Radium Hot Springs

Radium Hot Springs is a village of about 800 people (2016) in the East Kootenays. It is famous for its hot pools.

For visitor information you can visit:

• Radium Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information, Main Street East, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 

Understand

The village is named for the hot springs located in the nearby Kootenay National Park. The hot springs were named after the radioactive element when an analysis of the water showed that it contained small traces of radon which is a decay product of radium. The radiation dosage from bathing in the pools is inconsequential; approximately 0.13 millirems (1.3 μSv) from the water for a half-hour bathing, around ten times average background levels. The air concentration of radon is about 23 picocuries (0.85 Bq) per litre which is higher than the level (4 picocuries per litre) at which mitigation is necessary at residences; but is also inconsequential (about 0.7 mrem or 7.0 μSv for a half-hour bathing) from a dose impact perspective.

Get in

Radium is at the entrance to Kootenay National Park, at the intersection of Highways 93 and 95. It is 3 hours from Calgary, and 3 hours north of the American border. It is 9 hours east of Vancouver.

Get around

See and do

The hot-water pool at Radium Hot Springs.

• 🌍 Bugaboo Provincial Park (accessible via a 50 km dirt road from Brisco, 27 km north of Radium on Highwy 95). Open for the summer (exact dates depend on snowfall). A wilderness park, great for climbing (rock or ice) or hiking. Backcountry camping is permitted at Boulder Camp and Applebee Dome, near the Conrad Kain Hut. You can also stay in the Hut at a fee of $22/person or $44/family. Reservations can be made at [phone] through the Alpine Club of Canada. This is a wilderness park, no supplies are available. Please pack suitably, and take appropriate safety precautions. Backcountry camping fee: $5/person.  
• Radium Hot Springs (Just north of Radium in Sinclair Canyon at the entrance of Kootenay National Park), ☎ [phone]. mid-May - mid-Oct: 9AM-11PM; otherwise: Su-Th noon-9PM and F Sa noon-10PM. Radium's most famous attraction. There is a hot pool and a cool pool for swimming. $7.50/adult, $6.50/youth(3-17), $6.50/senior. 
• Old Coach Trail. 4.7-km trail off Main St. From the Visitor Centre car park, walk down Main Street West towards Invermere (past the library and an art shop), then follow the trail. At the gate there is an information board and trail maps (also available online) highlighting features of interest at the numbered posts. At the other end, there is an car park about half way between Radium and Invermere. (updated May 2018)

Buy

• The Home of 1000 Faces, Intersection of Hwy 95 and Hwy 93 and Main Street, ☎ [phone]. The studio of local artist Rolf Heer who carves from stumps, driftwood or other wood found in the area. (updated May 2018)

Eat

• Black Forest Restaurant, 540 Highway 93/95, Invermere BC, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Bavarian steak and schnitzel house with servers in traditional costume, live entertainment on weekends, small dance floor. 
• Helna's Stube, 7547 Main St. West, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. W-Su 5PM-10PM. German cuisine. Mains $26-40. (updated May 2018)
• Citadella Restaurant, 5067 Madsen Rd, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Easter-mid-Oct: daily from 5PM. Hungarian cuisine. (updated May 2018)

Sleep

• Radium Chalet, 5063 Madsen Rd, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Suites with gas fireplace, flat screen TV, movie channels, separate living rooms with a pull-out couch. Main floor units are pet friendly. Spa and "meal deal" packages available at extra cost. $110-180. 
• 🌍 Bighorn Meadows Resort, #10 Bighorn Blvd. (West on Stanley Street through Springs Golf Course, on right-hand side before the club house), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. On Springs Golf Course with view of the Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges. Fireplaces, decks with BBQs, high-end finishings and full kitchens in one, two, or three bedroom vacation condos. Studio suites available with kitchenette (bar fridge, microwave, toaster, and coffee maker). rooms $119-159, suites $179-419. (updated Jun 2015)
• Crystal Springs Motel, 4852 Radium Blvd, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. All units offer air-conditioning and wireless internet access, some with kitchenettes to meet your needs. Non-smoking, pet and motorcycle friendly! Hot Breakfast is included in room rate. From $95. (updated May 2018)

Go next

• Visit one of the nearby ski resorts: Panorama (Invermere), Fairmont (Fairmont Hot Springs) or Kicking Horse (British Columbia).
• Head along Highway 93 into Kootenay National Park and continue along Highway 1, entering Banff National Park and Yoho National Park. Make it a day trip and circle back along Highway 95.
• Go south and visit Fort Steele near Cranbrook

Routes through Radium Hot Springs

Banff ← Kootenay N.P. ←	N  S	→ Invermere → Cranbrook
END ← Golden ←	N  S	→ Invermere → Cranbrook