Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort is located on the shore of Kootenay Lake, just off Highway 31 between the towns of Balfour and Kaslo.

It is a popular destination for locals and tourists, offering open-air, lake-view soaking pools and access to a unique horseshoe-shaped cave with colorful mineral formations.

The resort's main feature is a 150-foot horseshoe-shaped underground tunnel, where visitors can wade through a waist-deep thermal pool and get a close-up view of multicolored stalactites and stalagmites.

Ainsworth Hot Springs Soaking Experience

Hot mineral water originates from underground sources around the Cody Caves and travels through natural fractures in the rock before reaching the resort. The water flows through the cave and drips from the ceiling and walls, forming mineral deposits and icicle-like structures.

A hot mineral shower and steam inside the tunnel create sauna-like conditions. Water temperatures in the cave pool average 108°F (42°C), generally ranging from 104-110°F (40-43°C).

At the cave entrance, there are two pools: a hot pool and a cold plunge pool. The cold pool is fed by water from Munn Creek.

The main outdoor pool measures approximately 40 by 50 feet and is about 3 feet deep, with water maintained at around 97-100°F (36-38°C).

The spring water contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, lithium, and silica.

Because of its high flow rate, the main pool is refreshed more than four times a day. Chlorine is added to the water, and the pools are tested several times a day to maintain water quality.

The Ktunaxa people have used the mineral waters of Ainsworth for generations. Known as Nupika Wu'u, or "spirit water," the springs were valued as a place for healing and rejuvenation long before the arrival of European travelers and settlers.

In 1882, George Ainsworth of Portland, Oregon, applied for a pre-emption of the townsite, then known as Hot Springs Camp. The settlement had developed because of nearby discoveries of silver, lead, and zinc.

In the 1920s, as local mining activity declined, Nelson businessman John Burns began developing the hot springs commercially and built a pool.

By the early 1930s, the pool and caves had been developed, and the site began welcoming visitors during the Great Depression.

In 1983, the pool and caves were renovated, and new change rooms were added. The current hotel was built in 1987, followed by additional renovations in 1999 and 2012.

In 2015, the Lower Kootenay Band (Yaqan Nukiy) purchased Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort and the surrounding properties, reconnecting the resort with its Ktunaxa heritage.

On-site dining is available at the Ktunaxa Grill, which offers locally sourced cuisine with views of Kootenay Lake and the surrounding mountains.

The Spirit Water Spa provides massage and other spa treatments, including body wraps and various therapies.

The surrounding area offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including skiing, golfing, ziplining, rafting, kayaking, and fishing.

Cody Caves Provincial Park is nearby and offers guided tours through limestone caverns with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and soda straws.

Ainsworth is also well positioned for exploring nearby communities, with Kaslo approximately 21 miles to the north and Nelson about 48 miles to the south via Highway 31.