[1] It is a popular stop for tourists and especially motorcoach tours since it is only 10 km (6.2 mi) off the busy Yellowhead Highway.

It flows 15 km west before tumbling over Spahats Falls and entering the Clearwater River.

By the late 1960s, “Spahats” had become an accepted alternative due to the large number of Bear creeks in British Columbia (currently 20) and was officially adopted.

[2] These impressive natural features used to be protected as tiny Spahats Creek Provincial Park, but in 1997 the boundaries of Wells Gray Provincial Park were expanded south along the Clearwater River and included Spahats.

Eruptions in various parts of this valley continued sporadically for 200,000 years, producing some 25 km3 (6.0 cu mi) of lava and creating Wells Gray Park features such as Murtle Plateau.