The Best Hot Springs in BC: Complete Guide + Map

Embark on a relaxing escape with our guide to the best hot springs in BC.

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, British Columbia has an abundance of natural hot springs. Some remain in their natural state, while many have been developed into wellness destinations featuring modern amenities.

Besides feeling good, soaking in hot springs offers a multitude of health benefits such as better circulation and oxygen flow. The water’s mineral content, notably magnesium and sulfur, can ease muscle tension and reduce inflammation.

Living in this beautiful province for more than a decade now, we’ve visited many different developed and undeveloped mineral pools.

Soaking in hot springs is my favourite way to relax after a long hike or paddle. But not all hot springs are equal! The extent and nature of development have a huge impact on the resulting experience.

In this post, I’ll share our top picks for the best BC hot springs. I would suggest incorporating as many as possible into your next trip!

Published December 2023

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BC Hot Springs map

Best hot springs in BC: our top picks

Let’s get started with our shortlist of the best hot springs in BC. These fantastic destinations offer a relaxing experience, combining the beauty of nature with therapeutic benefits. I’ll start in the west of the province and gradually work east.

Hot Springs Cove

This list of the best hot springs in BC starts with one of the most impressive – Hot Springs Cove. Choose from six naturally carved geothermal rock pools next to the ocean and listen to the waves as you soak in the hot water.

Accessible by float plane and boat only, Hot Springs Cove takes a little effort to reach. For that reason, it’s never crazy busy. And the journey is all part of the experience!

From the dock, a 2km long boardwalk (40 minutes) leads through the temperature rainforest to the hot pools. There is a rustic change room and composting toilets.

Boat tours to Hot Springs Cove from Tofino cost around $260 per person. Floatplane tours are more expensive, around $375 for the return trip. Some companies also charge an additional Ahousaht Stewardship fee of $20.

Location: Maquinna Marine Provincial Park, Vancouver Island
Hours: 24/7
Price: $3 day use fee + $20 Ahousaht Stewardship fee + floatplane/boat tour
Lockers: None
Rentals: None
Facilities: Outhouses, change room
Where to stay: Pacific Sands Beach Resort, Tofino

Ainsworth Hot Springs

If I had to choose, Ainsworth Hot Springs would be in my top three of all developed hot springs in BC. The reason? It has something a little special – a cave!

Yes, Ainsworth Hot Springs features both a hot mineral pool and a natural horseshoe-shaped cave system (complete with limestone stalactites!)

The hot springs originate from the Cody Caves, which are located slightly northeast of Ainsworth. The temperature in the caves is a toasty 42°C, with the small main pool being a relatively cooler 35°C. There is a plunge pool as well.

The resort dates back to the 1930s and is now owned and operated by the Lower Kootenay Band, who are part of the Ktunaxa Nation.

The Ktunaxa Nation has been utilising the mineral-rich hot water for health purposes for thousands of years, referring to the hot springs as ‘Nupika wu’u’ (Spirit Water).

Ainsworth is 40 minutes drive from Nelson (48km). This hot springs is convenient to visit in combination with Nakusp, Halcyon and Halfway Hot Springs.

Location: Highway 31, Ainsworth, BC
Hours: Open all year round, Wednesday to Monday
Price: $18 for adults, entry by reservation only
Lockers: Free
Rentals: Towels only
Facilities: Washrooms, showers, restaurant, shop
Where to stay: Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort

Nakusp Hot Springs

Nakusp Hot Springs is situated in a river valley in the Selkirk Mountains, 14km from the town of the same name. In my opinion, this BC hot springs has the most laid-back vibe of all developed hot springs on this list.

This may be partly due to the fact that Nakusp Hot Springs is community-owned and operated. The location is also slightly beyond the beaten path.

The setting of the hot springs is beautiful, with forested mountains rising above the facility. There are some great hiking opportunities in the area. Consider a long stay in the on-site campground or at one of the chalets.

The main pool area consists of two half circles, with the larger section warm and the smaller section hot. There is a good amount of space and it has never felt too crowded when we have visited.

Location: Hot Springs Road, Nakusp
Hours: Open almost all year round (closed for spring/fall maintenance), usually 9.30am to 9.30pm
Price: $12 for adults
Lockers: $1 rental plus $6 deposit
Rentals: Towels and swimsuits
Facilities: Washrooms, showers, small shop
Where to stay: On-site chalets and campground

Halcyon Hot Springs

Set high above Upper Arrow Lake with a view of the Monashee Mountains, Halcyon Hot Springs has the most scenic mineral pools in this area of BC.

Part of a resort, Halcyon Hot Springs has an upscale spa-like atmosphere. The soaking experience is usually calming, with soft music and sunbeds.

The main area has a hot pool (40°C), a much larger warm pool (37°C) and a cold plunge. The warm pool features a jetted swim channel, perfect for floating around in circles.

In summer, mineral swimming pool (30°C) and splash park open on the resort’s lower level. This means that the main pool can be a bit quieter than other local hot springs.

The mineral pools at Halcyon are said to have the highest concentration of lithium in North America. Lithium has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant properties.

While I do enjoy the Halcyon experience (I love the jetted swim channel), keep in mind that it is the most expensive of all the BC hot springs mentioned here.

Location: Highway 23 north of Nakusp
Hours: Open daily all year round, usually 9am to 9pm
Price: $30 for adults
Lockers: $1
Rentals: Towels and swimsuits
Facilities: Washrooms, showers, shop, restaurant
Where to stay: On-site resort

Halfway Hot Springs

If the mineral pools at Halcyon and Nakusp sound a little too developed for your taste, consider a trip to Halfway Hot Springs instead.

There are two main mineral pools at this BC hot springs location, both set into a beautiful forest next to the Halfway River. There is another, cooler, pool located just around the corner.

All three pools have been created with rocks from the river, providing a natural feel. None are very big, so be prepared to be pretty close to other visitors when it is busy!

More hot spring outlets can be found closer to the river and other small pools can be found. Of course, the fast-moving river is also a great place for a refreshing dip!

Halfway Hot Springs is located 11km down a usually well-maintained unpaved road (prepare to see logging traffic).

A short but steep downhill trail from the parking lot leads through the forest to a basic changing room and the main pool area.

Location: Forest Service Road off Highway 23 north of Nakusp
Hours: Open 24/7
Price: Free
Lockers: None
Rentals: None
Facilities: Outhouses, change room
Where to stay: Halfway Hot Springs Recreation Site campground

Radium Hot Springs

Radium Hot Springs is another of my favourite BC hot springs because the main mineral pool here is HUGE!

The setting is fabulous, with rocky canyon walls rising above the facility. There is a cool pool as well, but it dates from the 1950s and has been under reconstruction for quite a few years.

We are regular visitors to Radium Hot Springs and have spent time here in all seasons. Even though it is very popular, the pool never feels too crowded. There is a plunge pool for cooling off.

Located in Kootenay National Park, Radium Hot Springs is only a short drive from some amazing hiking trails. It’s a great place to soak sore legs after a long hike.

It should be noted that Radium Hot Springs is the most accessible for people with disabilities of all the BC hot springs mentioned here.

The only downside to Radium is the cost. While I still think it is worth paying, the admission price doubled in 2023. I miss that bargain price tag!

Location: Highway 93, Radium
Hours: Open daily all year round, usually 11.30am to 9pm (longer hours on weekends)
Price: $16.50 for adults + National Park pass
Lockers: $1.25 for token
Rentals: Swimsuits and towels
Facilities: Washrooms, showers, small shop,
Where to stay: Redstreak Campground or Radium Chalet

Lussier Hot Springs

Lussier Hot Springs is the most accessible undeveloped hot springs in BC. If you’re looking for a natural experience in a beautiful location, I recommend Lussier as the one to try.

Four naturally walled hot springs ‘pools’ sit immediately adjacent to the Lussier River. The hottest is 47°C, with the coolest 34°C. For a cold plunge experience like no other, head into the river!

Lussier Hot Springs is part of Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park. The pools are 5 minutes walk from the parking area, which is located on the unpaved Whiteswan Lake Forest Service Road (prepare to see and give way to logging traffic).

While the road is reasonably well maintained, I would not recommend bringing an ultra-low clearance vehicle. Lussier Hot Springs is 18km from Highway 93 (25 minutes). The turn-off is roughly halfway between Cranbrook and Radium.

Being so reasonably accessible, these BC hot springs are quite popular. I wouldn’t expect to be alone unless you visit very early in the morning.

Location: Whiteswan Lake FSR near Canal Flats
Hours: Open 24/7 (but check BC Parks website first for potential road closures)
Price: Free
Lockers: None
Rentals: None
Where to stay: Timbers Resort near Fairmont Hot Springs

Liard Hot Springs

For me, Liard Hot Springs is the best hot springs experience in BC. The only challenge? Liard Hot Springs is situated in far northern BC, almost in Yukon!

Set into a lush boreal spruce forest, this BC hot springs features a large ‘Alpha’ pool with water temperatures ranging from 42°C to 52°C. 

The edges of the pool are completely natural, with plants and trees fringing the turquoise-coloured water. Entry into the water is from a wooden platform, where there is also a basic change house (no showers).

Liard Hot Springs is unusual in that, unlike most other thermal springs in Canada, the hot water does not flow into a river or creek, but rather into a system of swamps. The source of the hot springs is also unknown.

The Alpha pool is reached by a short boardwalk that passes directly over the warm water swamp. Look for the tiny lake chub fish that swim underneath!

As I would assume is the case with many people, we visited Liard Hot Springs as part of a Yukon/Alaska road trip. The first boardwalk and facilities in this area were built by the US Army in 1942, during the construction of the Alaska Highway.

Location: Highway 97 (Alaska Highway) 300km west of Fort Nelson, BC
Hours: Open daily all year round, usually 7am to 11pm
Price: $5 day use fee for adults, charged 1st April to 31st October
Lockers: None
Rentals: None
Where to stay: Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park campground

More great hot springs in BC

Although we have our favourites, there are many more amazing hot springs in BC. The following BC hot springs are ones I rate a little less or I haven’t visited yet.

Ram Creek Hot Springs

Ram Creek Hot Springs is a series of undeveloped mineral pools in a remote forested setting. Located not far south of Lussier Hot Springs, I mention Ram Creek in this post as adventurous travellers may want to combine the two.

Compared to Lussier, however, more effort is required to reach the hot springs. The journey starts with a drive along unpaved Whiteswan Lake Forest Service Road, then Lussier River FSR and finally White Ram FSR.

The next step is a 5.5km long trail (11km return) to reach the hot springs. The pools are situated on the side of a hill and are divided with locally gathered rocks.

Location: White Ram Forest Service Road near Canal Flats
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free
Lockers: None
Rentals: None
Where to stay: Timbers Resort near Fairmont Hot Springs

Fairmont Hot Springs

The first bathhouses were built at Fairmont Hot Springs in the 1920s.

Today, Fairmont Hot Springs is a resort community with three golf courses, hotel, ski hill, spa, two campgrounds and a small collection of shops and eateries alongside the hot springs facility.

The latter comprises a large, warm swimming pool and a smaller hot pool. Hotel guests have exclusive access to an additional mineral pool. Looking out to the Selkirks, visitors have great views of snow-capped mountains.

I’ll be completely honest here. We visited Fairmont Hot Springs in August one year and found the main pool very, very busy and noisy. While it wasn’t our cup of tea, maybe it will be yours?

If the sound of Fairmont’s developed pools doesn’t appeal to you either, consider visiting the nearby natural pools. They are apparently within 10-15 minutes walk of the resort.

Location: Fairmont Resort Road, Highway 95
Hours: Open daily all year round, 9am to 9pm
Price: $16 for adults
Lockers: $1
Rentals: Towels
Where to stay: Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Canyon Hot Springs

Conveniently located on Highway 1 just northeast of Revelstoke, Canyon Hot Springs is a good option for a road trip break or post-hike soak.

Canyon Hot Springs has been in operation since the 1970s and features two generously sized mineral pools.

The larger swimming pool is usually around 32°C, with the smaller hot pool a toasty 40°C. Both pools have impressive views of the surrounding mountains.

If you need a longer road trip break, there is a campground as well as the cabins. Overnight guests still pay admission to the hot springs.

Location: Highway 1, Albert Canyon
Hours: Open June to September, 9am to 7pm (longer hours in July and August)
Price: $16.50 for adults
Lockers: Free lockers, bring your own padlock or pay $5
Rentals: Towels
Where to stay: On-site campground and cabins

Harrison Hot Springs

Harrison Hot Springs is the closest hot springs destination to Vancouver. This community actually hosts two sets of mineral pools.

The cheapest option is the public mineral pool in the centre of the village. It is a straightforward facility with a large indoor pool, typically 37°C.

The Harrison Hot Springs Resort’s pool facility is a lot larger (and more expensive), featuring a total of five mineral pools (two indoor, three outdoor).

The choice of pools offers a range of temperatures and settings, with the indoor sitting pool being the hottest (38-40°C). Only registered resort guests can access the resort’s pool facility.

We are always passing Harrison Hot Springs when driving to the coast and I swear we will finally make it one day!

Location: Public pool / Harrison Hot Springs Resort
Hours: Both open year round, public pool has varied hours, resort pools are open 8am to 11pm daily
Price: $16 for adults at public pool, resort guests can visit the resort pools for free
Lockers: $2 plus $5 deposit / Free
Rentals: Towels
Where to stay: Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa

Keyhole (Mum̓leqs) Hot Springs – CLOSED

Keyhole Hot Springs is undoubtedly one of the most impressive natural hot springs in BC. This rejuvenating oasis is situated next to the glacier-fed Lillooet River, 100km from Whistler.

Despite being so remote, Keyhole Hot Springs boasts a series of intricate mineral pools, each with a slightly different temperature.

The drive to the trailhead is long and unpaved (4X4 recommended). After arriving, a 2.3km hike on the Lilwatitkwa7 Trail is required to reach the pools.

Keyhole Hot Springs is usually closed from 1st April to 15th November each year, to reduce wildlife conflicts and protect important Lil’wat Nation cultural values.

As of November 2023, Keyhole Hot Springs is closed for the foreseeable future due to terrain instability caused by recent wildfires.

Despite the closure, I decided to include this BC hot springs in this post. With the closure being so recent, I figure that the information may be helpful for folks looking for updates.

Location: Lillooet Forest Service Road
Hours: CLOSED as of November 2023
Price: Free
Lockers: None
Rentals: None

Miette Hot Springs (Alberta)

The following two hot springs are in Alberta. While this does mean that they are not technically BC hot springs, I wanted to include them since they are both on the Alberta side of the Canadian Rockies (and therefore very close!)

Miette Hot Springs are the hottest mineral springs in the Canadian Rockies. There are two large hot pools (40°c)and two smaller cool pools. Mountains surround the main pool area.

Before or after your soak, consider the short walk to the site of the hot springs source in the nearby canyon. The path passes the original 1930s aquacourt as well. Allow 30-45 minutes for the 1.2km return trip.

Miette Hot Springs is about an hour’s drive from Jasper (61km). This hot spring can get pretty crowded. Expect to wait 15-20 minutes to enter the hot springs at busy times.

Miette Hot Springs
Location: Miette Road, Jasper National Park, Alberta
Hours: Open daily May to early October, usually 10.30am to 9pm (longer hours during the summer months)
Price: $16.50 for adults + National Park pass
Lockers: $1.25 for token
Rentals: Swimsuits and towels
Where to stay: Overlander Mountain Lodge

Banff Upper Hot Springs (Alberta)

Banff Upper Hot Springs features the highest-developed thermal pool in Canada (1585m). The small outdoor hot pool averages 37-40°c and overlooks spectacular Mount Rundle. The heritage bathhouse is almost 100 years old.

The downside of these hot springs is their compact size and popularity. It is almost always very busy. We’ve visited twice and had to wait 15-20 minutes each time. Parking can be tricky too.

As a side note, I’d recommend visiting the nearby Cave and Basin National Historic Site (buy the combination pass). The main attraction is the hot spring that propelled the creation of Banff National Park.

Railway workers stumbled across the mist-filled cave in 1883, though First Nation people had been utilising the warm waters for thousands of years.

This isn’t a hot spring you can bathe in but there’s still lots to see, including the unique (and endangered) Banff Springs snail and the 1910s bathing pavilion. The views are great too!

Upper Banff Hot Springs
Location: Mountain Ave, Banff National Park, Alberta
Hours: Open daily every day, all year round, usually 10am to 10pm
Price: $16.50 for adults + National Park pass
Lockers: $1.25 for token
Rentals: Swimsuits and towels
Where to stay: Moose Hotel & Suites

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