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History
The Village of Harrison Hot Springs has been a small resort community since 1886, when the opening of the Canadian Pacific Railway brought the lakeside springs within a short carriage ride of the transcontinental mainline. In its first promotion as a resort it was known as St. Alice's Well, although it had been discovered decades earlier when a party of goldfield-bound travellers on Harrison Lake capsized into what they thought was their doom, only to discover the lake at that spot was not freezing, but warm.
Although the resort flourished in a low-key fashion for years after this discovery was exploited by hoteliers, the Village of Harrison Hot Springs was not incorporated until 1949. It currently has a population of approximately 1,573 people. The village is known for its namesake hot springs, which are a major attraction for tourists who come to stay at the village's spa-resort. Harrison Hot Springs is also known for an international sandcastle building competition that takes place there annually in September, and for the summertime Harrison Festival of the Arts.
The hot springs themselves were originally used and revered by the Sts'Ailes (Chehalis) First Nations people who lived along the Harrison River nearby. There are two hot springs, the "Potash", with a temperature of 40 degrees C, and the "Sulphur", with a temperature of 65 degrees C. According to Harrison Hot Springs Resort, the waters average 1300 ppm of dissolved mineral solids, one of the highest concentrations of any mineral spring. This hot spring is one of several lining the valley of the Lillooet River and Harrison Lake, with two others on the lake at Twenty Mile Bay and at Port Douglas, at the head of the Bay. One feature of this chain of hot springs is that the Harrison Hot Springs vent is the most sulfuric, and there is consistently less sulfur content as one goes northwards, with the springs at Meager Creek having almost no scent at all.
Location
The Village of Harrison Hot Springs is located at the southern end of Harrison Lake in the Fraser Valley. It is a member of the Fraser Valley Regional District; its immediate neighbour is the District of Kent and included in it, the town of Agassiz (8 kilometres away). Vancouver is 123 kilometres to the west.
Places to See
- Harrison Hot Springs Resort
Unwind in the beneficial hot mineral waters of Harrison Hot Springs, originally revered as the "healing place" by the Coast Salish natives in the 1800s. The two hot springs that exist in the area are Potash and Sulpher, which are 40 degrees C (120 degrees F) and 62 degrees C (145 degrees F) respectively. The water is pumped from one of the springs and cooled to provide a public mineral hot springs pool that visitors can enjoy at 38 degrees C (100 degrees F). Guests staying at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa may also access the resort pools which are served from the hot springs source.
- Agassiz Speedway
Catch the excitement with oval track racing Saturday night under the lights at Agassiz Speedway.
- Kilby Historic Site
A 1920s living history general store and farm with costumed interpreters. It offers monthly special events such as antique car shows, childrens days, haunted Halloween tours, black powder days, and more.
- Harrison Watersports
Water fun for the whole family, offering rentals of seadoos, bumper boats, power boats, and banana tube rides.
- Farm House Natural Cheeses
A variety of hand made artisan cheeses are produced from rich, fresh milk produced from the dairy cows and goats on the farm.
- Kilby Provincial Park
Tucked away in a rural pastoral setting, Kilby Provincial Park is characterized by its scenic riverfront location and a wonderful pioneer history. The park offers a destination rivering experience. Activities include beaching, fishing, and boating on Harrison River and Harrison Lake. Park users can also enjoy camping, picnicking, and visiting the nearby General Store Museum, where they can view and experience early twentieth century rural traditions and lifestyle common to British Columbia.
- Sasquatch Provincial Park
Located north of Harrison Hot Springs, Sasquatch Provincial Park is characterized by a series of pocket lakes, a unique second-growth and birch forest, and scenic mountain ridges. Hicks and Deer Lakes are ideal for motor-boating and canoeing while Trout Lake provides a tranquil fishing experience. Visitors can also enjoy camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and picnicking.
Things to Do
- Fishing
At the Harrison Hot Springs Resort, you can battle mighty white sturgeon, salmon, steelhead and trout. Harrison Bay offers a team of twelve licensed professionals who are among the most experienced guides in the chartered fishing business. Guests can experience guided fishing in British Columbia's Fraser Valley on the Vedder, Chilliwack, Fraser and Harrison rivers. These professional fishing guides offer all services related to fishing salmon, steelhead, trout and sturgeon. You'll be fully outfitted with the best gear and you'll have everything you need to enjoy a day of incredible fishing. Comfortable, fast Jet boats are used while fishing on the larger waters, and you can be outfitted with waders and tackles to hike the riverbanks for salmon and sturgeon.
- Hiking and Nature Walks
Go for backcountry excursions in the eastern wilderness of Harrison Lake. Cascade Outdoor Adventures provides Wilderness tours, guided hiking, horseback adventures, wildlife viewing, and more.
- Skiing and Snowboarding
Only 35 minutes from Harrison Hot Springs, Hemlock Valley is a great family mountain offering alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, and more.
- Golf
Considered one of the best kept secrets in the Fraser Valley, the Harrison Resort Golf Course is a nine hole, PGA rated course that spans 3,375 yards over 90 acres.
Events
- Tulips of the Valley Festival
The Tulips of the Valley Festival in April highlights over 35 acres of tulip fields in bloom for a three week period.
- Tournament of Champions Sand Scultures / World Championship Sand Scultures
The Tournament of Champions Sand Sculpture competition in May and the World Championship Sand Sculpture competition in September both feature dazzling works of art on the beach. Sculptures from both events are on display until Thanksgiving in October.
- Harrison Festival of the Arts
The Harrison Festival of the Arts in July is a celebration of music, theatre, dance and visual arts with a 30 year tradition.
- Slow Food Tour
Slow Food Tour is a cycle tour of the 10 circle farm tour stops through the rural countryside surounding Harrison Hot Springs. This takes place in August each year.
- Christmas Lights Festival
Christmas Lights Festival in November is a weekend celebration to kick off the Christmas season with events for the whole family, including the festival of trees, children's activities, a parade, and musical entertainment.
Contact Information
Tourism Harrison Hot Springs
PO Box 255
499 Hot Springs Road
Harrison Hot Springs, BC
V0M 1K0
Telephone: 604-796-5581
Fax: 604-796-0289
Website: www.tourismharrison.com
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