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.
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]

Stay Safe:

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

Mahood Lake is popular with canoeists and kayakers. There are three backcountry user maintained campsites on Mahood Lake that are accessible only by boat.

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

Mahood Lake contains rainbow, lake trout, kokanee, whitefish and burbot. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
There are ice fishing opportunities in this park.

Hiking

Easy, short trails to Mahood, Canim, Deception Falls and Whale Lake. Sightseers looking for some of Wells Gray’s typically photogenic waterfalls can find satisfaction at Canim, Mahood and Deception Falls, each less than a 30 minute walk from the roadway. The Canim River trail (30 minute walk), running from behind the service yard past some old cabins. For the energetic, Whale Lake offers good fishing at the end of a 4 km hiking trail (about 1.5 hrs walk). 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. Trail conditions and updates will be posted on the main page under the Attention Visitor Notice.
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

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.

Scuba Diving

There are SCUBA diving/ snorkeling opportunities in Mahood Lake.

Swimming

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. With 220 m of beach plus a shelving foreshore, Mahood Lake is popular with swimmers of all ages. There is no roped off swimming area at this campground. Mahood Lake is the only lake in Wells Gray that is not glacier fed, this makes the lake quite pleasant for swimming during the summer months.

Waterskiing

Mahood Lake has waterskiing opportunities. Mahood Lake is a large lake and its water conditions can change quickly. Be aware of the weather and water conditions before waterskiing. There are no motor size restrictions on Mahood Lake.

Wildlife Viewing

There are short, easy trails to Mahood and Canim Falls, and a 30 minute hike to Deception Falls. These sites provide excellent views of waterfalls and are fenced for safety.

Windsurfing

Mahood Lake can get strong winds – great for windsurfing.

Facilities Available at this Park

Boat Launch

A paved boat launch is provided. If parking your vehicle at the boat launch overnight, advise the Park Facility Operator of your expected time of return.

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.

Drinking Water

Cold water taps are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Picnic Areas

This park has a day-use/picnic area. An adventure playground is provided in the picnic area, as well as a large grassy playing field. A horseshoe pitch is also provided.

Pit or Flush Toilets

This park only has pit toilets – no flush toilets.

Playground

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

Vehicle Accessible Camping

Campsites available for reservations from May 15 to September 4, before and after which they are all on a first come, first served basis.

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.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $23.00 per party / night

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $11.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed at three user-maintained lakeshore sites that are accessible only by boat. Each site has a pit toilet, food cache and a rustic fire ring, but there is no firewood provided. No fees are collected at these sites and they are user-maintained.
Information about backcountry/walk-in sites in Wells Gray.

In This Park

On This Page

Visitor Information

Park Contact