Thompson. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Visitor guidelines
Get park information
Look in this ‘visitor guidelines’ section for general safety instructions and other important information about this park. For the latest information, see advisories.
Prepare for the trail conditions
Before you head out, check the latest trail conditions report. Make sure everybody in your party has the equipment and ability required for the current conditions.
To get information on hikes in this park, see the hiking section of this page.
View the Wells Gray trail report [PDF] (December 15, 2024).
Stay safe around wildlife
Potentially dangerous animals live in this park. On trails, make noise, to prevent unexpected encounters. Be aware that food waste and other scents will attract wildlife.
To learn how to avoid encounters and ensure unavoidable encounters do not escalate, see the wildlife safety page.
Beware tree hazards at campgrounds
A Mountain Pine Beetle infestation has led to many dead trees in the marine camping areas of Murtle Lake. When choosing a campsite, look carefully at the conditions of any nearby trees.
Be careful about precisely where to place your tent and canoes. Make sure they are a safe distance from any dead trees that could fall. Use extra caution if you are camping during windy weather.
Drive safely on access roads
Use extra caution when driving on unpaved forest service roads with limited visibility. Pull over to let industrial vehicles pass. Watch for wildlife crossing the road.
For more information on staying safe in remote areas, see our backcountry guide.
Walk pets responsibly
Dogs and other pets are welcome but must be leashed in the frontcountry. Pets are not allowed in most park buildings and beach areas. Please dispose of their waste responsibly.
Bears and other dangerous animals that could harm your pet may be present in the backcountry. Also, horses are allowed in many parts of the park (see horseback riding).
For more information, see the pet etiquette section of the responsible recreation page.
Commercial recreation opportunities available
Private companies offer recreational opportunities in Wells Gray Park, in addition to the BC Parks activities listed on this page. Opportunities include guided hiking, rafting, and canoe tours.
BC Parks awards spring-to-fall, multi-year permits to companies offering guided hiking and canoeing tours. These companies provide daytime and overnight tours.
To learn more, download the summer guiding companies in Wells Gray Park [PDF] document.
Look below for links to information on other commercial recreation opportunities available in Wells Gray Park. BC Parks does not manage or maintain any of these websites, and we are not responsible for their content.
Activities
Activities and training
Activities and accommodation
Leave No Trace
Always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. Minimize your impact on plant and animal life and be considerate of other visitors. Dispose of waste properly.
For detailed information on outdoor ethics, visit the Leave No Trace Canada website.
Emergency shelters available
A few rustic cabins are available for public use in Wells Gray Park. These cabins are intended for emergency use only, and not for regular overnight stays. They are not regularly maintained and cannot be booked through the reservation service.
No drones
Operating drones without permission is illegal in BC Parks. In the rare cases when we grant permission, you must keep your drone away from wildlife and other visitors.
No harvesting
Harvesting mushrooms or any other crops is forbidden in all BC Parks. The only exceptions are for Indigenous Peoples and harvesting permit holders.
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Reservation policies
Get information on:
Maps and location
Getting there
Wells Gray Park’s core area includes many popular campgrounds, day-use sites, and backcountry trails. You can access this core area off Highway 5 at Clearwater. And you can access the Murtle Lake area off Highway 5 at Blue River.
The Mahood Lake area is a considerable distance away from the other areas of Wells Gray Park. You can access it via Highway 24, either from Highway 97 near 100 Mile House or from Highway 5 at Little Fort.
For more details, see the page for the area you are visiting:
Camping
Backcountry camping
Trophy Mountain
Backcountry camping is available in the Trophy Mountain area of Wells Gray Park. There are 20 campsites in the area. Facilities include raised tent pads, pit toilets, food caches, and cooking shelters.
When visiting the backcountry, always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. To learn more about staying safe in the backcountry, read our backcountry guide.
Backcountry areas
Frontcountry camping
Wells Gray Park offers vehicle-accessible camping at Clearwater Lake, Falls Creek, Mahood Lake, and Pyramid campgrounds. For a park map with campground locations, see maps and location.
Reservations are accepted at Clearwater Lake, Falls Creek, and Mahood Lake. Reservations must be made through our reservation service. For information on booking a frontcountry campsite, visit the frontcountry camping page.
Campsites are also available on a first come, first basis at all the vehicle-accessible campgrounds in this park. Reservable campsite that are not booked may become available for first come, first served camping.
Nightly fees for Clearwater Lake, Falls Creek, and Mahood Lake campgrounds
| Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $23 per party |
|---|---|
| Seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $11.50 per senior party |
Nightly fees for Pyramid Campground
| Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $20 per party |
|---|---|
| Seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $10 per senior party |
For information on qualifying for the seniors’ rate, please visit the BC Senior Camping Discount page.
Frontcountry campgrounds
Group camping
There are two reservable group campsites 20 m from the beach at Mahood Lake. These groupsites include picnic tables, outhouses, and water taps. For a campground map, see maps and location.
Fees (per night)
| Group camping |
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| Youth group camping |
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Groupsites
Marine-accessible camping
Backcountry campsites, accessible only by boat, are available in the campgrounds listed below. Each of these sites has a food cache, a pit toilet, and a fire ring. Some have picnic tables. For a campground map, see maps and location.
Campgrounds
- Azure Lake
Four camping areas with room for roughly 20 tents.
Learn more - Clearwater Lake
Twelve camping areas with room for roughly 30 tents.
Learn more - Mahood Lake
Three user-maintained lakeshore sites. No fees charged.
Learn more - Murtle Lake
Nineteen camping areas with room for roughly 65 tents.
Learn more
Permits
You need a backcountry permit to camp in any of these marine-accessible sites. A backcountry permit is not a reservation and does not guarantee you a campsite. Sites are chosen on a first come, first served basis.
There is a $5 backcountry permit registration fee for Wells Gray Park. This applies at all the campgrounds mentioned above, apart from Mahood Lake. At Clearwater Lake and Azure Lake, you can deposit fees in a yellow cash box at the boat launch.
You can register for a backcountry permit and pay your fee in advance at camping.bcparks.ca. Permits are not available via our call centre. For more information, visit the backcountry permit registration page.
If you have registered in advance, bring two copies of your permit. Deposit one in the self-registration station along with a completed registration form. Keep the other with you throughout your trip.
Fees (per night)
| Marine-accessible camping fee |
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When visiting marine-accessible sites, be respectful of the sensitive wildlife habitats, and learn how to stay safe using our marine visitor guide.
Things to do
Day-hiking is a popular activity in Wells Gray park. Always check the trail conditions report under visitor guidelines before heading out. For detailed trail maps, see maps and location. Look below for information on day-hikes in these areas of the park.
Clearwater/Azure Marine
There are several trailheads along the shorelines of the Clearwater/Azure Marine area. These trails lead to some of the park’s lesser-known waterfalls and viewpoints.
One of the trails leads to Rainbow Falls, which is at the east end of Azure Lake. Another takes you to Eagle Viewpoint, which starts at Divers Bluff Campground on Clearwater Lake.
Corridor
There are short hikes around Bailey’s Chute, West Lake, Ray Farm, Alice Lake, Horseshoe, Gatling Gorge, Flatiron, and Moul Falls. There are also longer hikes by Clearwater Lake and the Pyramid Campground.
Mahood Lake
There are short, easy trails to Mahood, Canim, and Deception falls. Canim, Mahood, and Deception are all less than a 30-minute walk from the road. They provide excellent examples of Wells Gray’s spectacular waterfalls.
The Canim River Trail is also a 30-minute walk. It runs 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 (a roughly 90-minute walk).
Spahats Creek
There is an easy walk from Spahats parking lot to Shaden lookout. This has views of Spahats Falls and the Clearwater River valley. There is also an interpretative loop trail near Spahats Falls parking lot.
You will find many swimming opportunities along Mahood Lake and Murtle Lake. The opportunities for swimming in the Clearwater/Azure Marine and Corridor areas are more limited and should be approached with caution. Before visiting, see the practice water safety section of our marine visitor guide.
Mahood Lake
The shore of Mahood Lake offers the best swimming opportunities in Wells Gray Park. It has 220 m of suitable areas, including beaches.
Murtle Lake
Known for its beautiful sandy beaches, Murtle Lake has some ideal swimming spots. The shallow waters in the lake’s west arm are particularly suitable.
Clearwater/Azure Marine and Corridor
Lakes and rivers in these areas offer swimming opportunities. However, most of the bodies of water here are glacier-fed, so they are very cold year-round.
Swimming in the Clearwater River can be dangerous, especially near rapids. Pick your spots carefully, staying as far from rapids as possible.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Canoeing enthusiasts will find opportunities in the Clearwater/Azure Marine, Corridor, Mahood Lake, and Murtle Lake areas of Wells Gray Park.
Clearwater/Azure Marine and Corridor
Private companies offer guided canoeing trips in the Clearwater/Azure Marine and Corridor areas. Visit wellsgray.ca for more information. Canoeists heading for Azure must use a 0.5 km portage.
Mahood Lake
While Mahood Lake is more known for powerboating, it does also offer canoeing opportunities. Stronger paddlers can even canoe to the lake’s three marine-accessible camping areas.
Murtle Lake
Murtle Lake is one of the Wells Gray’s Park’s best spots for canoeing. Motorboats and other watercraft are not allowed on the lake. Only canoes and kayaks are allowed here.
Clearwater/Azure Marine and Corridor
Highly proficient kayakers are attracted to Wells Gray Park by the Clearwater River’s challenging whitewater areas. These include class V sections, which are impassible to all but the most skilled kayakers.
Mahood Lake
While Mahood Lake is more known for powerboating, it does also offer kayaking opportunities. Stronger paddlers can even canoe to the lake’s three marine-accessible camping areas.
Murtle Lake
Murtle Lake is one of the Wells Gray’s Park’s best spots for canoeing. Motorboats and other watercraft are not allowed on the lake. Only canoes and kayaks are allowed here.
Fishing opportunities are available at the Clearwater/Azure Marine and Mahood Lake areas of Wells Gray Park. For information on where to launch, see the boat launch section. For a map with boat launch locations, see maps and location.
Clearwater/Azure Marine
Rainbow trout can be caught throughout this area. Popular spots include the ends of both lakes, as well as Barella Creek and Angus Horne Creek.
Mahood Lake
Rainbow trout, lake trout, kokanee, whitefish, and burbot can all be caught in Mahood Lake.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Find fun summer outdoor learning experiences, with Discover Parks Ambassadors here all summer long. For specific dates, along with many more seasonal and year-round activities, visit dicoverparks.ca.
With a large variety of habitats and ecosystems, Wells Gray Park provides exceptional wildlife viewing and bird watching opportunities.
You may see black bears in the spring, Chinook salmon during the autumn, and wolves and moose in winter.
For more information on the wildlife of Wells Gray Park, please see the wildlife section. For information on how to stay safe, visit our wildlife safety page.
Dogs and other pets are welcome in Wells Gray Park, but they must be kept under control. You must always be in control of your pets and dispose of their waste in the bins provided.
Pets must be leashed in frontcountry areas of the park. ‘Frontcountry’ means anywhere within 1 km of a highway or park road. Pets are not allowed in beach areas or most park buildings.
In the backcountry (anywhere more than 1 km from a highway or park road), dogs may be off leash. You may encounter bears, horses, and other dangerous animals that could harm your pet in the backcountry.
Cycling is allowed only on roads and designated trails in Wells Gray Park. There are specific trails for mountain bikers in the Corridor area. For details, please contact the Visitor Info Centre.
Bike helmets are mandatory everywhere in British Columbia. For information on using a bicycle with an electric-assist motor, please see the e-biking section, directly below.
Horseback riding is allowed on designated trails in many areas of Wells Gray Park. Each designated trail is marked by a sign at the trailhead. Horseback tours are available throughout the park (see commercial riding tours, below).
You need a letter of authorization to ride a horse in certain parts of the park. Areas that require a letter of authorization include Battle Mountain, Table Mountain, and Pyramid Trail to upper Murtle River.
To see if you will need a letter authorization, call the Ministry of Environment and Parks’ area supervisor at 1-250-371-6200. You must also contact the area supervisor to apply for a letter of authorization. There is no fee.
In areas of the park where private companies offer horseback tours, you will not need a letter of authorization. You can also use the Green Mountain trail system in the Corridor area for horseback riding without specific authorization.
Check the trail conditions report in the visitor guidelines section before horseback riding in this park.
Commercial riding tours
Information on commercial horseback riding tours is available from the Visitor Info Centre. Areas where private companies offer riding tours include:
- Bee Farm
- Blackwater
- Flat Iron
- Green Mountain
- Creek Canyon Lands
- Hoodoo Rim Trail
- Majerus Farm
- Still Water
- Tote Road
- White Horse Bluffs
Hunting is allowed in Wells Gray Park if conducted according to provincial regulations. Please consult the current hunting and trapping regulations synopsis for detailed information.
Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
There are backcountry skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities in Wells Gray Park during the winter. The cross-country skiing areas are no longer groomed, so the terrain is not always ideal.
The Trophy Mountain area has been popular with backcountry skiers in past seasons. Majerus Farm, King Hut, and Stillwater Road have been popular areas for cross-country skiing. Snowshoeing is popular in the Corridor area.
If you plan to go backcountry skiing in Wells Gray Park, be prepared to travel in avalanche country. Before heading, ensure you have all the necessary skills and equipment, and check the Avalanche Canada forecast.
Riding a snowmobile is not allowed in Wells Gray Park unless you have a special exception from a park official.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for these areas of the park:
Mahood Lake boat launch
A paved boat launch, maintained with gravel, is available for visitors to the Clearwater/Azure Marine and Corridor areas. It is at the end of Wells Gray Park Road, near the southern end of Clearwater Lake.
There is a second boat launch in the Mahood Lake area, next to the frontcountry campground. If you are parking overnight at this boat launch, please let the park operator know when you plan to return.
For park operator details, see the contact section. For a map of boat launch locations, see maps and location.
Campfires are allowed in frontcountry campgrounds. A campfire ring is provided at each vehicle-accessible campsite. We encourage you to protect the environment by minimizing campfires and bringing a camping stove for cooking.
Do not gather firewood from anywhere in the park. This is an offence under the Park Act. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals. It also adds valuable organic matter to the soil.
If you bring your own firewood, buy it locally or in the park. Wood from other areas can spread invasive species. Please contact the park operator for information about buying firewood.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
Cold-water taps are available in some areas of Wells Gray Park. Specifically, taps are available throughout the Spahats Creek area. Taps are not provided in the Corridor and Mahood Lake day-use areas.
Drinking water is not provided anywhere in the Clearwater/Azure Marine area. Always boil or otherwise purify any lake or creek water gathered in this area before use.
There are picnic areas throughout Wells Gray Park. Day-use visitors can use picnic areas in the Clearwater/Azure Marine, Corridor, and Mahood Lake areas.
Clearwater/Azure Marine
Day-use picnickers can use the marine campsites closest to the boat launch when these are not occupied by campers.
Corridor
There are 10 day-use areas in the Corridor area, with several picnic tables at each. Campfires are not allowed in these picnic areas.
Mahood Lake
There is parking for approximately 40 vehicles in the Mahood Lake day-use area. Campfires are not allowed in the day-use area, and water is not provided.
Spahats Creek
There is parking for approximately 40 vehicles in the day-use area at the Clearwater Valley viewpoint.
Spahats day-use area has flush toilets. The rest of the park has pit toilets only.
Mahood Lake has an excellent adventure playground ideal for small children. This area also has a horseshoe pit next to the campground and a large, grassy playing field for ball games.
A sani-station is available when campgrounds are operating. The sani-station is in the Corridor area, between Falls Creek and Clearwater Lake campgrounds.
Fees (per use)
| Sani-station | $5 |
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About this park
Established on November 28, 1939, Wells Gray Park was named for Arthur Wellsley Gray, BC Minister of Lands, 1933-1941. Since then, several land additions have been incorporated. These include the Clearwater River Corridor and Trophy Mountain additions, both designated in April 1996.
Wells Gray Park includes a variety of interesting topographical features. Extinct volcanoes, lava beds, mineral springs, and glaciers are just a few of the park’s natural attractions.
The park is famous for its spectacular waterfalls, including Helmcken, Spahats, Moul and Dawson falls. Dense forest cover characterizes the park’s lower elevations, with Douglas fir, western red cedar, and hemlock.
Wells Gray is noted for a wide variety of wildlife. This includes black and grizzly bear, wolf, cougar, lynx, bobcat, wolverine, moose, deer, mountain goat, and caribou. Smaller mammals live here too, including fisher, marten, mink, weasel, and squirrel. A wide variety of waterfowl also live in the park.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.
Contact
| Reservations, changes, and cancellations | Our call centre is open from 7 am to 7 pm Pacific Time. There is a $5 fee for reservations, changes, or cancellations made by phone.
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| Park operator | This park is operated by Shuswap Adams Parks Ltd. |
| Visitor Info Centre | There is a Visitor Information Centre in Clearwater. |
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
