Ainsworth Hot Springs

Ainsworth Hot Springs, located on the shores of Kootenay Lake in British Columbia, Canada, is a small village of historical significance, with a population of only 20 residents. Originally just Ainsworth, this small town is the oldest still in use on Kootenay Lake; it was founded on May 31, 1883. Offering a special mix of natural beauty and historical appeal, Ainsworth Hot Springs, despite its small scale, has grown to be a popular destination for both adventure seekers and tourists.

Easily accessible to guests exploring the Kootenay area, the village’s strategic position along Highway 31 places it roughly 18 kilometers north of Balfour and 19 kilometers south of Kaslo. With the eponymous hot springs the main attraction for many visitors, this orientation has greatly helped it to become a tourist destination.

The hot springs that give Ainsworth their name and popularity come from the Cody Caves region nearby. Widely considered as the best commercial hot springs in British Columbia, these natural thermal waters reflect their quality and the careful treatment of this natural resource. While the main pool offers a somewhat milder but still comforting warmth of 35-38°C (95-100°F), visitors to the springs can experience a range of temperatures; the cave area offers a more intense heat of 40–42°C (104–108°F). This fluctuation in temperature lets visitors choose their soaking experience by moving between sections to discover their ideal comfort degree.

Part of a greater network of amazing natural features in the area, the geological formation producing these hot springs is On the eastern slopes of the Selkirk Mountains, the Cody Caves Provincial Park features a system of prehistoric limestone caves including an underground stream. Curious guests ready to explore the hidden world under the surface and spelunkers find attraction in this underground wonder. The link between the hot springs and the caverns emphasizes the rich geological past of the area and provides understanding of the forces sculpting this scene over millions of years.

Beyond the appeal of its thermal waters and cave systems, Ainsworth Hot Springs is a great base for appreciating the more general natural beauty of the Kootenay region. Outdoor enthusiasts have a large playground covering 32,035 hectares of unspoiled wilderness at the adjacent Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. More than thirty glacier-fed lakes in this large park offer for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, While winter turns the park’s many hiking paths into a paradise for cross-country skiers and snowshoers, adventurers in the warmer months will find something here.

Beyond their own boundaries, Ainsworth Hot Springs’ historical importance opens access to other heritage sites nearby. Two National Historic Sites call the village of Kaslo, a short trip north home. The SS Moyie, the oldest intact sternwheeler in the world, is maybe the most famous of these. This exquisitely kept ship provides guests with a physical link to the period of steamboat travel that was vital for the growth of the Kootenay area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

For people drawn by the area’s rich mining past, a trip northwest of Ainsworth reveals the amazing ghost town of Sandon. Once referred to as the “Capital of the Silvery Slocan” and labeled the “Monte Carlo of Canada,” Sandon is a moving reminder of the boom-and-bust cycles that defined many British Columbian mining towns. Its abandoned buildings and quiet streets today provide a terrible window into a time of prosperity and aspiration gone by.

Accessible from Balfour, just 11 miles south of Ainsworth Hot Springs, the Kootenay Lake Ferry Crossing is another example of the area’s dedication to maintaining its natural beauty and offering visitors unusual experiences. Offering not only a means of mobility but also an attraction in and of itself, this crossing is the longest free ferry ride available worldwide. Captivating views of Kootenay Lake and the surrounding mountains abound on the ferry trip, so capturing the great beauty that defines this area of British Columbia.