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Park Contact
This park proudly operated by:
Blackwell Park Operations Ltd.
250 587-2090
wellsgraypark@gmail.com
BC Visitor Information Centre (Clearwater)


Wells Gray Provincial Park: Mahood Lake
Attention Visitors – Important Notice!
- July 27, 2018: Visitor caution if using Deception Falls Trail (Mahood Lake) in Wells Gray Provincial Park
The Deception Falls trail near Mahood Lake in Wells Gray Provincial Park has experienced some significant wind throw damage. As a result, the safety fence along the canyon portion of the trail has been completely removed. Visitors to the falls are urged to use caution and to watch small children and pets, if visiting the area. Efforts are being made to restore a safe access to the falls. Your patience is appreciated.
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May 29, 2017: Deception Falls Trail closed
The trail into Deception Falls near Mahood Campground in Wells Gray Provincial Park is closed. A recent wind event has caused severe damage on this trail, including taking out the safety fence along the canyon rim. This area has not been assessed or cleared of hazards, and it may be some time until this task is completed. Please refer back to this website for future updates on trail conditions.
About This Park
A quiet destination campground for families and for fishing - on the western end of Mahood Lake, the only lake in Wells Gray that isn’t glacier fed and so it warms up enough for pleasant swimming! For the angler, the lake holds Kokanee, whitefish, burbot, Rainbow and lake trout. For anglers who want more excitement than lake trolling, the Canim and Mahood rivers, as well as several creeks, offer a multitude of opportunities for fly-casters. For visitors who just want to relax, there are several hundred metres of beach and a shelving foreshore which invites swimming, wading and sunbathing.Special Features: The special geology of this area has created three spectacular falls all within 30 minutes of this campground.
Return to Wells Gray Provincial Park.
Special Notes:
- The nearest public telephone is 16 km away, on the road to 100 Mile House.
- Please help to prevent the spread of Eurasian Water Milfoil by removing all weeds from your boat and motor before launching and after removing it from the lake.
- Excessive noise is not permitted at any time. Please be considerate and observe the quiet time from 10 PM to 7 AM. Do not operate generators unless authorized by park staff.
- All boaters – please read the Greywater Discharges Banned from Vessels in BC’s Inland Waters. [PDF 160.57KB]
- Weather is unpredictable, and sudden storms can produce 1-meter waves. Always wear a personal flotation device, watch the weather. Never try to outrun a storm – go directly to shore. Boats drawn up onto the beach in front of the campground can also be damaged in a bad storm.
- Boaters must be aware of the strong current at the east end of Mahood Lake, and avoid boating near the outflow.
- Viewpionts have safety fences installed for your protection. Fenced areas are potentially dangerous with sheer drops and crumbling edges. Use extreme caution and always remain behind the safety fences.
Location and Maps
At the south-western tip of Wells Gray Park, accessed either via 88 km of paved and gravel roads from 100 Mile House and along the south shore of Canim Lake, or via 65 km of gravel road from the Interlakes corner on Hwy #24, or across TFL 18 via logging roads from Clearwater.The nearest communities to this park are 100 Mile House, Lone Butte, Interlakes, Bridge Lake, Hathaway Lake, Forest Grove, Canim Lake and Sheridan Lake.
Nature and 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. Mahood Lake was named for one of BC’s earliest surveyors, James Adams Mahood, who surveyed for the Canadian Pacific Railway between 1871 and 1891.
- Cultural Heritage: Traditional use by the Canim First Nations is indicated by the pictographs on the north and south shore bluffs of Mahood Lake.
- Wildlife: Fish species in Mahood Lake include rainbow, lake trout, kokanee, whitefish and burbot. The Mahood Lake area is excellent habitat for deer, cougar, and black bear.
Management Planning
Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing
This park offers a number of other recreational opportunities (including guided hiking and canoe tours). Click here to view a non-government web link, for additional information. Click here to view non-government web links, for additional information.

Fishing
There are ice fishing opportunities in this park.

Hiking
This park offers a number of other recreational opportunities (including guided hiking and canoe tours). Click here to view non-government web links, for additional information.

Pets on Leash

Scuba Diving

Swimming

Waterskiing

Wildlife Viewing

Windsurfing
Facilities Available at this Park

Boat Launch

Campfires
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.

Drinking Water

Picnic Areas

Pit or Flush Toilets

Playground

Vehicle Accessible Camping
No access from main park entrance; must come off Highway 24 at Inter Lakes exchange. No pull through sites. If there are no staff present when you arrive, find your site and staff will arrive later. Staff will be around at least once a day during the regular season. The campground is closed and the gates are locked in the off-season.
Dates of Operation for frontcountry/vehicle accessible sites in Wells Gray.

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
Information about backcountry/walk-in sites in Wells Gray.