Ainsworth Hot Springs, British Columbia – Soak in a Cave Filled with Stalactites
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Scenic Cave
Stalactites and stalagmites
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104–110°F
40–43°C
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Soaking
Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort is where geology meets geothermal soaking in a truly unusual way. Think: a pool with stalactites, literally.
This resort is located on the shore of Kootenay Lake in Canada’s British Columbia.
It is a popular destination whose main feature is a 150-foot horseshoe-shaped underground tunnel where visitors can wade through a waist-deep thermal pool for a first-row view of multicolored stalactites and stalagmites.
Hot, mineral-rich water originates deep underground and enters the tunnel through fractures in the surrounding rock. As it drips from the ceiling and walls, it leaves behind layers of minerals that gradually form the cave's icicle-like structures. Geothermal water trickling and showering from the walls adds to the warm, humid, sauna-like atmosphere inside.
The cave pool averages 108°F (42°C), with temperatures generally ranging from 104–110°F (40–43°C). Because of the heat, visitors are advised to limit their time inside the tunnel to about 10–15 minutes, or less, for older people with health conditions.
Several outdoor pools offer a different soaking experience. The warm mineral water is surrounded by mountain scenery, with views toward Kootenay Lake and the Selkirk Mountains.
Together, the cave and outdoor pools make Ainsworth different from most hot springs, where the geothermal features are usually separate from the bathing area.
The springs were known to Indigenous peoples long before European settlement. In the late 19th century, the area became associated with mining, but after mining declined in the early 20th century, the hot springs became the foundation for a growing resort.
Today, the historic geothermal site combines natural cave formations with developed pools and resort facilities.
Planning a trip to Ainsworth Hot Springs? For current hours, admission, and reservations, check the official website before your trip.
Learn more about what to see and do, what to know before you go, and places to stay nearby on Hot Springs Locator.
How to Get to Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort?
Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort is located in Ainsworth Hot Springs, British Columbia, about 45 minutes by car from Nelson and about 20 minutes from Kaslo.
The resort is on the shore of Kootenay Lake, along the Balfour-Kaslo-Galena Bay Highway.
