Harrison Hot Springs is located about a 90 minute drive from Vancouver and is full of things to do all year long! It is one of our most popular weekend getaways from Vancouver. As the name suggests, it does have a hot springs but there is also a lake, biking, hiking and local farm tours. It is perfect for families who are looking for summer fun, couples who want a romantic getaway and friends who are looking for some fun or some relaxation!
Things to do in Harrison Hot Springs
1. Enjoy the beachfront of Harrison Lake
Harrison Lake has a beautiful beachfront and a lagoon with a sandy beach. Bring a beach blanket and enjoy the summer weather. Harrison Lake is quite cold even in the summer so keep that in mind! There is a swimming area and plenty of people do swim in the lake, but bring spare clothes or a big towel to warm up afterwards!
2. Kayaking on Harrison lake or Harrison River (you can take guided tours or rent a kayak)
Harrison Lake is beautiful and so is Harrison River! The river is very shallow in spots and on a kayak you can even see the giant sturgeon swimming below! If you want to learn about the history of the area (it dates back thousands of years) consider a tour with Harrison Eco Tours where you can take a 2 or 5 hour kayak tour.
3. Enjoy the Natural Hot Spring Pools
Guests of the Harrison Hot Springs Resort can enjoy the naturally hot pools in the resort. The pool is fed by two springs and the waters are cooled to a temperature of 38C (100F). There are kid-friendly pools, adults only section and an indoor pool to enjoy.
4. Fish for Sturgeon on Harrison River
If fishing is your thing, this is a bucketlister for sure!
5. Bike the Circle Farm Tour
The self guided Circle Farm Tour takes you through scenic farmland, past pretty homes and allows for stops at local artisans. Harrison Eco Tours has an e-bike fleet as well as regular bikes if you do not bring your own! There are plenty of stops along the way. This a typically a summer activity and farms and artisand have limited hours in the off season.
Read More: Things to do in the Fraser Valley in September
6. Take a Hike (or a Walk)
Harrison is surrounded by natural beauty making it the perfect BC weekend getaway. There are lots of trails to explore for all abilities! For beinngers try the Harrison Lagoon Walk or Spirit Trail. More difficult are Hicks Lake Loop or Sandy Cove & Whipporwill Point.
7. Harrison Lake Inflatable Water Park
Designed for fun for teens and adults, this waterpark is a ton of fun in the summer! Children must be 6 years old to use the waterpark and it is usually full of teens and older kids! Us Adults even had a thrill. Whether it is the obstacles, the giant pillow or the water trampoline there was plenty of activities for everyone! More info: Harrison Inflatable Water Park. Make sure you rent a wetsuit! The water is cold and it prevents rubbing on the seams of the park!
8. Visit Kilby Historic Site
About 10 minutes from the lake is Kilby Historic Site. Experience a 1920s Fraser Valley living history site with costumed interpreters. This 5 acre BC Heritage attraction includes our 1906 General Store Museum, Manchester House Hotel, Post Office and working farm with many friendly farm animals. Facilities include a home-style restaurant & unique country gift shop. This is one of the stops on the self-guided Circle Farm Tour!
9. Take a Jet Boat Tour
If kayaking is not your idea of the best way to see the lake than you are still able to get out and see the lake. Jet boat tours depart daily and allow guests to see the history around the lake and some of what makes it unique!
10. Get Wet with Harrison Bumper Boats
For those who want some fun and laughs, rent a bumper boat! This is what I would recommend for what to do in Harrison Hot Springs for lots of fun and laughs for all ages! It is also perfect for those who may not want to get out onto the waterpark but want to enjoy some fun in the summer at Harrison Lake.
11. Rent a BBQ Boat.
You can troll around the lake with your own BBQ. If you want to relax and enjoy a hot meal on the water, consider a BBQ boat rental. This is one of the relaxing things to do in Harrison Hot Springs in the summer with a few friends!
12. Bald Eagle Watching (November)
This seasonal activity at Harrison Mills is one for bird enthusiasts! Harrison Mills is one of the largest concentrated bald eagle gatherings in the world. The eagles are drawn to the region by the millions of spawning salmon that swim up the Fraser River. In mid-November, attend the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival.
13. Golf
There are two golf courses in the area. One is in Harrison Mills and the other in Harrison Hot Springs. The 9 hole Harrison Resort Golf Course is great for a short game. If you want the full golf experience head out to the Sandpiper Golf Club in Harrison Mills. It is about a 20-minute drive from Harrison Hot Springs.
14. Harrison Hot Springs Public Pool
If you aren’t staying at the main spa resort you can visit the public pool to enjoy the soothing Harrison hot springs. The Public Pool is located next to the Harrison Hot Springs Resort at Hot Springs Road and the Esplanade.
15. (Nearby) Tulip Festival (April)
If you plan to visit Harrison Hot Springs in the spring and are looking for things to do on your way there or on your way back, check to see the dates for the annual Chilliwack Tulip Festival. Be warned, the traffic really backs up during the festival!
The Tulip Festival is located at 41310 Yale Road in Chilliwack
16. Dine Around Town
There are plenty of small restaurants to enjoy in Harrison Hot Springs. Check the off season hours if you are visiting outside of the summer months.
17. Enjoy a Big Foot Treat
Pop into the chocolate shop for big foot chocolate (or maybe something even more delicious! It is the perfect place to enjoy a dessert or a sweet snack.
18. (Nearby) Bridal Falls Waterpark
On the way into Harrison or on the way home, a stop at Bridal Falls Waterpark is a perfect summer activity for kids! Its small size is perfect to let the kids runaround without any worries!
19. (nearby) Disc Golf at Sasquatch Mountain
Bring your discs and explore the stunning alpine meadows of Sasquatch Mountain Resort- now offering a 9-hole disc golf course! Disc Golf at Sasquatch Mountain Resort is FREE – however players must bring their own discs.
20. Ski Day (Winter Visits)
For winter visits make sure to hit the slopes of Sasquatch Mountain Resort and then relax in the soothing Hot Springs. It is a short drive from Harrison Hot Springs)
Harrison Hot Springs Practical Information
Where to stay in Harrison Hot Springs:
Harrison Hot Springs Resort is the best place to stay if you want to use their Hot Springs. They are the only place that has the Hot Springs pools (besides the indoor public pool next door to the hotel). They only allow guests to use the pools. Try and book a walk out room if you want easy access!
Rowena’s on the River is a beautiful location in Harrison Mills about 20 minutes drive from Harrison Hot Springs. They have self sufficient cabins and are a perfect relaxing retreat.
The Lodge on Harrison Lake offers cliffside views right on the lake. You can walk into town or it is just a minute drive. They have a cute barrel sauna overlooking the lake!
Harrison Hot Springs Weather:
Generally, the climate in the Fraser Valley is is mild in the winter and warm in the summer. Harrison Hot Springs in the summer will likely be at least a few degrees warmer than in Vancouver. It will probably rain in the winter months, so plan for it. Check the weather report here.
Driving Time and Directions from Vancouver to Harrison Hot Springs:
Via Highway 1: Head east out of Vancouver on the 1 towards Abbostford/Chilliwack and Harrison Hot Springs. Take exit 135/Bridalveil Falls and follow signs north to Harrison Hot Springs. Driving time about 90 minutes. Add 30 minutes at rush hour and add an hour on Fridays of long weekends in the summer.
Via Route 7: Head east on Highway 1 and take the Highway 7 exit towards Coquitlam / Maple Ridge. Continue along Highway 7. This route gives you a more backroute feel.
Lindsay Nieminen is the creator of UncoveringBC.com. She grew up and still lives in the suburbs of Vancouver with her family. She aims to inspire inform, and educate others about traveling in her home province of British Columbia. She is also the creator of carpediemourway.com which aims to show parents how to seek out adventure at home or abroad, with their children in tow!