Ainsworth Hot Springs Pools and Caves are nestled alongside the Kootenay Lake, amidst the Selkirk Mountain Range. Rugged
Kootenay Lake stretches 100 kilometre through southeastern British Columbia, west of the Purcell Mountains. It is crossed
by a free ferry that connects Balfour on the west with Kootenay Bay on the east. Breathtaking views surround you as you
luxuriate in the large outside hotsprings pool or hot-tub. Just beyond the hot-tub are the natural caves, horseshoe-shaped,
waist-deep and exceeding temperatures of 46 degree (115F). When you exit the caves, we recommend you try the instant
cool-down in the Glacier Plunge Tub, beside the caves and hot-tub, before entering the outside pool that's cooled to a
comfortable 36 degree (97F) for pleasurable swimming or soaking. Your view from the pools will be the pristine Kootenay
Lake, famed for it's giant Gerrard Rainbow (13.5 kg / 30+ lbs), and the smaller, land-locked salmon, called the Kokanee,
which will appeal to the year-round fishing enthusiasts. Hikers will enjoy the many mountain trails and lakes that
surround us and golfers soon recognize this area to be a Golfers Paradise! The excellent downhill and cross-country
skiing available in the winter months is comparable to the best ski-hills of the Rocky Mountains and there is no better
way to finish off that perfect day of skiing, hiking, fishing, or golfing, than to melt into the Ainsworth Hot Springs
Pools and Caves. The Hot Springs Pools and Caves are open year-round, 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily, and single passes
cost $4.50-$6.50 each, depending on age.
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Cody Caves Provincial Park
Above Ainsworth Hot Springs, high in the Selkirk Mountains you will find Cody Cave Provincial Park. The Cody Caves are a
system of tunnels and galleries containing stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and other cave features. An underground
stream flows for over one kilometre through ancient limestone. The caves are the result from million of years water action
on layers of limestone. Tours are available for visitors. Visitors should wear sturdy outdoor footwear and suitable
clothing as the temperature in the caves is only about 6 degrees (42F).
You can access the park from Hwy 31 via a 3 kilometre rough gravel road. This gravel road is unsuitable for large motor
homes and low clearance vehicles.
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Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park
The Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park covers an area of 32,000 hectares an is situated in the Slocan Range of the
Selkirk Mountains.
Kokanee is a Kootenay Indian word and means "red fish" referring to the land-locked salmon of Kootenay Lake. Within the
park you will find over 30 glacial lakes, rich wildlife such as mountain goat, deer, black bear and squirrels, and bird
species including grouse and golden eagle. Much of the parks landscape is made up of Nelson granite, which makes an
impressive geological formation.
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The park is excellent for experienced outdoor enthusiasts interested in adventurous
hiking or mountaineering.
From Ainsworth Hot Springs, located on Highway 31, drive 1 km north to Woodbury Creek and follow it for 13 km to the trailhead.
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This Travel Guide was kindly made available by Marsha Gillies of Mermaid Lodge & Motel in Ainsworth Hot Springs.
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