Looking for hot springs in BC? We’ve got you covered!
When it comes to hot springs, there’s no better place in Canada than British Columbia. From north to south, there are so many hot springs in BC, ranging from wild and hard-to-get-to to resort-style spas with changing rooms.
From the west coast of Vancouver to the Rocky Mountains and all the way up to the Yukon border, These beautiful natural wonders can be found all over the province. They don’t always smell the best but they truly feel like a dream when you step inside one, especially in the winter, which is our favourite time to take a hot dip.
So whether you’re looking to relax at a 5-star spa with lockers to store your bags or a wild hike to find a hot spring that you can have to yourself, here is our list of the best hot springs in BC.
Sloquet Hot Springs
Located just a half-hour drive from Whistler or two hours from Pemberton, Sloquet Hot Springs is a wonderful, naturally formed hot spring located in the traditional territory of the Xa’xtsa First Nation. They’ve been using this hot spring for generations and still perform spiritual and cleansing ceremonies here.
They’re also within a BC Recreation site, which is not only beautiful but also open for camping. The hot springs are open year-round, do not accept bookings, and are always busy on weekends and holidays.
If you’re intending to visit, please note that it is a cash-only facility. Thankfully, it’s only $5 to take a dip or $15 to pitch a tent.
Price: $5
Address: Sloquet Hot Springs, Fraser Valley C, B.C.
Keyhole Hot Springs (Winter Only)
A resort-style hot spring is always nice and comfortable but there’s something special about putting on your hiking shoes and hiking four kilometres through the snow to finally immerse yourself in a hot spring carved naturally into the side of a rushing river. Am I right? This is what Keyhole Hot Springs (also known as Pebble Creek Hot Springs) is all about.
Not far from Pemberton, these hot springs are closed during the warmer months from April to mid-November in order to support the local grizzly bear population. So, winter is really your only option. But to be honest, sitting in a hot spring during the winter is the best time to do it!
As mentioned, you’ll have to make a relatively steep hike to get here. The trail is roughly 2.5 miles each way, but the snow can add to the difficulty. We always recommend crampons of some sort during winter hikes.
Price: Free
Address: Lillooet Forest Service Road, Squamish-Lillooet C, B.C.
Nakusp Hot Springs
Located in the Selkirk Mountains, Nakusp Hot Springs is a popular year-round hot spring with two pools of different temperatures – one piping hot and one warm. These hot springs are also surrounded by some epic ski resorts in the Kootenays, making it the perfect place to soak those muscles after a day on the runs or one of the many hikes during the summer months.
Fed by nearby mineral springs, the pools of Nakusp Hot Springs are sparkling clear and recycle their contents every 30-minutes to two hours. Visitors will also find changing rooms, a snack bar, and a playground. There’s also an on-site shop with things like bathing suits, mineral bath salts, and more.
You can easily visit the hot springs for a few hours or spend the night at their campsite, RV site, or cedar chalet.
Price: $11 – $16.50 for adults.
Address: Hot Springs Rd, Nakusp, BC V0G 1R0
Hot Springs Cove
If surfing in Tofino has tired your muscles or just looking for an adventure, consider a trip to Hot Springs Cove. Located in Hot Springs Cove in Maquinna Provincial Park, these hot springs can only be accessed by air (20 minutes by floatplane) or by water (approximately 1.5 hours by boat) but that’s the adventure of it all!
Not only will you have these beautiful hot springs waiting for you, but you may even spot whales, sea lions, bears or eagles during your trip to get there. Once docked, there’s a two-kilometre boardwalk that takes you into the forest where you’ll find a natural hot spring pool with views of both the ocean and a stunning waterfall.
Despite the adventure to get there, they’re not “hidden”. The pools are not super big and can definitely get busy during the high tourism season. However, with an average water temperature hovering around 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), people don’t linger for long periods of time.
If you decide to go by boat, they run year-round, rain or shine. It’s a good idea to pack a pair of water shoes, as the rocks by the springs can get quite slippery.
Cost: $3 plus transportation costs to get there.
Halfway Hot Springs
Bubbling right out of the hillside along a river, these natural stone-lined mud-bottomed pools are the perfect place to reconnect with your primal side. Located almost “halfway” between Nakusp and Revelstoke, they’re close enough to all the outdoor adventures this area is known for but far enough away to escape the hustle of it all, including cell service, making it a great way to disconnect and rejuvenate.
As of 2016, these hot springs are now fully developed by BC Parks. If you wish to camp, there are 12 vehicle-access camping spots, and another 10 spread out through the forest.
In addition, for those of you who love visiting hot springs in the winter, Halfway Hot Springs is a great choice. You’ll just need to strap on some snowshoes and trek the 11-kilometre journey to get there!
Price: Free. Camping is $15 from May to October only.
Address: Halfway River Hot Springs, Central Kootenay K, B.C.
Radium Hot Springs Pools
Located in the town of Radium Hot Springs, not far from the Alberta border and famous Lake Louise, Radium Hot Springs is one of our favourites. Despite being right next to Highway 93 as you enter the town itself, Radium somehow keeps a nice balance between being a well-kept Parks Canada site with a little slice of wilderness to it thanks to the cliff it’s built next to. On a quiet winter day with the snow falling, it can really feel like you’ve left the hustle and bustle for a hot bath of bliss. As a bonus, it’s only a 20-minute drive from Panorama Ski Resort.
Rich in minerals – including sulphate, calcium bicarbonate, silica, and magnesium – the average pool temperature ranges between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius (or 98 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit), which makes for a soothing, restorative dip.
Visitors will find change rooms, lockers, and even towel and bathing suit rentals in case you forgot yours at home.
Price: $7.46 for an adult entry.
Address: 5420 Hwy. 93, Radium Hot Springs, B.C.
Halcyon Hot Springs
If you’re looking for a resort-style hot spring, Halcyon Hot Springs is a great option. Not only do they have some beautiful hot pools, but they’re also a remote resort with canoeing, hiking, biking, fishing, and other outdoor adventures.
Overlooking Upper Arrow Lake and the Monashee Mountains, this resort feels like the summer camp you never had. Cottages and cabins are available to rent and you don’t have to worry about those work calls because there’s no reception. Sorry, boss. They do have WiFi though, so you’ll still need some self-discipline if you truly want to escape the modern world.
The resort has three different pools for year-round use, including a hot pool (with an average temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit), a warm pool (with an average temperature of 37 degrees Celsius or 99 degrees Fahrenheit), and a cold plunge pool (with a chilly average temperature of 14 degrees Celsius or 58 degrees Fahrenheit). There’s even a swimming pool for those wanting to get a nice workout in, which has a moderate average temp of 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Don’t want to stay? That’s okay. You can just pay for the day too.
Price: Varies depending on the accommodation option you choose.
Address: 5655 BC-23, Nakusp, BC.
Pitt River Hot Springs
If you’re looking for an adventure in addition to a soothing muscle soak, look no further than Pitt River Hot Springs. Getting there simply requires an 8-hour paddle (canoes are a good option), followed by a 20-kilometre bike ride and a 30-foot vertical rappel. If the paddle is the only thing holding you back, you can also get there via boat but the bike ride and rappel are still necessary. If you do decide to go by boat, it’s not always easy to find someone willing to take you and can cost as much as $400 for the 45-minute boat ride. If you have your own, that’s a different story.
It’s a lot of work to soak in a hot spring but just imagine how rewarding it’ll feel.
Price: $5 per night for parking
Address: Nestled along the Pitt River in Pitt Meadows. Pitt-Buklin FSR, Fraser Valley F, B.C.
Tsek Hot Springs
Located roughly an hour and a half from Pemberton, the remote Tsek Hot Springs, which are also known as the Skookumchuck Hot Springs, are a true delight. The site is considered a sacred place to the In-SHUCK-ch and St’át’imc people of BC, and the mineral-rich waters have traditionally been used for their cleansing and healing properties.
Visitors will find 12 different tubs, including hot, cold, and a mix of both, all sourced from natural hot springs or the glacier-fed creek. Although rustic, visitors will also find portable washrooms and a campground, which grants free access to the pools. It’s truly a wilderness-style experience because there’s no WiFi, no cell service, and basically no amenities.
Price: $7.50 for adults.
Location: North of Pemberton, BC.
Lussier Hot Springs
While we still haven’t made it to these hot springs, they’re high on our “hot springs in BC” bucket list. We actually made it here many years ago during a winter ice fishing trip to Whiteswan Lake but the path to get down was incredibly icy and my parents found it difficult to get down.
Located between Canal Flats and Whiteswan Lake in the East Kootenays, Lussier Hot Spring is one of the most accessible “wild” hot springs we know of. The four hot spring pools have been naturally constructed right beside Lussier River using stones and boulders and are 100% natural and free to use.
The temperatures of the pools vary from as hot as 47°C (118°F) down to roughly 34°C (94°F) and have the added benefit of a neighbouring cold river, which allows visitors to transition between cold and hot, just like a Nordic spa.
The hot springs are generally open and accessible year-round, accessed by a path from the parking lot right off the road. There’s a small change room in the parking lot, as well as a toilet, and it’s a short 5-minute walk down to the river and hot springs.
Also, if you do visit these natural treasures, please don’t leave your trash behind. It pains us to even have to say something like this but you should always leave no trace.
Price: Free
Address: Lussier Hot Springs, Cranbrook, B.C.
Ram Creek Hot Springs
If you like your hot springs as a reward for hiking, Ram Creek Hot Springs is another great option. Surrounded by mountains and meadows, it’s truly a gorgeous place to relax in hot water. These springs are a series of undeveloped rock pools just off the forestry path, and with basically no infrastructure, are considered natural.
There are two hot springs here. The upper springs have an average temperature of about 92 degrees and the lower one has an average temperature of 88 degrees. They aren’t super hot but definitely warm enough to relax in.
Hiking to the Ram Creek Hot Springs will take you on an 11-kilometre out-and-back trail that runs along a forest service road to the Ram Creek Ecological Reserve. The road into the trailhead is a bit treacherous as well but you’ll forget about it once you’re soothing away in the hot springs.
Price: Free
Address: Ram Creek Hot Springs, East Kootenay E, B.C.
Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park
Even when you’re in the deep north, just under the Yukon border, you can find beautiful hot springs in BC. Liard River Hot Springs, which is also a provincial park, is one of our favourite hot springs in the province and is the second-largest hot spring in all of Canada!
After parking, visitors can follow the boardwalks straight to the Alpha pool, which features spring-fed waters ranging in temperature from 42 degrees Celsius (about 108 degrees Fahrenheit) to 52 degrees Celsius (about 126 degrees Fahrenheit). The upstream end is cooler than the downstream side, so you can gradually float your way around until you find your perfect spot. It’s an interesting experience to feel different temperatures of water as you walk around in the pools. The bottoms are small rocks and these are au natural.
Although it can get busy during the summer months, it still feels so wild, as it’s surrounded by lush, jungle-like forest. In fact, if you explore the pools a little, you’ll find narrow streams that take you up through parts of the forest. You can see some of this in action in our British Columbia video.
In addition to the hot springs, this is also a popular campground and is also good for hiking, bird-watching, biking, and more. However, do keep in mind that bears are prevalent in the area and people have been attacked at the pools.
The hot springs are open year-round, but if you visit during the summer months, you’ll want to make a reservation. There’s also a nominal fee to enter the park in the summer, but it’s free to visit between October and April.
Price: $16 per vehicle or free from October to April.
Address: 75100-81198 Alaska Hwy., Northern Rockies B, B.C.
Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort
Another one of the most popular resort-style hot springs in BC is Ainsworth Hot Springs. With stunning views of Kootenay Lake, these hot springs are a great way to unwind and unpack all your troubles. Flowing with calming minerals like magnesium, sodium, potassium, and lithium, a soak in the pool will melt tension away. New water is constantly flowing in and out of the pools, replacing itself roughly four to six times per day.
There are two different ways to experience the resort’s mineral-packed waters. You can enjoy the lounging pool (with an average temperature of 35 degrees Celsius or 96 degrees Fahrenheit) or soak in the natural cave, which is the hotter option (with an average temperature of 42 degrees Celsius or 108 degrees Fahrenheit).
Too hot? No worries, there’s also a cold plunge pool, which is naturally fed by a nearby creek. The hot springs are open year-round, and users can either pay to enjoy it for a day or have it included as part of a hotel stay.
Price: $15 for adults.
Location: 3609 Balfour-Kaslo-Galena Bay Hwy, Ainsworth, BC.
Fairmont Hot Springs
For the resort-style hot spring lovers out there, Fairmont Hot Springs is not to be missed. In fact, it’s the largest hot spring in Canada!
There are a variety of different pool-style hot springs on-site, including a dive pool (kept at 30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit), a swimming pool (kept at 32 degrees Celsius or 89 degrees Fahrenheit), and a soaking pool (kept at 39 degrees Celsius or 102 degrees Fahrenheit). Each of the pools is fed from the hot springs, which are rich in minerals like calcium bicarbonate, calcium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, and sodium sulphate.
As of now, the pools can only be accessed by guests of the hotel.
Price: Cost of accommodation.
Location: 5225 Fairmont Resort Rd, Fairmont Hot Springs, BC.
Harrison Hot Springs Pool
If you want to soak in the same hot springs as Micahel Bublé, this is the spot. These hot springs are incredibly popular thanks to their accessibility. Located in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, a resort community of roughly 1,500, there are multiple pools here, including private pools for guests of the resort and an indoor hot spring-fed public pool that has a nominal fee.
Needless to say, the only way to really enjoy the pools is to stay at the resort, which includes “relaxing rights” in their five private hot spring pools. Each one is kept at a slightly different temperature, so you can cycle through the various temperatures for maximum enjoyment. Some of the pools are indoors, while others are outdoors and there’s even a lap pool. You can also enjoy the on-site spa.
As mentioned, if you don’t want to stay at the resort or enjoy the spa, you can still access the indoor Harrison Hot Spring’s Public Pool, which is kept at a comfortable 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). The Public Pool is open seven days a week to everyone and entry fees vary by age.
Price: Ranges per room and accommodation type.
Address: 101 Hot Springs Rd., Harrison Hot Springs, B.C.
Please note: Make sure to check the hot springs websites before you go, as some have closed due to COVID-19 restrictions or road closures.
Want more things to do in BC?
While hot springs in BC are a great thing to do, there are plenty of other things to do in British Columbia as well. For more ideas to plan your next adventure, check out these guides below:
All of these look amazing!
I plan on visiting a few of these. Thanks for the article!!
Awesome, thank you for this. I am planning a hot springs road trip.
I would love to do these! They all look wonderful!