A Healing Place with Deep Roots

T’sek Hot Springs, also known historically as Skookumchuck Hot Springs or St. Agnes Well, is a site of deep spiritual and cultural significance for the In-SHUCK-ch and St’át’imc peoples of British Columbia. Located along the Lillooet River, southeast of Pemberton, the springs have served for generations as a place of healing, community gathering, and sacred ceremony.

Before the arrival of European settlers, the hot and cold springs at T’sek were used by Indigenous elders and spiritual leaders to support physical and emotional wellness. Cold spring pools were traditionally used to initiate young men into leadership roles, while the mineral-rich warm waters were used for cleansing and reflection. These customs, rooted in tradition, made T’sek a vital site in the spiritual landscape of the region.

The Colonial Encounter and a Changing Name

During the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush in the mid-1800s, colonial settlers encountered the springs and renamed them “St. Agnes Well,” in honor of one of Governor Douglas’s daughters. Later, they became commonly referred to as Skookumchuck Hot Springs, a term from Chinook Jargon meaning “strong water”—a reference to the nearby river’s power.

Despite the name changes and colonial overlays, the site remained deeply important to the Indigenous communities who have continued to steward and protect it over the decades.

A Rustic Destination for Modern Visitors

In the early 2000s, T’sek Hot Springs became a well-known off-grid destination for campers, wellness seekers, and outdoor adventurers. With a dozen soaking tubs—some filled with mineral-rich hot water, others with glacial cold—the site offered a raw but beautiful experience in the wild.

Campgrounds were available year-round, and the site was lovingly maintained by community members. Signs reminded visitors that this was not a spa, but sacred ground. Rules included respecting the land, refraining from alcohol and glass containers, and keeping noise to a minimum.

Closure and Current State of Disrepair

In recent years, however, things have changed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other concerns, the hot springs were officially closed to the public. The official website states simply: “TSEK WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.”

Videos posted in the years following the closure tell a more sobering story. Bathtubs have been overturned. Infrastructure appears damaged. Nature has begun reclaiming the site. Trash and vandalism have marred what was once a peaceful retreat. Most significantly, signage has been erected declaring the area closed and marked with ‘No Trespassing.’

As of now, the site remains inaccessible to the public—not only due to damage and health concerns, but out of respect for the land’s cultural importance and the stewardship of the local Indigenous community.

Honor What Remains

While T’sek Hot Springs may no longer be a place for casual visits, it remains a place of deep reverence and history. Those seeking connection to nature and healing are urged to find it elsewhere until the community deems the springs ready to welcome visitors again.

In the meantime, respecting closures and honoring the caretakers of this sacred place is the least we can do. Let it heal—in its own time, in its own way.