 |
Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
Fall/Winter 2007/08 Season:
- Trail
Updates - There are no
trail updates provided during the
off-season. Updates will resume
in spring 2008
Park
Info:
Wells Gray has something to offer every outdoor interest:
lush alpine meadows, excellent birding and wildlife viewing
opportunities; hiking for every ability, ranging from
a few minutes on a level trail to many days with a map
and compass; boating, canoeing and kayaking. Guiding businesses
offer horseback riding, canoeing, river-rafting, fishing
and hiking; and the history enthusiast can learn about
the early homesteaders, trappers, and prospectors, or
about the natural forces that produced Wells Gray's many
volcanoes, waterfalls, mineral springs and glaciers.
To simplify finding information, Wells Gray Provincial
Park is divided into the following areas:
- Murtle Lake: 100 km of shoreline outlines this pristine,
canoe-only lake in the wilderness.
- Clearwater/Azure Marine: Two
adjoining lakes, each 22 km long, are popular with
canoeists,
kayakers, and motor-boaters. Ride the tour boat, and
take photos of the many waterfalls along the lakeshores.
- Mahood Lake: A beautiful,
quiet, family- and fishing-oriented campground on
the southwestern
tip of Wells Gray Park.
- Spahats Creek: Noted
for its waterfall and panoramic view of the Clearwater
Valley,
this peaceful day-use area is only 10 km north of Clearwater.
- Wells Gray Corridor Area (includes
Pyramid and Clearwater Lake/Falls Creek campgrounds): Vehicle-accessible
campgrounds, short hiking trails and spectacular views
along the main road from the park entrance
to Clearwater Lake. For your convenience, during the
summer season this area of the park has a concession
managed
by the Park Facility Operator.
- Trophy Mountain: Approximately
6900 ha contains over 45 sub-alpine lakes and tarns
and
offers opportunities for hiking, back-country overnight
and day trips.
- Backcountry Areas: Information
on some of the longer hiking trails, offering visitors
the opportunity to camp in user-maintained wilderness
settings.
- Clearwater River: An
area of limited access along the Clearwater River
offering
hiking, fishing, wilderness camping and spectacular
scenery.
Special Notes:
- In addition to the opportunities listed above,
this park offers a number of other recreational opportunities
(including
guided
hiking, horseback
and
canoe tours). Click
here to view a non-government web link, for additional
information.
- BC Parks initiated an exclusive proposal
call opportunity that awarded six (6)
seasonal(spring-fall), multi-year permits for guided
hiking and canoeing until 2013. There are three companies
that can provide only day guiding opportunities,
and three that can offer both day and overnight guiding
opportunities within Wells Gray Provincial Park.
Click
here for details and their contact information.

Park
Size: 540,000
hectares in the Cariboo Mountains
Management
Planning:
Management
Planning Information
Location:
Park
can be accessed off Hwy #5 at Clearwater or turn off Hwy 97 at 100 Mile House.
Murtle Lake is accessed off highway 5 at Blue River. For more details, see description
of various areas of the park.
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.

Nature & Culture:
- History -
Established November 28, 1939, the park was named for the Honourable Arthur
Wellsley Gray, Minister of Lands for British Columbia from 1933 to 1941.
As a result of the Kamloops Land and Resources Management Plan, several land
additions have been incorporated into Wells Gray Park. These include the
Clearwater River Corridor Addition of 3100 ha and the Trophy Mountain Addition
of 6934 ha, both designated in April 1996.
- Conservation - Wells
Gray Provincial Park offers a variety of topographical features. Extinct
volcanoes, lava beds, mineral springs and glaciers are just a few of the
wondrous natural attractions at the park. A number of spectacular waterfalls
also exist, including the famous Helmcken and Dawson Falls. Dense forest
cover characterizes the lower elevations, with excellent examples of Douglas-fir,
western red cedar and hemlock. Wildlife abound with larger animals, such
as the grizzly bear, and smaller animals including beaver, wolverine and
timber wolf. A wide variety of waterfowl, although not numerous, can also
be found in the park.
- Wildlife - Wells
Gray is noted for a wide variety of wildlife, including
black and grizzly bear, wolf, cougar, lynx, bobcat,
wolverine, moose, deer, mountain goat, caribou, plus
a host of smaller mammals such as fisher, marten, mink,
weasel, squirrel, etc. The bird checklist notes 219
species.
Visitor
Safety:
Brochure
- Bear Safety in Wells Gray; English and German (172 kb pdf)
Visitor
Safety Information (park
safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Reservations:For
parks that accept reservations,
all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover
Camping.
Reservations are not accepted
at this park, all campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis. For parks
that accept reservations or information on the reservation service, click
here.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
Contact
Information:
Blackwell Park Operations
Ltd
E-mail address: info@explorewellsgray.com
Phone: (250) 674-2194
Click
here to view a non-government website for additional
information.

 |
This
park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come,
first-served basis - campsite reservations are not
accepted.
- Corridor
Area - (includes Pyramid and Clearwater/Falls
Creek campgrounds)
Three vehicle-access campgrounds for a total of
130 sites, available first-come, first-served.
- Mahood
Lake - 34 campsites available first-come,
first-served. Three user-maintained sites accessible
only by boat.
Vehicle
Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night BC
Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only):
$7.50 per senior's couple/night
Campground Hours
of Operation
All dates are subject
to change without notice |
Opening
and Closing Campground Dates: (campground
is accessible but may not offer full services
such as water, security, etc.)
|
|
| -
Clearwater/Falls Creek campground (Corridor) |
May
15 - October 12
(Gate is closed during the off-season) |
| -
Pyramid campground (Corridor) |
May
1 - October 30
(Gate is open during the off-season) |
| -
Mahood Lake campground |
May
15 - September 30
(Park is open during the off-season; no fee,
no services) |
| Campground
Dates with Full Services and Fees: |
|
| -
Clearwater/Falls Creek campground (Corridor) |
May
15 - October 12 |
| -
Pyramid campground (Corridor) |
May
1 - September 30
Off-season: no fee, no services |
| -
Mahood Lake campground |
May
15 - September 15
Off-season: no fee, no services |
| Campground
Reservable Dates: |
Not
applicable |
| Total
Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: |
-
Clearwater/Falls Cr = 80
- Pyramid = 50
- Mahood Lake = 34 |
| Number
of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
Not
applicable |
| Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts. |
|
 |
Wilderness,
backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no
facilities are provided.
- Clearwater
Lake - Access to these sites by boat only.
12 camping areas with a total of 33 tent sites.
- Azure
Lake - Access to these sites by boat only.
Four camping areas with a total of 21 tent sites.
- Mahood
Lake - There are three user-maintained lakeshore
sites that are accessible only by boat.
- Murtle
Lake - Access to these sites by canoe only.
There are 69 sites. No combustible motors on this
lake.
Backcountry
Camping Fee: $5.00 per person / night, for all persons 13 years of age or older
Hours
of Operation - All dates are subject
to change without notice |
Opening
and Closing Campground Dates: (campground
is accessible but may not offer full services
such as water, security, etc.)
|
|
| -
Clearwater Lake/Azure Lake |
May
15 - October 30 |
| -
Mahood Lake |
May
15 - September 30 |
| -
Murtle Lake |
May
15 - September 30 |
| Campground
Dates with Full Services and Fees: |
|
| -
Clearwater Lake/Azure Lake |
May
15 - September 30
Off-season: no fee, no services |
| -
Mahood Lake |
May
15 - September 15
Off-season: no fee, no services |
| -
Murtle Lake |
May
15 - September 30 |
| Campground
Reservable Dates: |
Not
applicable |
| Total
Number of walk-in Accessible Campsites: |
-
Clearwater/Azure = 54
- Mahood Lake = 3
- Murtle Lake = 69 |
| Number
of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
Not
applicable |
| Note:
The Park is open year round unless
inaccessible due to weather conditions, especially
during the off-season. If the park or campground
are closed for other reasons, information is
noted in the Attention Visitor Notice at the
top of this page. |
|
 |
No group campsites. |
 |
This park has a day-use/picnic
area.
- Clearwater/Azure
Marine - Campsites closest to the boat launch
are popular with day-use visitors for picnic sites.
- Mahood
Lake - There is parking for approximately
40 vehicles in the picnic/day-use area. Campfires
not permitted in the picnic area. Water is not
provided in day-use area.
- Spahats
Creek - There is parking for approximately
40 vehicles in the day-use area at the Clearwater
Valley viewpoint.
- Corridor
Area - There are 10 picnic/day-use areas,
with a number of tables at each. Campfires not
permitted in the picnic area.
|
 |
Some facilities and hiking
trails in the park are wheelchair accessible. |
 |
Cold water taps are located
throughout the park.
|
 |
There
are flush toilets located at Spahats day-use
area. The rest of the park only has pit toilets
- no flush toilets. |
 |
No showers. |
 |
A
sani-station/dump is available during the collecting
season. It is in the Corridor
Area and located across the north end of False
Creek Campground.
Sani-station
Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge
|
 |
While campfires are allowed
and campfire rings are provided at each campsite,
we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect
the environment by minimizing the use of fire and
using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood.Fees for firewood are set locally
and may vary from park to park. Limited burning
hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve
vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather
firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere
in the park (this is a ticketable offence under
the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat
element for many plants and animals and it adds
organic matter to the soil.
|
 |
There are no electrical hook-ups in this park. |
 |
Wells
Gray Park, sponsored
by the BC Conservation Corps, the Federation
of BC Naturalists, Park Facility Operators and
BC Parks, will be offering Interpretation Services
this summer.
The
scheduled programs are now finished for 2007.
Hope to see you in 2008.
|
 |
- Clearwater/Azure
Marine - Lakeshore trailheads lead to the
backcountry areas of Hobson Lake, Huntley Col
and Zodiak Peak.
- Mahood
Lake - Easy, short trails to Mahood, Canim,
Deception Falls and Whale Lake.
- Spahats
Creek - Easy walk to viewing platform provides
spectacular views of Spahats Falls and the canyon
where Spahats Creek has cut through layers of
volcanic rock. Shaden Viewing Platform provides
a view of Clearwater River Corridor.
- Corridor
Area - Variety of short hikes available.
Trail
Updates will be posted under the Attention
Visitor Notice above. For your own safety and
the preservation of the park, obey posted signs
and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails
destroys plant life and soil structure.
In
addtion to the opportunities listed above, this
park offers a number of other recreational opportunities
(including guided hiking
tours). Click
here to view a non-government web link, for
additional information.
|
 |
Mahood
Lake - Excellent adventure playground for small
children, a large grassy playing field for ball
games, and a horseshoe pit adjacent to the campground.
|
 |
There
are no lifeguards on duty at provincial
parks.
- Clearwater/Azure
Marine - Most lake, rivers, streams are glacier
fed and the water is icy cold all year round.
- Mahood
Lake - 220 m of beach and shelving foreshore.
- Spahats
Creek - Most lake, rivers, streams are glacier
fed and the water is icy cold all year round.
- Corridor
Area - Most lake, rivers, streams are glacier
fed and the water is icy cold all year round.
|
 |
There
are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking.
- Murtle
Lake - Only canoeists and kayakers are
allowed on this lake.
- Clearwater/Azure
Marine - Number of companies provide
guided trips. Contact the Wells Gray Information
Centre
for more information. Canoeists heading for Azure
must use a 0.5 km portage. During times of high
water or increased current, canoeists may use
a new, 1 km high-water
portage. Not suitable for canoe
carts.
- Mahood
Lake - canoeing and kayaking.
- Corridor
Area - (see under Clearwater/Azure Marine)
In
addtion to the opportunities listed above, this
park offers a number of other recreational opportunities
(including guided canoe
tours). Click
here to view a non-government web link, for
additional information.
|
 |
There are opportunities
for boat launching.
- Clearwater/Azure
Marine - There is a boat launch located at
the end of Wells Gray Park Road, near the southern
end of Clearwater Lake. Paved and gravel maintained.
- Mahood
Lake - Paved boat launch. If parking overnight
advise Park Facility Operator of return time.
- Corridor
Area - Boat launch is located at the end of
Wells Gray Park Road, near southern end of Clearwater
Lake.
|
 |
Anyone fishing or angling
in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
- Clearwater/Azure
Marine - Rainbow trout has been successfully
found at either end of both lakes as well as Barella
Creek and Angus Horne Creek.
- Mahood
Lake - Contains rainbow, lake trout, kokanee,
whitefish and burbot.
- Corridor
Area - refer to current BC Environment Fishing
Regulations Synopsis.
|
 |
Bicycles
must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory
in British Columbia. In the Corridor
Area, there are specific trails open to mountain
bikers; ask at the Wells Gray Information Centre.
|
 |
Corridor
Area - Green Mountain trail system is open to horse
use. Some other trails are available by Letter
of Permission when conditions permit. Companies
along the Wells Gray Park Road offer guided horse riding.
In
addtion to the opportunities listed above, this park
offers a number of other recreational opportunities
(including guided horseback tours). Click
here to view a non-government web link, for additional
information.
|
 |
Pets/domestic
animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or
park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their
excrement.Backcountry areas are not suitable for
dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with
bears. |
 |
With
a large variety of habitats and ecosystems, Wells
Gray Provincial Park provides exceptional wildlife
viewing and bird watching opportunities. Among
the most notable wildlife in the corridor area,
you may see black bears in the spring, Chinook
salmon during the autumn and wolves and moose during
the winter months. 
|
 |
There
are backcountry skiing and snowshoeing opportunities
in various areas of the park. There are groomed
cross-country ski trails in the Majerus Farm
area.
Click here to view a non-government web link for additional information.
|
 |
No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
 |
No
windsurfing opportunities. |
 |
No
waterskiing opportunities. |
 |
Hunting
is permitted within Wells Gray Provincial Park.
Please refer to current British Columbia Hunting
Regulations for seasons and bag limits. |
 |
No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
 |
No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
 |
There are a few rustic public cabins in the park.
These facilities are intended for emergency use
and are not regularly maintained. There are also
2 log cabins available to rent at the Clearwater
Lake campsite. For more information, please contact
the Park
Facility Operator.
|
|