Wells Gray Provincial Park is home to roughly 41 waterfalls and amazing scenery. The Park is basically a winding road to the top of a mountain with stunning viewpoints along the way. The road up the mountain is paved to a certain point, and then the road turns to gravel. Most visitors just go to the end of the paved road and don’t continue on along the gravel road to Clearwater Lake. This is because there are a ton of viewpoints along the paved road, and all of them can be visited in one day! Keep reading this guide on how to spend one day in Wells Gray Provincial Park!
There are a few campgrounds and lodging options along the road if you wanted to turn your trip into a couple of days of adventure or just camp alongside incredible scenery.
Tip: Drive up the hill and all the way to the end of the paved road (Helmcken Falls), and stop at the rest of the viewpoints as you make your way back down the mountain.
![how to spend 1 day in Wells Gray Provincial Park, BC, Canada (pinterest pin)](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Wells-Gray-Provincial-Park-Guide-1.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
General Information
- Closest town: Clearwater, BC
- Entry fees: None
- Major attractions: Waterfalls, nature & scenery, hiking
- Public transportation: None (you have to have your own vehicle)
- There is no gas available in the park, so fill up before leaving Clearwater
- There is no cell service! Download offline maps or pick up a paper copy at the visitor centre before entering
- Drones are not allowed in Canadian Provincial Parks without a commercial license
![Helmcken Falls just outside of Clearwater, BC in Wells Gray Provincial Park.](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/helmcken-falls-wells-gray-park-bc.jpg?resize=870%2C580&ssl=1)
![viewing platform of the major waterfalls in Wells Gray Provincial Park - Helmcken Falls, with 3 tourists on the platform looking at the waterfall](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/helmcken-falls-viewpoint-bc.jpg?resize=870%2C580&ssl=1)
1. Helmcken Falls
Helmcken Falls is the tallest and most famous waterfall in Wells Gray Provincial Park (and the fourth tallest in Canada!). This viewpoint is at the very end of the paved road and is amazing!! It is absolutely stunning in both the summertime and winter. If you have a chance to visit in the winter, a super cool cone of snow forms around the base of the falls – something that is on the top of my Canadian Bucket ist!
![Girl posing at Helmcken Falls, BC.](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/helmcken-falls-photo-inspo-waterfall-bc-canada.jpg?resize=580%2C870&ssl=1)
There is a decent-sized parking lot and outhouses located at this parking lot.
![Dawson Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park.](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dawson-falls-british-columbia-canada.jpg?resize=870%2C580&ssl=1)
2. Dawson Falls
Dawson Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park is not very tall, but instead, it’s very wide and is known as the Little Niagra of Canada.
![Female traveller posing in front of Dawson Falls (Wells Gray, BC)](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dawson-waterfall-wells-gray-provincial-park.jpg?resize=870%2C580&ssl=1)
The parking lot here is quite small, and the viewing area is not very big, so you might do a bit more waiting here compared to the other stops.
3. Spahats Falls
Spahats Falls is so unique, the top of the waterfalls carves deep through a canyon which is super cool, and the falls are quite tall so it’s also amazing to see! This is one of my favourite falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park.
![Spahats Falls - Travel Clearwater BC](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/spahats-waterfall-wells-gray-in-1-day.jpg?resize=580%2C870&ssl=1)
![Viewpoint of Spahats Creek Falls and Spahats Creek below](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wells-gray-park-viewpoint-bc.jpg?resize=580%2C870&ssl=1)
![Spahats waterfall from a different angle.](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/spahats-falls-bc.jpg?resize=580%2C870&ssl=1)
The parking lot for this waterfall was the biggest one we came across, and there were multiple areas you could view Spahats Falls from.
4. Trophy Mountain
Now I actually didn’t make it to Trophy Mountain, mainly because it was SO HOT the day I was in Wells Gray Provincial Park and was worried about my car (read the note below). Trophy Mountain is supposed to be a great viewpoint though, with a short hiking trail to meadows to explore around the mountain. Definitely adding this to my list of places to visit when I return this upcoming summer!
Note: Trophy Mountain is located up a side hill. On a hot day it can be hard on your breaks on the way back down from the viewpoint, so be careful! We decided to skip Trophy Mountain the day we went because it was 35C and quite busy in Wells Gray.
![Icecream at the Hungry Hiker Cafe - One of the things you have to do in Clearwater, BC after exploring the waterfalls at Wells Gray.](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/icecream-in-clearwater-british-columbia.jpg?resize=580%2C870&ssl=1)
5. Stop for Icecream in Clearwater
The Hungry Hiker Cafe (formally called the Strawberry Moose) is a shop right off the road to Wells Gray. After enjoying some of the scenery and nature, stop here to grab a cone of your favourite flavour or a nice meal. If you have more time to spend while in Clearwater, check out my guide for the 5 Best Things to do in Clearwater!
Hopefully, this post on How to Spend One Day in Wells Gray Provincial Park helped you plan your trip, or gave you inspiration for future adventures! Stay safe and have fun!
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Read More:
- The Top 5 Things to do in Clearwater, BC
- 18 Awesome Things to do in Invermere, BC
- The Best Things to do in Drumheller, AB
- How to See the Frozen Methane Bubbles at Abraham Lake, AB
![birds eye view from the spahats waterfall viewing platform, looking down on green trees, spahats creek, and a little rainbow in Wells Gray Provincial Park](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/river-in-wells-gray-park.jpg?resize=870%2C580&ssl=1)
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Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
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