Skip to main content



Wells Gray Park: Mahood Lake

Open



Advisories

Loading...
Expand all
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.

Vehicle-accessible 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.

Expand all
Drinking water

Cold water taps are located throughout the park. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Playground

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.

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.

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.

Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. 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. An adventure playground is provided in the picnic area, as well as a large grassy playing field. A horseshoe pitch is also provided.

Pit or flush toilets

This park only has pit toilets; no flush toilets.

Expand all
Hiking

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.

Swimming

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. 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.

Canoeing

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.

Kayaking
Kayaking
Fishing

Mahood Lake contains rainbow, lake trout, kokanee, whitefish and burbot. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence

There are ice fishing opportunities in this park.

Wildlife viewing

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 on leash

Pets/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.

Waterskiing

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.

Windsurfing

Mahood Lake can get strong winds, which are great for windsurfing.

Scuba diving

There are scuba diving/snorkeling opportunities in Mahood Lake.