Miette Hot Springs, known for having the hottest mineral water in the Canadian Rockies, is located in the breathtaking Jasper National Park of Canada near Jasper, Alberta. Water emerges from the mountain at 54℃ (129℉) and drops to a balmy 40℃ (104℉) by the time it flows into the pools.
Miette Hot Springs History
Used by First Nation people as early as the 1800s, a rudimentary trail was the only access through 1910. It gave access to dedicated spring enthusiasts who didn’t mind the wild trek. Three years later, in 1913, a bathhouse and sleeping shelter was added for overnight trips.
By 1934, it was getting even more popular amidst the backdrop of the Great Depression. As part of an unemployment relief project, Jasper National Park contracted hundreds of workers to build a more permanent road and aqua court. They built facilities that rivaled nearby Banff Upper Hot Springs. And the rest is history.
Hot Spring Pools and Activities
Miette Hot Springs themselves are equipped with breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains, multiple hot and cool outdoor pools, changing rooms, a cafe, and a gift shop. It’s the perfect place to go off the grid and enjoy the peace and the hot water. Literally, your cell phone won’t work here.
Here, you can really embrace the laid-back lifestyle. Bathers cannot make reservations for Miette, which works on a first-come, first-served basis. Swimsuit, towel, and locker rentals are available. Additionally, there are lights for swimmers who want to take a dip after sunset.
Please note that for anyone looking to exercise their legs outside the pools, the trailhead for the Sulphur Skyline, a nearly 8 km (5 mi) out-and-back hike known for its wildflowers, is just behind the pools. For anyone looking for a shorter walk, check out the Source of the Springs trail. With the latter, you’ll also learn more about the springs’ origins.
The attached Fiddle Valley Cafe offers poolside dining complete with coffee, ice cream, and homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, and baked goods. It’s the perfect place to relax after an afternoon in the springs or to warm up by the fire. You won’t even have to get in your car.
For adventurers who bring their own grub, there is a picturesque picnic area where you can enjoy a view of the valley. Complete with fire pits and picnic tables, you can feast with friends in style. A short, post-meal walk down a paved path will lead visitors to the site of the original pools.
Be aware, Miette is made up of sulfurous pools, so the closer you get to the water, the more you’ll notice the peculiar odor it gives off.
Bungalow Accommodations
Guests looking to overnight in the area will find Miette Hot Springs Bungalows are within walking distance of the pools. Mingle with the wildlife outside of comfortable, well-cared-for cabins, chalets, and hotel rooms that back up to a thickly wooded area. A playground will keep young travelers burning off any energy that wasn’t depleted from swimming.
RV and motorhome parking is available on-site too.
Check prices, availability or book Miette Hot Springs Bungalows
Getting There
There is a carload of reasons people are attracted to the area, not the least of which is the scenic drive to get there. Pass by captivating views of Fiddle Valley and Punch Bowl Falls that impress in any season. You might even see a few curious goats and bighorn sheep wandering about.
While there is no access to the pools by public transportation, there is plenty of parking for your car, RV, or motor coach on the grounds. To get there from Jasper, head east on Highway 16 and turn right at the Pocahontas Bungalows or the Miette Road junction.
If coming from the opposite direction, from Edmonton, take highway 16 west to the same point, turning left at the Bungalows instead. Continue to the end of the road, about 17 km (10.5 mi).
Details
Address: Miette Road, Jasper, Miette Hotsprings, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
Phone:+1800-767-1611
Season: May to mid-October
Website: hotsprings.ca/miette
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