15 British Columbia Hot Springs For Your Bucketlist

Whether you are looking for secluded, undeveloped springs, or those that feature luxury services and amenities, British Columbia has a multitude of hot springs available for travellers in almost every part of the province.

Credit: Brooke Arnold

Visit in winter, spring, summer, or fall, any day of the year is good to soak, as each season brings a different view of the scenery.

Each hot spring has a unique atmosphere and landscape. Some are easy to get to and others are not. No matter when,  we are sure a soak in any of these will be sure to take your troubles away.

Liard Hot Springs

Credit: Liard River Hotsprings Provincial Park

Travelling to or from the Yukon, on the Alaska Highway, you will encounter Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park, an excellent spot to, if you are camping, spend the night, or simply take a break to soak away your worries.

The second-largest hot spring in Canada, Liard boasts a setting that can’t be beat. Located in a lush boreal spruce forest, this year-round pool consistently has water temperatures from 42 – 52° Celsius.

Wander the boardwalk for a chance to glimpse moose or visit the hanging gardens. Reserve your campsite early to avoid disappointment, and remember, this site only accepts cash payments.

Address: Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park, British Columbia
Details

Harrison Hot Springs

Credit: Harrison Hot Springs Resort

Harrison Hot Springs is not just a series of pools. This resort is a destination in itself, with spa services, hotel, and restaurants, not to mention the other activities available in the area. The hot springs themselves are open seven days a week and have long hours.

There are five hot mineral pools available, ranging in temperatures and located both indoors and outdoors. You can choose to soak, play with your kids, or swim laps.

Address: 100 Esplanade Avenue, Harrison Hot Springs
Website

Ainsworth Hot Springs

Credit: Ainsworth Hot Springs

As with most hot springs in the province, Ainsworth was used by the First Nations of the area long before it became a tourist attraction. These days, though, visitors can soak in the healing mineral waters seven days a week.

With a mixture of Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Lithium and Silica, there is no foul sulphur smell that you find in some springs. Open year-round, you can also find a spa, hotel accommodation and a restaurant here.

Address: 3609 Balfour-Kaslo-Galena Bay Hwy Ainsworth Hot Springs
Details

Halcyon Hot Springs

Credit: Halcyon Hot Springs

Another hot springs which is open all year round, this resort offers impressive views of the surrounding Monashee Mountains. There are four pools available here, ranging in temperatures, and a waterpark for the kids. There is a high lithium content in the waters here that makes it BC’s premier healing hot spring destination. Amazingly, the waters here were once bottled as a health tonic and even shipped internationally. These are still one of the only springs in the world where the water is drinkable.

Address: 5655 BC-23, Nakusp
Website

Fairmont Hot Springs

Credit: Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Another tremendous year-round destination, Fairmont Hot Springs is way more than just the pools, as it offers everything that you could want in a resort, including skiing in the winter. There are various pools, but be aware that the resort guests have access to a private pool, while day visitors are kept in the public area.

The rich mineral waters have benefits such as an increase in metabolism, accelerated healing, soothed muscle tension, improved blood circulation and the detoxification of the body’s lymphatic system. All good reasons to spend some time soaking here.

Address: 5225 Fairmont Resort Road, Fairmont Hot Springs
Website

Ram Creek Hot Springs

This is the first one on our list, and it requires some effort to get to it. This is a little more remote destination and requires a short hike in and out. The roads getting there can be full of potholes and are closed in winter. It is good to have shoes or sandals that you can wear in the pools as the bottom rocks can be slippery. Keep in mind that this is an open site, so no change rooms or bathrooms are available. Many people visit Ram Creek and Lussier in the same day as they are very close to each other.  BC Parks does not recommend recreational use of the warm pools within Ram Creek Ecological Reserve.

Address: Ram Creek Ecological Reserve, Skookumchuck
Website

Lussier Hot Springs

Credit: Asymetric/Jason Van Bruggen

This is a more popular destination than Ram Creek and can be pretty busy during certain times of the day as it is used by both locals and visitors. It is a well-known party spot on weekend nights. You can’t beat the scenery here; the river and the Kootenay Mountains create a backdrop that will make you want to soak forever. There are three pools and, of course, the river to enjoy. The pools are lined with pebbles, so you don’t have to worry about wearing shoes. There is no entrance fee and there are outhouses for use.

Address: Whiteswan Provincial Park, Cranbrook
Website

Albert Canyon Hot Springs

This beautiful resort is only open during the summer months and has cabins available, along with camping spots. There is a large swimming pool at 32°C or a smaller soaking pool at 40°C.

These springs were actually discovered by the rail workers, but now are piped down 2.5 kilometers to the current structure. There is a café and store on site as well. There are towels and padlocks for purchase if you don’t have your own.

Address: 7050 Trans-Canada Hwy, Revelstoke
Website

Sloquet Hot Springs

A natural formed hot spring, as well as a sacred site for the First Nation’s Xa’xtsa people, this site is in the middle of the wilderness, located approximately two hours from Pemberton or two and a half hours from Whistler.

There are limited services in the area, and the springs accept cash only, so be prepared. There are also a limited number of camping sites available here. It is a beautiful place to spend a couple of nights relaxing.

Address: In Fraser Valley
Website

Hot Springs Cove

Credit: Tourism Tofino

Another off the beaten track area, Hot Springs Cove is located northwest of Tofino, and can only be accessed by boat or air. There are plenty of operators that offer services out to the Cove.

The journey alone is worth it, with stunning views and lots of chances to spot wildlife. Once there, you get to wander the boardwalk – a 30-minute walk – to the seven natural pools. Expect to spend around six hours in total in the cove, so plan on making this a day trip.

Address: Tofino
Website

Radium Hot Springs

Credit: Parks Canada / Canadian Rockies Hot Springs

Most visitors access Radium from Banff as a side trip, but it is considered B.C.’s best mountain getaway, so this can be a destination in itself. There is certainly plenty to keep you busy, along with the fabulous hot springs. The Kootenays offer a beautiful background for these mineral waters. The pools range from 37ºC to 40ºC, and it is a family friendly facility. There are plenty of accommodation and meal options in the area.

Address: 3 km northeast of the Town of Radium Hot Springs
Website

Ahousat Hot Springs

These hot springs are located on Flores Island in Gibson Marine Provincial Park. The water is piped into a large concrete pool at a temperature of 25ºC and there is no fee to use it.

You can tent in the area, but there are no facilities available. Many kayakers, hikers, and outdoor lovers frequent the area, but this is one place where you are assured you will miss the crowds. Make it an adventure destination for your days and spend your evening soaking away in the gorgeous surroundings. The trail is best accessed from the village of Ahousaht. Water taxis to Ahousaht generally depart numerous times a day, from the 1st Street dock in Tofino.

Address: Gibson Marine Provincial Park, Alberni-Clayoquot
Website

Nakusp Hot Springs

Credit: Nakusp Hot Springs

If you are adventuring in the Selkirk Mountains, this will be one spot you won’t want to miss. Relax in the hot waters of these beautiful springs through every season. Uniquely, these springs are community owned and probably the cleanest ones you will ever experience. There are chalets and camping spots available along with a small café.

Address: 8500 Hot Springs Road, Nakusp
Website

Meager Creek Hot Springs

You can find these hot springs less than 100 kilometers from Whistler in some stunning scenery, but it’s hard to get to. Once a popular destination, due to landslide activity in the area, it can now only be accessed with a 4×4 on rough roads and an 18 km round trip hike. There are plenty of places to tent around the springs if you are up for the challenge, but be aware that there is usually a lot of bear activity in the area. This is probably one place that you won’t have to share the springs with anyone else.
Website

Skookumchuck Hot Springs/St. Agnes Well Hot Springs

Located in the lower Lillooet River Valley, these are not so much springs as they are above ground pools, but the waters are still naturally fed, and it is an experience that one won’t soon forget. There are several names used for this area, so don’t be confused; they all refer to the same place. There are twelve pools available, both hot and cold.

The history of the First Nations use of the spring waters is extended and the waters have been said to have therapeutic and spiritual properties. Camping is available here as well, but no hotel.

Address: In-shuck-ch Forestry Service Road, 44.5 KM East side, Skookumchuck

Website

Hotspring Island

Located in Gwaii Haanas National Park, this unique island is only accessible by kayak, boat or floatplane. There are at least a dozen springs on this island, with three spring-fed natural hot tubs carved into volcanic rock. What better than to soak your day away while watching a pod of orcas swim past?

Address: Gwaii Haanas National Park, Gwaii Haanas
Website

Mount Layton Hot Springs

Located near Terrace, these are considered to be the second largest hot springs in North America and the third largest in the world. There are four non-sulphuric pools and waterslides, and the waters are reputed to have healing properties to help with rheumatism, arthritis, and skin ailments.

This is a privately owned facility on 1,000 acres of farmland, and there are plenty of other activities available in the area, as well as a motel, restaurant, and nearby camping.
Website

View Comments (1)

This website uses cookies.