 White Water Rafting, Mike McPhee photo
Outdoor Adventure Wells Gray Provincial Park's network of hiking trails, which traverse the 3,100ha/7,660ac Clearwater River Corridor, range in difficulty from easy to moderate to advanced. 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). Helmcken Falls Rim Trail (5km/3mi), infrequently used but easily found, snakes behind this iconic falls offering a spectacular rare view. Clearwater and the surrounding area is an angler's dream with 50 stocked lakes within an hour of town, and many local fishing lodges and resorts featuring day-long or multi-day guided trips. Extend a day of fishing to a personal or guided boating/camping adventure along Clearwater Lake and Azure Lake. The waters of Wells Gray Provincial Park provide exhilarating kayaking and whitewater rafting. During the winter months cross-country skiers traverse 85km/52mi of groomed trails in the Clearwater area, divided between the Candle Mountain Trail System and Wells Gray Provincial Park. The parks also features backcountry skiing and snowshoeing along designated routes. A community ski hill, plus nearby Sun Peaks Resort and Mike Wiegele Resort are available for downhill skiers and snowboarders. Golfing Golfers can test both their course management and photography skills at one of three challenging and scenic 9-hole courses near Cleatwater: Lacarya Golf Course, Wells Gray Golf Course, and Chinook Cove Golf Course. Sun Peaks Golf Course, a Graham Cooke-designed course, is another option 111km/69mi from town.
About Town Clearwater was established on December 3, 2007, making it one of the newest municipalities in British Columbia. However, the area has a long and rich culture and history, beginning with the Simpcw First Nation, who have inhabited Clearwater and the surrounding north Thompson Okanagan region for thousands of years. Today, the First Fish Ceremony celebrates the Simpcw People's deep connection to nature, specifically to the Raft River salmon run. Located 311km/193mi north of Vancouver along the Yellowhead Highway 5, a four-hour drive from Kelowna, and about two hours from Kamloops, the community has three distinct centres: the old village beside the Thompson River (a primarily residential area), the new town site on the north side of the Clearwater Bridge, and a highway section with several hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and other services. Where to begin Stop by the Clearwater Visitor Centre (at the entrance of Wells Gray Provincial Park on Yellowhead Highway 5) for more information about the area.
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