Wells Gray Park: Clearwater/Azure Marine

Highlights in this site

From a boat launch at the south end of Clearwater Lake, canoeists, kayakers, and motor-boaters can access 16 campsites, 3 backcountry trailheads, fish for rainbow trout, and admire some of the many spectacular waterfalls for which Wells Gray is famous. Each lake is approximately 22 km long, with Clearwater running north/south and Azure east/west. Canoeists use the 500 m portage between the lakes; a minimum 9.9 hp motor is required to navigate the river channel. Boat tours and guided canoeing trips are available.

Special notes

Personal Watercraft (i.e., Seadoos) are not permitted on Clearwater and Azure Lakes.
In emergencies, contact the Park Operator whose residence is located near Clearwater Lake Campground, south of the boat launch. Park operator staff patrol both lakes daily.
The nearest public telephone is at Helmcken Falls Lodge, 35 km south of the boat launch.
Excessive noise is not permitted at any time. Please be considerate and observe the quiet time from 10 pm to 7 am.

Stay safe

Please use caution; watch for debris or floating logs on the lake.
The outlet of Clearwater Lake has a swift current and terminates over a waterfall. Obey the “no boating” signs and stay clear of the southern end of Clearwater Lake. First-time visitors should check the map at the boat launch to learn the safe boating channel.
When water levels decrease in late summer, the boating channel between Clearwater and Azure Lakes becomes very shallow. Motor-boaters must exercise caution, and turn back if necessary.
Clearwater and Azure Lakes are subject to short, violent storms with high winds and large waves. Never try to out-run a storm, but beach until it is safe to continue.

Maps and brochures

History

The addition is located just north of Clearwater and extends north along the Clearwater River to Mahood Lake, along the southwest border of Wells Gray Park.

Cultural heritage

Extensive evidence of prehistoric use exists.

Conservation

The park includes canyon and volcanic features such as lava flows, columnar basalts and pillow lavas. The area protects old-growth Douglas-fir and cedar and hemlock forests, but primarily contains young forests of Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine and extensive deciduous stands of aspen and birch.

The corridor supports many ungulates, birds, migration corridors, and salmon spawning habitat for chinook, sockeye and coho salmon. Much of the corridor protects critical moose winter range habitat as well as habitat for mule deer, black bear, coyote, white tailed deer and badger.

Wildlife

Wildlife is generally sparse in dense forests, but you may be fortunate to see bear, moose, squirrels and pine marten. Caribou and deer have been spotted swimming across the lakes. Birds frequently seen near Clearwater and Azure include osprey, eagle, merganser and grouse.

Know before you go

Advisories

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:

Maps and location

Getting there

From Hwy #5 at Clearwater, drive north on the Wells Gray Park Road for 71 km (43 paved, 28 gravel) to the boat launch.

Camping

Backcountry camping

Backcountry areas

Azure Lake backcountry

Operating season

2024: year-round

Booking required

2024: year-round

Winter season

Not known

Number of campsites

Backcountry sites: 21
Boat-accessible sites: 21

Winter season note

Access may be open earlier depending on weather conditions. During the off-season, no fees are collected and no services are provided.

Clearwater Lake backcountry

Operating season

2024: year-round

Booking required

2024: year-round

Winter season

Not known

Number of campsites

Backcountry sites: 33
Boat-accessible sites: 33

Service note

Access to Clearwater lake backcountry is dependant on main gate at Helmcken turn-off being open. Access may be open earlier depending on weather conditions.

Winter season note

During the off-season, no fees are collected and no services are provided.

Frontcountry camping

Frontcountry campgrounds

Clearwater Lake Campground

Operating season

2024: May 15 to September 29
2025: May 15 to September 30

Booking required

2024: May 15 to September 29
2025: May 15 to September 29

Winter season

No services

Number of campsites

Reservable frontcountry sites: 40
Vehicle-accessible sites: 40

Winter season note

The gate is closed during the off-season.

Marine-accessible camping

Backcountry camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.

Clearwater Lake – Access to these sites by boat only. 8 camping areas with a total of 33 tent sites.

Azure Lake – Access to these sites by boat only. Four camping areas with a total of 21 tent sites. Information about backcountry sites in Wells Gray.

Backcountry Camping Fee: $5.00 per person / night for all persons 6 years of age or older.

Things to do

Hiking

There are several trailheads located along the shorelines. These lead to some of the park's lesser known waterfalls and viewpoints. This includes a trail leading to Rainbow Falls, located at the east end of Azure Lake, and Eagle viewpoint, located at Divers Bluff Campground.

Be aware of signs of bear activity on any of the trails, and be prepared to take evasive action.
Trail conditions and updates will be posted on the Wells Gray Park page under the Advisories and Hiking sections.

Two main trails lead away from these lakes to wilderness destinations. Note that times and distances are for one way only.

Hobson Lake Trail

The trailhead lies within the river channel between Clearwater and Azure, on the western bank. A strong hiker will make the 15km hike to the southern end of Hobson Lake within 7 hours. Expect a 300m elevation gain.

Huntley Col

From 4 1/2 Mile Campsite on the north shore of Azure Lake, a hike of 4km with a 1300m elevation gain will take experienced hikers approximately 5 hours.

In addition to the hiking trails listed above, this park offers additional hiking opportunities, including guided hiking tours. Contact BC Parks for more information.

Swimming

Most lakes, rivers and streams are glacier-fed and the water is icy cold year-round.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

Very popular, with rental canoes available at the boat launch on Clearwater Lake. A number of companies offer guided trips on Clearwater and Azure Lakes. Contact the Wells Gray Information Centre at 250-587-2090 for more information.

Canoeists heading for Azure must use a 0.5 km portage. The portage has numerous stairs and sections of boardwalk and is not suitable for canoe carts. As the south access to the portage lies within the river channel, strong paddling ability during high water in June and July may be required.

This area offers other opportunities in addition to the ones listed above, including guided canoeing tours. For more information, contact BC Parks.

Fishing

Fishing for Rainbow trout is popular here. The most successful areas are at either end of both lakes, as well as creek mouths such as Barella Creek and Angus Horne Creek.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Hunting

Hunting is allowed in the off-season at Clearwater Azure Marine. Please refer to the hunting page for more information.

Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Facilities

Boat launch

There is a boat launch located at the end of Wells Gray Park Road, near the southern end of Clearwater Lake. It is 71 km from Highway 5 in Clearwater. The road is paved to 43 km with a further 28 km of well-maintained gravel road leading to the boat launch.

Campfires

While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead.

Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park.

To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

Picnic areas

This park has a day-use/picnic area.

Pit or flush toilets

This park only has pit toilets – no flush toilets.