Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. It is home to the second largest natural hot springs in Canada, after Deer River Hot Springs 15 km to the northeast. It is a natural river of hot water rather than a spring-fed man-made pool. The park is part of the larger Muskwa-Kechika Management Area.Muskwa-Kechika Protected Areas , Muskwa-Kechika Management Area The community of Liard River, British Columbia is located nearby at milepost 499.
History
The Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park was created in April 1957. The first boardwalk and pool facilities were built by the United States Army in 1942.
The Liard River Hot Springs proper are located at . They were originally named the Theresa Hot Springs.
Flora The park contains a warm water swamp and boreal forest which supports rich and diverse plant communities, as well as mammal and bird species.
Fauna Watch for moose feeding in the warm water swamps. Bears, as well, are a common hazard in summer months, and may be feeding only away from bathers.
Due to the lush plant life (including 14 species of orchids) influenced by the warmth of the springs, the area used to be known as the "Tropical Valley".
Recreation
The alpha pool has water temperatures ranging from .
There are raised walkways from the parking area to the springs so that the delicate muskeg that forms the swamp is not disturbed. The walkway was the scene of a much-publicized black bear attack that killed two tourists on August 14, 1997. Amenities Some of the amenities offered are: Bathing pools Change houses Wheelchair access Playground A long wooden walkway leads from the parking lot to the hotsprings pool, crossing picturesque muskeg.
Photo gallery
See also List of British Columbia Provincial Parks List of Canadian provincial parks List of National Parks of Canada Muncho Lake Provincial Park Stone Mountain Provincial Park Toad River Hot Springs Provincial Park
References
External links
Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park - on BC Parks (Ministry of Environment) website