Located in the east Kootenays of british columbia, The Lussier Hot Springs have been minimally developed in a wonderfully natural way.These pools are located right beside the Lussier River boasting incredible views and an entirely immersive experience. Whether you visit in the summer or the winter, with friends or on your own, you are sure to enjoy the scenic and relaxing day trip.
The Lussier Hot Springs hold a special place in our hearts being our most visited springs in all of Canada. With a family cabin nearby, David has been going for over 25 years. We love that although there have been upgrades made—such as stairs and a change room—the hot springs themselves have remained fairly rugged and unpolished.
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On top of being free and easily accessible, they also boast magical views of the tree lined river and surrounding mountains from each pool. There is no question why the hot springs have increased in popularity over the past few years. A lot of that is thanks to social media and Pinterest. In this blog post, I will go over how to get there, what to expect, and what to do to avoid the crowds. I promise, it’ll be worth the visit!
How to Get There
Only about an hour southeast of Radium and 1 hour northeast of Kimberly in British Columbia, Canada, the Lussier Hot Springs are a fan favourite in the Kootenays. After turning east off Highway 93/95 onto Whiteswan Lake Forest Service Road, you will continue up the windy, gravel logging road for about 17kilometress.
Just after the 17km mark you will see a fence and a parking area on the righthand side of the road. Pull in here! If you need to change, there is a single change room and bathrooms near the top of the stairs.
There’s no entrance fee to access the Lussier Hot Springs, but you will have to embark on a short hike down several manmade rock steps. After about two minutes of walking, the trees open up to views of the different pools and the river.
TIP: As I mentioned, these hot springs can get quite crowded on evenings and weekends. I would recommend arriving before 11 AM on weekdays and before 9 AM on weekends for peace and quiet. If you are looking for a more lively experience, head over on a Friday or Saturday evening with your crew and a few drinks!
Once You Arrive
Choose a spot along the rock wall to your left to drop your towel and your clothes, grab your drink of choice (mine is hot chocolate and Bailey’s), and make your way down into the pools.The hot water comes out of the mountain side and seeps into the top pool first, making it the warmest. If you are visiting on a cold day, I would recommend finding a spot in the top pool first.If/when you start to get too hot, you can make your way down into the cooler pools.
From there, the hot water trickles into 4 other pools, created by big boulders, before making its way into the river. Depending on the water level and the time of year, the pools nearest the river can range in temperature from freezing cold to lukewarm.
Most times we visit, we like to play a fun game called “who can lay in the river the longest before cowering back to the hot pools.” David wins every single time, but it’s always very refreshing!
In the mornings, the pools are typically calm, quiet, and relaxing. It you are looking for a unique and meditative way to start your day, this is for you. During the day, the pools are filled with a good mix of families, couples, and solo soakers. In the evening, things tend to get a whole lot more entertaining. On weekends you can expect music, drinks, and a fun atmosphere.
Before You Leave
Before you leave, please make sure to clean up after yourself. Leaving the area in excellent condition ensures people can continue to enjoy these stunning springs for years to come. If you are bringing food or drinks, do your best to avoid glass bottles, and don’t leave any packaging behind. It is so sad to visit these incredible areas and see garbage, old towels, or bottles and cans piled up on the side.
Bonus points if you clean up any garbage you do find!
We hope you enjoy your time in beautiful British Columbia! Feel free to contact us with any questions or comment below with your experience at the Lussier Hot Springs. We would love to hear from you!
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