On our BC road trip from Vernon to Jasper, we made a special stop at Wells Gray Provincial Park – a hidden gem in British Columbia that we had always wanted to visit. Few travelers know about this park, yet it’s absolutely stunning, with more than forty waterfalls scattered across its volcanic and glacial landscapes.
If you’re planning a drive from Vancouver or Kelowna to the Rocky Mountains and Jasper National Park, I highly recommend making a small detour to Wells Gray. Even if you only have a few hours, you’ll find plenty to see. And if you can stay overnight, the park truly shines as one of BC’s best-kept secrets.
How to Get to Wells Gray Provincial Park
We left Vernon in the morning, drove north on Highway 97, and then connected to Highway 5 North. After about 2.5 hours, we arrived in Clearwater – the gateway town to Wells Gray Provincial Park. This timing worked perfectly: drive in the morning, enter the park by midday, and spend the afternoon visiting several of the park’s most famous waterfalls.
Covering 5,250 km² – about eight times the size of Toronto – Wells Gray is often called “Canada’s waterfall park.” With 41 named waterfalls, towering volcanic cliffs, and glacial valleys, it felt almost like a miniature version of Iceland.
First Stop: Clearwater & Visitor Centre
In Clearwater, we went straight to the Wells Gray Visitor Information Centre. The staff were very helpful, with free maps, tips, and updates on camping availability.
Since we hadn’t booked in advance (BC Parks campsites need at least 2 days ahead online), the staff suggested Pyramid Campground, a first-come, first-served option that usually has space.
Scenic Stops: Waterfalls Along the Road from the Park Entrance
Triple Decker Falls
Not long after leaving the town of Clearwater, just before officially entering Wells Gray Provincial Park, we noticed a small parking lot on the left-hand side of the road. From there, a short trail leads to Triple Decker Falls – a three-tiered canyon waterfall hidden deep in the forest. It isn’t huge, but its unique form makes it a wonderful “appetizer” for the journey ahead. Look for the brown-and-white sign marked Clearwater River Recreation Trail right before the parking lot.
Clearwater Valley Road
The main road through Wells Gray is Clearwater Valley Road (also called Wells Gray Park Road). Starting in Clearwater, it runs about 68 km one way until it reaches Clearwater Lake. Almost all the waterfalls are located on the west side of this road, so some can easily be saved for the return trip, when you can simply turn right into their parking lots.
Spahats Creek Falls
Once you’ve officially entered the park, the first major attraction is Spahats Falls. With a drop of about 75 meters, the waterfall plunges through a narrow crack in the cliff face, framed by dramatic basalt lava columns. It immediately reminded me of Iceland’s landscapes—a “mini Iceland” in BC. The trail here is extremely short, just a few minutes’ walk from the parking lot to the viewing platform, which makes it the first stop for most visitors.
Golf Course and Lodges Along the Road
Wells Gray isn’t just about campsites. Driving further along, we also noticed scattered private lodges and inns. Right next to the Wells Gray Golf Course, there’s Helmcken Falls Lodge, with a big sign advertising “camping, Wi-Fi available!” It’s directly on the main road, and I thought to myself: if the campgrounds are full, this might be a good backup option.
Green Mountain Viewing Tower
Not far beyond Spahats Falls, a side road branches off to Green Mountain Viewing Tower. At the Visitor Centre, we had seen a giant panoramic photo of the surrounding mountain ranges. The staff told us it was taken from this very spot—so of course, we had to check it out.
The tower is reachable by car, though the road isn’t paved. If you’re towing a trailer or driving a low-clearance vehicle, it’s better not to attempt it. From the top of the wooden tower, the views are sweeping, with signboards showing the names of all the peaks. It’s also the starting point for several multi-day hiking trails. If you have time, I highly recommend making the detour to climb the tower.
Dawson Falls
Next up is Dawson Falls, about 90 meters wide. Though its drop is only about 20 meters, the sheer volume of water makes it look broad and powerful, earning it the nickname “Little Niagara.” Coming from Toronto, I couldn’t help but smile—it really is a tiny, tiny Niagara Falls!
There are three main viewpoints:
- From the main parking lot, a trail leads to the front-facing main viewpoint.
- Another short trail continues downstream, giving you a side view of the falls.
- A third angle can be reached by walking in from Pyramid Campground, allowing you to stand closer to the edge.
Mushbowl Falls
Leaving Dawson Falls, the road crosses a bridge—and directly underneath it roars Mushbowl Falls. Here the water squeezes through a narrow gorge, exploding in foamy spray. There’s no parking spot, so you can only catch a glimpse while driving across the bridge. If you’re in the passenger seat, have your camera ready!
Helmcken Falls
Finally, we arrived at the highlight of the trip—Helmcken Falls. At 141 meters high, it’s not only the most spectacular waterfall in Wells Gray but also the fourth highest waterfall in Canada. From the main parking lot, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the viewpoint, where the waterfall plunges dramatically into a deep canyon. The mist rises so thick that it almost hangs in the air, adding to the incredible power of the scene.
Camping Choices
After visiting Helmcken Falls, we first went to check out Pyramid Campground—and sure enough, there were still sites available. This is a BC Parks campground, $20 per site, no showers, no cell service, only pit toilets. The setting was nice enough, but since we needed to work and upload files the next day, we decided instead to stay at Helmcken Falls Lodge.
We ended up at Helmcken Falls Lodge & RV Park. A tenting site costs $30 per night, and the spots are spacious, clean, and – best of all – the Wi-Fi is strong enough to use right from inside the tent. For us, that was a huge plus. There’s also a large wooden shelter with picnic tables, plus a propane BBQ that can be used for cooking.
In addition to RV and tent sites, the lodge also offers several cozy-looking cabins—perfect for travelers who don’t enjoy camping. Inside the main office building, there’s even a restaurant. Dining there requires a reservation, but you can also just order food to take back to your RV or campsite. (You can see the cabins and prices here: Helmcken Falls Lodge – Booking.com.)
The washrooms have showers and are reasonably clean. For just $10 more than Pyramid, this place is far more comfortable. One thing to note: there are only two tent-specific sites here. If they’re full, you can try the RV campground next door at the golf course. They also allow tenting, and some sites even come with covered shelters.
A Morning Return to Helmcken Falls + Hiking the South Rim Trail
At the campground, we met a new neighbor who insisted: “You have to go back to Helmcken Falls in the morning!” So, the next day, we returned at sunrise. The falls looked even more dramatic in the soft morning light, with a giant cloud of mist hovering to the side. It was hard to tell if it was fog or spray. As the sun rose higher, the mist slowly faded—something you can’t see at midday. If your first visit to Helmcken Falls isn’t before 10 a.m., make sure you return early in the morning for this magical view!
Afterwards, we drove just a short way back across the bridge to reach the Helmcken Falls South Rim Trailhead. This out-and-back trail is about 8 km round trip and leads to the rim of the canyon opposite the main viewpoint. From there, you get a completely new perspective, looking straight across at the massive waterfall and the sheer canyon walls.
Moul Falls Hike: The Hidden Gem Finale
Before leaving the park, we made one last stop – Moul Falls. This trail is one of the most popular hikes in Wells Gray, and when we arrived, the parking lot was completely packed, with cars lined up along the roadside.
The hike is about 6 km round trip. The first part winds gently through forest, but towards the end the trail drops steeply into the canyon. Suddenly, you find yourself standing right below the waterfall, spray on your face, with the water thundering from above. The best part? Just like at Iceland’s famous Seljalandsfoss, you can actually walk behind the falls and experience the “water curtain cave” from inside. Between Moul Falls and the basalt columns around the park, Wells Gray really does feel a little bit like Iceland!
Clearwater: The Gateway to Wells Gray
Since Wells Gray was only the first stop on our four-day mini Rockies road trip—focused mostly on hiking – we didn’t drive all the way to Clearwater Lake at the end of the park road. For those who love paddling or water activities, though, Clearwater Lake is a perfect destination for camping and lake adventures.
After leaving the park, we returned to the town of Clearwater for food and supplies. There’s a supermarket, gas stations, a few restaurants, and even a Tim Hortons – making it the most practical basecamp for Wells Gray. The town also offers a range of accommodations for travelers who prefer not to camp. (See Clearwater hotels and B&Bs.)
Travel Tips Summary
- Recommended stay: 1 night, 2 days is ideal to see 4–6 of the main waterfalls.
- Best photo time: Helmcken Falls is most beautiful in the morning light.
- Must-do hikes: Moul Falls Trail (don’t miss it!), plus Helmcken Falls South Rim Trail if you have time.
- Camping options: If you don’t have a reservation or if the Clearwater campground is full, try Pyramid Campground. For more comfort, there are plenty of lodges and inns inside the park.
- Practical notes: There’s no cell service in most areas, so be sure to download or screenshot maps in advance.
Final Thoughts: Is Wells Gray Worth the Detour?
Absolutely.
Compared to famous Jasper or Yoho National Parks, Wells Gray Provincial Park feels wilder, quieter, and far less crowded – yet the scenery is just as impressive. For us, it turned out to be an unexpected highlight of our Rocky Mountain road trip.
If you love waterfalls, hiking, and camping, this hidden corner of BC is worth every extra kilometer.
If this post helped you plan your trip – or gave you some inspiration – feel free to buy me a coffee and help me keep writing more honest, family-friendly BC trail blogs!
