Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park 4086966 218919876 2008-06-12T19:36:51Z 24.237.45.98 /* External links */ {{Infobox_protected_area | name = Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park | iucn_category = III | image = BC parks.png | caption = Location of ''Liard River Hot Springs'' in [[British Columbia]] | locator_x = 133 | locator_y = 35 | location = [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]] | nearest_city = [[Fort Nelson, British Columbia|Fort Nelson]] | lat_degrees = 59 | lat_minutes = 24 | lat_seconds = 59.9 | lat_direction = N | long_degrees = 126 | long_minutes = 5 | long_seconds = 0.2 | long_direction = W | area = 10.82 km&sup2; | established = April, [[1957]] | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = BC Ministry of Environment, BC Parks }} '''Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park''' is a [[provincial park]] in [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. It is home to the second largest [[hot spring]] in Canada. ==History and conservation== [[Image:DSC_4784.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Alpha Pool]] The Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park was created in April 1957. The first boardwalk and pool facilities were built by the American Army in 1942. The park contains a warm water swamp and [[boreal forest]] which supports rich and diverse plant communities as well as mammal and bird species. Watch for [[moose]] feeding in the warm water swamps. [[Bear]]s, as well, are a common hazard in summer months. Due to the lush plant life (including 14 species of orchids) influenced by the warmth of the springs, the area was originally known as the "Tropical Valley". <br clear=left> ==Recreation== [[Image:LiardHotsprings-1.JPG|left|thumb|Waterfall from Alpha Pool]] There are two hot springs with water temperatures ranging from 42° C to 52° C; the nearest is the Alpha pool. Beta pool is beyond Alpha and is larger, cooler and deeper. There are raised walkways from the parking area to the springs so that the delicate [[muskeg]] that forms the swamp is not disturbed. The walkway was the scene of a much-publicized black bear attack that killed two tourists on August 14, 1997.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} The campground is open year-round. ===Amenities=== [[Image:LiardHotsprings-info.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Information panel]] *Bathing pools *Change houses *Wheelchair access *Playground *A 300m long wooden walkway leads from the parking lot to the hotsprings pool, crossing picturesque [[muskeg]]. *environmentally friendly outhouse ===Nearby attractions=== *A lodge with restaurant is located across the highway, the ''Liard Hot Springs Lodge''. *[[Muncho Lake Provincial Park]] is just 30 [[km]] south of the Liard Hotsprings. *[[Liard River Corridor Provincial Park and Protected Area]] borders the park to the south. ==Location== The park is located at [[mile]] 497 (or [[km]] 800) on the [[Alaska Highway]], between [[Fort Nelson, British Columbia|Fort Nelson]] (307 km north-east) and [[Watson Lake, Yukon|Watson Lake]] (218 km south west). ==Size== 1082 hectares in size. ==Photo Gallery== <gallery> Image:LiardHotsprings-3.JPG Image:Liard Hotsprings sign.JPG Image:Liard Hotspring Steam.JPG Image:Liard_Hotsprings_pool.JPG </gallery> ==See also== *[[List of British Columbia Provincial Parks]] *[[List of Canadian provincial parks]] *[[List of National Parks of Canada]] ==External links== *[http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/liard.html Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park] - on BC Parks (Ministry of Environment) website *[http://www.bellsalaska.com/akhwypg2.html Bell's Alaska] - mile by mile description of the Alaska Highway *[http://www.gosleepgo.com/guide/ca/bc/watson-lake/liard-river-hot-springs Liard River Hot Springs] - at GoSleepGo [[Category:Hot springs of Canada]] {{Canadian Rockies}} [[Category:Provincial Parks of British Columbia]]