Clearwater

Clearwater is a town 124 km north of Kamloops in British Columbia. Clearwater has a thriving tourism sector with the main attraction being Wells Gray Provincial Park.

Understand

Dutch Lake

It is the largest community in the North Thompson Valley and has grown quickly to 2,300 people as of 2016.

Get in

By car

The Highway 5 (South Yellowhead Highway) passes through Clearwater. Highway 5 heads south to Clearwater from Jasper and Edmonton and north from Kamloops (about 1.25 hours by car).

By bus

• Thompson Valley Charters, ☏ +1 877-769-3287. In partnership with Ebus, operates twice per week service between Kamloops and Edmonton with stops in Barriere, Little Fort, Clearwater, Avola, Blue River, Valemount, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Jasper, Hinton, and Edson. Travel time to Clearwater from Kamloops is 1.75 hours, from Valemount is 2.25 hours, from Jasper is 3.5 hours, from Edson is 5.5 hours, and from Edmonton is 8 hours,. (updated Mar 2022)

By train

See also: Rail travel in Canada

• 1 Clearwater station (on south side of North Thompson River, across river from town, 2 km south of Yellowhead Highway 5). There are no amenities at Clearwater station. (updated Oct 2023)
  • VIA Rail Canada, toll-free: +1-888-842-7245. Operates The Canadian up to three trips per week between Toronto and Vancouver with stops in both directions in medium to large cities and tourist destinations such as Sudbury, Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper, and Kamloops. This route can offer a scenic view of the Canadian Rockies, depending on the train schedule, as the train operates day and night. This service connects with another route that travels between Jasper and Prince Rupert. (updated Mar 2022)

Get around

By public transit

• BC Transit (Clearwater Regional Transit System), ☏ +1-250-674-3935. Operates bus routes from Monday to Friday within Clearwater, and to Blackpool and Vavenby. (updated Apr 2022)
  • Operates a bus route two days per week between Kamloops and Clearwater (2 to 2.25 hours).

By taxi

• Wells Gray Taxi, ☏ +1-250-674-1542. (updated Apr 2022)

By ride hailing

• Uber. (updated Jul 2022)

See

Nearby

• 1 Little Hell's Gate Regional Park (about an 89 km drive northeast from Clearwater along Highway 5), toll-free: +1-877-377-8673. Has a viewing platform above the Little Hell’s Gate gorge, which the North Thompson River passes through. Open May to October. (updated Oct 2023)

Do

• 1 Wells Gray Provincial Park. The park encompasses 522,000 hectares, with five major lakes, two large river systems, numerous spectacular waterfalls and countless prominent topographical features. Wells Gray is known worldwide for its incredible mountain scenery and hiking trails. One of the most spectacular views is Helmcken Falls, which plunges 141 meters down a narrow canyon. (updated May 2023)
• Fishing is a popular activity in Clearwater, with many remote lakes in the area to test angling skills. Licenced guides are available.
• If you prefer to enjoy the scenery from the water there is an abundance of lakes for canoeing.
• A whitewater rafting tour down the Clearwater River is a must try. Three companies offer rafting services, each offering similar prices and tours. Of the three, Riverside Adventures tends to garner more positive reviews for its service and impeccable safety record.

Eat

• 1 Hop 'n' Hog Tap & Smokehouse, 444 Clearwater Valley Rd, ☏ +1 250-674-3654. 5PM–close. Serves barbecue, fish, home-made bread, coffee (updated Jun 2017)
• 2 Double Dragon Restaurant, 125 Clearwater Station Rd, ☏ +1 250-674-3434. Daily 11AM–9PM. Serves Chinese food. (updated Jun 2017)

Drink

• 1 Old Caboose Restaurant and Pub, 260 Park Dr, ☏ +1 250-674-2945. Daily 7 AM to 9 PM. (updated May 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Quality Inn & Suites, 360 Eden Rd, ☏ +1 250-674-3080. Offers modern rooms, queen sized beds, fully equipped kitchenettes, cable TV, air conditioning, direct dial phones, balconies, scenic views, and laptop hookups. This is the only motel that has an indoor pool in the community. (updated May 2023)
• 2 Overlook Inn and Cabins, 734 Clearwater Village Rd, ☏ +1 250-674-0085. All cabins are kitchenettes which make it handy to prepare some or all of your meals. Located on the property is a cafe, art gallery and stores. (updated May 2023)

• 3 Clearwater Valley Resort & Campground, 373 Clearwater Valley Road (Across from info centre), toll-free: +1-888-837-1161. Modern rooms and smaller bungalows all with 1 or two queen beds. Family rooms also available with kitchenettes. Outdoor swimming pool and mini-golf. (updated May 2023)

Cope

• 1 Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital, 640 Park Dr, ☏ +1 250-674-2244. Has an emergency department that operates 24/7. (updated Apr 2023)

Go next

Routes through Clearwater

Vancouver ← Kamloops ←	W  E	→ Valemount → Edmonton
Hope ← Kamloops ←	S  N	→ Valemount → Jasper