Helmcken Falls: British Columbia’s Must-Visit Natural Wonder

Helmcken Falls—which is located in British Columbia—is so strikingly gorgeous that a Provincial Park was proposed to protect the falls shortly after land surveyor Robert Henry Lee first encountered them in 1913. Today, Wells Gray Provincial Park is home to 41 waterfalls, including the ever-magnificent Helmcken Falls. Countless nature lovers consider Helmcken Falls to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North America.

Helmcken Falls is over 460 feet tall and can be viewed from an easily accessible viewing platform that is a short walk from a parking lot. Visitors can gaze in awe at a stately gorge that is constantly filled with thundering water. Seasoned hikers can opt to tackle the moderately challenging Helmcken Falls Rim Trail, which spans 5.1 miles. Despite a marked elevation gain and some rocky terrain, the Helmcken Falls Rim Trail is wildly popular among hikers because the hypnotic sound of the flow of the Murtle River can be heard at almost every point during the hike.

Most visitors opt to travel to Helmcken Falls during the warmer months, but the majestic waterfall becomes a sparkling tower of ice and snow in the winter. An impressive ice cone that looks like the mouth of a frozen volcano usually forms by late January. The ice cone traditionally collapses in March, but pieces of it are visible until June. There are a handful of trails surrounding Helmcken Falls that are excellent for cross-country skiing. The Helmcken Falls viewing platform is open year-round, and all of the roads surrounding it are regularly plowed and well maintained.

Spahats Creek Falls—which is located a short distance from Helmcken Falls via Clearwater Valley Road—is another popular Wells Gray Provincial Park waterfall. Spahats Creek Falls is quite a bit leaner than Helmcken Falls, but the breathtaking gorge surrounding the falls ensures that the easily accessible viewing platform that offers a panoramic view of the waterfall is always bustling. Visitors can also opt for a short, low-impact hike to the Clearwater Valley Overlook, which offers a stunning view of Spahats Creek Falls and the surrounding scenery.

Canada is home to many of North America‘s most exquisite natural wonders. No survey of Canada‘s most awe-inspiring landscapes is complete without a stop at Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Observing a mesmerizing blanket of water will instantly lower your blood pressure and leave you feeling renewed, energized, and full of appreciation for nature’s beauty.

Location on Google Maps.