A wilderness of alpine meadows, extinct volcanic cones, twisted canyons, waterfalls, white-water rivers, and lakes, Wells Gray Provincial Park provides amazing outdoor adventure opportunities. An extensive set of hiking trails allow visitors to wander into remote, virtually untouched areas while always within walking distance of access roads.
Reach the park either via Clearwater Valley Road (a paved access road also known as the Wells Grey Corridor) or Clearwater River Road, a rough gravel road on the west side of the Clearwater River. Both roads extend north from the community of Clearwater.
Park Hiking Trails
The 3,100ha/7,660ac Clearwater River Corridor, added to Wells Gray Provincial Park in 1996, has numerous hiking trails ranging in difficulty from easy to moderate to advanced. These trails lead to many of the park's notable geographical features and outdoor activities, such as fishing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting. Highlight trails include the route to Mahood Lake and the easy-to-moderate trek to the Trophy Mountains meadows (especially in July when alpine flowers bloom).
Seasonal Outdoor Activities
In summer, self-guided and guided hiking, whitewater rafting, lake touring, and wildlife viewing opportunities are limitless. In winter, focus shifts to cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding. The road beyond the south entrance to Clearwater Lake is closed during the winter season, making access to the wilderness exclusive to back country skiers and snowmobilers. The park is most populated between May and October. However, its thousands of hectares/acres never seem crowded.
Wildlife Viewing
Wells Gray Provincial Park is a natural habitat for mule deer, black bears, coyotes, moose, white tailed deer, and badgers. The park's rivers abound with Chinook, Sockeye, and Coho salmon. Larger animals such as grizzlies, wolves, cougars, lynx, bobcats, and wolverines are also prevalent here. The park posts notices advising visitors on how to safely and respectfully handle a wildlife encounter.
Waterfalls
In total there are 20 major waterfalls in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Many of these, such as Dawson Falls, are within short walking distance of parking areas. Others can take an hour or more, or even a complete day to reach. Helmcken Falls, at 141m/463ft, is Canada's fourth highest waterfall and one of the park's iconic features.
Amenities
Numerous amenities and services make for an adventurous yet easy visit to Wells Gray Provincial Park. Several private operators offer canoeing a lake tours; fights over Clearwater Lake, Azure Lake, Murtle Lake, Braithewaite Glacier, and waterfalls; and seasonal adventure packages. Campgrounds and RV facilities are located throughout the park.
Stop by the Clearwater Visitor Centre (at the entrance of Wells Gray Provincial Park on Yellowhead Highway) for more information about park activities and amenities.
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