I thought the fun was done after a day of hiking on the Sulphur Skyline Trail and soaking in Miette Hot Springs – but seeing these bighorn sheep rounded out an amazing day in early July in Jasper National Park.

The bighorn sheep walked up close.  It was a chance to get a good look at the progress they’ve made shedding their thick winter coats for the summer.  But they seemed more intent on looking at me!

Two molting bighorn sheep ewes in the Canadian Rockies

I was really surprised when an ewe walked up close past a couple cooking on a grill in the picnic area.  The ewe hadn’t a care in the world and ignored the onlooking humans.

As I watched on, it was obvious how accustomed the bighorn sheep had become to tourists.

Bighorn sheep ewe in picnic area

Bighorn sheep ewe at Miette Hot Springs

One ewe even walked up to my rental car as I sat inside. Maybe she recognized me or something. ;)

For a split second the ewe seemed like it was going to climb onto my rental car – and I worried on how I’d explain it to the rental car agency.  Luckily, the ewe was just passing through.

A bighorn sheep ewe ponders climbing onto my rental car

Only bighorn sheep female ewes where to be seen.  The male rams often travel in separate groups.

Bighorn sheep ewes at Miette Hot Springs in Jasper National Park

It seemed like the picnic area wasn’t just for humans.  It is a good place for bighorn sheep picnics too.  This one was eating leaves off of the ground.

Bighorn sheep ewe eating leaves

What a day in Jasper National Park!

Fortunately for visitors to Banff, Jasper and Kootenay National Park, there are 3 Canadian Rockies Hot Springs to chose from.

1. Banff Upper Hot Springs in Banff National Park

2. Miette Hot Springs in Jasper National Park

3. Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park

Let’s learn a little bit about each of the Canadian Rockies National Park Hot Springs.

Banff Upper Hot Springs

The Upper Hot Springs in Banff are the most popular Canadian Rockies hot springs because of their convenient location in Banff National Park.   The hot springs are cooled down to 47.3 °C in the pool.  The water has a strong sulphur smell and taste.

Lockers and towel rentals are available.  If you want a massage or spa treatment too, Pleiades Massage and Spa center is on the premises.

Miette Hot Springs

After a day of hiking in Jasper National Park, Miette Hot Springs is a pleasant and rewarding to way to end the day.  Located near the eastern border of Jasper, the springs might be too far for a day trip from Banff National Park, but a short enough drive for those staying in Jasper townsite or hotels in Hinton, Alberta to justify adding the hot springs to your Jasper National Park itinerary.

The water composition of each of the Canadian Rockies Hot Springs varies.  In Miette Hot Springs, you’ll smell a strong sulphur smell of the water – much different than the chlorine filled hotel pools.  Miette Hot Springs’ water is much higher in Sulphate, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium and Potassium compared to the other hot springs.

Radium Hot Springs

Radium Hot Springs is on the western border of Kootenay National Park in the village of Radium Hot Springs.  It is a couple hours to drive from Banff National Park and makes a good activity to include in the middle of a daytrip from Banff to Kootenay National Park.  The town of Radium Hot Springs also has plenty of accommodations to make it an overnight trip.

The water in the warm and cool water pools at  Radium Hot Springs differ from the other Canadian Rockies hot springs in that it is odorless and tasteless.  The warm pool is the largest hot spring pool in Canada and it is not uncommon to spot wildlife in the surrounding area.  Radium Hot Springs also has the Radium Pleiades Massage and Spa center.

There you have it, 3 Canadian Rockies hot springs.  Which will you visit during your Canadian Rockies vacation?

Related posts:

1. Visiting with Bighorn Sheep at Miette Hot Springs, Jasper National Park
2. Trekking Poles are the Secret Weapon of Happy Hikers in the Canadian Rockies and Beyond

Some of the most interesting and fun hikes are located nearby. You can hike or bike the Lake Annette Loop – a short circular trail that is great for kids and takes less than an hour to complete. The Old Fort Point Loop is about a two-hour hike that is another option for families with slightly older children. You can visit Maligne Canyon where there are many different sized trails. Athabasca Falls is a beautiful scenic short hike where you’ll see the falls. There are two sets of falls. The upper falls is the shortest hike while a slightly longer hike below to the second falls is often less crowded.

Take a trip to have a dip in the Miette Hot Springs. These are local natural mineral springs that are wonderfully warm and relaxing. For a fun day or afternoon you can enjoy whitewater rafting or a river float trip. A short drive to Maligne Lake offers wonderful boat cruises. You can visit Spirit Island or rent a canoe or try your hand at fishing.

The town of Jasper is a great place to relax and soak in the atmosphere and scenery. There are many little shops and eateries. You can take a stroll through the downtown area or try a new Pedi-Cab. You can also try a new motorcycle tour of Jasper. Grab a picnic lunch to take with on a hike or spread the blanket out on the grass. To get a bird’s eye view visit Jasper Peak and take the Jasper Tramway. You can eat at the Treeline restaurant located at the top of the mountain.

The springs are the best in the Canadian Rockies and without a doubt one of the best in North America especially after new upgrades to the facility in 2007.

“Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody.” – Mark Twain

This area is 60 kilometers / 35 miles from the main Jasper townsite. Advance planning will ensure a full day of relaxation. Drive east on the Yellowhead Highway (Rt. 16) from Jasper. After 42 kilometers / 26 miles, follow the signs for the springs. The ride takes approximately 60 minutes from Jasper, more if you are stopping frequently for wildlife viewing or photography. Miette Road ends at the hot springs site. Ample parking is provided in front of the main building. This lot is also the starting point for a number of day hikes in the area. A day of hiking and hot springs will provide rewarding travel experiences.

Inside the main building, towel rentals are available for a small fee. This is well-worth doing to avoid traveling with a wet towel in your vehicle. Because the hot springs are at the outer edges of Jasper National Park, it makes an ideal first or last stop if you are using Edmonton as your airport base.

Be sure to pack a bathing suit and maybe even waterproof shoes. The Parks Canada staff will ask you to remove your street shoes upon entering the main building. This is to prevent animal droppings from contaminating the area. This is why a waterproof pair of shoes or flip-flops would be nice to have if you don’t want to walk with bare feet in the locker rooms.

The changing rooms are separated by gender–women to the left and men to the right. In each locker room coin lockers are provided to secure your belongings. Be sure to pin the key to your suit or towel. You’ll need to bring Canadian dollar coins with you for the lockers.

After your shower (staff will gently remind you to shower to preserve the cleanliness of the facility), you enter the outdoor pool areas. There are 2 main hot pools and one cold pool. Around the pools, lounge chairs are provided for your comfort.

The source of the heated water is deep underground. The nearby Fiddle River is used to cool the pools. The water in the hot pools is controlled at a temperature of approximately 40 C /104 F in order for a safe and comfortable experience. The natural minerals in the water nourish and hydrate the skin. The cool pool is approximately 7 C / 45 F.

The full Miette Hot Springs experience is a long soak in the hot pools with a brief dip in the cold pool. The combination of hot and cold stimulates the pores of the skin for a luxurious experience. Follow this procedure a couple of times and you will feel the difference in your mood and energy level.

The distinct smell of the water is a direct result of its underground source. It is a light smell similar to the smell of a bottle of natural mineral water. Be open to the relaxation experience. The hot and cold pools are common to mineral spring experiences worldwide. Remember you are soaking (long time in the hot pool) and dipping (brief time in the cold pool). It is truly invigorating and relaxing. The effect lingers for the remainder of your day.

Miette Hot Spring in 2007 will be better than ever. According to Bearfacts (December 2006) published by Jasper Tourism and Commerce:

“After spending the 2006 season under renovation, Miette Hot Springs is set to unveil its great new look in 2007! The admissions area has expanded, with more space to accommodate tour groups, along with plenty of room for new interpretive exhibits planned for the fall of 2007.

On the pool deck, guests will notice two major improvements. Two new cool pools have replaced the existing cool pool. A larger deck offers an even better view of the spectacular mountain setting for guests soaking in one of the four pools or enjoying refreshments on the spacious poolside patio. Miette Hot Springs opens May 1, 2007.”

Updated: (March 2008)

• “After spending a year and a half undergoing renovations, Miette Hot Springs is looking better than ever with a newly expanded lobby, two new cool pools and a new pool deck layout offering an enhanced view of the wonderful surrounding scenery. Visitors wishing to enjoy a meal or find a souvenir will find a bright, fresh café and gift shop space that is accessible from pool-side or garden entrance.” (Source: Miette Hot Springs website)
• Some travelers have taken pictures of the updated facility.  See their pictures on Flickr here and here.

Updated: A return to Miette Hot Springs in 2010

We returned to Miette Hot Springs again 2 times in 2010.  It was still a great time soaking in the hot water – better than ever.  There are now 2 cold pools and 2 hot pools. We also had a light meal at the cafe after hiking the Sulphur Skyline Trail.

Related posts:

1. Visiting with Bighorn Sheep at Miette Hot Springs, Jasper National Park