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2004 CPAWS photo contest - Mary Anthes ' Wells Gray Provincial Park
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important info, warnings, alerts for park visitors
general overview of park, size, special features safety, park hazards, wildlife information, health risks
park location, parks nearby, how to get to the park history, cultural heritage, conservation, wildlife
maps of park and/or campground, trails, etc. Management Planning
campsite reservations, group and picnic site reservations images of the park
 

vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping group camping - 15 or more campers picnic, day-use facilities, no camping wheelchair accessiblity drinking water toilets showers sani-stations, sani-dumps firewood, campfires There are no electrical hook-ups in this park interpretive, educational programs
walking, hiking trails playgrounds swimming canoeing, kayaking power boats, boat launch fishing cycling, mountain biking, bicycling horses, horseback riding pets, domestic animals in parks Icon Legend- Green =Available Grey = Unavailable

wildlife viewing
winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating scuba, snorkelling windsurfing waterskiing hunting climbing, rock climbing spelunking, caving cabins, yurts, lodges click on green symbols for more information

 

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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites

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,  walk-in camping

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.
group camping - 15 or more campers

No group campsites.

picnic, day-use facilities,  no camping

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.
wheelchair accessibility

Some facilities and hiking trails in the park are wheelchair accessible.

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drinking water

Cold water taps are located throughout the park.

toilets

There are flush toilets located at Spahats day-use area. The rest of the park only has pit toilets - no flush toilets.

showers

No showers.

sani-stations, sani-dumps

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

firewood, campfires

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 There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
interpretive,  educational  programs

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.

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walking, hiking trails

  • 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.

playgrounds

Mahood Lake - Excellent adventure playground for small children, a large grassy playing field for ball games, and a horseshoe pit adjacent to the campground.

swimming

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.
canoeing, kayaking

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.

power boats, boat launch

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.
fishing

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.
cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

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.

horses, horseback riding

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 in parks 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.
wildlife viewing

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.

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winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating

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.

scuba, snorkelling

No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

windsurfing

No windsurfing opportunities.

waterskiing

No waterskiing opportunities.

hunting

Hunting is permitted within Wells Gray Provincial Park. Please refer to current British Columbia Hunting Regulations for seasons and bag limits.

climbing, rock climbing

No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

spelunking, caving

No spelunking or caving opportunities.

cabins, yurts, lodges

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.

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