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BC Parks ' Wells Gray Provincial Park - Clearwater/Azure
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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!

  • December 2007 - Stitca Falls Bridge Closed: Clearwater Lake Campground. The hiking bridge over Stitca Falls accessing the Dragons Tongue trail from Clearwater Lake Campground is closed. Winter snow loads have impacted the integrity of bridge stringers making public use unsafe until further notice.  The bridge is scheduled for replacement in summer of 2008.

  • Please use caution - watch for debris or floating logs on lake.

Park Info:

From a boat launch at the south end of Clearwater Lake, canoeists, kayakers, and motor-boaters can access 16 campsites, 3 backcountry trailheads, fish for rainbow trout, and admire some of the many spectacular waterfalls for which Wells Gray is famous. Each lake is approx 22 km long, with Clearwater running north/south and Azure east/west. Canoeists use the 500 m portage between the lakes; a minimum 9.9 hp motor is required to navigate the river channel. Boat tours and guided canoeing trips are available.

Return to Wells Gray Provincial Park

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Park Size: 540,000 hectares in the Cariboo Mountains

Special Notes:

  • In emergencies, contact the Park Facility Operator whose residence is located near Clearwater Lake Campground, south of the boat launch. PFO staff patrol both lakes daily.
  • The nearest public telephone is at Helmcken Falls Lodge, 35 km south of the boat launch.
  • Excessive noise is not permitted at any time. Please be considerate and observe the quiet time from 10 PM to 7 AM.
  • All boaters - please read the Greywater Discharges Banned from Vessels in BC's Inland Waters.

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

 

Location:

From Hwy #5 at Clearwater, drive north on the Wells Gray Park Road for 71 km (43 paved, 28 gravel) to the boat launch.

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
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Conservation
  • Wildlife

  • Visitor Safety:
    • The outlet of Clearwater Lake has a swift current and terminates over a waterfall. Obey the "no boating" signs and stay clear of the southern end of Clearwater Lake. First-time visitors should check the map at the boat launch to learn the safe boating channel.
    • When water levels decrease in late summer, the boating channel between Clearwater and Azure Lakes becomes very shallow. Motor-boaters must exercise caution, and turn back if necessary.
    • Clearwater and Azure Lakes are subject to short, violent storms with high winds and large waves. Never try to out-run a storm, but beach until it is safe to continue.

    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

    No vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.

    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. 8 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

    Backcountry Camping Fee: $5.00 per person / night, for all persons 13 years of age or older
    Hours of Operation for backcountry/walk-in sites in Wells Gray

    group camping - 15 or more campers

    No group camping.

    picnic, day-use facilities,  no camping

    This park has a day-use/picnic area.

    wheelchair accessibility

    There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.

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    drinking water

    Bring your own drinking water, boil or otherwise purify lake or creek water as potable water is not available in the park.

    toilets

    This park only has pit toilets - no flush toilets.

    showers

    No showers.

    sani-stations, sani-dumps

    No sani-station/dump facilities.

    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

    There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

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    walking, hiking trails

    Lakeshore trailheads lead to the backcountry areas of Hobson Lake and Huntley Col. 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. Click here for more trail Information and trail conditions and updates will be posted on the main page under the Attention Visitor Notice.

    In addition to the hiking opportunites 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

    This park does not have a playground.

    swimming

    There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. Most lakes, rivers and streams are glacier-fed and the water is icy cold all year round.

    canoeing, kayaking

    Very popular, with rental canoes available at the boat launch on Clearwater Lake. A number of companies offer guided trips on Clearwater and Azure Lakes. Contact the Wells Gray Information Centre at (250) 674-2646 for more information.

    Canoeists heading for Azure must use a 0.5 km portage. The portage has numerous stairs and sections of boardwalk and is not suitable for canoe carts. As the south access to the portage lies within the river channel, strong paddling ability during high water in June and July may be required.

    In addition to the opportunites listed above, this park offers a number of other recreational opportunities (including canoe tours). Click here to view a non-government web link, for additional information.

    power boats, boat launch

    There is a boat launch located at the end of Wells Gray Park Road, near the southern end of Clearwater Lake. It is 71 km from Highway 5 in Clearwater. The road is paved to 43 km with a further 28 km of well-maintained gravel road leading to the boat launch.

    fishing

    Fishing for Rainbow trout is popular here, with the most successful areas being at either end of both lakes, as well as creek mouths such as Barella Creek and Angus Horne Creek. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

    cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

    Cycling is not permitted.

    horses, horseback riding

    No horseback riding.

    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

    No wildlife viewing opportunities.

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

    No winter recreation opportunities.

    scuba, snorkelling

    No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

    windsurfing

    No windsurfing opportunities.

    waterskiing

    No waterskiing opportunities.

    hunting

    Hunting is allowed in the off-season at Clearwater Azure Marine. Please refer to the Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information.

    climbing, rock climbing

    No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

    spelunking, caving

    No spelunking or caving opportunities.

    cabins, yurts, lodges

    No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.

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