BRITISH COLUMBIA SWIMMING
HOLES |
Click here to see our home page and learn about all our swimming holes
ON PROVINCIAL MAP BELOW: BLUE = swimming hole, GREEN = road trip dip (click here for info) , RED = hot spring. Hold cursor over map tags for info(click here if you don't see this info), then click to go to detailed listing. The map location is very approximate. Use our directions with a highway map.
Please send us E-MAIL if you have a swimming hole to add or if you have more information about one that is already listed. Thank you.
Some great related LINKS for this Province:
BC HOT SPRINGS SITE.
BC CLOTHING OPTIONAL PLACES.
LINKS TO LOTS OF TRAILS TO BC HOT SPRINGS. (fee to use site)
MAPQUEST's Canada maps site.
YAHOO's Canada maps site.
BC Road Guides
Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | KELOWNA, REVELSTOKE, NAKUSP | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=50.65, lon=-117.91(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: general area) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
PROVINCE | BC |
WATER | Halfway River |
TYPE | Hot Spring |
DESCRIPTION | Remote, natural hot springs in southeastern BC. Two pools, add river water to cool off, plywood soaking box. |
AREAS | West Kootenay |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
None |
ACTIVITIES |
Hot soaking |
PHONE | None |
CAMPING | There is a campsite. |
BATHING SUITS | Very optional, preferably not |
DIRECTIONS | In Nakusp (in southeastern BC on RT 6) ask locally (at the Chamber of Commerce) for directions to Halfway River Hot Springs. It is generally: RT 23 north for about an hour then turn and go about 7 miles on a dirt road. (No better directions.) |
CONFIDENCE | Pretty confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 3/27/2005 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | VICTORIA, NANAIMO, TOFINO | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=49.357, lon=-126.264(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
PROVINCE | BC |
WATER | Unknown |
TYPE | Hot Spring |
DESCRIPTION | Remote but spectacular (and popular) hot springs on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island. Requires boat or floatplane to access - commercial transport services are available locally. Three pools, ocean rushes into some, whale watching also! There is a wooden boardwalk and a campsite. Bring camping gear and stay a few days. No supplies at site. |
AREAS | Maquinna Provincial Park |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
None |
ACTIVITIES |
Hot soaking, Whale watching |
PHONE | None |
CAMPING | There is a well-maintained campsite. |
BATHING SUITS | Very optional, preferably not |
DIRECTIONS | From Victoria (on Vancouver Island) take RT 1 north through Duncan and Nanaimo then go north on RT 4 to Tofino (total 150 miles). Hire a water taxi (about $75 round trip) or floatplane (more expensive) locally to go to Hot Springs Cove.
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CONFIDENCE | Very confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 3/27/2005 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | DAWSON CREEK, FORT NELSON | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=59.41, lon=-126.03(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
PROVINCE | BC |
WATER | Liard Hot Spring |
TYPE | Hot Spring |
DESCRIPTION | About half way up the Alaska Highway (it is not positioned accurately on our BC map - it is WAY north of where it is shown!), this Provincial Park offers a hot springs marsh and two hot soaking pools with changing rooms, camping, pit toilets and a fantastic setting. LINK TO PANORAMIC VIEW , LINK TO PARK WEB SITE |
AREAS | Liard River Hot Spring Provincial Park |
SANCTION | Official |
FEE | Yes - see web site |
FACILITIES |
Changing rooms, pit toilets |
ACTIVITIES |
Hot tubbing |
PHONE | 250-427-5452 |
CAMPING | Campground at site |
BATHING SUITS | Unknown - probably required |
DIRECTIONS | From Dawson Creek, in northeastern BC, take the Alaska Highway northwest about 760 kilometers to Liard River. |
CONFIDENCE | Very confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 7/11/2007 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | VANCOUVER, NORTH VANCOUVER | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=49.3338, lon=-123.0261(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: general area) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
PROVINCE | BC |
WATER | Lynn Creek |
TYPE | Creek |
DESCRIPTION | Lynn Canyon Park, in North Vancouver, is an urban park with a great swimming hole, "30 Foot Pool" and maybe some others. LINK TO PHOTOS. It is accessible by both car AND mass transit! Ain't Vancouver wonderful! LINK TO INFO , MORE INFO . |
AREAS | Lynn Canyon Park |
SANCTION | Unofficial (we think) |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
Unknown |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming |
PHONE | Unknown |
CAMPING | None at site |
BATHING SUITS | Required |
DIRECTIONS |
By Car: From Vancouverm take RT 1 (Trans-Canada) to the Lynn Valley Road exit. Turn north (right) onto Lynn Valley Road. From Lynn Valley Road turn right onto Peters Road. The Lynn Canyon Park entrance is at the end of Peters Road. | By Public Transit: From Vancouver, take the Sea Bus to Lonsdale Quay. From the Lonsdale Quay bus loop take the #228 or the #229 bus. The #228 stops along Lynn Valley Road. The #229 stops at the corner of Peters Road and Duval Road, a 2 minute walk from the park entrance. Alternatively, if you are coming over the Second Narrows Bridge from Vancouver, take the #229 bus from the Phibbs Exchange bus loop in North Vancouver. "30 Foot Pool" is an easy 15 minute walk from the parking lot. Cross the suspension bridge, walk north along fairly level terrain until you reach the bottom of a staircase. 30 Foot Pool is on the left.
CONFIDENCE | Very confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 7/11/2007 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | VANCOUVER,ABBOTSFORD,KELOWNA | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=49.060, lon=-120.745(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
PROVINCE | BC |
WATER | Castle Creek |
TYPE | Creek |
DESCRIPTION | Beautiful, deep swimming holes in otherwise shallow creek.LINK TO WEB SITE |
AREAS | Manning Provincial Park |
SANCTION | Unknown |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
Unknown |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming, Wading |
PHONE | (604)795-6169 |
CAMPING | Several campgrounds at site |
BATHING SUITS | Optional |
DIRECTIONS | From Vancouver, take RT 7 east to Hope then RT 3 east to Manning Provincial Park. Find the Manning Park Lodge, then go about 2 miles east of there and turn right when you get to trailhead signed Mon 78-83. Park and hike the trail near the gate and you will shortly come to an old bridge on the left of which is the swimming hole.
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CONFIDENCE | Pretty confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 3/27/2005 | |
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A Family-Friendly Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | VICTORIA, NANAIMO |
PROVINCE | BC |
WATER | Varies - see below |
TYPE | Varies - see below |
DESCRIPTION | Several swimming places near the town of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. For details, see DIRECTIONS below. |
AREAS | Varies - see below |
SANCTION | Varies - see below |
FEE | Varies - see below |
FACILITIES |
Varies - see below |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming |
PHONE | Unknown |
CAMPING | At both sites below |
BATHING SUITS | Varies - see below |
DIRECTIONS | From Victoria, take RT 1 north through North Cowichan, Ladysmith and Cassidy, then: | NANAIMO RIVER [NANI]: Just north of Cassiday on RT 1, Nanaimo River Rd. goes west (left turn) past a bungee jumping place and then along the Nanaimo River. The river is relatively warm and there are many swimming places in the river along here - camping places also. DO NOT SWIM AT "WHITE RAPIDS" OR AT OTHER LOCATIONS WITH SIGNS WARNING OF DANGEROUS CURRENTS. THER HAVE BEEN DROWNINGS HERE. PHOTO. LINK TO INFO , MORE INFO . Where you see cars parked, park and walk down to the river. Bathing suits are optional at some of the more private locations. Try this more private place: On Nanaimo River Rd., park about .6 miles west of the intersection with Nanaimo Lakes Rd. and walk a short distance on a trail to the river. Go downstream a short way to a rock near a bridge. LAT, LON [N83/W84]: lat=49.08, lon=-124.0(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Not verified. Pretty confident. Updated 3/29/05. ENGLISHMAN RIVER FALLS P. P. [ENGL]: Many swimming places in the (colder) Englishman River. LINK TO INFO . Camping also. Bathing suits may be optional in some of the more remote spots. To get here, continue north on RT 1 past Nanaimo then north on RT 19 (Vancouver Island Highway). Before you get to Parksville, turn west (left) on RT 4 then in a short distance turn south (left) on Errington Rd. toward Port Alberni. Follow signs to the Englishman River Falls Provincial Park. Drive to the picnic area, and over a bridge near Englishman River Falls. Turn right and see signs to the trail. Hike the trail along the river and the swimming places are along here. For more privacy, hike further. LAT, LON [N83/W84]:lat=49.2610, lon=-124.3628(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Not verified. Pretty confident. Updated 3/29/05.
CONFIDENCE | See above |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 2/20/2003 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | VANCOUVER, SQUAMISH, PEMBERTON | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=49.89, lon=-122.347(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
PROVINCE | BC |
WATER | Unknown |
TYPE | Hot Spring |
DESCRIPTION | Also known as "St. Agnes Well". Highly-ranked hot spring, near Vancouver, has a large soaking tub with valves to adjust water temperature and cold shower nearby. On private land but maintained by BC Forest Service. Primitive camping on site. LINK TO WEB SITE |
AREAS | BC Forest Service |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
Unknown |
ACTIVITIES |
Hot soaking |
PHONE | None |
CAMPING | There is a campsite. |
BATHING SUITS | Optional |
DIRECTIONS | From Vancouver take RT 99 north through Squamish to Pemberton and then to Mount Currie. Turning south (right) on the dirt road that follows Lillooet Lake. The hot springs are a 34 mile drive from here. The turnoff to the springs is on the right by the number 682 on the electricity pole. Here, turn west (right) on dirt road and follow dirt road to campground. (Rough road near the end - may have to park and hike the last part.) |
CONFIDENCE | Pretty confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 3/27/2005 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | VICTORIA, SOOKE | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=48.430738, lon=-123.712320(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: general area) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
PROVINCE | BC |
WATER | Sooke River |
TYPE | River |
DESCRIPTION | Eroded potholes in riverbed. A popular swimming place but with lots of room and potholes for all. Walk past a gate that is posted "private propery" (apparently an OK practice) to find additional potholes. Also, if you hike a couple of miles on the Galloping Goose Trail (which is parallel to the road) you can get to more private pools where skinny dipping may be possible. LINK TO WEB SITE , ANOTHER WEB SITE. |
AREAS | Sooke Potholes P. P. |
SANCTION | Unknown |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
Unknown |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming, Wading |
PHONE | Unknown |
CAMPING | No camping at site |
BATHING SUITS | Optional in more remote places - see description |
DIRECTIONS | From Victoria (on Vancouver Island) take RT 14 (West Coast Highway ) west to Sooke then turn north (right) on Sooke River Road and go about 5 km to the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. |
CONFIDENCE | Pretty confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 3/27/2005 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | CRANBROOK, CALGARY (AB), TURNER VALLEY (AB) | LAT, LON [N83/W84] | lat=50.600, lon=-114.793(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
PROVINCE | AB |
WATER | Junction Creek, Three Tier Falls |
TYPE | Waterfall |
DESCRIPTION | (This one is actually in Alberta, but it is just across the line so we include it with BC). With crystal-clear water and 3 swimming holes (one in each tier) Three Tier Falls is an outstanding swimming location. LINK TO SHEEP RIVER P. P. WEB SITE |
AREAS | Sheep River Provincial Park |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
Unknown |
ACTIVITIES |
Hot soaking |
PHONE | None |
CAMPING | There is camping in the park |
BATHING SUITS | Unknown |
DIRECTIONS | From Calgary ( in western Alberta, near Banff) go south on RT 22 to Turner Valley. In Turner Valley, take RT 546 west into Kananaskis Country and Sheep River Provincial Park. Continue on scenic road to the end and park in the lot. Walk upstream along the Sheep River to a crossing place near the tumbling dam. BE CAREFUL IN CROSSING IF THE CURRENTS ARE STRONG. Find the "Main Valley Trail" trail and hike about 4.5 miles southward along Junction Creek (passing several waterfalls along the way) to Three Tier Falls, where the swimming places are.
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CONFIDENCE | Pretty confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 3/27/2005 | |
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