Deep Roots in Indigenous Tradition

Located within the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation (pronounced ‘K-too-nah-ha’), Ainsworth Hot Springs—known as nupika wu’u or “spirit water”—has long been a place of healing and gathering. For centuries, the Ktunaxa people came to this region to harvest huckleberries and fish the Kokanee salmon run, and they were the first to use and revere the soothing waters bubbling from the earth.

Today, the site is owned and operated by the Lower Kootenay Band (Yaqan Nukiy), who reclaimed stewardship of the land in 2015. Their efforts have helped restore and elevate Ainsworth as a culturally rich and deeply rooted Indigenous destination, while maintaining its place as one of BC’s most scenic and relaxing geothermal spots.

What Awaits Visitors

The resort is built into the mountainside above Kootenay Lake, with sweeping views of the Purcell Mountains. At its heart are three mineral baths: a large lounging pool, a glacier-fed cold plunge, and the crown jewel—a 150-foot-long horseshoe-shaped cave where mineral-laden steam and dripping rock walls create a natural steam room experience unlike any other.

Inside the cave, hot mineral showers cascade from the ceiling, forming shallow pools perfect for a natural steam bath. The cave’s temperature ranges from 40–42°C, the main pool sits comfortably at 35–38°C, and the cold plunge offers a brisk 4–10°C refresh.

The water begins its journey deep underground, seeping through porous rock to depths of up to two kilometers. As it descends, it heats by roughly 40°C per kilometer. When it meets an impenetrable lakeshore fault—angled at 45 to 50 degrees—it’s pushed back up under pressure and emerges at Ainsworth Hot Springs. This geological system also links to the Cody Caves, located upslope from the resort.

The Cody Caves Connection

Cody Caves Provincial Park, just above the resort, features a complex network of limestone passages formed over millions of years by water dissolving rock. While not directly connected to the hot springs, early miners once attempted to access more geothermal flow by tunneling here. Today, guided tours offer access to spectacular calcite formations, narrow passages, and underground wonders.

A Resort with Cultural Depth

The current resort, renovated in 2012 and expanded in 2019, includes accommodations, the Spirit Water Spa, and the Ktunaxa Grill—where you can enjoy Indigenous-inspired meals using locally sourced ingredients. The integration of Ktunaxa culture is woven throughout the site, from design motifs to storyboards that share the land’s history.

The pools are open year-round, and the mineral water completely refreshes every 20 minutes, making it one of the most active natural geothermal sites in Canada. Whether you’re there for the therapeutic soak, the cultural connection, or just to take in the West Kootenay’s dramatic scenery, Ainsworth delivers.

A Bit of History

In 1882, George Ainsworth of Portland, Oregon, filed for pre-emption of the land that would become the village of Ainsworth Hot Springs. But long before colonization, the site had been visited and honored by the Ktunaxa. Thankfully, that legacy is once again front and center, as the Lower Kootenay Band continues to welcome visitors with the same spirit of healing and connection that’s defined these waters for centuries.

Plan Your Visit

Contact Info:
Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort
P.O. Box 1268, Ainsworth Hot Springs, BC V0G 1A0
Phone: 250-229-4212
Toll-free: 1-800-668-1171
Website: ainsworthhotsprings.com

Open year-round. Reservations recommended.

Ainsworth Hot Springs

6AM

4°

7AM

3°

8AM

3°

9AM

3°

10AM

4°

11AM

5°

☁️ 4° (Feels like 2°)

Overcast Clouds

🌅 Sunrise: 5:42 AM

🌇 Sunset: 7:49 PM

💨 Wind: 1 m/s

📡 Visibility: 10 km

☁️ Cloudiness: 100%

💧 Humidity: 99%

📈 Pressure: 1016 hPa

🔆 UV Index: 0

3 Day Outlook

Tue

-3° / 9°

Light Rain

Wed

-2° / 12°

Overcast Clouds

Thu

1° / 15°

Clear Sky

🕒 Last updated: April 21, 2025 6:09 AM (131 mins ago)

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