trees in the bush, especially around the marine campgrounds sites.

Wells Gray Park Infocentre
For more information regarding Wells Gray Provincial Park, make sure you visit the Wells Gray Information Centre located in Clearwater. The staff are very friendly and have lots of information regarding road closures, camping sites, and trail conditions. The Infocentre is conveniently located right at the corner of Clearwater Valley Road and the Yellowhead Hwy 5. For more information or current operating hours telephone 1-250-674-3334 or 1-250-674-2646.

Bear Country
Just remember if you are enjoying the Wells Gray Provincial Park and the countryside around British Columbia, please remember are bears found everywhere. Try to avoid the rivers during heavy salmon spawning times unless you feel comfortable with bears around and take the usual precautions. There is also the possibilities of encounters with wolves or cougars so please play it safe.

RV Parks
If the park campgrounds are full when you arrive at Wells Gray Provincial Park and you want to stay the night or a few days, there are lots of other alternatives next to the park or in nearby Clearwater. A favourite is Wells Gray Golf Course & RV Park, and it is located near the main entrance to the Corridor Area. Another great RV spot called Dutch Lake Resort and RV Park is well-situated near Clearwater and offers watersport activities for kids and adults alike.