Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park

Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada.[1] It is home to the largest natural hot springs in Canada. It is a natural river of hot water rather than a spring fed man made pool[2] The park is part of the larger Muskwa-Kechika Management Area.[3] The community of Liard River, British Columbia is located nearby.

Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park
IUCN category III (natural monument or feature)
Location of Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park in British Columbia
LocationBritish Columbia, Canada
Nearest cityFort Nelson
Coordinates59°25′22″N 126°05′48″W
Area10.82 km2 (4.18 sq mi)
EstablishedApril 1957
Governing bodyBC Ministry of Environment, BC Parks

History and conservation
Alpha Pool

The Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park was created in April 1957. The first boardwalk and pool facilities were built by the United States Army in 1942. The Liard River Hot Springs proper are located at 59°25′40″N 126°06′15″W.[4] They were originally named the Theresa Hot Springs.[5]

The park contains 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 warm water swamps. Bears, as well, are a common hazard in summer months, and may be feeding only 10 ft (3.0 m) away from bathers. Due to the lush plant life (including 14 species of orchids) influenced by the warmth of the springs, the area was originally known as the "Tropical Valley". A rare predatory black bear attack occurred on August 14, 1997, claiming two lives.

Recreation
Waterfall from Alpha Pool

There are two hot springs with water temperatures ranging from 42 to 52 °C (108 to 126 °F); the nearest is the Alpha pool. Beta pool is beyond Alpha and is larger, cooler and deeper. As of 2013, Beta pool has been permanently closed due to bear traffic, and the boardwalk leading to it has been removed. There are raised walkways from the parking area to the springs so that the delicate muskeg that forms the swamp is not disturbed. The walkway was the scene of a much-publicized black bear attack that killed two tourists on August 14, 1997.[6]

The campground is open year-round.

Amenities
Information panel
  • Bathing pools
  • Change houses
  • Wheelchair access
  • Playground
  • A 300-metre (984 ft) long wooden walkway leads from the parking lot to the hotsprings pool, crossing picturesque muskeg.
  • environmentally friendly composting outhouse

Nearby attractions

Location

The park is located at mile 475 (or km 765) on the Alaska Highway, between Fort Nelson (307 km (191 mi) south-east) and Watson Lake (218 km (135 mi) north-west).[7] The community of Liard River is just west of the park, at the 499 Milepost.

Size

1082 hectares in size.

See also

References
  1. "Liard River Hot Springs Park". BC Geographical Names.
  2. Liard Rive Hot Springs Provincial Park, BC Parks
  3. Muskwa-Kechika Protected Areas Archived October 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Muskwa-Kechika Management Area
  4. "Liard River Hot Springs". BC Geographical Names.
  5. "Thereas Hot Springs". BC Geographical Names.
  6. "Bear kills two, injures two in British Columbia". Boston Globe Online. Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  7. Bell's Travel. "Alaska Highway". Retrieved 2009-04-15.
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