Hot spring trips

This page summarizes the major hot springs in southwestern BC

Meager Creek hot springs

WARNING: The landslide in 2010 has cut access to the Meager Creek Hotsprings. The bridge was destroyed and the road that leads to it has been blocked by a dirt barrier. Some reports indicate it can be reached on foot (crossing the river), but this may be more risky. This does not affect Keyhole Hot Springs.

• Location: 50°34.4' 123°28.0'
• All road junctions starting from Pemberton are well signed.
• Head NW from Pemberton on Pemberton Meadows road for 25km and turn right onto Upper Lillooet FSR. Keep left at 9km (right goes to Gold Bridge via Hurley Pass)
• Follow Upper Lillooet FSR to 38km and turn left onto the Meager Creek Branch. The Meager Creek Valley is extremely unstable and sometimes this road may be closed for public safety reasons.
• 6km up Meager Creek Branch, stay left.
• Park on the north side of the bridge over Meager Creek (warning: bridge was destroyed in 2010, see note above). The trail to the hot springs starts on the south side of the bridge. It's a 600m walk upstream to the hot springs.
• There is a $5 per person fee to cover maintenance.

See the Recreation Sites and Trails BC website and Bivouac for more information.

Keyhole Falls/Pebble Creek hot springs

These hotsprings are relatively close to the Meager Creek hot springs. The springs are fairly small, and not as well developed.

More info:

• Directions
• Trip Reports on the message board: November 2007 | October 2008
• Clubtread discussion

Skookumchuck/St. Agnes Well hot springs

From Pemberton, follow highway 99 towards Mt.Currie, after passing Lillooet Lake, turn right on the In-Shuck-In/Lillooet Main FSR. Follow untill you reach the hot springs (just before Skookumchuck). See the 'backroads mapbook' for more details.

More info: [1]

Sloquet hot springs

Location: 49°43.8' 122°19.5'
From Pemberton, follow highway 99 towards Mt.Currie, after passing Lillooet lake, turn right on the Skookumchuuk/Lillooet Main FSR. Cross Little Lillooet Lake at the Tenas Lake Bridge, and continue along the West Lillooet FSR. Before reaching Tipella and Harrison Lake, turn right onto the Sloquet Creek FSR to get to the hot springs. See bivouac for location.

Pitt River hot springs

GPS GeoCoords (Trailhead): 49.697, -122.71

Hard to access: a 30km paddle along Pitt Lake and a 22km bike ride along logging roads (Pitt River FSR).

C/O Hiking & Soaking in the Western U.S. & Canada

Reputed to be the best hot springs in British Columbia and remaining pristine because of the difficulty and length of the hike . . . plus the need to access the north end of Pitt Lake by boat before you begin the long hike.

The trail from the north end of Pitt Lake to the Hot Springs is a flat forest logging road. Once you pass the 13.5 mile (22 km) mark on the road there will be a bridge over the Pitt River and directly after the bridge on the north side is the overgrown trailhead towards the Hot Springs. Once you get past the overgrown entrance the trail is clear and overlooks a cliff to the Pitt River Cayon (this trail is approx 5 mins long). At this point you will find two ropes that you can use to get down the steep rocks to the hot springs.

There are two small pools with two small water falls that come out of the cliff. No sulphur smell and the algae is minimal. Right beside the pools is the rapid glacially-cold (emerald blue) river.

To access the north end of the lake you can arrange for transport with the operators of the Pitt River Lodge or Pitt River Water Taxi [Ask for Earl or Bobbie / Phone: 604.629.9884 / Cell: 604.649.2565 / Cell: 778.785.1491 / Four people for $400 (CAD) return and up to seven people for $500 return. There are no formal campsites in the area, but Earl offers overnights in a cabin on his property for $100 (CAD), not far from the Pitt River Lodge].

See the 'backroads mapbook' also has additional details.

Clear Creek hot springs

Located on the Eastern side of Harrison Lake. Follow the Harrison East FSR, then Clear Creek FSR (gated at start, 13km bike ride). See the 'backroads mapbook' for more details.

More information

• Bivouac - searchable online guide book
• Backroad Mapbook, Southwestern BC, Mussio Ventures - includes hotsprings listings
• bchotsprings.com
• Tourism BC: Hotsprings | Search listing with map
• Georgia Straight - Some Like It Hot
• soak.net
• Wikipedia:Hot springs around the world#British_Columbia
• Hot Springs of Western Canada: A Complete Guide
• REI British Columbia Hot Springs