title: Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park
text: Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. It is home to the second largest natural hot springs in Canada, after Deer River Hot Springs 15 km to the north east. It is a natural river of hot water rather than a spring fed man made pool. The park is part of the larger Muskwa-Kechika Management Area.  The community of Liard River, British Columbia is located nearby.
  
  History and conservation
  
  The Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park was created in April 1957. The first boardwalk and pool facilities were built by the United States Army in 1942.  The Liard River Hot Springs proper are located at .  They were originally named the Theresa Hot Springs.
  
  The park contains a warm water swamp and boreal forest which supports rich and diverse plant communities as well as mammal and bird species. Watch for moose feeding in the warm water swamps. Bears, as well, are a common hazard in summer months, and may be feeding only  away from bathers. Due to the lush plant life (including 14 species of orchids) influenced by the warmth of the springs, the area used to be known as the "Tropical Valley". A rare predatory black bear attack occurred on August 14, 1997, claiming two lives.
  
  Recreation
  
  Alpha pool with water temperatures ranging from ; 
  There are raised walkways from the parking area to the springs so that the delicate muskeg that forms the swamp is not disturbed. The walkway was the scene of a much-publicized black bear attack that killed two tourists on August 14, 1997. 
  
  The campground is open year-round
  
  Amenities
  
  Bathing pools
  Change houses
  Wheelchair access
  Playground
  A  long wooden walkway leads from the parking lot to the hotsprings pool, crossing picturesque muskeg.
  
  Location
  The park is located at mile 475 (or km 765) on the Alaska Highway, between Fort Nelson ( south-east) and Watson Lake ( north-west).  The community of Liard River is just west of the park, at the 499 Milepost.
  
  Size
  1082 hectares in size.
  
  Photo gallery
  
  See also
  List of British Columbia Provincial Parks
  List of Canadian provincial parks
  List of National Parks of Canada
  Muncho Lake Provincial Park
  Stone Mountain Provincial Park
  Toad River Hot Springs Provincial Park
  
  References
  
  External links
  
  Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park - on BC Parks (Ministry of Environment) website
   
  
  Hot springs of British Columbia
  Liard Country
  Provincial parks of British Columbia
  1957 establishments in British Columbia
  Protected areas established in 1957