Khutze Inlet Warm Springs

## Overview Khutze Inlet Warm Springs is a remote, free-access natural hot spring located along the rugged central coast of British Columbia, Canada. Situated at approximately 53.08°N, 128.40°W, the springs lie within the sheltered waters of Khutze Inlet — a deep, narrow fjord that cuts into the coastal mountains of the Great Bear Rainforest, one of the largest remaining tracts of temperate rainforest on Earth. The Khutze Inlet area falls within the traditional territories of the Kitasoo/Xai'xais and Heiltsuk First Nations, who have inhabited and stewarded this coastline for thousands of years. Warm and hot springs throughout the central coast have long held cultural and spiritual significance for Indigenous peoples of the region. Geologically, the warm springs in this area owe their heat to the complex tectonic activity along British Columbia's coast, where residual geothermal energy from deep within the Earth's crust heats groundwater as it circulates through fractured rock before rising to the surface. Coastal BC is home to a number of such geothermal features, and Khutze Inlet Warm Springs is one of the more secluded examples. Due to its extreme remoteness, this spring sees very few visitors and remains in a largely pristine, wild setting. There is no road access — reaching Khutze Inlet typically requires travel by boat or floatplane. The surrounding landscape is characterized by towering old-growth cedar and hemlock forests, steep mountain slopes, and abundant wildlife including grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, and bald eagles. Khutze River, which flows into the inlet, is a well-known salmon-bearing river, and the area is particularly active with wildlife during salmon spawning season in late summer and fall. ## Directions 1. Khutze Inlet Warm Springs is not accessible by road. The inlet is located on the central coast of British Columbia, roughly midway between Bella Bella and Kitimat. 2. **By boat:** The most common approach is by kayak, sailboat, or motorboat through the Inside Passage. Khutze Inlet opens off Tolmie Channel / Princess Royal Channel. Navigate into the inlet and look for the warm springs along the shoreline. GPS coordinates (53.0842, -128.4019) can be entered into marine chartplotters or handheld GPS units for precise navigation. 3. **By floatplane:** Charter floatplane services operating out of Bella Bella, Bella Coola, or Kitimat may be able to arrange drop-offs in the inlet, weather and conditions permitting. 4. **Important:** This is true wilderness with no services, cell coverage, or facilities. Visitors should be fully self-sufficient, carry appropriate marine charts, and be prepared for encounters with large wildlife — particularly grizzly bears. Tidal conditions and weather in the channels can change rapidly. ## What to Expect Visitors who make the journey to Khutze Inlet Warm Springs will find a wild and undeveloped geothermal site in a breathtaking coastal rainforest setting. The warm springs emerge near the shoreline, and water temperatures have historically been described as warm rather than scalding hot — comfortable for soaking but not as intensely heated as some of BC's more famous hot springs. There are no developed pools, changing facilities, or signage. Any soaking pools that exist are likely natural depressions or informally constructed rock pools maintained by occasional visitors. The experience is raw and immersive — expect to be surrounded by old-growth forest, the sounds of the inlet, and the possibility of wildlife nearby. Because of the remote location, visitors should plan for complete self-sufficiency. Bear-aware camping practices are essential, as the Khutze watershed is prime grizzly habitat, especially from August through October during salmon runs. Weather on the central coast can be wet and unpredictable year-round, with the driest conditions typically occurring in July and August. The water from the warm springs has not been formally tested for public consumption, and visitors should treat it accordingly. The springs are best enjoyed as a soaking destination rather than a drinking water source.