Hot Spring Ettiquette Tips 

 

Imagine yourself in a calm, sulfuric pool, heated halfway to boiling by subsurface magma, whose gases slowly and steadily rise to the earth’s surface in mostly non-lethal doses.

Wipe the steam from your spectacles, and you might just find another person in that pool with you. It would be odd to share a bath with someone with whom you have no blood or tie in a less igneous location. In fact, it’s probably stranger in that colossal crockpot powered by the life-force of the earth, where you’re stewing hundreds of kilometres from social standards.

What if they don’t have any clothing on? What would you say if they invited their friend? Do you compliment them on their appearance, or are there some things better left unsaid? No, modern civilisation teaches us good social behaviour with schoolyard harassment and ice cream cones, not hot spring etiquette.

Which leads us to the main issue: ice cream cones are not permitted in hot springs. That would be strange. That’s why, when it comes to those steamy, sweet soaks in the wilderness, you need to know what’s right and what’s wrong. Well, we have the answer to your problem right here, and the payoff is clear: a fun and rejuvenating time with new people in the great outdoors.

 

A Proverb for the Wise When considering how to act, keep in mind where you are. There are hot springs all around British Columbia.  The space should be respected. People visit hot springs mostly to relax, and they do so in their own unique way. Some people like isolation, while others prefer to connect with their friends—to each their own. People are drawn to hot springs for the ability to unwind, however. Be respectful of the opportunity for quiet relaxation.

Where it occurs, be accepting, open, and respectful of nudity. Clothing is often optional at backcountry hot springs, but not at easily accessible springs, depending on the location and time of year. Use your best judgement when in doubt. Soaking in the buff can be a freeing and uplifting experience when done in the appropriate environment. When soaking nude, be open and accepting of others. When visiting a clothing-optional hot spring, be courteous of other people’s bodies by not staring or engaging in other actions that objectify their bodies.

Baths are not the same as hot springs! Showering before entering the pools is recommended if possible. The level of access will decide whether or not this is possible, but cross-contamination is a serious danger that can pose difficulties for both you and the springs’ long-term health. Hot springs are commonly contaminated with pathogens and bacteria, however adequate cleanliness can lessen this danger.

Recognize your limitations. Hot springs have a reputation for causing fainting spells. Heat stroke is easily induced in hotter pools, which can exceed 110 degrees. Maintain hydration and pay attention to your body. A pounding heart or a headache are signs that your body has had enough and needs to rest. Exiting pools should also be done with prudence. Overactivity can easily cause a fainting condition.

Glass should never be brought near the hot springs. It becomes a significant hazard that is difficult to remove once it breaks. Be mindful of high-traffic hours and make necessary adjustments. Visiting popular hot springs at less congested periods helps to regulate the impact, and avoiding the throng will substantially improve your experience.

The landowner should be respected and permission asked. You are a guest if the hot springs are on private property. Disrespect can easily result in public access being revoked.

Remove any traces of your presence Even when examining natural regions that have been constructed specifically for human use, the principles of Leave No Trace must be considered, especially given the rising activity surrounding these sensitive areas. Even though they are developed areas, they are still sensitive areas where Leave No Trace rules must be followed. In fact, this is doubly true: the BC Parks Service and other managing organisations lack the funding to adequately care for many of these sites, and some will close if they are not maintained.

It is our responsibility to make sure access endures so that we are all able to enjoy these hot springs.

Keep an eye out for plantlife near the hot springs and be careful not to trample any plants that thrive there. If you pack it in, Then you need to pack it out.

Whatever you bring to the hot springs should stay with you, and if others haven’t cleaned up after themselves, clean up after them.

If you’re camping in the backcountry, stay at least 100 yards away from hot springs.

Leaving your dogs at home is not a good idea. It is impossible to maintain a standard of cleanliness with your pets in your company for obvious reasons.

Plan ahead of time to use the restroom and relieve yourself before visiting a hot spring region. If you have to go number one during your vacation to the hot springs, observe standard Leave No Trace rules about human waste.

Featured Image By @milne.19

 

 

 

 

Crawford Creek Warm Springs, We have added a video of the trip to here.
Link to YouTube in our bio ☺

located along Crawford Creek’s bank, is well worth a visit. From the community of Crawford Bay on the east shore of the Kootenay Lake, find the waste transfer station, follow the road past this (pavement ends at this point) for 1.8km. just before this point (150 m) you will find a rusty-colored rock quarry on the left. it is an active quarry we suggest not parking in this area

There will be a large hump of earth on the right the path starts on the right side of this. The path is fairly easy to follow with some markers in place, there are many slippery spots when wet, good hiking boots are highly recommended.
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Soakers Report by: @wildlivingwellness

Autumn, the season that teaches us that change can be beautiful.

The seasons are shifting into cooler crisp air, leaves are beginning to reveal their beautiful colours, and the days are getting shorter.
The swift bustle of summer is moving into the slower, beautiful moments of autumn🍂

The seasons of nature show us that we too, have seasons of our life.

Moving through the seasons can be challenging at times, and requires us to come back to grounding. Finding a hot spring to contrast the
cooling air is one of my favourite ways to experience the shift through summer to autumn 💛🧡

#seasons #changingseasons #embraceyou #embraceyourself #youarenotalone #youaremagic #youareyourownhealer #womenwhohike #hikinglover #backcountry #hotspring #mountainlife #mountainlover #kootenays #hotsprings #dewarhotsprings #dewarcreekhotsprings #hotspringsofbc #wildernessculture
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hiking & hot springs 🤝

You can reach the Ram Creek Ecological Reserve by hiking the 11.1 km out-and-back trek that follows a forest service road to the Ram Creek Hot Springs. Hikers can find a number of tranquil thermal pools nearby where they may unwind while taking in the stunning mountain scenery. Although the trailhead's access route is a little dangerous, once you arrive at the hot springs, you will quickly forget about the difficult journey and feel at one with nature.

📸 By @breannauphill
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#ramcreek #eastkootenays #easykootenays
#rockymountains #foothills #hikebc #hotsprings #roadtrip #explorecanada #hikingandhotsprings #shewhowanders #sheexplores #wonderlust #insperation #getoutside #hotspringseason
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@breanna_chapman says Thanks for letting me use your hot tub @earth

Sloquet Hot Springs The in-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road, an active logging road, connects Sloquet to the north. Visitors should exercise caution when traveling on this road and be prepared to yield to heavy commercial traffic on the narrow, twisting road. Still have the headlights on.The Sts’ailes FSR provides access from the south (formerly Harrison West FSR). At the Sasquatch Inn, make a right. This is a Forest Service road. Please drive with your headlights on and pay close attention as working logging trucks frequent this route. There is petrol at the Sts’ailes First Nation gas station right on the road. *It is recommended to check on road conditions after heavy rain or snowfall in case traffic is temporarily restricted.
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#sloquethotsprings #nature #relax #spa #bath #PNW #hotsprings #whistler #waterfall #river #mountains #adventure #enjoylife #rural #photography #travel #explorebc #canada #beautifulbc #britishcolumbia #tourism #summer #swimwear #pnwonderland #raw
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HUGE thank you to everyone who has followed us 💕💗 we’re super grateful! ...

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What distinguishes the Banff Hot Springs from the rest? What exactly is it that’s in the water? The answer is that the water contains a lot of minerals, including:
134 mg/l bicarbonate concentration
572 mg/l sulphate concentration
205 mg/l calcium concentration
Magnesium: 42 mg/l concentration
Sodium appears present in a concentration of 6.6 mg/l.

Pre-1880’s Indigenous Peoples were the first to soak in the hot springs. These were sacred waters – a place to cure illness and maintain health.
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Soakers Report: @caylievalley
Finally got to these hot springs that I've had my eyes on for years. It's quite the venture to get to but by far one of the coolest places I've ever experienced. 🙌

The hot springs are positioned next to the scenic and lively Pitt River, as the name suggests. To get there, take Lougheed Highway towards Pitt Meadows and finally Pitt Lake. Then it’s a boat ride to the north end pier, followed by about 20 kilometers of biking on a flat logging path
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#pittlake #explorebc #mapleridge #pittmeadows #bcinbc #rockstacking #hotsprings #roadtrip #explorecanada #explorebc #hotspringsofbc #bccanada #pnw #pnwonderland #shewhowanders #sheexplores #wonderlust #hotspring
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Lussier Hot springs Soakers Report July 28th 2022
HuntFishLife Outdoors @huntfishlifeoutdoors you have to get up super early to be the first ones to this hot spring, and they was! "it was truly amazing".

🔗 www.hotspringsofbc.ca/lussier-hot-springs

#lussierhotsprings #britishcolumbia #hotsprings #provinalpark #hotwater #river #hotspringspas
#hotspring #hotspringing #bchotsprings #discoverbc #bclife #hotspringwater #hotspringsontap
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