From developed resort pools to wild backcountry soaks beside glacial creeks — the Kootenays and Columbia Valley have the highest concentration of hot springs in Canada. Here's every one worth visiting, with real prices, temperatures, and driving directions.
British Columbia sits on geologically active ground, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the mountain towns of the Kootenays and Columbia Valley. Within a few hours' drive of Revelstoke, Nelson, Invermere, Nakusp, Kimberley, and Fernie, you'll find over a dozen hot springs — some developed into full resort facilities with pools and spas, others nothing more than rock-lined pools beside a forest road where the only amenities are the stars overhead.
For people who live in these towns, hot springs aren't a tourist attraction. They're a way of life. After a day of skiing, a long hike, or just a cold Tuesday in February, you drive up a forest road or walk into a resort and soak until the tension leaves your body. It's one of the defining perks of living in BC's mountain towns.
This guide covers every major hot spring accessible from the interior mountain towns — commercial and wild, easy access and backcountry. We'll give you honest information: what it costs, how hot the water is, how to get there, and what to expect when you arrive.
The hot springs of the Kootenays and Columbia Valley have been used by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The Ktunaxa (Kootenay), Syilx (Okanagan), Secwépemc (Shuswap), and Sinixt Nations all have deep connections to these thermal waters. The springs were — and remain — places of healing, ceremony, and gathering. Many were considered sacred sites, and some oral histories describe the springs as gifts from the earth to ease suffering.
European settlers "discovered" these springs in the late 1800s, and by the early 1900s, several had been developed into commercial operations. Halcyon Hot Springs on Upper Arrow Lake opened as a sanitarium in 1894. Ainsworth Hot Springs, near Nelson, was first commercialized in the 1930s around its natural horseshoe cave. Radium Hot Springs was incorporated into Kootenay National Park in 1920 and has been operated by Parks Canada ever since.
The modern hot springs culture in BC mountain towns blends all of this history. You'll find resort-quality pools with change rooms and cafés next to wild, clothing-optional pools on forest service roads. Both are part of the same tradition — people seeking relief and community in warm mineral water, surrounded by mountains.
These are the springs with proper facilities — pools, change rooms, admission desks, and usually accommodation nearby. They're accessible year-round, maintained, and suitable for families.
Location: Highway 31, on the west shore of Kootenay Lake, about 45 minutes (45 km) south of Nelson.
Water temperature: Main pool 35–40°C; horseshoe cave 42–45°C; cold plunge 5°C.
Adult admission: $14–$20 per session (discounts for seniors, children, and families).
Facilities: Main outdoor pool, horseshoe cave (natural mineral cave you wade through), cold plunge pool, change rooms, restaurant, on-site hotel, gift shop.
Hours: Open Wednesday through Sunday. Hotel guests get extended access (8 AM–9 PM).
Best time to visit: Winter evenings — steam rising off the pool with a view of Kootenay Lake and snow-covered peaks. Weekday mornings are least crowded.
Ainsworth's unique draw is the horseshoe cave — a natural mineral cave you enter through the pool and wade through in waist-deep, 42°C water. It's genuinely unlike anything else in BC. The minerals are heavy here (lithium, strontium, sodium), and you'll come out smelling faintly of sulphur and feeling boneless. The resort has been operating since the 1930s and has a comfortable, well-maintained feel without being overly polished.
Location: Inside Kootenay National Park, about 20 minutes (20 km) northwest of Invermere.
Water temperature: Hot pool 37–40°C; cool pool 27°C.
Adult admission: ~$9 per entry (Parks Canada), plus a national park day pass ($10.50/adult) or Discovery Pass. Children 5 and under free.
Facilities: Large outdoor hot pool, cooler swimming pool, change rooms, lockers, snack bar, suit and towel rentals. Wheelchair accessible.
Hours: Open daily year-round, with seasonal hour changes. Typically 9 AM–11 PM in summer, 12 PM–9 PM in winter.
Best time to visit: Late evening in winter — fewer crowds, and the cliff walls above the pool catch the last light beautifully. Summer weekends get very busy.
Radium is the most visited hot spring in BC, and for good reason. It's large, well-maintained, and the setting is spectacular — a wide, open pool at the base of a canyon with Sinclair Creek running nearby. The "radium" name comes from trace amounts of radon in the water (harmless at these levels). Because it's a Parks Canada facility, it's professionally run and consistently clean. The trade-off is that it feels more like a public swimming pool than a wild mountain soak — but it's still hot mineral water under an open sky.
Location: Highway 93/95, about 20 minutes (18 km) south of Invermere, 90 minutes from Kimberley.
Water temperature: Hot pool 39°C; warm pool 32°C; cold plunge available.
Adult admission: ~$13 per entry. Family rates available.
Facilities: Three large outdoor pools (including a lap pool), diving pool, waterslide, full resort hotel, golf course, RV park, restaurant, spa.
Hours: Open daily year-round. Typically 8 AM–10 PM.
Best time to visit: Off-season weekdays. Summer weekends draw heavy family crowds.
Fairmont is the largest hot spring resort in Canada by pool volume. It's massive — the pools hold over a million litres of naturally heated water and are refreshed continuously. This is more of a family resort than a contemplative soak. If you want waterslides and kids splashing, Fairmont delivers. If you want a quiet, atmospheric experience, look elsewhere. The water is naturally odourless (no sulphur smell), which makes it pleasant but less "spring-like" for purists.
Location: 12 km east of Nakusp on Hot Springs Road, in the Kuskanax Valley.
Water temperature: Hot pool 38–41°C; warm pool 33–36°C.
Adult admission: $14 per dip, or $21 all day. Seniors/youth $13/$19.50. Winter Wednesdays just $8.
Facilities: Two outdoor pools, change rooms, picnic area, cedar chalets, campground (200+ acres). Towel and suit rentals available.
Hours: Open daily year-round, with seasonal hours. Check ahead for winter schedule.
Best time to visit: Winter Wednesdays for the $8 deal. Summer evenings when the campground is buzzing.
Nakusp Hot Springs is village-owned and has a community feel that the bigger resorts lack. The setting is stunning — nestled in a forested valley beside a creek, with two pools at different temperatures so you can alternate between hotter and cooler soaks. The cedar chalets and campground make this a proper weekend destination. Nakusp itself is a quiet town on Upper Arrow Lake, far from the main highway — which is part of the appeal. You don't end up here by accident.
Location: On Upper Arrow Lake, about 30 km south of Revelstoke (via Highway 23 South). About 60 km north of Nakusp.
Water temperature: Hot pool ~40°C; warm pool ~33°C; cold plunge ~10°C.
Adult admission: ~$16–$18 per single swim; day passes $30–$40. Free pool access with spa treatments.
Facilities: Three lakeside pools, wellness spa, restaurant, accommodation (cabins and lodge rooms), on-site dining. Open 365 days a year.
Best time to visit: Winter — the lakeside setting with snow-covered mountains is extraordinary. Book a cabin and make a weekend of it.
Halcyon has the best setting of any developed hot spring in BC. The pools sit on a terrace overlooking Upper Arrow Lake, with the Monashee Mountains across the water. The mineral content is high — lithium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, and strontium — and the water has a genuine therapeutic feel. The original Halcyon Sanitarium opened here in 1894 and operated until 1955; the current resort was rebuilt in the 1990s. It's a bit of a drive from Revelstoke, and Highway 23 can be challenging in winter, so check DriveBC conditions before heading out.
Location: On Highway 1, about 35 km east of Revelstoke (halfway to Golden).
Water temperature: Hot pool ~40°C; swimming pool ~28°C.
Adult admission: ~$12–$15. Family rates available.
Facilities: Hot mineral pool, large swimming pool, campground, cabins, RV sites, convenience store.
Hours: Seasonal — typically open mid-May to mid-September only.
Best time to visit: Summer road trips. Good stopover between Revelstoke and Golden.
Canyon Hot Springs is a highway-side campground and pool resort that's been operating since the 1960s. It's a popular summer stopover for Trans-Canada travellers, and locals from both Revelstoke and Golden visit regularly. The setting is forested and pleasant, though it lacks the dramatic views of Halcyon or Radium. Note that it's seasonal — closed in winter — so it's not an après-ski option.
These are the springs that don't have admission desks, change rooms, or snack bars. Some have basic outhouses and maintained parking areas. Others have nothing at all. They're free, they're wild, and they require a different mindset than walking into a resort.
⚠️ Before you go: Natural hot springs are on Crown land or within provincial parks. There are no lifeguards, no water treatment, and limited emergency access. Water temperatures can be scalding near the source. Test with your hand before entering. Some pools may contain harmful bacteria — people with open wounds or compromised immune systems should exercise caution. Always check current access conditions before driving remote forest service roads.
Location: Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park, about 75 km (1 hour) from Kimberley via a gravel forest service road from Highway 93/95.
Water temperature: Source ~43°C. Rock-lined pools range from 30–42°C depending on river mix.
Cost: Free. No admission, no parking fee.
Facilities: Outhouse and small change area at the parking lot. No drinkable water, no cell service, no electricity.
Access: Year-round, though the forest service road can be icy and snowy in winter — 4WD or chains recommended November–March.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings. Summer weekends get crowded. Winter visits are magical but require preparation.
Lussier is the most popular natural hot spring in the East Kootenays. The springs emerge from the hillside and flow into a series of rock-lined pools right beside the Lussier River. You can adjust the temperature by moving between pools — the upper ones are hotter, the lower ones mix with the cold river water. In winter, you're soaking in 40°C water while snow falls on your shoulders and the river flows beside you at near-freezing. It's a remarkable experience. The downside: popularity. On summer weekends, expect crowds and sometimes a wait for pool space.
Location: About 37 km north of Nakusp. Drive 26 km north on Highway 23 to the Halfway River bridge, turn right onto the forest service road, and drive about 11.5 km to the parking area.
Water temperature: Multiple mud-bottom pools ranging 36–50°C.
Cost: Free.
Facilities: First-come, first-served vehicle-access campsites nearby. No food, no drinkable water, no cell service, no electricity.
Access: Typically accessible late spring through fall. Forest service road may be impassable in winter and during spring washout. 4WD recommended.
Best time to visit: Summer and early fall. Combine with camping for a multi-day trip.
Halfway is a true backcountry hot spring experience. Multiple natural pools with mud bottoms sit along a forested creek, and temperatures range widely — some pools are soaking-perfect at 38°C, others are dangerously hot near the source. The isolation is the point. There's no cell service, no maintained facilities, and if the FSR is washed out, you're not getting in. Locals in Nakusp treat this as their "secret" spot, though it's well known in the hot springs community.
Location: Ram Creek Ecological Reserve, about 80 km southeast of Invermere. Access via a 6.9 km (11 km round trip) hike along a forest service road.
Water temperature: Source ~35°C. Pools vary from 28–35°C — warm rather than hot.
Cost: Free.
Facilities: None. This is a backcountry hike-in location within an ecological reserve.
Access: Summer and early fall only. The hike is moderate — about 3 hours round trip on a mostly flat forest road.
Best time to visit: Mid-summer. Water temperatures are lukewarm, so a warm day makes the soak more enjoyable.
Ram Creek is the most effort of any spring on this list. It's a genuine hike to get there, and the water is warm rather than hot — around 35°C at the source, cooler in the pools. The springs sit within an ecological reserve established to protect the unique plant communities around the thermal water. The pools are small, natural, and surrounded by forest. If you're expecting a steaming hot soak, you'll be disappointed. If you want a beautiful hike that ends with a warm dip in the wilderness, it's perfect.
Location: Near the former townsite of St. Leon, between Halcyon and Nakusp on Upper Arrow Lake.
Water temperature: Source reportedly 50°C+. Soaking pools vary.
Cost: Free — but see below.
Access: Technically closed. The route crosses private property, and access has been officially restricted for years. Despite this, people do still visit. We can't recommend trespassing on private land.
St. Leon has a fascinating history — a hotel and sanitarium operated here from the early 1900s until World War I. The hot springs still flow, and the pools are reportedly beautiful, but the access situation makes this one complicated. The original hotel was dismantled decades ago, and the land has been in private hands since. Some people hike in regardless, but access is not guaranteed and not technically legal. If you want a similar experience with legitimate access, Halcyon or Halfway are better choices.
| Hot Spring | Type | Nearest Town | Drive Time | Temp (°C) | Adult Cost | Facilities | Year-Round? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ainsworth | Developed | Nelson | 45 min | 35–45 | $14–$20 | Pool, cave, hotel, restaurant | Yes |
| Radium | Developed | Invermere | 20 min | 27–40 | ~$9 + park pass | Pool, change rooms, snack bar | Yes |
| Fairmont | Developed | Invermere | 20 min | 32–39 | ~$13 | Pools, waterslide, resort, golf | Yes |
| Nakusp | Developed | Nakusp | 15 min | 33–41 | $14 / $21 all-day | Pools, chalets, campground | Yes |
| Halcyon | Developed | Revelstoke | 40 min | 33–40 | $16–$18 | Pools, spa, restaurant, cabins | Yes |
| Canyon | Developed | Revelstoke | 30 min | 28–40 | $12–$15 | Pools, campground, cabins | Summer only |
| Lussier | Natural | Kimberley | 60 min | 30–43 | Free | Outhouse, parking | Yes* |
| Halfway River | Natural | Nakusp | 50 min | 36–50 | Free | Rustic campsites | No |
| Ram Creek | Natural | Invermere | 1.5 hr + hike | 28–35 | Free | None | No |
| St. Leon | Natural | Nakusp | 40 min | ~50 (source) | Free | None (access restricted) | Restricted |
*Lussier is technically accessible year-round, but winter access requires 4WD or chains on the forest service road.
In mountain towns with nearby hot springs, the après-ski routine isn't just beer at the lodge — it's a soak. Revelstoke skiers head to Halcyon. Nelson-area riders hit Ainsworth after a day at Whitewater. Invermere locals bounce between Radium and Fairmont after skiing Panorama. It's a routine that turns a good ski day into a perfect one.
There's something about the contrast — cold, tired muscles submerged in 40°C mineral water with snow falling around you — that no hot tub can replicate. The minerals are different, the setting is different, and the community feel is different. You're soaking next to locals who know the mountain, not strangers in a hotel pool.
Most developed springs have cold plunge pools, but the natural springs offer something better — the river. At Lussier, you can sit in a 42°C pool and then slide into the Lussier River at 4°C. The Scandinavians call this contrast therapy; Kootenay locals just call it Tuesday. The health claims are debatable, but the feeling is undeniable — a full-body electric buzz followed by deep relaxation.
Visit any of these springs on a clear winter night and you'll understand why people move to the mountains. The Kootenays have minimal light pollution, and from a natural hot spring with no artificial lights, the Milky Way is visible overhead. Halcyon and Nakusp are both excellent for evening soaks under the stars. At Lussier on a moonless winter night, the sky is extraordinary.
Hot springs in mountain towns function like community centres. At Nakusp Hot Springs, locals have season passes and come several times a week. At Ainsworth, Nelson-area regulars know each other by name. At Lussier, the Kimberley and Cranbrook crowd has an unwritten system for sharing pool space. These aren't tourist attractions for the people who live here — they're part of the social fabric, especially in the long winter months when options for warm, outdoor socializing are limited.
Developed hot springs test and treat their water regularly. Natural hot springs do not. The warm, mineral-rich water in natural pools can harbour bacteria, including rare but serious pathogens like Naegleria fowleri (the brain-eating amoeba, though this is extremely rare in BC's cooler climate). Practical precautions:
💡 Local tip: Most mountain town locals buy season passes or multi-visit cards for their nearest commercial spring. At Nakusp, a $100 swim card gets you in for $10/visit. At Ainsworth and Radium, ask about local resident rates. If you're moving to a mountain town, a hot springs pass is one of the best investments in your winter wellbeing. See our guide to mental health in mountain towns — winter soaking is genuinely therapeutic.
If you're visiting the Kootenays and want to hit multiple springs, here are two popular routes:
Hot springs are one of the genuine, irreplaceable advantages of living in BC's mountain towns. You can't replicate 40°C mineral water emerging from the earth beneath a star-filled sky and snow-covered peaks. You can't fake the feeling of stepping out of a horseshoe cave at Ainsworth, boneless and warm, while Kootenay Lake glimmers below. You can't manufacture the silence of Lussier at dawn in January.
Whether you prefer the comfort and facilities of a developed resort or the raw, pack-in-pack-out experience of a backcountry soak, the Kootenays and Columbia Valley have a hot spring for you. Most mountain town locals have a favourite — ask them about it, and you'll get a 20-minute answer, because this is something people here are genuinely passionate about.
That's mountain living. Sometimes the best thing you can do after a long day is drive up a forest road, strip down to your bathing suit, and ease into water that's been heated by the earth for thousands of years. The Indigenous peoples who first used these springs understood something fundamental: the land heals you, if you let it.