Thompson. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Safety information
Check the main Wells Gray Park page for the latest trail conditions report.
Weather is unpredictable, and sudden storms can produce 1-meter waves. Always wear a personal flotation device, watch the weather. Never try to outrun a storm – go directly to shore. Boats drawn up onto the beach in front of the campground can also be damaged in a bad storm.
Boaters must be aware of the strong current at the east end of Mahood Lake, and avoid boating near the outflow.
Viewpionts have safety fences installed for your protection. Fenced areas are potentially dangerous with sheer drops and crumbling edges. Use extreme caution and always remain behind the safety fences.
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
Mahood Lake is located at the south-western tip of Wells Gray Park, accessed either via 88 km of paved and gravel roads from 100 Mile House and along the south shore of Canim Lake, or via 65 km of gravel road from the Interlakes corner on Hwy #24, or across TFL 18 via logging roads from Clearwater.
The nearest communities are 100 Mile House, Lone Butte, Interlakes, Bridge Lake, Hathaway Lake, Forest Grove, Canim Lake, and Sheridan Lake.
Camping
Backcountry camping
This park offers backcountry camping.
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
Campsites are available for reservations during the main camping season and are otherwise available on a first-come, first-served basis.
No access from main park entrance; must come off Highway 24 at Inter Lakes exchange. No pull through sites. If there are no staff present when you arrive, find your site and staff will arrive later. Staff will be around at least once a day during the regular season. The campground is closed and the gates are locked in the off-season.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $23.00 per party / night
BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $11.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.
Frontcountry campgrounds
Group camping
This park offers group camping.
Groupsites
Marine-accessible camping
Backcountry camping is allowed at three user-maintained lakeshore sites that are accessible only by boat. Each site has a pit toilet, food cache and a rustic fire ring, but there is no firewood provided. No fees are collected at these sites and they are user-maintained.
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
Easy, short trails to Mahood, Canim, Deception Falls and Whale Lake. Sightseers looking for some of Wells Gray’s typically photogenic waterfalls can find satisfaction at Canim, Mahood and Deception Falls, each less than a 30 minute walk from the roadway. The Canim River trail (30 minute walk), running 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 (about 1.5 hrs walk). For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure. Trail conditions and updates will be posted on the Wells Gray Park page under the Advisories and Hiking sections.
This park offers a number of other recreational opportunities, including hiking tours. Contact BC Parks for more information.
With 220 m of beach plus a shelving foreshore, Mahood Lake is popular with swimmers of all ages. There is no roped-off swimming area at this campground.
Mahood Lake is the only lake in Wells Gray that is not glacier fed. This makes the lake quite pleasant for swimming during the summer months.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Mahood Lake is popular with canoeists and kayakers. There are three backcountry user maintained campsites on Mahood Lake that are accessible only by boat.
This park offers a number of other recreational opportunities, including guided canoe tours. Contact BC Parks for more information.
Mahood Lake is popular with canoeists and kayakers. There are three user-maintained backcountry campsites on Mahood Lake that can only be accessed by boat.
Guided canoe tours are available in Wells Gray Park. For information, contact BC Parks.
Mahood Lake contains rainbow, lake trout, kokanee, whitefish and burbot. There are ice fishing opportunities in this park.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
There are short, easy trails to Mahood and Canim Falls, and a 30 minute hike to Deception Falls. These sites provide excellent views of waterfalls and are fenced for safety.
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.
Mahood Lake has waterskiing opportunities. Mahood Lake is a large lake and its water conditions can change quickly. Be aware of the weather and water conditions before waterskiing. There are no motor size restrictions on Mahood Lake.
Mahood Lake can get strong winds, which are great for windsurfing.
There are scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities in Mahood Lake.
Facilities
Mahood Lake boat launch
A paved boat launch is provided. If parking your vehicle at the boat launch overnight, advise the park operator of your expected time of return.
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.
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 located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
This park has a day-use/picnic area. An adventure playground is provided in the picnic area, as well as a large grassy playing field. A horseshoe pitch is also provided.
This park only has pit toilets; no flush toilets.
There is an excellent adventure playground for small children, a large grassy playing field for ball games, and a horseshoe pit adjacent to the campground.