Dewar Hot Springs Trail in Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park Located in the Kootenays

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Dewar Hot Springs Trail in Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park

Back Country Trail
The Dewar Creek Trail is a challenging, remote trail within BC's Purcell Wilderness Conservancy, famous for its hot springs and horse-friendly access, offering horse corrals at the trailhead, but requiring preparedness for long hikes (or rides) through bogs and streams to reach stunning, secluded pools.
Kimberly, Cranbrook
none at present
9 km one way
572 m
approximately 5 hrs one way
49.95538
-116.51637
Dewar Creek is beside the trailhead near the campsites. Boil water advisory.
The parking area at the trailhead is a reasonably flat area. Parking is shared with hikers. It could accommodate 5 trucks and trailers, depending on the number of hikers.
Dewar Creek is beside the trailhead. There are 4 corrals and hitching rails built by Back Country Horsemen - East Kootenay Chapter at the trailhead. Basic camping is permitted in the parking lot at the trailhead. A pit toilet is available. Back country camping In Bugle Basin, 2km past the hot springs, there is basic camping for equestrians that is separate from the hikers.
A Check-in and out kiosk is at the trailhead and it is advisable to use this. The trailhead is visible from the parking lot and there is only 1 trail that follows the creek. At one point, there is a sign that tells hikers to go right and equestrians go left and across the creek, then travel on the left side of the creek for a short distance. Signage is poor for equestrians beyond this point but the trail is visible. The hot springs are apparent and the camp is further up the trail 2km. in a clearing called Bugle Basin. Equestrian campers are requested to cross the creek at the clearing and camp away from the hikers.
Note: Also check under Files Maps Upload/Download tab to see if there are more maps available. If the map below shows red lines, these indicate ridable trails which can be downloaded to your GPS (see Files Maps Upload/Download tab)
To get to the trailhead for the Dewar Creek Hot Springs from Kimberley, make your way southeast along BC-95A for 2.2mi and turn right on St Mary's Lake Road. Follow this for 38.0mi and make a slight right to stay on the road. After 0.7mi, you will arrive at the trailhead.

Legend

Dewar Hot Springs Trail in Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park Comments Want To Get Involved? Post Comment

Brent Wray

Distance looks incorrect posted on: 01 / 25 / 2026

Under "Specifics", distance is said to be 18.3km one-way. According to mapped routes in a number of different GPS apps the distance is about 9km one-way, leading me to believe the 18.3km mentioned is TOTAL, not one-way. Can someone please clarify? Thanks. You are correct Brent, the 18 km is return. I have changed the trail length to 9 km one way.

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