Land of Fire and Ice
Born of volcanoes and carved by glaciers
Layered by time and the elements, discover one of the most unique ecosystems in British Columbia – volcanic fields and ancient lava beds. Home to 22 volcanoes, the volcanic history is apparent in almost everything you see.
Fire and ice created the waterfalls, rivers, lakes and mountains you see today. Volcanic eruptions followed by periods of great cooling created layer upon layer of volcanic rock, some more than 150 ft above the valley floor. Retreating glaciers followed, flooding rivers and lakes, creating the adventure fueled playground that you’ll find in Wells Gray Park today.
Now dormant, one of the most recent volcanic eruptions in Canada took place from the Kostal cone about 400 years ago in what is now Wells Gray Provincial Park. When it first erupted 6,000 years ago, the Kostal volcano damned the Clearwater River, creating the 25km long Clearwater Lake.
Climb extinct volcanoes and hike to the summit of Pyramid Mountain or take in the view from the Green Mountain Tower Lookout across many of the park’s volcanic features. Revel in a wilderness playground 3.5 million years in the making.
