Park your car and walk. The cozy mining town of Wells is as friendly now as it was in its heyday in the 1930s. Browse through historic ëuptown' Wells, once a company townsite for the Cariboo Gold Quartz Mine with its many unique heritage buildings. Don't miss the Good Eats building, the only wooden-framed flatiron building still standing in British Columbia and one of the province's most photographed and painted buildings.

The museum will take you back to the glory days when the mine ran three shifts and the stores were open 24 hours a day. Browse through our galleries and gift shops or visit artists and artisans working in their studios.

With the internationally recognized Island Mountain Arts School and Public Gallery, the newly renovated Sunset Theatre, the most excellent ArtsWells Festival and various coffee houses, art exhibits, theatre groups and touring musicians passing through the area, there is always something entertaining happening in Wells.

Wells is the perfect place to begin your Cariboo adventure. Comfortable hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds and great restaurants cater to a range of travel preferences. There is a wide variety of stores and visitor services available to meet your traveling needs.

Tired of relaxing? Want some adventure? At 1200 meters, you'll find our clean, crisp mountain air invigorating. Try a bike ride, a hike or a guided visit to a local gold mine. Take a water colour class from a local artist or a guided town tour at the Museum. Canoe, fish, sail or swim in nearby Jack O' Clubs Lake. The choices are endless.

The town of Wells is also the gateway community for Barkerville Historic Town and Bowron Lake Provincial.

In 1862, Billy Barker struck gold on Williams Creek starting a rush of fortune seekers from all over the world. Some claimed that Barkerville would become the largest city west of Chicago and north of San Francisco. Over 100 years later people from around the world are still thronging to western Canada's largest Heritage attraction. The site is open year round, but interpretation and visitor services are only available from the middle of May through until the end of September. On top of the opening weekend festivities there are special events throughout the year, with Dominion Day on July 1st, and the Old Fashion Christmas in December.

Plan to spend at least two days exploring over 100 historic buildings with displays. There is live entertainment at the Theatre Royal, guided tours, street theatre and demonstrations by costumed animators. Kids love riding the stagecoach and panning for gold. Visit the Sheepskin Claim and see the huge Cornish Pump in operation.

There are lots of unique shopping and dining opportunities and accommodation available right in Barkerville or in Wells, just 8 km away. Barkerville has one of the largest museum collections in Western Canada and extensive archives. The archival collection is available by appointment.

A visit to the area isn't complete unless you stop at Bowron Lake Provincial Park. This beautiful Provincial Park, 32 km east of Wells, provides one of the world's best canoeing opportunities. 116 kilometers of lakes, rivers and short portages form a rectangular chain through superb mountain scenery, allowing you to canoe right back to your starting point.

Bowron Lake Provincial Park provides some of British Columbia's finest wildlife viewing opportunities. Bald eagles, osprey, moose, mink, beaver, bears and a wide variety of bird life are regularly seen from your canoe.

Reservations with BC Parks are necessary for most overnight canoe trips, although limited drop - ins are available. Reservation information can be found on the following website.

Lakeside lodges and campgrounds provide a home base for exploring the Bowron Lake chain. The Park's spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing are accessible through shorter excursions. Rent a canoe or kayak for an hour or a week. Or just relax by the lake. BBQ over an open fire or eat in one of the fine local restaurants. Visitors can bring their own gear when they visit Bowron Lakes, or they can stop at their choice of two stores that provide groceries, camping supplies, fishing tackle and souvenirs.

But canoeing is not all there is! Bowron Lake is located close to a wide variety of hiking trails that lead to spectacular alpine meadows with fabulous views. Winter touring is more challenging but spectacular. You can also visit the Bowron Lake Enhancement Society website for more information on Bowron Lake.

Guided trips of the canoe circuit are available from a number of local providers, as well as horse back trips in the surrounding mountains or guided hiking and mountain bike tours.