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Follow the Gold Rush Trail to historic Wells, located just east of the legendary Barkerville Historic Town. Wells is also the closest community to Bowron Lakes Provincial Park, one of the top canoe circuits in the world.
A restored 1930s mining town, Wells has charm, wilderness scenery, historic landmarks and some of the most diverse hiking trails in BC. Explore mining and forestry trails, climb alpine meadows or venture through backcountry trails.
In winter, popular trails such as the Mount Agnes Trail Network are used for snowmobiling and backcountry skiing.
Old mining and forestry trails and alpine meadows make for some of the most varied hiking terrain in BC.
Several loop trails branch off from the Cariboo Waggon Road through the famous gold fields. Yellowhawk Trail leads through the alpine and sub-alpine meadows of the Cariboo Mountains.
The extensive Mount Agnes Trail Network leads you through alpine meadows, offering dramatic mountain backdrops.
Make your way to The Cornish Mountain Recreation Area near Wells to explore some extensive cross-country ski trails used as mountain bike trails in summer. This area offers exhilarating downhill runs. Sugar Creek Loop is a long snowmobiling trail used for mountain biking in summer.
Barkerville Provincial Park provides 168 campsites across three spacious campgrounds: Lowhee, Forest Rose and Government Hill. You'll find 25 campsites at the Bowron Lake Campground in Bowron Lake Provincial Park as well as wilderness campsites.
Built as a company town for the Cariboo Gold Quartz Mining Company in the 1930s, Wells has preserved its historic charm in unique heritage buildings.
Architectural highlights include the Wells Museum, housed in the former Island Mountain Mine office, and the Wells Hotel, a restored 1930s inn.
Barkerville Historic Town is one of BC's most popular attractions with over 125 restored heritage buildings from the 1860s to 1930s recalling the great Cariboo Gold Rush booms.
Named "the eighth wonder of the world," the 642-km (400-mi) Cariboo Waggon Road was built by blasting through the Fraser Canyon to the goldfields at Barkerville. Just one hour from Wells, you can still travel the legendary road, stopping at colourful heritage towns, community museums and art galleries along the way.
Fortune seekers once traveled the Cariboo Waggon Road leading to the Cariboo goldfields and bustling boomtown of Barkerville. Today, Barkerville Historic Town features over 125 restored heritage buildings along a Victorian-era streetscape. See the work of local and BC artists, from pottery to painting on display at several local Wells galleries.
The Wells Museum offers an eclectic collection of artifacts recalling the second Cariboo Gold Rush from 1930-1967.
Visit Cottonwood House where travellers heading to the goldmines enjoyed a hearty meal and a good night's rest.
One of BC's top community museums, Quesnel Museum and Archives has over 30,415 artifacts and archival items recalling period farming, logging and mining life in BC. The museum also houses a significant collection of rare Chinese artifacts.
One hour from Wells, travel the historic Cariboo Waggon Road, built to carry mule trains and stage coaches to the Cariboo goldfields in the 1860s. Stop to see colourful heritage towns, community museums and other attractions en route.
Barkerville Historic Town in Wells re-enacts the courtroom once ruled by Judge Begbie, the famous "hanging judge." Watch sparks fly as iron strikes anvil at the blacksmith shop. Visit over 125 heritage buildings and catch the high-stepping Theatre Royal shows.
Completed in 1865, Cottonwood House was a haven for weary travellers who would arrive for a hearty meal and a good night's rest on their way to Barkerville and the goldmines. Stroll through the Double Barn that once sheltered stagecoaches. The General Store now houses an interpretive/information centre and restaurant.
Also try your luck at panning for gold in the Cottonwood River.
Summertime in Wells means live entertainment, seven days a week.
Barkerville Historic Town offers the family-friendly Theatre Royal shows featuring acts in the same style as those enjoyed by miners over 100 years ago. Or experience the high drama re-created in the courtroom once ruled by Judge Begbie, the famous "hanging judge."
Filled with Victorian-era merchandise, Barkerville takes visitors back to the gold rush era. Stop by Eldorado Gold Panning and Souvenirs, McPherson's Watchmaker's Shop or Kwong Sang Wing Store for imported Chinese merchandise.
Wells art galleries feature pottery, photography, paintings as well as special exhibitions.
The Jack o' Clubs is a unique "boutique" casino designed on a 1930s art deco theme.
A fine nature-viewing corridor exists on Hwy 26 between Cottonwood House and Barkerville Historic Town. The road between Wells and Bowron Lake Provincial Park is great for viewing Grizzlies.
Famous for its canoe circuit, paddle Bowron Lake Provincial Park to spot Steller's Jays, Clark's Nutcrackers or American Crows. On shore, you may sight Moose, deer, Black and Grizzly Bears, Mountain Goats, Caribou, Beavers and River Otters.
Barkerville Provincial Park has three spacious campgrounds: Lowhee, Forest Rose and Government Hill.
Bowron Lake Provincial Park encompasses a dramatic 116 km (72 mi) chain of lakes, waterways and connecting portages.
Famous for its world-renowned canoe circuit, you'll enjoy over 100 km (62 mi) of paddling, mostly on large lakes with some fast-flowing rivers. You'll also cross 11 km (6.8 mi) of portage trails over this exhilarating 6-10-day journey. Begin on the circuit's west side for a shorter, 2-4 day adventure.
Reserving a departure time for the canoe circuit is highly recommended; the number of canoes per day is restricted. The circuit is open from approximately mid-May to early October. Fishing in the area's well-stocked lakes and rivers is highly prized.
The Wells area is blessed with fluffy snow, sunny days and amazing starry nights.
Just 20 minutes west of Wells, Troll Resort offers downhill skiing with four T-bar lifts on 518 m (1700 ft) of vertical.
The Cornish Mountain Recreation Area includes 25 km (15.5 mi) of groomed and ungroomed trails for cross-country skiers of all abilities.
Take a day trip from Wells to visit Mt. Agnes and Mt. Murray for great backcountry skiing, telemarking and snowboarding.
Wells features a specially designated snowmobile corridor through the community.
You can also hill climb at Mt. Agnes, alpine ride at Bald Mountain or Yanks Peak and trail tour from Prince George, Likely or Quesnel.
Dog sledding is also popular in the area. Dog sledders from around the world come to Wells to take part in the prestigious, annual Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run.
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