Kimberley is located about equidistant from some of BC's best wilderness hot springs, and if you're a hot spring whore like me, there's just not a better springing board for trips to them. Lussier Hot Springs is the most accessible and most popular. From Kimberley,…Read More

Kimberley is located about equidistant from some of BC's best wilderness hot springs, and if you're a hot spring whore like me, there's just not a better springing board for trips to them.

Lussier Hot Springs is the most accessible and most popular. From Kimberley, drive north to Skookumchuck about 40 minutes. Continue 24.1km (15mi) from the gas station Skookumchuck to the turnoff for Whiteswan Provincial Park on the right. This road is used by big logging trucks, so turn on your lights and proceed with caution. The excellent gravel road leads 18.3km (11.3mi) to the marked parking lot for the springs. The last section is one-lane high above the Lussier River Gorge. Hair-raising, but beautiful. Be very cautious driving this section. There are changing rooms next to the parking lot, and a gravel trail leads steeply down to the hot springs, which are right on the Lussier River. A large gravel-bottomed upper pool is VERY hot, 44C (110F) and few can sit in it for too long. It's about 3 feet deep. A small waterfall leads to shallower, cooler pools. If you get overheated in summer, it's traditional to wade into the icy Lussier River to cool down. This is a popular location (party spot on summer weekend nights) and you'll rarely have it to yourself. But it's a VERY lovely spot.

Ram Creek Hot Springs are more remote, less visited, more spectacular, but cooler. Instead of being in the bottom of a canyon, they are high on a mountain shelf with a great view of the surrounding ridges. People usually combine a visit to Ram Creek with one to Lussier, because they are close. The back roads to Ram Creek are rough, and closed in winter, but I can drive them (carefully) in a Neon in summer, so most anyone can make it. There are MANY potholes, though. Be cautious. Continue past Lussier 3.4km (2.3mi) and turn right on White-Lussier Road toward Top of the World Park. Stay to the right at major junctions, following Top of the World signs. You'll come to a major junction in 16km (10mi) where you'll turn RIGHT onto White-Ram Forest Road. Then follow this narrow, potholed road for 5.8km (3mi) to the parking area on the right side of the road. A short, steep trail leads up to the 2 main pools. The large pool is cooler, the small one warmer. Farther up the trail is an even warmer upper pool, and down by the road is a very small almost-hot pool for 1 person. The water is lukewarm compared to Lussier, but there is much more privacy and the views are better. To get back to the highway, keep going down the road about 16km (10mi) until it becomes paved. Turn RIGHT at the junction onto Sheep Creek Rd, and follow it to the main highway. Turn left to head back to Kimberley.

Dewar Creek Hot Springs is close to Kimberley, but is more remote. Most fanatics believe it's just about the best hot springs in all of Canada! From the main traffic light in Kimberley, drive south to the St. Mary Rd 5.7km (3.5mi) south. Turn right. The pavement ends in 17km and then you should be cautious of logging trucks. Just past the 39km sign, go straight at the junction. 9.5km later you cross a bridge, then 0.5 km later turn right (don't take St. Mary West Fork Rd). Follow this main road "Dewar Creek Rd" for 22.2km and turn right onto a rough spur road. Drive 0.8km and turn left, then 0.6kms more to a grassy parking area on the left. It will take 1.5 hours to drive this 64kms from Kimberley. The hike to the springs is 9km (5.6mi) each way, and can be done as a long day hike (2-3 hours each way), but most people backpack in, or camp at the trailhead. It's an easy hike, which leads to numerous pools and waterfalls of water up to 82C (180F). The springs are popular, but remote, and so plentiful that you can always find privacy. Nude bathing is the norm here, unlike at the springs above. People visit them year round, but winter will require good road conditions, 4WD, and X-country skis.

Buhl Creek Hot Springs is a lovely small pool of 40C (104F) water at the end of a long logging road. Inquire locally for directions.