Liard River Hot Springs Park
About this Park
Relaxation seeps into your body as you ease into the second largest hot spring in Canada. Liard River Hot Springs provides relief to Alaskan bound travellers after a long day on the road.
The hot springs complex is of national ecological significance and is well known for its natural setting in a lush boreal spruce forest. The park is such a popular stop over for tourists that the campground fills up early each day during the summer months. Liard is also open year-round.
There is a hot spring open to the public called Alpha pool with water temperatures ranging from 42°C to 52°C. Facilities include a change house and composting toilet. A boardwalk, which leads to the hot spring pools, passes through a warm water swamp and boreal forest that supports rich and diverse plant communities as well as mammal and bird species.
Visitors are required to stay on the boardwalk at all times in this area so as not to disturb the sensitive habitat. Watch for moose feeding in the warm water swamps. Due to the lush plant life influenced by the warmth of the springs, the area was originally known as the “Tropical Valley.”
Watch a short video of the scenic views at Liard River Hot Springs park.
Safety information
User Fee
From May 1 to September 30, there is a day-use fee of $5 for adults, $3 for children or $10 for families. Annual passes cost $10 for adults and $20 for families.
Visitors can pay at the staffed gatehouse, which also functions as a local visitor centre. The funding will go toward increased services and staff presence. The fees also help to cover the park’s maintenance costs, which are high due to weather variances and heavy use. Fees are payable in cash, credit, or debit, at the park.
Location notes
This park is located at kilometre 765 of the Alaska Highway, approximately 60km north of Muncho Lake Park.
Activities
- 92:Hiking For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
- 92:Swimming Visitors can bathe in the Alpha pool which has a shallow end for children. Benches are also located in the pool. Pool hours are from 7 am to 10:30 pm daily, with no admission granted after 10 pm.Read about the hot spring.
- 92:Wildlife viewing A boardwalk, which leads to the hot spring pools, passes through a warm water swamp and boreal forest which supports rich and diverse plant communities as well as mammal and bird species. Watch for moose feeding in the the warm water swamps.
- 92:Pets on leash Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
- 92:Cycling Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Liard River Hot Springs Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Facilities
- 92:Pit or flush toilets This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets.
- 92:Drinking water One hand pump and one water tap is available in the campground. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
- 92:Accessibility information Accessibility information is available for this park.
- 92:Playground An adventure playground is located in the day-use area.
- 92:Campfires Campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite. We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
- 92:Hot spring The hot springs complex is of national ecological significance and is well known for its natural setting in a lush boreal spruce forest. The hot spring open to the public is called Alpha pool, with water temperatures ranging from 42°C to 52°C. Facilities include a change house and composting toilet. A boardwalk, which leads to the hot spring pools, passes through a warm water swamp and boreal forest that supports rich and diverse plant communities as well as mammal and bird species. Visitors are required to stay on the boardwalk at all times in this area so as not to disturb the sensitive habitat.There is a day-use fee at Liard River Hot Springs Park for use of the hot springs from May 1 to September 30. The fee is $5 for adults, $3 for children or $10 for families. Annual passes cost $10 for adults and $20 for families. Visitors pay at the staffed gatehouse, which also functions as the local visitor centre.75% of these revenues will be invested back into the park. The funding will go towards increased services and staff presence. These new fees will also help to cover this park’s maintenance costs, which are high due to weather variances and heavy use.Visitors can bathe in the Alpha pool which has a shallow end for children. Benches are also located in the pool. Pool hours are from 7 am to 10:30 pm daily, with no admission granted after 10 pm.
Location
59.41988, -126.08983 · Liard
