15 BEST Things to Do in Wells Gray (Canada’s Waterfall Park!)

Planning a trip to Canada’s waterfall capital? We’re sharing the best things to do in Wells Gray Provincial Park! Plus, we’ve packed in all the logistics to help you plan your trip, including where to stay, the best time to visit, and more!

We’ve visited a lot of incredible places in Canada, but when we made it out to Wells Gray Provincial Park, we couldn’t believe that a place with this much breathtaking scenery isn’t on everyone’s radar! 

Nicknamed Canada’s “Waterfall Park,” Wells Gray is a massive wilderness shaped by millions of years of extensive volcanic activity and glacial erosion. This incredible geological history has left behind deep lava canyons, pristine lakes, rugged mountain peaks, and over 42 named waterfalls! 

We recently spent 5 days road tripping through the park, chasing 14 different waterfalls, hiking through stunning alpine meadows, paddling on a remote lake, and sampling some delicious local eats in town. Safe to say, it’s one of our favorite places to visit in all of BC!

In this guide, we’re sharing the absolute best things to do in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Including details on its two main regions (Clearwater and Mahood Lake), top hikes, where to stay, how to get around, and tips for planning your trip!

The best things to do in Wells Gray Provincial Park

Wells Gray Provincial Park is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Simpcw First Nation, part of the Secwépemc Nation. The land, rivers, and mountains here hold cultural and historical significance to the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this region for generations. As visitors, it is a privilege to explore these lands, and we encourage everyone traveling through to practice Leave No Trace principles.

Clearwater Region (The Main Corridor)

Clearwater Valley Road leads north from the town of Clearwater toward Clearwater Lake and gives visitors access to many of the park’s best-known attractions, including Spahats Falls, Moul Falls, Dawson Falls, Helmcken Falls, and the Trophy Mountain area. This is the core area of Wells Gray that most people visit! 

While much of Wells Gray is remote wilderness that requires a longer hike or canoe trip to explore, the Clearwater corridor makes it possible to experience an incredible variety of waterfalls, geological features, hiking trails, and scenic viewpoints by car.

1. See the famous Helmcken Falls

Years ago, we randomly stumbled across a photo of Helmcken Falls online, and it immediately stopped us in our tracks. It was the exact reason Wells Gray got added to our British Columbia bucket list. And it definitely did not disappoint! It is truly one of the most breathtaking, powerful waterfalls we have ever seen in our lives!

Helmcken Falls drops a staggering 141 meters (463 feet) into a giant eroded canyon carved out by ancient lava flows. As the most famous spot in the park, it receives plenty of love (and visitors!), but access couldn’t be easier. A quick, paved walk from the parking lot leads to a big wooden viewing platform that hangs right over the canyon edge (this is what we did!).

If you have extra time and want to escape the crowds, you can also hike the 8.3 km (5.2 mile) round-trip Helmcken Falls Rim Trail. It follows the rim of the canyon out to the opposite side of the gorge, giving you a completely different view of the falls!

2. Walk behind Moul Falls

If you have ever wanted to stand directly behind a roaring curtain of water, Moul Falls is the absolute best place to do it! Out of all the unbelievable waterfalls we saw in Wells Gray, this was easily one of our favorite stops because we loved that we could walk into the cave behind the falls! It’s such a fun experience. Just be prepared to get soaked!

The hike to get to the falls is 5.5 km (3.4 miles) round-trip, but the trail is pretty easy out to the wooden platform. The real fun begins at the end! After checking out the upper viewing platform, you’ll descend a steep set of wooden stairs straight into the canyon floor to reach the base of the 35-meter (115-foot) drop. From there, an unofficial path leads you directly behind the falls! Make sure to wear shoes with great traction, as the rocks behind the waterfall can be slick. 

3. Hike to Triple Decker Falls

Tucked away near the start of the park corridor, Triple Decker Falls is a hidden gem that many visitors completely miss! As the name suggests, this beautiful three-tiered waterfall cascades through a mossy canyon, making it a fun little adventure for anyone looking to get beyond Wells Gray’s most famous viewpoints.

The hike to the falls is short at just under 1.5 km (0.8 miles) round trip, but don’t let the short distance fool you! The trail drops down a steep, root-filled slope into the gorge, so you’ll definitely want sturdy shoes with good traction. Once you reach the bottom, you’re rewarded with a gorgeous view of the multi-tiered cascades. And as a bonus, you can cross the creek to get very close to the falls as well!

3. Marvel at Spahats Creek Falls

Located just a short drive inside the park entrance, Spahats Creek Falls is one of the most accessible and impressive stops in the whole Clearwater region!

A super easy, short 0.8 km (0.5 mile) walk through the trees brings you out to a viewing platform overlooking a HUGE volcanic canyon. From the viewpoint, you can see Spahats Creek shoot through a narrow keyhole gap in the cliff side before plunging 75 meters (246 feet) down into the gorge below. What makes it so fascinating is that you can clearly see the distinct layers of volcanic rock exposed along the canyon walls! 

4. Hike the Trophy Meadows Trail

Located on the southern slopes of the Trophy Mountains (whose nine peaks rise 2,575 meters into the sky), the Trophy Meadows Trail leads to some of the most easily accessible sub-alpine meadows in British Columbia! This is the single best non-waterfall hike in all of Wells Gray, and we LOVED it. If you visit during the summer months (late July through early August), the meadows are filled with wildflowers. It feels like you’re walking through a painting!

This 12.3 km (7.7 mile) round trip trail climbs up through the forest before opening up into an alpine meadow. If you want to continue farther, the trail takes you to Sheila Lake, a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by views of the rugged peaks of the Trophy Mountains.

If you want to spend the night under the stars, Sheila Lake has 19 designated tent platforms, pit toilets, and bear lockers! During our hike (on a weekday in July), we only ran into two people who had camped the night before. So for a quiet weeknight backpacking trip, this would be the perfect spot!

A+K Tip: The road to the Trophy Meadows trailhead is gravel and can be a bit bumpy and rough. While any car can make it, prepare to go slow!

5. See Silvertip Falls

If you’re already out exploring near Trophy Meadows, you can add on a detour to see Silvertip Falls. Standing at a staggering 200 meters (656 feet) tall, it is one of the tallest waterfalls in the entire Wells Gray area!

However, this is definitely one of the more challenging waterfalls to access in the park. It shares the same rough road with Trophy Meadows, before turning off onto another gravel road and eventually onto a single track road that leads to a very small parking area. The trail itself is pretty short at 2.2 km (1.4 miles) round trip, but it is steep, rugged, and full of slippery roots and rocks as you climb alongside Silvertip Creek. The waterfall is gorgeous though, with a giant, multi-tiered cascade!

6. Visit the smaller waterfalls

If you want to pack even more views into your day without going on a long hike, there are a handful of quicker, smaller waterfall stops along the main road that require very little walking, making them super easy to add to your itinerary as you drive through the park!

Dawson Falls: Often called “Little Niagara,” this powerful waterfall stretches an impressive 90 meters (295 feet) across the Murtle River. Located at kilometer 40.9, an easy 1.4 km (0.8 mile) round-trip walk along a flat riverside path brings you to two viewpoints.

The Mushbowl: At kilometer 41.4 on the corridor road, the Mushbowl is a fast churning section of rushing water where the Murtle River gets squeezed through a narrow, rocky gap underneath a wooden bridge. You don’t even need to hike for this one! There’s a small pull-out nearby where you can park, walk back onto the pedestrian walkway on the bridge, and look down into the rapids.

Third Canyon Falls: If you like spotting quick roadside gems as you drive, keep an eye out for Third Canyon Falls in the lower section of Clearwater Valley Road. It’s a quick feature where the creek cascades through a narrow, rugged gorge right beneath the bridge. There are pullouts on either side of the bridge, which you will need to utilize, as it’s hard to see the waterfall while driving.

Osprey Falls: Located at the very end of Clearwater Valley Road, Osprey Falls sits where Clearwater Lake empties into the Clearwater River. Unlike the towering vertical drops elsewhere in Wells Gray, Osprey Falls is essentially a massive, 300-meter-wide (1,000-foot) river surge that only drops about 3 to 5 meters (10 to 15 feet). To view the falls, head to an overlook between sites 19 and 21 in the Clearwater Lake Campground. 

7. See Bailey’s Chute and hike the West Lake Loop

If you’re looking for a super scenic river hike with tons of variety, exploring Baileys Chute with the West Lake Loop is a great option. This 5.3 km (3.3 mile) loop takes you to see cascading rapids, a lake, and even an awesome beach spot!

Starting from the main parking area, the trail takes you 1 km (0.6 miles) out to Bailey’s Chute. Here, you’ll get to see powerful whitewater rapids, where the Clearwater River is squeezed through a narrow bedrock gap. And if you’re visiting in late summer (late August through September), this is one of the best spots in the park to watch Chinook salmon leaping out of the water as they make their swim upstream to spawn!

Continuing along the river, the trail leads you past Marcus Falls and Myanth Falls. While these feel a bit more like river rapids than traditional vertical drop waterfalls, they are still cool to see in person! Right before reaching Myanth Falls, make sure to pop down to the rocky beach along the riverbank. From there, the trail loops away from the river and inland toward West Lake.

8. Try the cake at The Osprey Cafe

After a long day out exploring, we loved stopping for a slice of cake at The Osprey Cafe! Their cranberry streusel cake is loaded with apples and topped with a scoop of ice cream and whipped cream. It was super good! Plus, you can sit outside on the back deck. They have the best view overlooking Clearwater Lake!

9. Take a boat tour to see Rainbow Falls

Located at the far northern end of Azure Lake, Rainbow Falls is easily one of the most remote and breathtaking waterfalls in all of Wells Gray. Because there are no roads anywhere near this untouched corner of the park, the only way to experience it is by water! While we didn’t get a chance to do this on our trip, it’s at the very top of our list for next time.

To get there, you can hop on a guided boat tour with Clearwater Lake Tours. This tour takes you into both Clearwater Lake and Azure Lake. Once you reach the far end of Azure Lake, the boat drops you off near a campsite and beach area where a short trail through the forest brings you to the base of Rainbow Falls. 

This is a full day tour with lunch included, but they also offer a half day tour option. However, this shorter tour does not take you to Rainbow Falls.

10. Go on a canoe camping trip

If you’re up for a multi-day backcountry adventure, going on a canoe camping trip across Clearwater Lake and Azure Lake is an incredible way to experience the park! 

Stretching about 22 km (14 miles) each, Clearwater Lake and Azure Lake feature 12 marine-accessible campgrounds scattered along their shorelines that you can only reach by kayak, canoe, or boat.

To get from Clearwater Lake into Azure Lake, you’ll need to use the portage trail that connects the two lakes. The route is roughly 0.6 km (0.4 miles) long, so be prepared to carry your boat and gear between the lakes.

You can bring your own gear or rent canoes and kayaks from Clearwater Lake Tours. Just make sure to pick up a $5/night backcountry camping permit beforehand ($20 for anyone who is not a BC resident).

11. Enjoy the local eats

For food, the nearby town of Clearwater has some great options! We loved grabbing dinner at Hop N Hog Taphouse for their smoked Canadian BBQ meat platters. Their two-meat platter was delicious and massive! Make sure to arrive right before they open to snag a table, it’s a super popular spot.

The Clearwater Stop had amazing burgers and schnitzel sandwiches. And if you need a morning brew, Wild Flour Bakery is a fantastic spot for coffee and fresh pastries before heading into the park. We also heard amazing things about Backcountry Bowls, which is a food truck that offers plant based bowls!

12. Go on a hut to hut trip!

Did you know Wells Gray is home to one of the best hut-to-hut hiking systems in North America? If you want to explore some of the park’s rugged alpine wilderness without carrying a tent, booking a hut-to-hut adventure is an absolute dream!

During the summer, Wells Gray Adventures offers 3, 5, or 7-day trips that connect three chalets hidden up in the Trophy and Cariboo ranges (Fight Meadow, Discovery, and Trophy Chalet).

On this adventure, you’ll spend your days hiking past mountain lakes, across open alpine ridges and through wildflower meadows. Then at night, instead of roughing it in a tent, you’ll get to sleep in an actual bed with a roof over your head! Each trip is fully guided and catered, which is a huge bonus after a long day on the trail.

Mahood Lake Region (Southwest Entrance)

Located on the southwestern edge of the park, this quieter area is accessed separately via Highway 24 and unpaved logging roads near 100 Mile House. Because there is no direct connecting road inside the park from the Clearwater corridor, reaching Mahood Lake requires driving around the park perimeter. 

While it is a bit of a trek, we really liked the more remote, local feel of this region of the park. Plus it offers some great things to do!

13. Hike to Mahood and Canim Falls

The trail to Mahood and Canim Falls is one of the best hikes in the Mahood Lake region of Wells Gray Provincial Park. It’s a relatively easy hike about 2.2 km (1.4 miles) round trip through the forest. As you venture down the trail, you’ll spot a few viewpoints off to the right, including one that overlooks an old rocky quarry.

About 500 meters in, you’ll reach the first fence overlooking Mahood Falls (15-meters/49-feet). This waterfall can be a bit tricky to see since it’s set pretty far back in the canyon. 

However, you can get a much better look at Canim Falls! This 23-meter (75-foot) waterfall plunges over ancient volcanic lava cliffs into a canyon. If you visit during peak spring runoff, the river actually splits to create multiple side-by-side waterfalls crashing over the cliffs! 

During safe conditions, you can keep heading down the trail past the viewpoint, towards the top of the falls, to see where the river rushes over the edge. 

14. Paddle or fish at Mahood Lake

Taking a packraft or kayak out on Mahood Lake is a fun way to spend an afternoon! We pumped up our MRS Minnow packrafts and paddled all the way over to where the Canim River flows into the lake. It’s a great spot to just relax on the water, but if you like to fish, it’s even better! Adam brought his gear along to fly fish near the river mouth and ended up landing his personal best trout.

Just keep in mind that there are no watercraft rentals anywhere on Mahood Lake, so you’ll definitely need to bring your own packraft, kayak, or canoe with you. There’s also a large beach area at the lake if you’d prefer to hang out on shore.

15. Hike to Deception Falls

Another must-see waterfall in the Mahood Lake region is Deception Falls. Located down a dirt road, this waterfall catches you a bit by surprise. Unlike some waterfalls on this list, where you walk along the river, for this one you don’t even hear water until you’re at the viewpoint. And despite the fact that you cannot get super close to the falls, the view you do have is very impressive! We loved seeing its multiple levels, especially the middle section, with the big boulder in the middle.

Planning your trip to Wells Gray Provincial Park

How to get to Wells Gray Provincial Park

The official gateway to Wells Gray is the small town of Clearwater, BC, located off Highway 5 (the Yellowhead Highway). If you’re flying into Western Canada first, you can easily rent a car at any of the major nearby airports before making the drive up Highway 5.

Kamloops Airport (YKA) is the closest regional option, with connections flying in daily from Vancouver and Calgary. This airport is about an hour and a half drive south of the park. 

If you are looking for more flight options, Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is a much larger airport with direct flights from across Canada and select major US cities. Though it will add a bit more driving time (around 3 hours).

Flying into Vancouver International Airport (YVR) requires a longer drive, roughly 5 to 6 hours, but the route is incredibly scenic as you wind through the British Columbia mountains. This is ideal if you are planning a longer road trip across the province! In fact, many people visit this area as part of the Rainforest to Rockies route, making it super easy to pair Wells Gray with iconic stops like Mount Robson or Jasper.

Getting around Wells Gray Provincial Park

Getting around Wells Gray Provincial Park requires a vehicle, as there is no public transit or shuttle system. It is an extremely popular region for rental RVs and campervans (especially among European travelers). So if you’ve ever wanted to road-trip through Canada in a rig, this is the perfect destination for it!

The main Clearwater Valley Road is paved for the first 42 kilometers up to the Helmcken Falls turnoff. After that, it turns into a gravel road for the remaining drive to Clearwater Lake. Any standard car can handle these unpaved sections just fine (expect some washboard sections and dust). However, a higher-clearance vehicle will definitely make for a smoother, more comfortable ride.

If you are planning to visit Mahood Lake, keep in mind that Google Maps will likely send you on a shortcut that consists almost entirely of rough gravel. Instead, make sure to take the route that goes along Highway 24. While the final stretch of road leading right into Mahood Lake is still gravel, following Highway 24 keeps you on pavement for most of the drive and is completely doable in any vehicle.

Where to stay at Wells Gray Provincial Park

Best time to visit Wells Gray Provincial Park

While Wells Gray is open year-round, your experience will depend heavily on the season. Here is a quick look at what to expect throughout the year:

Spring (May to June): If you want to see the waterfalls at their absolute peak, late spring is the time to go. Rapid snowmelt creates roaring water flows at Helmcken, Spahats, and Dawson Falls. Just keep in mind that higher-elevation hiking trails will still have snow and early spring brings tons of mud.

Summer (July to August): Mid to late July is the prime window if you want to hike Trophy Meadows to see the wildflowers in full bloom. Summer is also best for camping, lake paddling, and full park access. The biggest downside is wildfire season. There were several nearby fires during our visit and we ran into thick smoke toward the end of our trip.

Fall (September to October): Early fall is a quiet, comfortable time to explore after summer crowds leave. You get crisp weather and gorgeous fall colors along the river corridors. By late October, temperatures drop quickly and high-elevation snow starts creeping back.

Winter (November to April): Winter turns the park into a snowy wonderland. The road stays plowed up to Helmcken Falls, so you can see the famous waterfall partially frozen with its massive bottom ice cone. It is also a great season for snowshoeing, hut-to-hut skiing, and having the park to yourself!

Things to know before visiting Wells Gray Provincial Park

Park entry is free: BC Provincial Parks are completely free to visit, so you won’t need to purchase a park pass or pay day-use entry fees! You only pay if you are camping overnight.

Dog-Friendly: Dogs are welcome on the trails and in campgrounds, but they must be kept on a leash at all times.

Bear country: Both black bears and grizzlies live throughout Wells Gray. Always carry bear spray in an easily accessible spot (not packed away inside your bag), make noise while hiking, and store all food and scented items in your vehicle or a bear cache at camp. 

No Cell Service: Cell service can be limited or unavailable throughout much of Wells Gray, particularly as you travel into the more remote areas of the park. Download offline maps and trail information (we use AllTrails) before leaving Clearwater! 

How much time do you need at Wells Gray Provincial Park?

How much time you need at Wells Gray really depends on how much of the park you want to experience! If you plan to stick strictly to the main Clearwater corridor, you can easily see all the top waterfalls and viewpoints in 1 to 2 days. We spent 3 days in this area so we could add in the hike up to Trophy Meadows without feeling rushed. 

If you want to add the Mahood Lake region, give yourself additional time because it is accessed separately from the main Clearwater corridor. And if you’re planning a canoe trip into the Clearwater/Azure backcountry, you’ll want to set aside several more days for the experience.

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About the author

This blog post was written by our writer Nicoll. Learn a bit about her below!

After six years of full-time travel, Nicoll is now a mountain-loving mama living in Colorado with her husband Jake, their sweet baby girl Teagan, and their pup Gunner. She loves hiking, riding her dirt bike, and finding joy in the little things.