Wells Gray is famous for its waterfalls — with 39 named and hundreds more unnamed — created by the racing rivers and creeks that weave through the park. There are several impressive falls that can be easily accessed by a short walk from the Clearwater Valley Road. They are located at rather convenient intervals along the road, so a day here can almost be planned around them. Dawson Falls are small horseshoe-shaped falls, close to the road, while Spahats Falls is a dramatic 80-metre drop through a keyhole in the rock face — there are also spectacular views down the canyon in the direction of the river flow. Bailey’s Shute is a shallow but powerful torrent of water, passing over the rocks at up to 1,000 cubic metres per second, while perhaps the most famous and impressive of all, Helmcken Falls, cascades 141 metres into the canyon below.

While journeying along the valley road, take time to stop at the Green Mountain Viewpoint, where you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views out over the park, and from where you gain a real sense of the immense wilderness surrounding you.

Information about walking trails can be found at the information centre in Clearwater; however, we really recommend taking a guided walk here. The local guides can offer a fascinating insight into the ecology and geology of the park and help you spot wildlife such as bears, deer, and eagles.