Liard River Hot Springs (BC)

While driving the Alaska Highway, don't miss Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park, site of the second largest natural hot spring in Canada, located at km 800 (mile 497) on the Alaska Highway, between Watson Lake and Fort Nelson and near the community of Liard River. Here you will find two natural pools, of warm water, Alpha and Beta Pool, ranging in temperature from 42 to 52C. The hot pools are reached by raised boardwalks that cross the natural warm water swamps and boreal spruce forest that form the park. The warmth of the waters supports a lush plant life, including 14 species of orchid, giving the area its other name of "Tropical Valley".

There is a campsite in the Provincial Park which fills up quickly during the summer months, and there is a day-use fee for the hot springs. See the Provincial Park website for more details.