Harrison Hot Springs: A Cool Spring Getaway With Kids

Harrison Hot Springs is a favourite Summer destination for locals and tourists alike, but the hot spot shines equally as bright in the cooler months.

The beautiful lakeside town offers a range of activities fit for families looking for a quiet weekend getaway. Rain or shine, this hidden gem is the best place to enjoy family time during the Spring months, and it’s only a 90-minute drive from the bustling west coast city of Vancouver, so it’s easily accessible by car.

Here are 5 reasons why the off season is the best season to enjoy the picturesque town of Harrison Hot Springs with kids.

1) Bare beaches. In the Summer months, families flock to Harrison Lake to enjoy a dip in the cool water, build sandcastles on the sandy shores, and soak up the sun. During the off-season months, the beaches are bare and serene, perfect for a crisp lakeside stroll.

2) Steamy soaks on chilly days. Harrison Hot Springs is one of the few destinations where swimming outdoors is just as enjoyable on cool-weather days. Visitors love to soak in the hot-spring-fed mineral pools at Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa (outdoor pool temperatures range from 28C / 83F – 37C / 98F) while gazing at the snow-tipped mountaintops and lush foliage that hovers above.

3) Quiet outdoor strolls. Take a cool stroll along the lakeside pathway and get an up-close look at St. Alice’s Well, the spot where the natural hot springs were first discovered in 1858. Be sure to stop and behold the breathtaking views of the surrounding lake and mountains as you continue on your jaunt.

4) Private playgrounds. Harrison Village boasts an expansive, colourful, lakefront playground, featuring swings, slides and climbing structures for kids of all ages. While the playground is swamped during the Summer months, it’s crowd-free during the off-season. No need to take turns on the swings.

5) More time to shop. The Village of Harrison Hot Springs stretches along a two-block wooden boardwalk and features a wide range of charming and eclectic shops, perfect for browsing or picking up a keepsake to commemorate your stay. Be sure to follow the large painted footprints that run through Inkman Mall and snap a photo with the famous larger-than-life-sized Sasquatch!