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Liard
River Hot Springs
Liard
River Hot Springs Provincial Park is located just approximately
km 305 km (191 miles) north of Fort
Nelson and 205 km (128 miles) south of Watson Lake, Yukon. The
small community of Liard
River is close by.
Travelling
Here
In
order to get to Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park travel 60
km (37.5 miles) north of Muncho
Lake on the Alaska Highway No. 97. If you are heading south,
travel on Hwy 97 from the Yukon approximately 190 km (119 miles)
from Lower
Post.
Park
Highlights
The main highlights of the Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park
are the two therapeutic hot springs pools, one called Alpha the
other Beta, and the unique vegetarian found in the area.
Two
Developed Pools
Although Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park has a number of
hot springs throughout, only two have been developed. The facilities
are comprised of a lower pool called Alpha Pool and upper pool called
Beta Pool.
Boardwalk
A boardwalk to the two pools was originally developed by the American
Army in 1942 during the construction of the Alaska Highway. Today
all the original boardwalk construction has been replaced with a
modern well maintained system. If you want to use the pools there
is a small day-use fee for using the park to help pay these ongoing
maintenance costs.
Alpha
Pool
The Alpha Pool is the more popular pool because it is located only
about 700 metres (2,297 feet) from the parking lot. Alpha Pool features
a large area with different sections of the pool having different
temperature gradients depending on where you sit on concrete benches.
The average temperature is about 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees
Fahrenheit).
Beta
Pool
The Beta Pool is located farther north of Alpha Pool along another
boardwalk and walkway. Along the way you'll pass the hanging gardens,
an area of unique vegetation for the area. Once at Beta Pool you'll
find a slightly cooler pool about 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees
Fahrenheit) around three metres (ten feet) deep with the water slightly
cloudier.
Pool
Differences
There are change houses and pit toilets present at both Alpha Pool
and Beta Pool. Alpha Pool has some shallow areas making it more
suitable for children and non-swimmers. Beta Pool, because it is
deeper, requires caution if swimming abilities are lacking or poor.
'Liard
Tropical Valley'
Originally known as 'Liard Tropical Valley' because of the passes
through a lush humid vegetation zone with plant species growing
such as Ostrich Ferns and Cow Parsnip growing so tall and whose
presence this far north was unheard of previously.
Campground
Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park has a vehicle-accessible
campground with 53 campsites, 20 of which accept reservations, the
rest on a first-come first-served basis. Reservations can be made
through Discover Camping.
Facilities
The
facilities found at the campground include running water, a children's
playground, a horseshoe pit and amphitheatre. The campground is
also conveniently located near the boardwalk to the hot springs.
'Bear
Aware'
Just remember to be 'Bear Aware' as bears do frequent Liard River
Hot Springs Provincial Park and at times can be dangerous. This
especially applies to the campground area where the attraction of
food cooking and garbage can attract nuisance bears. Please remember
also to keep kids close at hand when walking along the boardwalk
to the hot springs.
Muncho
Lake
If you would like to stay close by to Liard River Hot Springs Provincial
Park and are travelling south on the Alaska Highway 97 there is
accommodation found at Muncho Lake. At Muncho Lake only 56 km (35
miles) away the family orientated Northern Rockies Lodge is clean,
quiet, very relaxing and is highly recommended.
BC
Parks
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