BC's Best Hot Springs

BC's Best Hot Springs

Image by Tourism BC
BC's natural, mineral-rich hot springs put the 'ahhh' in spa

The majority of BC's hot springs are found in the Kootenay Rockies and situated in their natural surroundings so you can drench yourself in relaxation amidst mineral-rich caves, flowing rivers, deep canyons, old-growth forests, and towering mountain peaks.

Whether tucked among amenity-laden resorts or provincial parks, or tightly secluded in a remote area (some are only accessible by float plane or a paddle), these hot springs possess a high mineral content and lend themselves to extensive geothermal activity.

Let's face it; a tryst with these therapeutic waters will leave your body craving a muscle-relaxing dip any time, any season. Check out these splendid soaks for wellness, healing and a healthy glow, and we're sure you'll agree — you've never looked more hip or felt so hot!

1 of 11 — Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort

Image by Kootenay Rockies Tourism
Ainsworth has three pools that provide the perfect view of the glaciated Purcell Mountains

Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort near Nelson at Kootenay Lake offers naturally hot mineral waters that flow from the horseshoe-shaped cave under a ceiling of stalactites.

Three odourless pools, a 150-foot horseshoe cave, a main lounging pool, and a stream-fed cold plunge help to restore your spirit and well-being. The pools provide the perfect spot to view the glaciated and rugged Purcell Mountains and clear waters of Kootenay Lake. The 41-room resort is 100% non-smoking.

2 of 11 — Canyon Hot Springs

Image by Kootenay Rockies Tourism
With over 200 campground sites, nature is close at hand at Canyon Hot Springs

Canyon Hot Springs outside of Revelstoke is set in the Selkirk Mountains between Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Parks. Located along side the Trans-Canada Highway at Albert Canyon, the resort offers a natural mineral hot pool of 40C and a swimming pool of 32C.

With over 200 campground sites, including group and private forest settings, nature is close at hand. Tuck into the new honeymoon chalet, log cabin, or chalet and family suites.

3 of 11 — Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

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Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is surrounded by Fairmont Ridge, the most prominent peaks in the Stanford Range of the Rocky Mountains

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort near Invermere is on the east side of the Columbia Valley, where the 1,000-square-metre pool beckons bathers with its curative powers. Surrounded by the Fairmont Ridge — the most prominent peaks in the Stanford Range of the Rocky Mountains, the resort includes a deluxe RV park and Canada's largest odourless natural hot mineral pools.

Highlights include Nordic-style hot and cold plunge pools, steamroom, sauna, and a private outdoor soaking pool. Dine and unwind in the main lodge, poolside, and the ski lodge or at either golf course.

Enjoy its culinary offerings at home too: "You be the Chef" cookbook reveals inspired recipes from the resort, published in 2012.

4 of 11 — Halcyon Hot Springs Village and Spa

Image by Tourism BC/Dave Heath
Enjoy hot stone massages and aromatherapy treatments at Halcyon Hot Springs

Halcyon Hot Springs, between Revelstoke and Nakusp, is surrounded by alpine peaks of the Monashee Mountains, stands of cedar forest, and the 250-kilometre-long Arrow Lake, 68 kilometres south of Revelstoke.

Sink into the therapeutic waters of Halcyon's hot mineral springs in one of four pools located near the village of Nakusp. Pool temps range from 29C to 41C and include a 12C plunger pool.

The natural mineral spring water is designed to promote detoxification and includes a unique combination of sodium, lithium, magnesium, calcium, and strontium, providing proven relief from aching muscles, arthritis, osteoporosis, and gout. Spa services include hot stone massage and aromatherapy among others.

5 of 11 — Gandll K'in Gwaayaay

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Facilities are minimal at Gandll K'in Gwaayaay - there are no roads, stores or fuelling amenities

Gandll K'in Gwaayaay (Hot Spring Island) at Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve is well known for the healing and spiritual qualities of its natural thermal pools and a sacred place for the Haida. The best place to come ashore is on the northeast side.

Follow a short trail to the Watchmen cabin, sign in, rinse off (showers are fed by the springs) and enjoy the largest pool nestled among salal bushes and crabapple trees.

Take the trail up and over a seepage meadow to the cliff-side pool and enjoy views over Juan Perez Strait to the rugged peaks of Moresby Island. Further down the trail, the more intimate beachside pool is steps away from the ocean. Facilities are minimal: no roads, stores or fueling, and access is limited to boats and floatplanes. The boat launch closest to Gwaii Haanas is at Moresby Camp in Cumshewa Inlet, Moresby Island. 

6 of 11 — Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa

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Celebrities love to come relax at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa

Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa towers over the village of Harrison Hot Springs on the shores of Harrison Lake, enticing visitors with hot pools and healing spa treatments since 1886.

Some famous bods have been soothed here; cinematic heavyweights Clark Gable and John Wayne and, more recently, local crooner Michael Bublé have all sought solace in one of five different hot-spring-fed mineral pools — each a different temperature.

Choose from an indoor swimming pool, indoor hot pool, outdoor family pool, outdoor lap pool, adult pool, and Harrison public pool.

Other amenities include: conference services, Harrison Resort Golf Course, Healing Springs Spa, Resort Marina with fishing and nature tours, kayaks and bumper boats, and a variety of lodging from suites and cottages to poolside guestrooms.

7 of 11 — Hot Springs Cove

Image by Footloosiety/David J. Laporte
Layered rock pools capture the toasty geothermal hot springs in Maquinna Provincial Park

Hot Springs Cove in Maquinna Provincial Park in the remote northern end of Clayoquot Sound on Vancouver Island is a nature-infused hot spring in its purest form (one-hour water taxi from Tofino). From deep within the earth, the geothermal hot springs bubble up and cascade into a series of layered rock pools, cooled by the ocean swells, each pool slightly cooler than the one above it. The tides flush the pools twice daily and the springs are a toasty 47C. The steamy waterfall showers are for the brave and the hot-water tolerant.

Packages from Tofino combine aerial sightseeing, camping, whale watching, and kayaking. The Hesquiat First Nations operate the nearby lodge and guests can access the two-mile trail to Tsamata Beach among ancient cedars, sky-kissing Douglas fir and spruces. A private campground is just north of the government dock.

8 of 11 — Liard River Hot Springs

Image by Tourism BC/Peter Langer
Open year-round, Liard River Hot Springs provides two separate hot spring pools nestled within a lush spruce forest

Liard River Hot Springs in Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park, located at the 765 kilometre mark of the Alaska Highway, provides two separate hot spring pools within a lush boreal spruce forest.

The Alpha pool ranges from 42C to 52C and facilities include a change house and composting toilet. Follow the boardwalk to the hot spring pools, which passes through a warm water swamp and boreal forest that supports a diverse plant community, mammals and bird species. Watch for moose, woodland caribous, and black bear.

Dense stands of pine, trembling aspen, and cottonwood encompass the 53 vehicle/tent campsites, which include picnic tables, fire pits, firewood, pit toilets and water. Open year-round, but the off-season is subject to limited services.

9 of 11 — Lussier Hot Springs

Image by Tourism BC/Dave Heath
Luisser Hot Springs offers up four pool springs plus two mountain lakes

Lussier Hot Springs in Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park is located near the park entrance at kilometre 17.5 on the Whiteswan Forest Service Road. The four pool springs plus two mountain lakes, Alces and Whiteswan, are the focal points of the park, both offering some of the highest quality rainbow trout in the area for anglers.

Among the boulders, the hot springs have a series of varying pool sizes with water averaging 44C during the summer; the pools are easily accessed down a gradual slope from the road. Change room and toilet facilities are located at the parking lot. Other amenities include five lakeside/riverside campgrounds, three boat launches, a historic lakeside hiking trail and abundant wildlife viewing. No public phone or cell phone service available. 

10 of 11 — Nakusp Hot Springs

Image by Kootenay Rockies Tourism
This hidden gem has 200,000 litres of fresh, hot mineral filtered water piped in each day to each pool

Nakusp Hot Springs is off Highway 23, 14 kilometres northeast of the village of Nakusp and considered the hidden gem of the Kootenay Rockies. Every day, 200,000 litres of fresh, hot mineral filtered water is piped one kilometre from the source along Kuskanax Creek to each pool. The hot pool averages 41C in winter, 38C in summer, and the warm pool, 38C in winter, 36C in summer. 

The pools are situated outside of the main customer service building, and the change rooms with heated floors, lockers and showers are indoors. Other services include: relaxing bodywork and rebalancing, aromatherapy massage, and Chinese acupressure.

A short walk from the hot springs is the Nakusp Hot Springs Campground featuring shaded sites near the Kuskanax Creek. Hiking and mountain biking trails traverse through old-growth forests.

11 of 11 — Radium Hot Springs

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The all-natural, outdoor hot springs pools at Radium are set amidst the rock walls of Sinclair Canyon

Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park is one of the largest hot springs pool in Canada and integrates outdoor wilderness with premier spa facilities. Located at the south entrance of Kootenay National Park, and designated a UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, the all-natural, outdoor hot springs pools are set amidst the rock walls of Sinclair Canyon.

A 25-metre long cool pool complete with diving board is among the highlights. Enhance your well-being at Pleiades Massage and Spa with services that include deep tissue massage, Shiatsu, and reflexology. Other amenities include an aromatherapy steam room, jetted pool plunge, and two wet treatment rooms.