Ninety minutes east of Vancouver, the Fraser Valley's farmland gives way to mountains, and at the end of a winding road along the Harrison River, a small resort village sits on the shore of a glacial lake with natural hot springs bubbling up from underground. Harrison Hot Springs has been drawing visitors since the 1880s, when a prospector fell into the hot water and decided he'd found something better than gold.
Agassiz is the gateway — a farming community on Highway 7 where you turn off toward the springs and the lake. The public hot springs pool uses natural mineral water heated to therapeutic temperatures. Harrison Lake stretches 60 km into the mountains, glacially cold and impossibly green, ringed by peaks that still carry snow into July. It's a different world from the Vancouver sprawl you left behind.
With 3 dump stations and campgrounds between Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs, it's an accessible escape that feels far more remote than 90 minutes.
Dump Stations
Three dump stations at the campgrounds in the Agassiz-Harrison area.
Browse all Agassiz dump stations
Where to Camp
Pathfinder Camp Resorts Agassiz-Harrison
32 full-hookup RV sites. Year-round operation. Pool in summer. Seven minutes from Harrison Hot Springs — close enough for daily hot spring visits, far enough to avoid resort-town pricing. A practical, well-run park.
Hot Springs RV & Camping Park
In Harrison Hot Springs itself. Forest setting with the mountains rising above. 90 minutes from Vancouver. If you want to walk to the springs and the beach rather than drive, this is the location.
Harrison Springs Camping & RV Park
Lakeside location near the Harrison Hot Springs village. Water access and mountain views.
Harrison Hot Springs
The village centres around the public hot springs pool — a modern facility using natural mineral water from the underground springs. The water is rich in sulfates and potassium, and the temperature is maintained at levels that loosen muscles and improve circulation. It's not a wilderness soak (that's more of a Kootenay thing) — it's a civilised hot springs experience with a sandy beach and mountain views.
Harrison Lake itself is 60 km long and glacier-fed. Swimming, boating, kayaking, and fishing. The water is cold — this is glacial melt — but on a hot July day, the contrast with the hot springs makes both better.
The Festival
The Harrison Festival of the Arts is a 9-day celebration of music, theatre, dance, and visual arts featuring national and international performers. If your visit coincides, it adds a cultural layer to the natural attractions.
Nearby
- Kilby Historic Site — A 1906 general store museum on the Harrison River bank. Step into early 20th-century British Columbia rural life.
- Agassiz Speedway — Stock car, hotrod, and custom car racing. If that's your thing, the summer race calendar is active.
- Fraser Valley farm stands along Highway 7 sell fresh local produce in season. Berries, corn, and stone fruit in summer.
When to Visit
| Season | Highs | Lows | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | 25°C | 13°C | Dry and warm. Lake at its best. Hot springs pool busy. Highway 9 to Harrison gets crowded on weekends. |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | 15°C | 6°C | Rain returns. Quieter. Hot springs are even more appealing in cool weather. |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | 6°C | 0°C | Very wet. Heavy rain. Hot springs are the main draw. Campgrounds may be open year-round but conditions are soggy. |
| Spring (Mar-May) | 15°C | 5°C | Drying gradually. Lake still cold. Farm stands starting up. |
Tips
- Highway 9 is the only road to Harrison Hot Springs. It can get backed up on summer weekends. Arrive early or midweek.
- Stock up on groceries in Chilliwack before heading to the campgrounds.
- The hot springs pool is worth the visit even if you're just passing through.
- Heavy rain October through March. Make sure your rig is sealed and bring proper rain gear.
Plan Your Agassiz Stop
Soak in mineral water, paddle a glacial lake, buy berries at a farm stand, and sleep in the mountains — all 90 minutes from a major city. Agassiz is where the Fraser Valley stops being flat and starts being spectacular.
Browse all 3 Agassiz dump stations | All Canadian dump stations
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