Quick FactsOverview
About Miette Hot Springs
Miette Hot Springs, Canada is the hottest mineral spring facility in the Canadian Rockies, located in Jasper National Park at the end of Miette Road in the Fiddle River Valley. The source water emerges from the mountain at approximately 54 degrees Celsius, which is the highest natural spring temperature among the three Parks Canada hot spring facilities in the mountain national parks. The water is collected, chlorinated, filtered, and cooled before entering the four outdoor pools: two hot soaking pools maintained at 40 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius, and two cold plunge pools at approximately 20 degrees Celsius and 10 degrees Celsius. Three spring outlets together gush approximately 1,540 litres per minute. The facility is seasonal, operating from approximately mid-May to mid-October each year.
Indigenous peoples showed fur traders the Sulphur Creek springs in the nineteenth century. In the 1910s the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway planned a major resort development here, engaging architect Francis Rattenbury, but the project was derailed by the outbreak of the First World War, the railway's financial collapse, and the death of its general manager in the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. A government facility finally opened in 1938 as part of a federal Depression-era relief employment programme. The current pools and bathhouse replaced the 1938 structure and the facility has operated under Parks Canada management since.
The surrounding Fiddle Valley is one of the more remote and scenically dramatic locations of any developed hot spring in Canada. The 17-kilometre Miette Road climbs through the valley from Highway 16, passing the ruins of the Pocahontas coal mine townsite before reaching the springs. From the pools, the Miette Range fills the skyline. The Sulphur Skyline trail, beginning directly from the hot springs parking lot, is one of the most highly regarded day hikes in Jasper National Park. For visitors looking for hot springs near Jasper with a wilderness setting and the highest natural spring temperatures in the Rockies, Miette is the primary destination.
Location & Access
Getting to Miette Hot Springs
Miette Hot Springs is located at the end of Miette Road, which branches south from Highway 16 at the Miette Mountain Cabins junction, 44 kilometres east of the Jasper townsite and 34 kilometres west of Hinton. From the Highway 16 junction, Miette Road continues 17 kilometres to the hot springs. The road is narrow, winding, and scenic, and trailers and motorhomes longer than 7.5 metres are not permitted past Miette Campground; a trailer drop-off area is available at the Lower Miette Mine Trail parking lot. The GPS coordinates of the facility are 53.12984 degrees North, 117.772356 degrees West. Free parking is available at the site.
There is no public transit to Miette Hot Springs. Visitors without a vehicle must join an organised tour from Jasper or arrange private transport. The drive from the Jasper townsite takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Admission is first-come, first-served and purchased in person at reception on the day of visit; no advance or online booking is available. A valid Parks Canada national park pass is required in addition to the pool admission fee. The combined drive and visit makes Miette a half-day or full-day outing from Jasper, and combining it with the Sulphur Skyline hike or the Pocahontas Townsite interpretive trail is a common itinerary.
Miette Hot Springs is a seasonal facility. It typically opens in mid-May and closes in mid-October each year, though exact dates vary depending on weather and road conditions. The 2025 season has now ended and the facility is closed for the winter. The official Parks Canada website confirms the facility will reopen on May 15, 2026. Before travelling, always confirm current dates by checking the Parks Canada website or calling 1-800-767-1611. The facility is open daily during the season including all Canadian holidays, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Regular hours during the 2025 season were 10:30 to 21:00.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Miette Hot Springs
Miette Hot Springs is suitable for all ages, from children to seniors, and for visitors with a range of mobility needs. Children under three are admitted free; family passes are available for groups of four. The facility has documented wheelchair accessibility with accessible parking directly behind the building, accessible drop-off areas, accessible change rooms and washrooms, and aquatic wheelchairs available on request from the reception desk. Caregivers accompanying a paying visitor with a disability who requires assistance enter free of charge. The accessible hot springs infrastructure at Miette is comparable to that at the other Parks Canada mountain hot spring facilities.
The setting suits visitors who want a more remote and less commercialised hot springs experience than Banff Upper Hot Springs, while still having full managed facilities. The Fiddle Valley location, surrounded by steep forested ridges and the Miette Range, gives the site a distinctly backcountry feel despite being reached by a paved road. Wildlife sightings in the Miette area, including bighorn sheep in the parking lot, are common. The cold plunge pools at 20 and 10 degrees Celsius offer contrast bathing options that are not available at all Parks Canada sites.
Families seeking accessible hot springs in Canada with a combination of pools, hiking options, and wildlife viewing will find Miette a strong choice when the season is open. Children who can hike are often taken on the Source of the Springs trail, a gentle 1.8-kilometre paved return path along Sulphur Creek to the natural origin of the hot springs, which features interpretive panels explaining geothermal processes. The Sulphur Skyline trail from the same parking lot is more demanding at 8 kilometres return with 700 metres of elevation gain, and suits fit adults and older teenagers.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Miette Hot Springs
Miette Hot Springs is generally safe as a fully staffed, Parks Canada-operated facility. Lifeguards are on duty throughout opening hours. The two hot pools at 40 and 37 degrees Celsius are within the comfortable soaking range for most healthy adults; Parks Canada advises all visitors to take breaks every 10 minutes, drink water frequently, and limit continuous immersion to no more than 20 minutes, with shorter limits for children. The cold plunge pools at 20 and 10 degrees Celsius can be used for contrast bathing between hot pool sessions.
A shower before entering the pools is mandatory for all visitors. Appropriate swimwear, including a swimwear bottom at minimum, is required in all pools. No food or beverages are permitted on the pool deck; water in an unbreakable, resealable container is the only exception. Glass items are not permitted anywhere in the facility. Persons with diarrhea or a history of diarrhea in the previous two weeks, open wounds, or active illness are not permitted in the pools. No alcohol is allowed; anyone presenting as intoxicated will be refused entry. These standards apply under both Canadian federal park regulations and Alberta provincial pool standards.
The Miette Road and the surrounding Jasper National Park backcountry are active wildlife areas. Bears, wolves, elk, and bighorn sheep are regularly observed in and around the Fiddle Valley. Keep a safe distance from all wildlife, do not leave food in vehicles, and follow posted bear safety guidelines. The road to Miette is narrow and in places has limited sight lines; drive at reduced speed and be prepared for wildlife on the road. Mountain weather in the Fiddle Valley changes quickly; even in summer, temperatures can drop sharply after sunset. Carry layers, particularly if combining a visit with one of the area hikes.
The pools are drained and refilled daily. The water is treated with chlorine to meet Alberta public swimming pool standards; this is required by Canadian law for all commercial hot spring pools regardless of the natural mineral content. Visitors who are sensitive to pool chemicals should note that the treatment level is standard rather than the low-chlorine approaches found at some Icelandic pools. The facility does not have a café; vending machines provide snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Picnic tables are available near the Source of the Springs trailhead. The nearest full food services are in Jasper and Hinton.
