Harrison Hot Springs is a great place to visit with children.

Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia

The Village of Harrison Hot Springs, located in British Columbia on the shores Harrison Lake and surrounded with evergreen mountains is the perfect family getaway. We’ve known about it for years (it’s a recommended Day trip from VancouverThis was our first visit to Harrison Hot Springs.

As I reflect on our trip to Harrison Hot Springs, I’m questioning why it took so long for us to visit?

I’m not sure what we were expecting, but we were pleasantly surprised. It is a quick weekend getaway. It is perfect for adults and families looking to escape the daily grind. 

Harrison Hot Springs is a laid-back town with a similar vibe to many of the tourist destinations on the west coast. Vancouver Island. The village has a small, charming feel, the air here is fresh and clean and everything revolves around nature.

We’re actually kicking ourselves for waiting so long to finally visit Harrison Hot Springs. 

Harrison Hot Springs has many things to do 

You can skip to the next section by using the Table of Contents.

Harrison Hot Springs Resort 

Harrison Hot Springs Resort, an iconic spa resort with a similar name, is the main attraction. This resort dates from 1886, and currently has five mineral-rich hot pools. 

Over the years, the spa resort has grown several times. Guests have the choice of staying in the East Tower (formerly the West Tower), West Wing (formerly the Heritage Building), or private cottages. View room options Here’s how to get in touch with us.

It was recommended that we stay in the East Tower, as the rooms are larger and more suitable for families. Our room is spacious with a lake-view balcony (see below).

Our friends stayed at the Heritage Building. They said that the room was old-fashioned and dated. They said the room was fine, but that the walls were thin and it was noisy during their stay. (There was a rowdy party on the same level). When they visited our East Tower room, they said that it was much better than their Heritage Building room.

Search for Harrison Hot Springs Resort deals Here’s how to get in touch with us.

Our East Tower hotel room offers a balcony with a view of the lake.

Harrison Hot Springs Resort Pools

Relaxing in the soothing hot pool is You can also find out more about the following:Harrison Hot Springs is a great place to visit.

There are other Harrison Hot Springs hotels in the village but only Harrison Hot Springs Resort offers mineral hot pools directly inside the resort. More information Here’s how to get in touch with us.

The resort offers five different mineral pools with hot springs, each at a slightly different temperature. 

1. Indoor pool – temperature 32-35°C or 90-95°F
2. Indoor Hot Pool – temperature 38-40°C or 100-104°F
3. Outdoor Family Pool – temperature 33°C or 92°F
4. Outdoor Lap Pool – temperature 28°C or 83°F
5. Adult Pool – temperature 37°C or 98°F

Above and below, the Outdoor Family Pool. More photos Here’s how to get in touch with us.

Note: – I captured these photos Before you begin, please read the following:The pools are open. The pools are open. You can also check out our other blog posts. this quiet. The outdoor pools are quite busy, especially at weekends.

Above is a view of the Outdoor Family Pool. You can find the Indoor Pool, Indoor Hot Pool and the Indoor Pool in the building to the right. I couldn’t get a good picture of the indoor pool because it was often crowded. 

Above and below are pictures of the Adult Pool.

The balconies of the rooms are visible in the photo. The West Tower is at the Resort. 

The covered walkway in the picture above separates adult pool and family pool.

The outdoor lap pool. This pool was the largest. Enjoying the latest technologyFive resort pools are available.

Related post – Vancouver has 25 things to do.

Get on the water

Harrison Lake is the second major attraction, after the hot springs pools. This is the biggest lake in the southern Coast Mountains. British Columbia. Harrison Lake measures 60 km long and is almost 9 km wide at its broadest point. 

Rent kayaks, paddleboards, pontoons, pedal boats and powerboats for a leisurely lake exploration. You can pick up your rentals at the dock directly in front of resort. For more information and rates, please visit Killers Cove Boat Rentals.

Jet skis, banana tubes, and other water sports can be rented. Bump boatsHarrison Water Sports is a great place to go. The marina is open between May and September. 

Harrison Lake Water Park

Harrison Lake is a beautiful lake. Water park inflatable. The floating waterpark is open daily from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM from early June to early September. Weekend rate is $40 per person.

Visit This websiteHarrison Lake Water Park: Photos and more information.

Harrison Lake Boat Tour

Shoreline Tours offers a boat trip that is a great way to see the scenery of Harrison Lake. We went on the 2.5-hour Harrison Lake Waterfall CruiseThe Laroan is a 62-foot cruise boat with a lower deck enclosed and an upper deck open. 

The docks are in front of resort. Rates and information Here’s how to get in touch with us.

Fortunately, the weather was perfect for our lake cruise. We had a BBQ while cruising around the lake, taking in the breathtaking views. 

Read reviews about Shoreline Tours Here’s how to get in touch with us.

Our tour guide cooking on the grill as we approach Echo Island.

The boat will dock for 20 minutes to allow guests to walk up to Rainbow Falls. It’s only a 5 minute forest walk to reach the waterfalls. You can find more photos. Here’s how to get in touch with us. 

Rarely do we get to capture all four of us in the same picture. 

Relax on the Lake Beach

The sandy beach is located in front of the village’s promenade. It’s a public beach that will get quite busy during the summer months. 

We must warn you that the waters of Harrison Lake are glacier fed, so it’s cold. Don’t let the nearby hot springs fool you. This water is not for drinking. You can also find out more about us on our website. refreshing! You might consider a if you have smaller children. wetsuit. We also use wetsuits during swimming lessons.

We love to walk on the beach after dark. Our boys enjoy flipping rocks and driftwood to look for crabs. Even though we explained that it’s a mountain lake, not the ocean, they didn’t seem to care.

It looks and feels exactly like the ocean beach found along the Pacific Northwest coast. 

Harrison Lagoon

Harrison Lagoon is a man-made water body that is located directly in the Village at the southern end of Harrison Lake. It is separated from Harrison Lake via a sandbar man-made and a walking path.

The lagoon is a popular swimming spot during the summer because it’s shallow and gets quite warm. 

The Village Promenade

The Harrison Hot Springs Village promenade links the beach with the spa resort, restaurants, and retail shops. It’s a paved walkway the runs parallel to Esplanade avenue.

Along the promenade you will find large grassy fields and colourful gardens, as well as big shady shady trees. We enjoyed walking along this promenade several times a day. 

Tourism Harrison Hot Springs has more travel tips Here’s how to get in touch with us.

Harrison Village Playgrounds 

There are a few kid’s playgrounds located directly on the beach. The playground shown above is suitable for younger children. Our boys loved running around the playground with their toes buried in sand.

If you look to the right, you’ll see a grassy field. This area is perfect for family picnics. If you’re visiting Harrison Hot Springs with kids, you will find yourself frequenting these playgrounds.

Harrison Hot Springs Hikes

Harrison Hot Springs is surrounded with old forest and mountains. There are many hiking options available for all levels of hikers. The best time to hike in Harrison Hot Springs would be between April and September. 

Spirit Trail 

Spirit Trail is an easy walk through a beautiful cedar wood that is easily accessible from the village. What makes this trail special is the fact that a local resident, an artist, has decorated many cedars along the path with beautiful masks. Click here for more information.

Distance: 1 km / Time: 30 minutes / Level: Easy

Whippoorwill Point Trail/ Sandy Cove Trail

The Whippoorwill Trail (aka Sandy Cove Trail), a short 4-kilometer hiking trail, offers a nice getaway from the crowds. It passes the sandy cove beach hidden in the forest and offers several views over the Harrison River. Click here for more information.

Distance: 4 km / Time: 1.5 hours / Level: Easy

Campbell Lake Trail (aka Harrison Grind

Harrison Lake’s answer to the Grouse Grind is a route that climbs up the side of a steep mountain along the Campbell Lake trail and offers a great view of Harrison Lake at the top. Click here for more information.

Distance: 7 km / Time: 6 hours / Level: Difficult

Bear Mountain Trail

The Bear Mountain Hike is one of the toughest hikes in the area (alongside the Campbell Lake Hike). The trail is 3,200 feet in elevation gain, so it’s a tough hike. The views of the mountains at the top are well worth your effort. Click here for more information.

Distance: 18 km / Time: 7 hours / Level: Difficult

Sasquatch Provincial Park

Harrison Lake is located about 8 km away from the Village Harrison Hot Springs. Sasquatch Provincial ParkIt is home to a number of lakes, unique forest and scenic mountain ridges.

Here’s the Sasquatch Provincial Park Map.

Hicks Lake Trail

The loop hike around Hicks Lake, in Sasquatch Provincial Park, is a peaceful, pleasant trail that follows the lake shores and crosses several small streams before returning via a gravel-road. Click here for more information.

Distance: 6 km / Time: 2 hours / Level: Easy

Harrison Hot Springs Public Pool

If you aren’t staying at the main spa resort you can visit the public pool to enjoy the soothing Harrison hot springs with kids. The Public Pool is located in the middle of the city at the junction between Hot Springs Road and Esplanade.

Harrison Hot Springs Public Pool Hours

• Saturday & Sunday 10:00 AM to 3:00 pm

Related post – This summer, there are 15 things to do in Squamish.

Chilliwack Tulip Festival

The Chilliwack Tulip Festival is a must-see if you are planning to visit Harrison Hot Springs. It’s said to be Western Canada’s largest and most recognized Tulip Festival.

See more photos from our visit Here’s how to get in touch with us.

Chilliwack Tulip Festival Hours

Will reopen in 2024!

Tulip Festival Location and Directions

The Tulip Festival is located in Chilliwack at 41310 Royalwood Drive.

More info – Chilliwack Tulip Festival

Cherry blossoms in full bloom on our visit to mid-April. 

Photo credit Tourism Harrison blog

Bald Eagle Watching in Harrison Mills (Seasonal).

Harrison Mills is home to the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world. The eagles have been drawn to the area by the millions and millions of salmon that are spawning in the Fraser River. 

There is no longer a formal festival, but the eagles still come and it’s a great place to view them. 

Other Harrison Festivals, Events and Activities

• November – Lights on the LakeThe village is lit up with colourful Christmas lights.
• June – Sasquatch Days is a cultural festival that includes canoe races, traditional salmon barbeque, medicine walks, cultural boat tours, arts & craft activities, games and live entertainment.
• July & August – Summer Harvest Events
• July – Harrison Festival of the ArtsThis 10-day festival features art, workshops and concert. 
• September – Bands on the beachThe Labour Day holiday weekend is the perfect time to enjoy a free festival of music.

Harrison Hot Springs Restaurants 

The Village has a good selection of restaurants, despite its size. The majority of restaurants and cafes can be found on Esplanade Avenue.

Popular restaurants in Harrison Hot Springs

• The Black Forest Restaurant – German cuisine specializing in schnitzel and traditional European cuisine. Menu Here’s how to get in touch with us. We dined at this restaurant and would highly recommend it.
• Morgan’s Bistro – Sophisticated Canadian dishes and cocktails. The restaurant is located on the beachfront with a patio on the second floor that offers an unobstructed lake view.
• Milos Greek Taverna – Authentic Greek cuisine. We dined at this restaurant and would highly recommend it. 
• Muddy Waters Cafe – Informal bistro serving burgers and classic breakfast options.
• Old Settler Pub – Informal tavern serving classic pub grub, with a liquor store, in an old-timey log building. See full menu Here’s how to get in touch with us.
• The Copper Room – located inside the spa resort offering traditional fine dining and cocktails with live music and dancing.

Classic Vienna Schnitzel served at The Black Forest Restaurant

Harrison Hamburgers, a sunny afternoon April. Read reviews Here’s how to get in touch with us.

Lakeview Restaurant & Lakeview Gelato house. Read reviews Here’s how to get in touch with us. 

Milos Greek Taverna. Read reviews Here’s how to get in touch with us. 

Where is Harrison Hot Springs located?

The Village of Harrison Hot Springs is located at the southern end of Harrison Lake in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. It’s about a 90 minute drive east from Vancouver to Harrison Hot Springs. 

We recommend that you drive to Harrison Hot Springs. You can also visit Harrison Hot Springs. Can you imagine? take public transit, it’s not easy and it will be very time consuming. If you don’t live in Vancouver, you might need to rent a car. Find car rental deals here.

Harrison Hot Springs Directions

Here is a list of Driving directions to Vancouver.

From the Vancouver International Airport to Harrison Hot Springs take Highway 99 south, through Langley, and then follow the signs for Highway 1 east, to Hope. Continue on Highway 1 until you reach exit 135. Follow the signs to reach the resort. This drive could take up to two hours, depending upon traffic.

Harrison Hot Springs Map

Here are some mapsPlan your trip with our help.

Harrison Hot Springs weather

Generally, the climate in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland is mild in the winter and warm in the summer. Plan accordingly for the rain that will most likely fall in winter. Check the weather report Here’s how to get in touch with us.

Harrison Hot Springs Resort Travel Tips

• It’s wise to book your accommodations in advance, especially on holiday weekends. Harrison Hot Springs Resort is the place to stay. Hotel deals can be found by searching online Here’s how to get in touch with us.
• Expect long lines between 2:00 and 5:00 PM if you’re visiting during a holiday weekend. We waited for 45 minutes. We were frustrated by the long wait because we weren’t ready for it. You’ve been warned.
• Stay hydrated as you soak in hot mineral pools. Bring bottled drinking water with you.
• There are robes available for adults, but not for children. It’s a good idea to bring a robe for your kids if you have one. Our boys have This robeAnd love it.
• The outdoor pool for families has a shallow section that is perfect for the little ones. For the deeper areas it’s wise to bring water wings or life jackets. We use This puddle-jumper life jacket for our youngest boy.
• Parking is an extra charge. Parking was $10 per day at the time of our visit. A large parking lot is located behind the resort. It’s best to drop off your luggage at the lobby first, then find parking afterwards.

Read more posts about British Columbia:

Have you ever visited Harrison Hot Springs in British Columbia?

Share your tips and suggestions in the comments. Your feedback is appreciated by our readers.