Looking for the perfect camping and hot springs experience, look no further than Halfway Hot Springs. Rustic camping located a short….but steep, walk from some hot springs is what many people wish they could find.
The Halfway Hot Springs and campground are managed by BC Parks as part of their recreation site system. This means there is a site attendant and fees for camping apply. However it also means you can expect a table in your campsite and toilet paper in, what I must say, were exceptionally clean drop toilet buildings.Â
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Where Are The Halfway Hot Springs And Campground
It is an adventure in itself getting to the Halfway Hot Springs, if you are heading south, coming from Revestoke via the ferry, the turn off for the forestry road is approximately 22km south from Galena Bay heading towards Nakusp. Look out for the crossing of the Halfway River over a small bridge, the forestry road is the first left after the bridge. If you are heading North, the turn off is 26km from Nakusp, just before the bridge.
When we visited there was a sign in the trees saying camping was cash only, this meant we were on the right track! From there it’s approximately 11km up a rough forestry service road. There were a few steep and rough sections but for the most part when we visited the road was in good condition. We did drive in a truck though however we saw many small cars using the road too. I must say we didn’t see any trailers or RVs on the road when we visited.
Just after the 11km mark there is a fork in the road with a signpost. Right takes you to the day use area, left goes down a steep single track hill to the campground.
The Halfway Hot Springs Campground
To find the campground at the Halfway Hot Springs, at the fork in the road keep left down a steep rough hill and you are in the campground. There are 20 drive in sites all with a rock fire ring and picnic benches as well as 10 walk in sites dispersed around the edge of the main campground although we only spotted one on our way to the hot springs. There are also plenty of outhouses around the campground.
Due to abuse of the hot springs site, there has been a site host since 2020. They are located right beside the trail to the hot springs from the campground. There is a $20 per night fee to camp here, paid in cash only, to the site host. He also had firewood to sell if you wanted any.
All sites at the Halfway Hot Springs campground are first come first serve so arrive early to avoid disappointment. We arrived late, mid week in May and there were only a couple of spots available. Camping is allowed between May 1st and October 31st annually.
I will say the drive-in sites have varying levels of space and privacy. We had quite a small site which would be suitable for any big equipment but for our vehicle and three man tent it was perfect!
There is no garbage service or running water so come prepared for a rustic camping experience, surrounded by huge trees in the forest with no cell reception. A perfect spot to disconnect for a few days.
The Halfway Hot Springs
When we paid our camping fees to the site host we asked him if there were any specific hours the Springs were open for use, he said no, they could be accessed twenty four hours a day. This is fairly unusual but definitely makes it worthwhile camping here as there is no rush to get to the Springs and you can wait until a quiet time!
We went later in the evening on our first night and the place was clearing out so we had a pool to ourselves. The following morning when we went down there was a whopping three other people using the three main pools. A few others joined a short while later but it wasn’t until around noon when the Halfway Hot Springs seemed to get really busy with non stop people heading down to soak and enjoy nature. By camping you really can make the most of the quiet times to soak.
The Halfway Hot Springs are located down beside the river and it was flowing hard when we visited in late spring, early summer. There is a note at the sign in book that warns that the area can be struck with flash floods. Once down at the Hot springs, the damage the river can do is clearly visible.
If you are day tripping to the Halfway Hot Springs, the parking is clearly signposted, at the fork, keep right. Once parked, follow the steep trail downhill, you’ll come out next to an outhouse. On the far side of this small flat area is a guest book and that’s where the trail continues.
If you are camping and heading to the Halfway Hot Springs, the trail is signposted next to the host site. It’s fairly flat through the forest before you also pop out next to the outhouse.
Both trails join here and descend steeply! There are lots of stairs to get down to the Halfway Hot Springs, these can be slippery when wet, so wear good footwear! I wore my Chaco sandals, which were perfect! Otherwise I’d recommend hiking boots. The stairs themselves are an incredible sight to see but just remember what goes down, must come up!
At the bottom the trail flattens out and forks, on the right you’ll find more outhouses and the left will take you to the hot springs and change room.
The change room is a small wooden building raised off the ground. The front porch area has hooks for your clothes and then there is an entrance way of the left and right sides which go to the back of the building and have a small room on each side to change with a little privacy!
There are three hot pools at the Halfway Hot Springs, the first one right outside the change room is the warmest and the coolest pool is the lowest one closest to the river. All three are maintained to look natural with rocks around the outside and gravel on the ground. They are fairly shallow with rocks around the edge so you can sit higher out of the water.