Fernie Spring, Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0

## Overview Fernie Spring is a well-known natural spring located along the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) in the Elk Valley of southeastern British Columbia, just south of the mountain town of Fernie. Nestled into a steep roadside bank, the spring flows through a white pipe and has long been a popular stop for locals who use it as a daily source of fresh water. The spring sits within the Canadian Rockies, an area rich in limestone and other sedimentary formations that naturally filter snowmelt and groundwater, often producing clean, mineral-rich water. Visitors have reported that the water tastes crisp and refreshing, and it has historically been used as a drinking water source by the surrounding community. ## Directions 1. From downtown Fernie, head south on **Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway)** toward Elko and Cranbrook. 2. Drive approximately **15 minutes (roughly 15–20 km)** south of Fernie. 3. Watch for the spring about **1 km north of the highway tunnel** (the Elko Tunnel / Fernie Tunnel area). 4. Look for a **pull-off on the west side of Highway 3** — there is a trash can at the pull-off area, making it easier to spot. 5. Once parked, look to the **right of the pull-off** where you'll see a **white pipe protruding from the steep bank**. This is the spring outlet. **GPS Coordinates:** 49.361991, -115.013702 ## What to Expect Fernie Spring is a convenient roadside stop with easy vehicle access directly off Highway 3. The spring water flows steadily from a white pipe set into a steep embankment on the west side of the highway. There is a designated pull-off area with a trash can, so parking is straightforward — though space may be limited, so pull well off the road. The spring is popular with locals who stop regularly to fill jugs and bottles, so you may encounter other visitors, especially on weekends. The surrounding landscape is classic Elk Valley scenery — dense coniferous forest, rugged mountain slopes, and the winding Crowsnest Highway corridor. The area is beautiful year-round, though winter travelers should be prepared for snowy and icy road conditions along Highway 3. Because this is a roadside spring with no formal water testing posted, visitors should be aware that water quality can vary with seasonal conditions such as heavy rain or spring snowmelt. While the spring has been reported to provide good drinking water and is used daily by area residents, no official water quality certification is available.