The Best Canadian Hot Springs you Need to Check Out

If you’re craving a dip in the soothing, natural waters of a hot spring, you’ve come to the right place! Canada boasts multiple natural hot springs. The difficulty is: choosing which one you want to go to.

Now, as you may know, all the natural hot springs are located in Western Canada. However, we’ve included a couple hot springs in Eastern Canada for those of you who want to enjoy some of the benefits and serenity of hot springs without going west.

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Hot Springs in British Columbia

Largest Thermal Hot Springs: Fairmont Hot Springs

Fairmont Hot Springs, Canada’s largest thermal hot spring resort, is just 27 kilometers southeast of Invermere. Their soaking pool is maintained at an average temperature of 39°C, and their large swimming pool and dive pool are slightly cooler at 32°C. Each day, over 1.2 million gallons of fresh mineral water flow through these pools!

You can use the pools for free if you stay at the hotel, or pay a daily fee if you decide stay elsewhere. In addition, hotel guests have access to hot and cold plunge pools, a steam room, and a sauna.

Largest Natural Hot Spring in Canada: Liard River Hot Springs

Liard River Hot Springs is Canada’s second-largest hot spring after Fairmont Hot Springs. It has maintained a natural atmosphere for your stay. Liard is also open year-round. There is a hot spring open to the public called Alpha pool with water temperatures ranging from 42°C to 52°C. Enter on the left cooler side, and move right through the spring until you find the perfect temperature.

Liard River Hot Springs is situated near the Canadian border between British Columbia and Yukon. Hotel accommodations are not available at the park. However, there are hotels only a 30-50 km drive from the hot springs. The Northern Rockies Lodge is highly rated and located 50 kilometers away.

Top-Rated Hot Springs in the World: Hot Springs Cove, BC

Hot Springs Cove on Vancouver Island is rated as one of the best hot springs in the world, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and rock wall waterfalls. While they are difficult to access, they are worth the effort. To get there, you need to take either a boat or float plane or book a tour from Tofino. Enjoy potential animal sightings on your trip to the springs: anything from seals and eagles to bears, sea lions, and whales.

You will need to walk two kilometres to get to the 50-degree Celsius pools at Hot Springs Cove. If you find that the water gets too hot while swimming, move closer to the ocean. There is a daily fee of $3.00 per person, per day.

Closest to Vancouver: Harrison Hot Springs in Fraser Valley, BC

Harrison Hot Springs is located in Fraser Valley, less than two hours from Vancouver. Harrison Hot Springs offer both indoor and outdoor pools of varying temperatures, some adult-only. You must stay at the resort to enjoy the hot springs, but you can visit the town’s public mineral hot spring pool for $9.

Suppose you want to go to a more secluded environment. In that case, Harrison Lake has many other natural hot springs off the beaten path, near Port Douglas and Clear Creek. However, be forewarned that some roads may be better accessed with 4 x 4 vehicles than cars.

Most Natural: Lussier Hot Springs in Whiteswan Provincial Park, BC

Located in the Kootenay Mountains in Whiteswan Provincial Park, Lussier Hot Springs offers breathtaking scenery in a secluded environment. All three hot spring pools have natural rock walls and gravel bottoms that flow into the adjacent river. If you wish, you can take a cold plunge in the river after your soak. To get there, you must take a drive down a well-maintained dirt road and a short hike. The hot springs are free to access. Canal Flats is the closest town, about 25 minutes away. Lussier Hot Springs is less than an hour’s drive from Invermere or just over an hour north of Cranbrook.

Radium Hot Springs Pools

The town of Radium Hot Springs is named after the hot springs located in Kootenay National Park, not far from the village. One hot tub has a temperature of 39 °C and the other one at 29°C. The hot springs complex is located within the national park. All the pools are open throughout the year and have naturally heated water containing a unique blend of minerals.

Halcyon Hot Springs – Nakusp, BC

Halcyon Hot Springs is a hot springs resort and spa located between Galena Bay and Nakusp on the east side of Upper Arrow Lake, in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia. The nearby Halcyon Mountain derives its name from the springs.

Known for its hot springs and Lithia waters, Halcyon Hot Springs is soothing and beneficial to people with various ailments. A constant supply of fresh spring water keeps the pools warm.

Hot Springs in Alberta

Hottest Hot Springs: Miette Hot Springs in Jasper National Park

These Hot Springs near the town of Jasper use water that flows naturally at 54 degrees Celsius. For the comfort of the swimmers, the water is cooled to a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. They’re accessed by a scenic drive with occasional sightings of elk, moose, or other wildlife on the way. The pools have beautiful views of the Rockies to enjoy while you soak. Miette Hot Springs is open from early May to mid-October and charges a fee for entry and lockers.

Closest to Calgary: Banff Upper Hot Springs in Banff National Park

In case you want to experience a hot spring with sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains, the Upper Hot Springs in Banff is just an hour and a half outside of Calgary. With an altitude of 1685 meters above sea level, these hot springs are also the highest in Canada. The fees are $8.48 a day for adults. Banff offers many hotel options or you can stay in Canmore, just outside the national park.

Most Remote: Kraus Hot Springs, Northwest Territories

Kraus Hot Springs is only accessible by boat, which means that they are relatively untouched. Enjoy panoramic scenery in a rock-lined pool away from crowds of people. To get there, kayak through Nahannni’s First Canyon. Camping is the best lodging on a trip to Kraus Hot Springs since there are no roads into the national park. Most people access the park by flying in from Fort Simpson.

Eastern Canada Hot Springs

Suppose you’re craving a dip in some hot springs but live too far east of the natural thermal hot springs. In that case, you can enjoy some manufactured hot pools that will treat you to a hot water dip in traditional Nordic fashion. Here are our two top picks.

Millcroft Inn and Spa, Caledon, Ontario

Millcroft Inn and Spa offers two outdoor hot spring pools heated to 40 degrees Celsius and a polar plunge. They also have hydrotherapy rooms, whirlpool, herbal steam rooms, and other spa treatments. The pools are open to hotel guests, as well as day visitors. Day passes are $70.

Spa Scandinave – Blue Mountain, Ontario

Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain is a luxurious outdoor experience featuring a sauna, hot tub, cold plunge, waterfall, steam room, fireplaces, and solarium located in a forest setting, minutes from downtown Collingwood & Blue Mountain Resort. There is also a Bistro and Boutique on site. Guests must be 19+ yrs old.

Spa Scandinave, Mont Tremblant, Quebec

Spa Scandinave offers a Nordic spa experience in nature with hot pools and waterfalls nestled in the Laurentian Forest by the Diable River. The cost is $48.00 a day.

What hot springs pool are you going to hit up? Let us know in the comments below!

Hero photo: Kari Medi