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Major city · Canada

Clearwater

Base here 2 nights for Wells Gray waterfalls and rafting; skip it as a pure overnight stop unless you have a car and a park day planned.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Clearwater is the gateway town for Wells Gray Provincial Park, 124 km north of Kamloops on Highway 5 and about 1.25 h by car. The town itself is small; the reason to come is the park, the Clearwater River and the waterfalls. Two nights gives you one full park day plus a rafting or fishing half-day. Without a car the park is hard to reach, so treat a vehicle as part of the plan.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
CAD
Best months
Jun–Sep (park roads and services open; Jul–Aug warmest)
avoid Nov–Apr (snow, many park services closed; check road status)
Airport
YKA
Nights
2
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
  • Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
  • Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Clearwater911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Clearwater, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeC$3–5 (≈ US$3–4)
  • Street or quick mealBreakfast or diner plateC$15–25 (≈ US$11–19)
  • Beerdraught in a pub / can at a storeC$7–9 (≈ US$6–7)C$3–4 (≈ US$3)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
  • Budget bedHostel or shared bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$280 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Wells Gray Provincial ParkHelmcken FallsClearwater River raftingFishing and canoeing lakes
Airports
YKA Kamloops Airport (Nearest scheduled airport, about 1.25–1.5 h by car south on Highway 5; check seasonal flights.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    −2°C (28°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    2°C (36°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    14°C (57°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    19°C (66°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    4°C (39°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    −1°C (30°F)

Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F) low), wettest Nov (13 rain days), driest Apr (8). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Clearwater: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−2°C (28°F)

−9°C (16°F)

12 rd

Feb

2°C (36°F)

−7°C (19°F)

9 rd

Mar

8°C (46°F)

−3°C (27°F)

9 rd

Apr

14°C (57°F)

1°C (34°F)

8 rd

May

19°C (66°F)

5°C (41°F)

10 rd

Jun

23°C (73°F)

9°C (48°F)

11 rd

Jul

27°C (81°F)

11°C (52°F)

9 rd

Aug

27°C (81°F)

11°C (52°F)

8 rd

Sep

21°C (70°F)

7°C (45°F)

9 rd

Oct

12°C (54°F)

2°C (36°F)

12 rd

Nov

4°C (39°F)

−3°C (27°F)

13 rd

Dec

−1°C (30°F)

−8°C (18°F)

13 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the practical way to reach Wells Gray and the lakes; there is no park shuttle. BC Transit runs local buses Monday–Friday in town and to Blackpool and Vavenby, plus a Kamloops link about twice a week. Taxis and ride-hailing exist but are limited, so book returns in advance.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Wells Gray Provincial Park (Helmcken Falls)

go

Door to door: About 45 min each way from town

Drive Clearwater Valley Rd to the falls viewpoint

The core reason to come; go early, the viewpoint car park fills on summer days.

Little Hell's Gate Regional Park

caution

Door to door: About 1.25 h each way

Drive northeast on Highway 5

Viewing platform over the gorge; open May–Oct, check before driving.

Kamloops

skip

Door to door: About 1.25 h by car

Drive south on Highway 5, or the twice-weekly BC Transit bus

A service town, not a day out; use it for flights, fuel and supplies.

Valemount

overnight

Door to door: About 2 h

Drive north on Highway 5

Too far for a return day; pair it with a Jasper run.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Clearwater town centre (Park Dr / Clearwater Valley Rd)

Walkable strip of motels, cafés and the info centre; closest to shops and the hospital.

Clearwater Valley Road corridor

Motels, resorts and campgrounds strung along the road toward the park gate; drive needed for everything.

Clearwater Station Road (south of the river)

Near the VIA Rail stop; quiet, but 2 km (1.2 mi) from the main strip.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
Mid
C$150–240 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
High
C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel double room1 × 2 nights × C$180C$360
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × C$160C$640
Rental car, one day1 × C$80C$80
Whitewater rafting tour2 × C$130C$260
eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25C$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeC$139
Trip total≈ C$382 per person per day, bed includedC$1,529≈ US$1,200

2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeC$3–5 (≈ US$3–4)
Breakfast or diner plateC$15–25 (≈ US$11–19)
Pub main (burger, ribs)C$20–32 (≈ US$15–25)
Beer: draught in a pub / can at a storeC$7–9 (≈ US$6–7) / C$3–4 (≈ US$3)
Gasoline, per litreC$1.60–1.90 (≈ US$2)
Rental car, one dayC$70–120 (≈ US$55–90)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Low-crime small town; the real risks are driving (wildlife, winter ice), fast cold water on the Clearwater River, and wildfire smoke or closures in summer. 911 works everywhere.
  • No car means no realistic Wells Gray day: arrange a rental or a guided tour before you arrive.
  • Park services, campgrounds and some roads close or are unplowed outside summer; check the park status before driving in.
  • Fuel, food and cell coverage thin out fast north of town and inside the park: fill up and carry water.
  • Wildlife (bear, moose) on roads and trails: keep distance, store food properly, carry bear spray where allowed.
  • Summer wildfire smoke and closures are a real risk in this valley: check BC Wildfire and DriveBC before travel days.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital (24/7 emergency)
+1 250-674-2244
BC Transit Clearwater
+1 250-674-3935

Pocket card

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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

ClearwaterClearwater

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital (24/7 emergency)+1 250-674-2244
  • Wells Gray Taxi+1 250-674-1542

Embassy

No embassies here; the nearest consulates are in Vancouver. US citizens: consulate general in Vancouver.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Kamloops → Clearwater by car: about 1.25 h, 124 km (77 mi) on Highway 5
  • VIA Rail The Canadian, Kamloops → Clearwater: up to three trips per week; station has no amenities
  • BC Transit Kamloops link: about twice a week, 2–2.25 h

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
  • Is the park road open? — Is the park road open?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • I need help — I need help

Tipping 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Clearwater. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep (park roads and services open; Jul–Aug warmest) · avoid Nov–Apr (snow, many park services closed; check road status) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for YKA: last flight, rental desk hours, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: town centre, Clearwater Valley Rd, station road.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Helmcken Falls, park gate, rafting put-ins) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Wildfire and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Canada

Sources

Ask about Clearwater

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