Fairmont Natural Hot Springs

The views are awesome, but everyone should know the source of the waterfall and decide Not hot though

I work at this resort and the "waterfall" is actually the waste water from the pools. The underground natural hot springs source is piped into the public and guest pools with chlorine added. It flows through the pools, runs through a de-chlorination system and then is drained over the bank down into the creek creating what people think is a natural waterfall. The access to the "waterfall" is through a creek bed. There was a massive mudslide in 2012 that wiped out the so called pools below the waterfall. People dug them out again and added rocks so they could make their own pools. The new ones aren't as deep as the old ones were and they aren't as easily accessed as the old ones either. May 31, 2020 there was another small mudslide that has wiped out much of the land alongside the creek or made it unstable in sections. This is a dangerous path to try walking along because so much of it is unstable and still covered with big chunks of trees, tangles of branches and stones and whatever else. Once you make it to the "pools" the ground is slick and covered with this green slimy algae so you pretty much have to crawl around to get anywhere. So many people have sprained or broken ankles, wrists and arms from slipping on the slimy rocks. Looks pretty from a distance and I've enjoyed it in the past but it's not what it used to be because of the mudslides. Now with the unstable ground we can't get a vehicle in to rescue an injured person so it's a long haul packing someone out for medical care. There are also bears that travel through this creek area up towards the ski hill. Mostly in the spring and between mid-August to November. But if you're down there and come across mama bear with her cubs, there's no quick and easy way out. Despite chains or barricades across trail heads along with Danger signs, people still head down there continuously. I seriously don't understand the popularity of it now.

The kids loved it and want to go again! The catch? There are only three or four actual “pools” so someone could beat you there and you’ll have to wait. No strange smells (natural odours) but there are slippery spots so tread carefully while going to and from the waterfall.

Hidden gem! Just 3 minutes walk from Fairmont Hot Springs parking lot. And it’s free!

This was THE best experience I have had in a long time. It was worth the trek to get to. Yes I'm aware it's the draining pool water. That's fine by me it was treated and is still the original hot springs water. May be the leftovers from the developed pool above. BUT you can't drink or smoke in that one and have fun at your leisure. Yes there are immense risks. But that's like anything you do these days. It was well worth it to me. Not as hot as I'd liked it to be more a luke warm water.

Beautiful warm waterfall with shallow pools. Not hot, but warm. Summer time visit in the day is best. Please be respectful and don’t damage anything, also watch for falling rocks*

Bit of a hike but we’ll worth it!! And it’s free Park at the free parking after you pass the RV building, than walk down the road, right where the road curves, you will see a path and it goes under the walk bridge. You have to climb down and up in some areas and I’d say it’s about a 10-15 minute walk, depending how fast you go. There is no privacy to change your clothes, I seen people hanging their clothes on some tree branches. The water isn’t hot, but it’s warm and the there was a weather fall. The rocks are pretty grippy unless you step on the black stuff then it’s slippery. There are like 4-5 pools and not very deep, the water is crystal clear. I loved it, I was soaking in the scenery.

Really cool place!! One of a kind. The views couldn’t be beat. Had to hike in a bit and cross the river which wasn’t bad at all. The pools were warm but certainly weren’t overly hot, I don’t think it would have been warm enough if it was -20 or worse! Today it was just above 0 and we were chilly after about 45 min. That being said it was breathtaking views