Harrison Hot Springs

The area and hot springs were first known to and used by the Chehalis First Nations people. Low-key resort development began after the Canadian Pacific Railway was built through Agassiz, making the area more accessible. Development has increased, but the village is still small (fewer than 2,000 people). It remains a popular spot to get away to and can be very busy on summer weekends.

From Highway 1, exit at Hwy 9 (exit 135) and follow it north to Agassiz. From there, follow Hot Springs Road north to the lake. If you're on Hwy 7, turn onto Hot Springs Road in Agassiz. The drive from Vancouver will take about 1½-2 hours, depending on traffic.

The village is compact so walking is the easiest way to get around. Hot Springs Road is the main street out of town and Esplanade Ave, along the beach, has many of the motels and restaurants. The public hot springs pool is at the intersection of these two roads.
Agassiz-Harrison Transit operates a bus route from the Chilliwack downtown exchange to Rosedale, Popkum, Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs. Another bus route operates from Agassiz to Hope.

• is the largest lake in southwestern BC. Framed by mountains on three sides, it makes a nice backdrop to the location.
• Sasquatch Provincial Park is up the east side of the lake. From town, follow Lillooet Ave east; at the end of the lake it turns north and becomes Rockwell Dr. Along the lake is the with a rocky beach and views of Harrison Lake. 4-6 km inland are a pair of pretty lakes — and — with camping, hiking and a sandy beach. Access to Deer Lake and Hicks Lake is via a gravel road that has some potholes but is OK for 2WD.

Not surprisingly, many of the activities in Harrison Hot Springs revolve around water relaxing in the hot springs, swimming, kayaking, cruising the lake, to name a few. But there's plenty more you can do if you want to stay dry.

Swimming

• Harrison Public Hot Pool

  phone: +1 604 796-2244
  address: 101 Hot Springs Rd
  Indoor pool open to the public with water piped in from the source of the hot springs. The facility is fairly basic but clean and does show its age in spots. This is the only hot springs water that visitors can access if you don't stay at the Harrison Resort.
• Enjoy a refreshing dip in the glacier-fed waters of Harrison Lake. If you want something warmer than the lake but cooler than the hot pool, try the in the beach.

On the lake

• Take a cruise on Harrison Lake.
• Rent a boat -- motorized or kayak -- and tour the lake yourself.

• Harrison Eco ToursOffers jet boat tours, guided hiking, guided kayaking, white water rafting and more.

• Windsurf. Winds are highest in the afternoon.
• If you have your own boat, there is a boat ramp at the east end of Esplanade Avenue.

Other activities

• Rent a bicycle or quadracycle and pedal around town. The quad bikes are particularly good for a laugh with four people providing the power and two steering. The various pedaling machines can be rented by the hour from:

• Jamie's Quadracycle Rentals, corner of Lillooet and Hot Springs Road. Rents out quadracycles and bicycles.

• Harrison Scooter Rentals

  address: 439 Lillooet Ave
  Rents bicycles, quadbikes, mountain bikes and scooters.

There are many hiking trails in the area.

Several small shops are available along Esplanade and Hot Springs Road.

• BC Sportfishing Group

  phone: +1 604 796-3345
  address: 100 Esplanade Ave
  World-class sturgeon, salmon, and steel head fishing in the Fraser Valley from the Harrison Hot Springs Resort.

There are a number of casual dining restaurants and takeaway places located along Esplanade Avenue and Hot Springs Road.

• Black Forest Restaurant

  phone: +1 604 796-9343
  address: 180 Esplanade Ave
  German restaurant with lots of schnitzel, homemade bratwurst and some imported German beers. There are also vegetarian, pasta, seafood and other meat options to round out the menu. Large portion sizes and kids menu available.

• Chuck & Kitty's Country Cafe

  phone: +1 604 796-2229
  address: 105-196 Esplanade Ave
  Breakfast and lunch place with good sized portions. Breakfast menu consists of omelettes, eggs, pancakes, waffles and oatmeal. There are a variety of sandwiches and a burger for lunch. They also cook up some homemade desserts like pies and peach melba.

• Lakeside Cafe

  phone: +1 604-796-2244
  address: 100 Esplanade Ave
  Open for breakfast and lunch daily, open for dinner seasonally.

• Lakeview Restaurant

  phone: +1 604 703-3652
  address: 150 Esplanade Ave
  Country-style decor with a diner menu and presentation. The food is straightforward -- no fancy ingredients or flavours -- and a bit on the greasy-spoon side. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Muddy Waters Cafe

  phone: +1 604 796-5563
  address: 328 Esplanade Ave
  Very popular cafe that likes to incorporate ingredients from local farms. The sandwiches have lots of flavour and include pulled pork, shrimp with bacon, grilled cheese, duck and burgers. There's also a small breakfast menu (served until 11am), kids menu and freshly baked goods.

• Village Pizzeria

  phone: +1 604 796-1170
  address: 160A Lillooet Ave
  A family run pizza shop with twenty pizzas to choose from or make your own. Choices range from the traditional Hawaiian or Meat Lovers to more exotic Arabian or Teriyaki Chicken. The pizza is thin crust and there are some pasta choices on the menu, as well.

There isn't much late night nightlife in Harrison. Pubs and restaurants are generally open until 10 or 11PM. The Settler Pub also serves as a liquor store if you want to stock up on your own supplies.

• Old Settler Pub

  phone: +1 604-796-9722
  address: 222 Cedar Ave

• Harrison Beach Hotel

  phone: +1 604-796-1111
  address: 160 Esplanade Ave
  Centrally located hotel close to many restaurants, the public hot springs and across the street from the beach with stunning views of the lake and mountains. Room options include rooms with two queen beds, mini-fridge and microwave, or suites with a king bed in a semi-private area, a pull-out sofa and a stove top in addition to the fridge and microwave. Rooms are pretty spacious and amenities include free Wifi, heated pool, outdoor hot tub and a very small fitness room (three pieces of cardio equipment).

• Harrison Heritage House

  phone: +1 604 796-9552
  address: 312 Lillooet Ave
  B&B in the heart of the village offering private riverside cottages and B&B room.

• Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa

  phone: +1 604-796-2244
  address: 100 Esplanade Ave
  Large hotel with its own hot springs pool at the far end of the beach.

• Harrison Lake Hotel

  phone: +1 604-796-5555
  address: 190 Lillooet Ave
  One- and two-bed rooms that include free Wi-Fi, mini-fridge and microwave. Some rooms have a full kitchenette and there are a limited number of rooms where pets are allowed. It's a block from the lake, so lake views are limited but some rooms do have good views of the mountains. Onsite amenities include a spa.

• The Spa Motel

  phone: +1 604-796-2828
  address: 140 Esplanade Ave
  Older motel in both looks and style, but clean and across the street from the beach. Rooms options include rooms with one or two beds, rooms with kitchenettes and a small number of one bedroom suites. Has a BBQ on the grounds plus spots for guests who brought their own.

In the immediate vicinity, there is Minter Gardens and Bridal Veil Falls, about 20-30 minutes away south of Agassiz. The cities of Abbotsford and Chilliwack are also nearby.
Further east is the scenic Fraser Canyon, the town of Hope and Manning Provincial Park, which offers hiking, camping and other recreation opportunities. If you're looking to return to Vancouver and have some time, you may want to take Highway 7 which is slower but more scenic (particularly the piece between Agassiz and Mission).