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Lussier Hot Springs - an Authentic British Columbia Hot Springs Experience!
- andrewsco3
- Aug 29, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 26
If you are looking for a more authentic hot springs experience rather than sitting in a large heated swimming pool, Lussier Hot Springs is well worth the trip.
The pools sit beside the Lussier River in Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park, surrounded by forest and mountain views. They are less developed and far less busy than the popular pools in Radium or Fairmont.
Lussier Hot Springs are an easy detour if you are driving between Banff and Radium, especially if you are following Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park. They also work well as a stop if you are heading north from Fernie or Cranbrook toward the national parks.
You can find detailed suggestions for both directions in our two-week Canadian Rockies itinerary, or our Calgary to Fernie road trip guide if you are visiting from the south.
Table of Contents
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How to get to the Lussier Hot Springs
The hot springs are located in the Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park, which is around an hour drive from Invermere. The first part of the journey is a picturesque drive along Highway 95a, where you get some great views of Windermere and Columbia lakes.
After about 30 kilometers on Highway 95, you'll turn onto Whiteswan Lake Road, which is a well-maintained logging road, but exercise caution and drive carefully.
Lussier Hot Springs Map:
A Few Words of Warning:
The road is an active logging area so there were some trucks that went past when we were there - give them space as they pass.
The trail is quite exposed in a number of areas, with minimal guard rails, so take your time and be careful!
I have only visited in the summer, but in winter the roads are likely to be quite treacherous, so make sure you have good winter tires on.
After approximately 16 kilometers driving on the logging road, you'll arrive at the parking area for the hot springs. From the parking area, there is a short walk down a gravel path for around 800 meters to the hot springs, which is steep but easily done in the summer (in the winter it can be treacherous).
The Three Different Pools
Once down at the hot springs there are three main pools that you can bathe in. Access is generally fairly straightforward but it might be difficult for older people, or those with mobility issues as you do have to enter by climbing over some rocks.
The top pool is the hottest pool, which is the temperature of a warm hot tub, and where you can also see the source of the springs pouring in from underground. The kids struggled to get in more than just dipping their legs in. I imagine that in the winter this pool would be by far the most crowded, although on a hot summer's day it was fairly easy to find a spot.
The middle pool was more the temperature of a warm-ish bath, and this was the pool that our kids spent the most time in. As the pool is heated by water trickling down from the top, there are certain spots that are warmer than others.
The bottom pool, which is right next to the river is fairly cold, but compared to the river it is still quite manageable. A lot depends on how high the river is, as the higher the water levels, the more ice cold water fills in to the pool affecting the temperature.
I recommend visiting during off peaks times if possible to try and get the hot springs as much to yourself as possible. Weekday mornings are usually the quietest times, but I also found that around dinner time was quiet as well as visiting later in the evening.
By the way, if you are interested in exploring other natural hot springs in Alberta and the Canadian Rockies, you can do so here.
What to Take With You
Clothes! – Not often that I need to specify that you need to bring clothes, but make sure you bring (and wear) a bathing suit! There are changing rooms at the top of the path where you can change.
A towel – Bring a towel with you otherwise it will make for a wet drive back to Invermere....
Appropriate Footwear – In the summer you can definitely walk down to the hot springs in flip flops, however, in the winter it's a different story! I would highly recommend hiking boots with snow spikes as it can get very slippery. I'd highly recommend water shoes as it means they can play around in the pools without scraping their feet on any small rocks.
Water Shoes – while not a necessity, I find that water shoes (especially for the kids) are a great idea as the rocks can get a little slippery so it gives much better grip when moving around. As these are natural pools, the pool floor is made up of small rocks and pebbles, so some type of water shoe definitely makes things more comfortable when moving around.
Water – I'd recommend bringing water with you in a reusable bottle. It's prohibited to drink alcohol but I'd guess that around 50% of adults had a beer in their hand so I'll leave that to your own judgement.
Enjoy the Lussier Hot Springs
Lussier Hot Springs is one of the best natural hot springs in British Columbia and a unique stop on any Canadian Rockies road trip.
Whether you are visiting from Banff, Radium, or coming up from Fernie, the scenic drive and peaceful setting make it well worth the detour.
If you are looking for a free, natural hot springs experience surrounded by forest and mountain views, Lussier Hot Springs should be on your itinerary.
