British Columbia Travel Guide
The unofficial BC Travel & Tourism Guide
Home to what once was an original Cariboo Gold-Quartz Mine, Wells was a booming town in its Heydays. Given a chance to explore this region, Wells also brings new meaning to heritage. British Columbia has had many of its towns restored and the classic wood siding and landmark businesses still stand as they once did here in Wells.

Most of the roads, trails and park lands will introduce a varying degree of physical challenge. The winter T-Bar offers moderate skiing and the side trails for Cross-country skiing is often a good cruising experience even for novice skiers.

Plenty of adjoining trails and hikes lead to other nearby towns, ghost towns even to make for a great adventure. Plus stopping in Wells can allow visitors to make home base to go on exploring mountain peaks, camping, hiking, horseback riding or fishing tours. Wells is also recognized as one of the top snowmobiling destinations in British Columbia.

Population: 240+

Highlights:
Bowron Lake Provincial Park
Barkerville Provincial Park
Troll Mountain Resort - T-Bar Service (located between Wells and Quesnel)
Wells Winter Carnival - January, major dog sledding event included!
Historic Fontaine Creek to practice real gold panning, equipment provided.
Van Winkle - ghost town.
Stanley - ghost town.
Cross-Country skiing - eight kilometer trail
Barkerville - nearby town of famed street theatre and local historical events

History:
Wells was named after a prospector Fred Wells, who began his search for gold in 1922. By 1932 he struck gold and began lode mining with his company the Cariboo Gold Quartz Mine. The area reached a total population of three thousand by 1940 and even more in the next few years to forty-five hundred. Wells became the largest central town of the Cariboo and Northern British Columbia until 1967 when the mine was closed.

Climate:
Summer average 19 degrees Celsius
Winter average -5 degrees Celsius
Snow conditions in the area average 18 to 34 feet of powder.
Elevation 1,200 feet above sea level.

 

Wells Accommodations


Wells Things to Do