Wells Gray Park: Clearwater/Azure Marine

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

• Area map – Clearwater/Azure Marine [PDF]
• Clearwater Campground map [PDF]
• Clearwater hiking trails map [PDF]
• Area brochure [PDF]

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.