Portage Brûlé Hot Springs

## Overview Portage Brûlé Hot Springs is a remote, naturally occurring hot spring located in the wilderness of northern British Columbia, Canada, at approximately 59.658°N, 126.954°W. Situated in the rugged landscape near the Liard River corridor — a region renowned for its geothermal activity — this free-access hot spring offers a rare backcountry soaking experience far from developed infrastructure. The name "Portage Brûlé" reflects the area's French-Canadian fur trade heritage, with "brûlé" meaning "burned" — likely a reference to past forest fires that scarred the surrounding landscape. The hot springs in this part of British Columbia emerge along fault lines in the Northern Rocky Mountains, where geothermally heated groundwater rises to the surface through fractures in the bedrock. The broader Liard River region is home to several well-known hot springs, including the popular Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park, suggesting that Portage Brûlé shares a similar geological origin tied to deep crustal heat flow. As a free, undeveloped hot spring, Portage Brûlé offers a truly wild soaking experience. Visitors should be aware that this is a remote and largely unmanaged site — there are no facilities, signage, or services nearby. ## Directions 1. The hot spring is located in a very remote area of northern British Columbia, west of the Alaska Highway corridor. 2. The GPS coordinates (59.6580°N, 126.9538°W) place it in the wilderness roughly between the communities of Watson Lake (Yukon) to the northwest and Fort Nelson (BC) to the southeast. 3. Access likely requires backcountry travel — potentially via logging roads, river routes, or overland hiking. A high-clearance or 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended for any road-based approach. 4. Due to the extreme remoteness, visitors should carry detailed topographic maps, a GPS device, and be prepared for self-sufficient wilderness travel. *Note: Specific road-by-road directions to this hot spring are not currently available. If you have visited Portage Brûlé Hot Springs and can share access details, your contribution would be invaluable to future visitors.* ## What to Expect Portage Brûlé Hot Springs is a backcountry destination in every sense. Expect a wild, undeveloped setting surrounded by boreal forest, with no changing rooms, boardwalks, or other amenities. The spring is free to access. Water temperatures at geothermal springs in this region of British Columbia can vary significantly — from warm soaking pools to scalding source vents — so test the water carefully before entering. The mineral content of hot springs in the Liard corridor typically includes sulfate, calcium, and magnesium, often with a mild sulfur smell characteristic of geothermal water. The surrounding area is prime wildlife habitat — black bears, grizzly bears, moose, and wolves are all present in the region. Visitors should take standard bear safety precautions, travel in groups, and make noise on approach. Seasonal accessibility is limited; winter conditions in this part of BC are extreme, and the best window for visiting is typically June through September. Given the remote location, there is no cell service. Inform someone of your travel plans before heading out, and carry emergency supplies including a satellite communication device if possible.