Over the last century, the region surrounding the Canoe River hot springs has transformed from an out-of-the-way trip in an old growth forest to an afternoon picnic on a rocky lakeside shore. The remains of old cedar trees stand like ghosts, watching generations of locals come to soak in the hot springs.
Pioneers from the Valemount region frequented the springs in the early 1900s. To get to them, they would drive a gravel road to mile 18 on the east side of the Canoe River, then take a canoe over the river. There was no water reservoir at the time because the area had not been logged, dammed, or inundated until the Mica Dam was completed in 1973.
Baths were a lot of work without heated running water, so the hot water was a bonus.
The hot spring is crystal pure and odourless. They’d soak in a large man-made cedar tub with pebbles on the bottom that local trappers had brought up from the river. Oswald Svenson had a trapper’s cottage nearby, as well as a small lake where rainbow trout could be caught. There were three tubs at first, but only one was operable by the 1960s.
They would pluck green algae from the surface water as you arrived. The tub had two streams flowing into it, one hot and one cold. They’d alter the water intakes to keep the temperature at a comfortable level.
In 1969, there was a logging camp on the Canoe River, and the excitement of going to the springs on winter weekends via logging bridges and old skid roads to soak in the hot springs. They mostly used the tub near the cabin, but there are three primary hot places in the region.
The clearing of forests on a large scale began in 972. The Mica reservoir would be filled, and the remnants of the logged forests and hot springs would be drowned beneath Kinbasket Lake, transforming the landscape dramatically.
After 1973, access to the hot springs was limited to when the reservoir level was low enough to expose the spring. Visitors can drive to the springs from the west side of the valley, which is only a short beach walk away. The cedar tubs are now gone, and each time the water level changes, a new soaking pool is dug in the rocks and muddy beach. The experience has also evolved. Bathers are surrounded by an enormous view of mountains and a stony beach dotted with the stumps of old cedars, rather than a thick cedar forest and mosquito infestation. It’s a murky sulfur-scented soak that changes every time the water level ebbs and flows.
The valley has changed due to human energy demands. The question of how this hot spring’s geothermal potential will shape the environment in the future remains unanswered.
To get there:
Follow Canoe River West Forest Service Road 52.731144,-119.2694297 (click for location pin)it is located approximately 35km from the Town of Valemount. At the 26km mark on the gravel‐surfaced logging road, And allows visitors to drive a short walk away from the springs. The tubs are long gone, and a new soaking pool is dug Each year in the rocks and muddy beach bottom When the water level allows it. It is a muddy sulfur fragranced soak,
• Before the Mica Dam submerged the springs in 1973, Canoe River Hot Springs was a 4-star soaking spring.
• Few people are aware of Valemount’s hot spring, but It is still used by a few locals and hot spring lovers who bother to go there, it is well worth the effort!
Springs Location: 52.629882, -118.989233 (click for location pin)
After 1973 the hot springs became only accessible when the reservoir level was low enough to expose the spring(usually between late March and mid-may). You can click here and see the levels. They start to surface around 720m.
Featured photo by @bchotspringer
Canoe River Hot Springs - Soakers Report by Terri Jonuk April 23, 2022
Upper pool is exposed, Still some snow on the road. Springs are exposed, bit of digging could be done to make it better, but the source is flowing. Lake needs to drop 1 more meter for lower pool.
Link for directions history and a map ☺
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#canoeriverhotsprings #kinbasketlake #micacreek #micadam #explorebc #hotspringsofbc #bccanada #pnw #hotsprings #roadtrip #explorecanada #hotspring #geothermal #acquacalda #eauchaude #onsen #rotenburo
Find them all on our map 😉
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#lussierhotsprings #ramcreekhotsprings #pittriverhotsprings #fairmonthotsprings #radiumhotsprings #clearcreekhotsprings #halfwayhotsprings #harrisonhotsprings #skookumchuckhotsprings #tsekhotsprings #stagneswellhotsprings #keyholehotsprings #DeerRiverHotSprings #Liardriverhotsprings #frizzelhotsprings #ainsworthhotsprings #toadriverhotsprings #canoeriverhotsprings
Soakers Report: tad Dennis
Will be a couple weeks yet before #canoeriverhotsprings surfaces.
The lake level has risen by 1m in the last few days and still 4m from surface.
Here you can see the ice melted above the springs and some bubbles
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#almostready #coupleweeks #historyrevisited #geothermal #hydroelectric #hotsprings #roadtrip #explorecanada #explorebc #hotspringsofbc #bccanada #pnw #getoutside
Over the last century, the region surrounding the Canoe River hot springs has transformed from an out-of-the-way trip in an old growth forest to an afternoon picnic on a rocky lakeside shore. The remains of old cedar trees stand like ghosts, watching generations of locals come to soak in the hot springs.
Pioneers from the Valemount region frequented the springs in the early 1900s. To get to them, they would drive a gravel road to mile 18 on the east side of the Canoe River, then take a canoe over the river. There was no water reservoir at the time because the area had not been logged, dammed, or inundated until the Mica Dam was completed in 1973.
Baths were a lot of work without heated running water, so the hot water was a bonus.
The hot spring is crystal pure and odourless. They’d soak in a large man-made cedar tub with pebbles on the bottom that local trappers had brought up from the river. Oswald Svenson had a trapper’s cottage nearby, as well as a small lake where rainbow trout could be caught. There were three tubs at first, but only one was operable by the 1960s.
Picture one and two by abhotspringer
🔗 In bio
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#canoeriverhotsprings #addtobucketlist #hotsprings #getoutside #camping #hotspringsofbc #bccanada #springs #govermentruinedit #explorebc #4x4offroad #history #bchistory #hydroelectric #nature
Having our #mindsblown by #nature is a therapy that #nourishes our #soul in the deepest and most meaningful way... when we heard that the #hotsprings south of #valemount were out (for the first time in over a decade) we drove there as soon as we could... perfect weather and perfect company! Arlo was in heaven! #arlofraserlloyd #canoeriverhotsprings #disappearinghotsprings #beautifulbc #kinbasketlake #adventuring
Hot mineral mud for your life.
#kinbaskethotsprings #canoeriverhotsprings #disappearinghotsprings
#hotsprings
#explorebc
Special thanks to tourismvalemount visitor centre staff for helping me get this this little gem. Kinbasket Hot Springs aka Disappearing Hot Springs .. formerly Canoe River Hot Springs.. is only open for a few weeks per year. This year because the Kinbasket reservoir is so low a giant pool that rarely shows itself is open and locals tell me it hasn't been this good in over 10 years. Locals also tell me that because of a recent earthquake that increased geo thermal activity the springs have never been hotter. If you do go down for a mud and soak you only have another week or two. Could be years before this happens again.
I tested the source area for temperature and it maxed out my thermometer at 160 degrees.
#hotsprings #valemount #explorevalemount #explorebc #norththompson #kinbasketlake #letthemountainsmoveyou #kinbaskethotsprings #canoeriverhotsprings #disappearinghotsprings
CANOE RIVER HOT SPRINGS
This beauty is only available for a few weeks every few years. maybe 2 weeks left and the will be covered again #canoeriverhotsprings #hotspringsofbc #hotspringsofcanada #explorebc #hotspring #discoverbc #BritishColumbia #therapeutic #hotspringsofwesterncanada #explorebcparks
link in the bio!
Great day hot springing at Kimbasket Lake (Canoe River) Hot Springs today south of Valemount! #outdoors #mountains #explorebc #britishcolumbia #beautifulbritishcolumbia #travelbc #explorecanada #canada #imagesofcanada #brmb #brmblife #hotsprings #kimbasketlake #kimbasketlakehotsprings #canoeriverhotsprings #exploring #hotspringing #spadaywiththeboys
The amazing Kimbasket Lake Hot Springs south of Valemount will probably be open for another month until the level of Kimbasket Lake rises and floods out the springs. Get there while you still can! These hot springs aren't accessible every year! #outdoors #mountains #explorebc #britishcolumbia #travelbc #beautifulbritishcolumbia #valemount #kimbasketlake #kimbasketlakehotsprings #canoeriverhotsprings #hotsprings #hotspringing #offthebeatenpath #brmb #brmblife #canadianrockies #explorecanada #imagesofcanada #canada
As spring is getting closer I can’t help but become increasingly curious to whether these hot springs are going to show themselves or not. This spring near Valemount, BC is dubbed the disappearing hot springs as they often are only accessible for a few weeks in the year - if luck is on our side. Being hidden well beneath a reservoir, you can only reach them if the water levels are low enough, which until last year, they were inaccessible for over a decade. So, it’s one of those moments if you know, you go.
Side note: I was surprisingly shocked how large this spring is! If you zoom into the second photo, you can see a patio chair halfway between the spring and lake for size reference. 🤩
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