British Columbia · Developed pools

Nakusp Hot Springs

Nestled in a forested valley outside Nakusp, this developed spring complex combines hot and warm pools with nearby camping and chalet accommodation. Walking routes around the property lead toward the original spring area and the Kuskanax footbridge.

Historical source coordinate; not a trailhead. Accuracy and datum have not been independently verified. Historical water readings describe source samples, not safe soaking temperatures.

Owned by the town, not a chain

Nakusp Hot Springs is municipally owned and operated, which is unusual among BC's developed springs and shapes the whole experience: modest admission, no resort upsell, and a facility that exists for the community as much as for visitors.

The pools sit deep in the Kuskanax Valley, with the source springs in forest some distance from the pools themselves. A campground beside Kuskanax Creek operates in summer, and chalets are available year-round.

Two pools, adjusted by season

There are two pools, and their temperatures are deliberately changed through the year rather than held constant. Published figures put the hot pool near 41 °C in winter and about 38 °C in summer, with the warm pool around 38 °C in winter and roughly 36 °C in summer.

Water clarity is the operator's main boast, with a reported 200,000 litres of fresh filtered mineral water entering each pool daily. That high turnover is why the water reads clear rather than mineral-clouded.

Built in 1974

The present facility opened in 1974, replacing earlier and far more primitive structures near the source. It was built for roughly $700,000, funded by federal and provincial grants for the benefit of the municipality that still owns it.

Nakusp pairs naturally with Halcyon further up the Arrow Lakes, and the two are commonly done as a single trip.

Our take

A balanced choice for visitors who want forest surroundings and dependable pool facilities. Camping and short walks make it a comfortable base for a slower-paced Kootenay visit.

Editorial assessment based on published information. No firsthand visit or customer score is implied.

Before you go

Sources & record notes

Geoscience BC’s 2016 compilation · 6 historical sampling records · Source name: Nakusp. References recorded in the dataset: Souther 1976; Philips 1994; Grasby 2000; Geoscience BC 2016-07.

Source notes: 32a. Coordinates from Woodsworth (unpub) is for source, not pools.; 32b; (HS1 2007 sample) Polaris Infrastructure kind permission; (HS2 2007 sample) Polaris Infrastructure kind permission

Sources used for this guide

• Nakusp Hot Springs — about the hot springs
• Village of Nakusp — hot springs, chalets and campgrounds
• britishcolumbia.com — Nakusp Hot Springs

Written from the published sources above. Operator hours, access rules and closures change; the official link is authoritative.