Boundless Nature and Wilderness
Protecting the Heart of the World’s Only Inland Rainforest
It’s here in Wells Gray Provincial Park where you’ll find one of the most unique landscapes in all of B.C., where you days are measured in steps hiked, wildlife sightings, and the number of waterfalls you’ve visited. This is an expanse of 5,250 square kilometres (1.3 million acres) of timeless alpine wilderness, borne from volcanoes and carved by glaciers.
Discover one of the most unique eco-systems in all of British Columbia, located within BC’s fourth largest Provincial Park. This huge area protects an expansive swath of the world’s only inland temperate rainforest, and the hundreds of animal, bird, and unique plant life that live within it. It’s here that you can explore an untouched, natural world with over 200kms of trails, high mountain ranges, and two major lake chains. As a Biosphere Certified Destination, you can rest assured that sustainable tourism is a priority.
Canada’s Waterfall Park
Nestled between the Cariboo and Shuswap Mountain ranges, Wells Gray Park, or “Canada’s Waterfall Park” is home to Canada’s fourth highest waterfall, Helmcken Falls (141m), along with 40 more named waterfalls.
This is a land of waterfalls carved from glaciers and lava flows which gives you a glimpse into the tumultuous volcanic past of the the Park. From viewpoints, to hikes, to river and lake access waterfalls, the ways to experience the waterfalls of Wells Gray are as diverse as the falls themselves.
During Spring, Summer and Fall you can hunt for waterfalls while you hike through ancient forests, paddle pristine lakes, and whitewater raft on some of Canada’s fiercest rapids. In the winter, gaze upon frozen waterfalls and ski down untouched mountain slopes.
Protecting an Entire Watershed
Wells Gray Provincial Park uniquely also preserves a vast, integrated ecosystem: the watershed of the Clearwater River. Born of glaciers and the lake that bears the same name, the Clearwater River winds 201 km through the heart of Wells Gray Country – at 5,250 sq km, a vast wilderness. Visitors have the opportunity to experience one the most protected watersheds and rivers in the world, up close with opportunities to whitewater raft, kayak, paddle, fish, and hike along its winding and storied shores.
Legendary Lake Chains
Within Wells Gray Provincial Park, you will find two pristine lake chains that exist on an entirely different scale. Murtle Lake, North America’s largest paddle-only lake, is renowned for its turquoise waters, kilometres of yellow sandy beaches, and world-class fishing. The Clearwater/Azure Lake Chain offers a combined 50km of backcountry paddling and camping along its dramatic fjords.
Let your curiosity get the best of you. With such an expanse of wilderness, you can chose to explore on foot, by boat, or in the air. Step back to a simpler time and let wilderness soothe your soul.
A Camping We Will Go
Wells Gray Provincial Park and the neighbouring North Thompson Provincial Park together provide hundreds of campsites between a number of campgrounds. From front-country-pull through sites perfect for your RV, to sandy back country lakeside sites, you can find the perfect place to unpack and stay a while. Looking for more amenities? Try one of our many private campgrounds.
