Two protected wilderness areas are located near Wells: Bowron Lake Provincial Park, renowned for its wildlife viewing and its famous Chain of Lakes canoe circuit; and the Cariboo River Provincial Park located along the popular Gold Rush Trail to Barkerville.
Bowron Lake Provincial Park
This beautiful park is located 32km/20mi east of Wells, in the Cariboo Mountains. Its enormous area spans 121,600ha/300,486ac and contains nine major lakes with connecting waterways and form a chain of lakes, rivers and short portages in a roughly rectangular shape.July and August are the busiest months, but September brings fall colours, as well as excellent wildlife viewing, canoeing, hiking and fishing. The lakes and rivers teem with rainbow, lake and bull trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish and Kokanee (a landlocked form of Sockeye salmon). Open-water angling is best between June and September. Winter ice fishing is permitted on Bowron Lake.
Facilities in the park include private lodges, drive-in campsite (open May-Sept), wilderness sites on the canoe circuit, canoe and kayak rentals, boat launch on Bowron Lake, and cabins to use for drying out equipment.
Bowron Practical Points
Reserving a departure time for Bowron is a necessity during the high season as the Park limits the number of canoes on the lakes per day. BC Parks has more information on reserving for the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit. Reservations are mandatory for canoeing groups of 7 – 14 people. Groups over 14 are not allowed. Reservations for individuals and smaller groups are recommended. Fees apply and a cancellation policy is enforced.
Learn more about canoeing and portaging through Bowron, including safety information and other tips.
Cariboo River Provincial Park
Located south-east of Wells, 70km/43mi from Barkerville, the Cariboo River Provincial Park is accessed via 3100 Road, an active logging road open seasonally between Barkerville and Likely. This road is a portion of the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail. During the off season, it is often used by back-country skiers. The park's 3,211ha/7,939 ac are the protected habitat of the upper Cariboo River and Kimball Lake. Canoeing (if experienced), rafting, power boating, fishing for rainbow and bull trout, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are all popular activities in this park. There is a boat launch next to the bridge by the information shelter, though road access is narrow. There are no campsites, but walk-in wilderness camping is permitted, as are campfires but only in designated areas and wood is not supplied.
Recreation Sites
There are several rec sites near Wells, which were formerly forestry campsites. These include: - Ghost Lake Recreation site on the 3100 Road to Likely, is located an hour south-east of Wells, at about marker 3145.
- Whiskey Flats Rec site, also on the 3100 Rd. to Likely, is about 25km/15mi from town.
- Atan and Chisel Lake Rec sites are both located on the Bowron Lake Rd approximately 15km/9mi north of Wells.
Wildlife Watching
Keep eyes peeled for moose (including white moose in the Bowron Lakes area), the occasional mule and white tail deer, caribou, and mountain goat. Black and grizzly bear are often seen feeding on spawning salmon. Many song birds and birds of prey, including Bald Eagles, frequent the shorelines. Beaver can be seen along the waterways in the Bowron Lake Provincial Park, as well as trumpeter swans and loons.