HOT SPRINGS worth a stop?
 

We will be in Canadian Rockies mid August and will stay in Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff. Wondering if Radium, Banff, or Miette hot springs are worth a visit?
Which one has the nicest scenery and/or facilities? Thanks!

ttt

We stayed at Radium Hot Springs about four years ago and really enjoyed it. It has a hot pool for floating around and a "cold" pool for more energetic swimming. The scenery was beautiful. We rented a basic but comfortable cabin just a hundred yards from the pool.

I haven't been to Banff for many years but recall it as more of a "destination" experience - far more up-scale than Radium. Radium is the sort of place where you stop for a night or two just to relax after you've been on the road all week. Very low-key. No formal dress required.

I've never visited Miette.

I guess your choice will depend on how much luxury and atmosphere you're after.

Recently returned from the Rockies and did both the Bannf and Miette hot springs. We preferred the Miette given the view - sit in the pool and look up at the mountains (better view than Banff). however, that said - 2 "issues": 1) pool is older and showing a bit of discolouration on the inside liner, 2) a hours drive from Jasper. We stayed at the Miette Hot Springs Bungalows which made the drive a lot easier. The bungalows are fine for 1 night, strong smell of smoke in ours (old 50's style family run motel - good value). Bannf had the nicer pool, but is smaller than Miette, which has 3 pools, 2 hot, 1 VERY cold plunge pool. The gounds surrounding Miette were also very nice and we saw lots of deer and big horned sheep right ouside.

Radium is pretty spectacular. The pool has a rock wall right beside the hot pool and the walk from the parking lot leads you along a rushing mountain stream. It really feels like you are right in the mountains.

Thanks for the feedback. I think we will try Radium...

If you are actually going all the way to Radium (1.5hrs beyond Banff) anyway, I would say take a dip there. But I wouldn't drive all the way there just for the pool. It isn't that much nicer than in Banff or Jasper! Again, Banff Hot Springs are right in town, and it is a bit of a drive to Miette from Jasper.