25 Hidden British Columbia Hot Springs

Presents
25 Hidden British Columbia Hot Springs
Written by: Michaela Ludwig
Edited by: Jennifer Larsen, Ryan McKenzie
Introduction
Hot springs in British Columbia come in all shapes and sizes. From
geothermal pools tucked deep in the woods to spa infinity pools, one
thing's for certain, there is nothing more enjoyable than a warm soak
in nature's splendor. Here are 25 hidden hot springs you've probably
never heard of and a dozen that you may already know (and love).
Don't forget your towel...
The adventurous will delight in the solitude of B.C.'s remote hot
springs. Access them by hiking in on foot, by boat, on horseback or
even helicopter. When they're this much of a journey to reach, why
not stay a while? Bring your bathing suit, towel and importantly,
proper footwear for slippery rocks and boardwalks. If you're
squeamish about what is underfoot you'll definitely want to don some
sandals. I prefer my Keen UNEEKs because they have a sturdy sole
but wear like a sport sandal. Dress in layers to keep warm on the trip
back to civilization (especially if you're boating) and make sure to
hydrate after lounging in the
toasty warm waters.
If ease and amenities better
suit your fancy, there are
plenty of resort properties
with geothermal pools to
choose from. Plus, you'll
enjoy the convenience of lounge chairs, washrooms, change rooms
and cafes nearby.
Ahousat Hot Springs
The Ahousat hot springs are situated on the shores of Matilda Inlet,
on the south side of Flores Island, in Gibson Marine Provincial Park.
The natural spring flows up into a concrete tank and is clear and
tasteless with a maximum temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. A nonmaintained path connects the hot springs to the sandy beaches of
Whitesand Cove.
Ainsworth Hot Springs
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The Ainsworth hot springs are located in the tiny village of Ainsworth,
and the resort features a 150-foot horseshoe cave, complete with a
large lunging pool and a stream-fed cold plunge. A full-service
restaurant provides gorgeous views of Kootenay Lake, the newly
renovated hotel means guests have full access to the pool and there
are also spa services available.
Brandywine Creek Hot Springs
Brandywine Creek is a tributary of the Cheakamus River, entering
that stream at Daisy Lake, just below the Brandywine Falls. There is
an unnamed hot spring that sits in the upper reaches of the creek
bed, near Mount Fee.
Canyon Hot Springs and Albert
Canyon
The Canyon Hot Springs Resort is located in Albert Canyon, situated
between Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Parks. You will be
able to take a relaxing soak and explore the parks around you.
Visitors can camp, stay in rustic cabins or live in luxury in the
mountain chalet.
Dewar Hot Springs
The Dewar Creek hot springs are located within the Purcell
Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park, near Kimberly. It takes a
brave adventurer to reach the springs, which are only accessible by
horseback or hiking. Most of the pools, except one, are too hot for
bathing, reaching temperatures above 80 degrees Celsius. The
minerals that bubble to the surface of the pools provide important
licks for ungulates in the area.
Fairmont Hot Springs
The Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is located in the unincorporated
village of Fairmont Hot Springs. (27 kilometres southeast of
Invermere.) It is home to Canada’s largest natural hot spring. Crystal
clear, natural and odourless, guests travel from far and wide to stay
at the resort and soak their cares away.
Frizzell Hot Springs
The Frizzell hot spring is located on the south bank of the Skeena
River, near Prince Rupert, northeast of Hotspring Point. The spring is
exceptionally difficult to get to, and is only accessible by boat during
high tide.
Harrison Hot Springs
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Located on the shores of Harrison Lake, the Harrison Hot
Springs Resort and Spa has been treating guests to a luxurious dip
in one of their five hot springs pools since 1886. With many
additional family-oriented activities, this is a great destination for
those looking to experience hot springs while also being pampered.
There are other hotels within Harrison Hot Springs, but without a
doubt, the only place to stay if you want a hot spring experience is at
the Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa.
Hot Springs Cove
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Hot Springs Cove is truly a unique and beautiful destination, located
in Maquinna Provincial Park, about 27 nautical miles from Tofino.
Tour and charter companies take guests by boat or float plane and
then it’s an easy 30-minute walk down a cedar trail to the springs.
There is a succession of pools, which gradually cool down as you
get closer to the ocean — starting around 43 degrees Celsius and
getting down to about 10 degrees.
Hotspring Island
Hotspring Island, a small island near the southeast coast of Lyell
Island in the Haida Gwaii archipelago, features a hot spring on its
southwestern end. Access to the spring is by permit only, usually as
part of a tour. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake in October 2012 caused
the spring to stop flowing and the pool dried up. Some experts
believe the hot spring may start to flow again in the future.
Iskut River Hot Springs
Iskut River Hot Springs Park is home to a small area on the west
bank of the Iskut River where hot spring water flows out of the rocky
embankment. There are several springs, but no pools for bathing.
The park is located about 100 kilometres south of the town of Iskut.
There is foot access into the park, but it’s difficult and there’s no
developed trail. Helicopter or boat access would be possible.
Keyhole Hot Springs Share
Keyhole hot springs, sometimes referred to as Pebble Creek hot
springs, sits about 100 kilometres from Whistler. Most of that 100kilometre journey is down logging roads, but they are easy to
manage for most vehicles. The Lillooet River Trail, built in 2014, is the
new route into Keyhole hot springs, and is about two kilometres long
and moderately challenging as the trail contains some rugged
terrain. Once at the hot springs, there are four pools with temperatures ranging from warm to too-hot-to-handle. With the ice-cold
river flowing just beyond the pools, you can jump in and cool off.
Hot Springs at Kitimat
Kitimat, in northern B.C., has three natural hot springs within 100
kilometres of the city centre. However, they are not easy to get to. All
of the hot springs are located on the shores of the ocean and are
only accessible by boat or float plane. But once you’re there, you’ll
be surrounded by beautiful wilderness during your relaxing soak,
and you might be able to spot whales and seals out in the ocean
waters.
The Weewanie hot springs are closest to Kitimat, about 38
kilometres away in Ursula Channel. The hot springs in Bishop Bay
are about 80 kilometres away from town, in Devastation Channel. Tie
up your boat and hike in to find three pools, a picnic area, tenting
platforms and bathrooms. The Shearwater hot springs are the
furthest away from town. All three hot springs are located in Haisla
First Nations territory, but are open for public use.
Lakelse Hot Springs
The Lakelse hot springs, also known as the Mount Layton hot
springs, are a group of hot springs located in the Kalum-Kitimat
valley, about 30 kilometres south of Terrace and situated on the
eastern shore of Lakelse Lake. The hot water seeps through the
faults in the valley, which may have been the source for the Tseax
Cone eruption 250 years ago.
Liard River Hot Springs
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The Liard River hot springs is home to two pools, one of which is the
second largest in Canada. The temperatures of the pools range from
42 to 52 degrees Celsius and are called Alpha Pool and Beta Pool.
As of 2013, Beta Pool has been closed due to an increase in bear
activity. Amenities around the Liard River hot springs include change
houses, wheelchair access, a playground and an environmentally
friendly composting outhouse. The pools are located within the Liard
River Hot Springs Provincial Park, at mile 475 on the Alaska Highway
between Fort Nelson and Watson Lake.
Lussier Hot Springs
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The Lussier hot springs are undeveloped, natural hot springs within
Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park. The springs are made up of rock
pools with gravel bottoms, with the hottest pool reaching about 43
degrees Celsius. The water cools down as it flows through the rest of
the pools towards the Lussier River.
Meager Creek Hot Springs
Meager Creek is located about 95 kilometres northwest of
Pemberton and is notable for its large surface hot springs, known as
the Meager Creek hot springs. Official access to the pools closed
several years ago after an avalanche, but visitors still come in via
trails.
Mount Cayley Hot Springs
Mount Cayley is a potentially active stratovolcano, located about 45
kilometres north of Squamish. Several hot springs on the mountain’s
southwestern flank show that magmatic heat is still present, which
suggests continuous volcanic activity.
Nascall Hot Springs
The property is for sale and is not open to the public.
Nakusp and Area Around Arrow
Lakes
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Nakusp, along with many other communities in the Kootenay region,
is home to mineral hot springs. In the area, there is Coyote springs,
Halcyon hot springs, Halfway River, Nakusp hot springs, Octopus
Creek, Saint Leon hot springs, Upper Halfway River and Wilson
Lake. Stop by the visitor information centre in Nakusp for more
information.
Prophet River Hot Springs
Prophet River Hotsprings Provincial Park is situated along the shores
of Prophet River, and home to natural hot springs. The park is
located about 60 kilometres west of the Alaska Highway and about
250 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John. The wonderful pools are
not accessible by road — would-be bathers would need to hike or
ride in on horses, or come by helicopter.
Radium Hot Springs
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The village of Radium Hot Springs boasts a number of wonderful
attractions and activities for visitors — most notably, of course, are
their hot springs. Surrounded by the red walls of Sinclair Canyon, the
pools offer something for everyone. The larger pool is maintained at
39 degrees Celsius, and the cooler swimming pool, with a diving
board, sits at a comfortable 27 degrees Celsius. There is also an onsite spa.
Ram Creek Hot Springs
The Ram Creek hot springs simmer at a lukewarm temperature from
30 to 35 degrees Celsius and are clear and odourless. Located
outside Skookumchuck, the Ram Creek Service road that previously
led to the area has been shut down due to debris, so getting to the
pools is definitely more of a challenge that it once was. With that
said, BC Parks is not recommending visiting the Ram Creek hot
springs as this time, so use at your own risk.
Ramsay Hot Springs
Ramsay hot springs are located in the Clayoquot Sound region in the
west coast of Vancouver Island, to the west of Sydney Inlet and
within the Maquinna Marine Provincial Park. The pools are
accessible only by boat or float plane, but they are open all year
round.
Sherwin Hot Springs
The Sherwin hot springs are located on the west side of Kootenay
Lake, north of the Ainsworth hot springs.
Skookumchuck Hot Springs
The Shookumchuck hot springs are located near the First Nations
community of Skookumchuck, now known as Skatin, in the Lillooet
River valley, south of Lillooet Lake. Members of the Skatin community
manage the hot springs and camping is available for a fee.
Sloquet Creek Hot Springs
Located outside Pemberton, the Sloquet Creek hot springs and
adjoining campsite attract a wide variety of visitors. The hot springs
range in temperature, from comfortable to unbearable, and have a
slight sulphur smell.
Stikine Hot Springs
Choquette Hot Springs ProvincialPark is situated near the Stikine
River and protects several hot springs that flow from the granite
rocks. The park is located about 120 kilometres southwest of the
town of Telegraph Creek and can only be accessed by boat or
helicopter.
Tallheo Hot Springs
The Tallheo hot springs are situated on the western shore of South
Bentinck Arm, an inlet on the central coast, southwest of Bella Coola.
Toad River Hot Springs
These hot springs are located within Toad River Hot Springs
Provincial Park, about 160 kilometres west of Fort Nelson, and
situated on the bank of the Toad River. Access is only by boat or on
horseback.