Quick FactsOverview
About Tsek Hot Springs
Tsek Hot Springs, Canada is an In-SHUCK-ch Nation-operated hot spring facility in the lower Lillooet River valley in British Columbia, located on the historic Harrison Lillooet Gold Rush trail near the Skatin (formerly Skookumchuck) First Nations community. Note: Tsek Hot Springs is currently temporarily closed and visitors must not trespass. Check the official website at tsekhotsprings.ca for current status before planning a visit.
Pronounced "chick," the name Tsek derives from the St'at'imcets word meaning "dripping water" or "water droplet." The site has been continuously occupied and used by the St'at'imc people for spiritual and physical healing since long before European contact. The facility has 12 outdoor soaking tubs: four filled with hot geothermal water, one filled with cold glacier-fed water, and seven adjustable tubs where visitors can blend hot and cold water to their preferred temperature. All water is untreated and chemical-free. A campground with approximately 30 sites sits beside the Lillooet River. When operating, family hot springs near Pemberton of this cultural significance and natural character are rare in southwestern BC.
Location & Access
Getting to Tsek Hot Springs
Tsek Hot Springs is temporarily closed. Do not attempt to visit while the closure and No Trespassing notice remain in effect on the official website. Check tsekhotsprings.ca for current status before making travel plans.
When open, the site is reached by driving Highway 99 north from Whistler through Pemberton. At Mt. Currie, turn right to continue on Highway 99 north toward Lillooet. After approximately 10 kilometres, turn right onto the In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road. Follow this gravel logging road for approximately 47 to 48 kilometres along the eastern shore of Lillooet Lake. At kilometre 78.8 from the highway zero point, bear left at the fork toward Skookumchuck. The entrance sign for Tsek is at approximately 96.5 kilometres from the Highway 99 zero point. Total drive time from Pemberton is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, with the forest service road portion taking about 1 hour. There is no cell service for most of the drive or at the site.
The forest service road is a gravel logging road accessible year-round in suitable conditions; a spare tire is advisable. Standard two-wheel-drive vehicles can navigate it when dry. In winter, snow and ice make the road more challenging. Hot springs near Pemberton of this type require a dedicated approach; this is not a quick side trip.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Should Visit Tsek Hot Springs
Tsek Hot Springs is currently temporarily closed and cannot be visited. When operating, Tsek suits adults and families with older children who are comfortable with a long remote drive on gravel roads and who approach the site with respect for its cultural and spiritual significance. This is a sacred St'at'imc site, not a commercial resort, and visitors are expected to follow the community's rules closely. The operator describes it as "not a spa."
When open, the 12 tubs include adjustable options for various temperature preferences. Children aged 10 and under enter free when with a paying adult. No alcohol is permitted at the tubs. No glass is allowed on site. Dogs are not permitted near the hot springs though they are allowed in the campground. The rustic setting includes basic outhouses and a simple change area. The site has no cell coverage and no internet access. Camping is available year-round except during ceremonies, and reservations can be made via the operator's website.
For those seeking family hot springs near Pemberton with strong Indigenous cultural context and untreated natural mineral water, Tsek is a distinctive destination in the Sea to Sky region. It is not accessible for visitors with mobility limitations; the outdoor tubs are on uneven ground with no built accessibility features. When planning a visit, treat the site with the awareness that it is a living cultural landscape for the St'at'imc people, not simply a recreation stop.
Safety & Etiquette
Tsek Hot Springs Safety Tips
Tsek Hot Springs is currently temporarily closed and a No Trespassing notice is in effect. Do not visit while the closure remains in place. Entering a site under a No Trespassing notice is a legal offence. Check the official website at tsekhotsprings.ca for any update on reopening before planning a trip.
When operating, there is a standing boil water advisory for drinking water on site; bring your own drinking water or boil before use. The hot tub water comes directly from the geothermal source and is not treated; visitors should be mindful of time spent in the very hot tubs, particularly in warm weather, and should stay well hydrated. Test the temperature of any tub before entering. Pregnant visitors and those with heart conditions or other health concerns should take extra care with hot water exposure.
The surrounding area is active bear country; both black and grizzly bears have been documented in the region. Prepare food carefully, store it away from sleeping areas, and be alert when moving around the campground and along the river. There is no cell service at Tsek or for most of the drive in from the highway. Let someone know your plans and expected return time before you depart.
The In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road is an active logging road; large trucks use it regularly. Drive slowly, keep to the right, and be prepared for oncoming vehicles on narrow sections. Carry a spare tire. In winter and wet conditions the road can be slippery and muddy. Do not attempt the drive in poor conditions without appropriate tires and recovery equipment.
