Boarded by the Trophy Mountains in the heart of British Columbia, Clearwater is a gateway to the pure wilderness of Wells Gray Provincial Park. From the storybook mountain scenery to the raging rapids, waterfalls and glacial lakes, Clearwater offers an enticing playground for outdoor adventures.

Thing to do

Explore the beautiful mountain scenery of Wells Gray Provincial Park with a hike to Trophy Mountain or ride horseback through meadows of wildflowers and ancient cedars. Don’t miss the panoramic lookout at Green Mountain Tower or the magnificent Helmcken Falls, where water plunges 142 metres down a narrow canyon.

In the colder months, Wells Gray Provincial Parks transforms into a winter wonderland with 85 kilometres of groomed cross-country trails and family-friendly downhill skiing at Clearwater Ski Hill. You can still kayak across Clearwater Lake, but for an authentic Canadian experience, try ice fishing on the frozen Dutch Lake.

Find locally-grown produce and artisan crafts at the Clearwater Farmers Market. Sample organic honey and freshly-picked berries while enjoying live music. Mei Mei’s Art Cafe is a quirky eatery in Watauga Village with hearty homemade soups, organic coffee and an outdoor terrace with mountain views.

If you’ve got kids in tow, visit the Avenby Heritage Sheep Ranch for a self-guided lambing tour. Explore the alpine meadows as you learn about the history of the family-run farm before bottle-feeding the lambs.

Getting around

Clearwater is connected to Jasper, Edmonton and Kamloops via the Yellowhead Highway 5. You can arrive by Greyhound bus or fly into Kamloops Airport, just 1.5 hours’ drive from Clearwater. The town can be explored on foot, while a rental car is best for accessing the region.