10 Things to Do at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff, Alberta

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On a recent summertime visit to Banff National Park and the town of Banff, we enjoyed exploring the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, one of the most historic (and preserved!) and popular sites in the heart of downtown Banff. 

When the Canadian Pacific Railway opened in the 1880s, it brought many visitors to the Banff area. Frank McCabe and brothers William and Tom McCardell were some of the first visitors to “find” the cave and thermal springs in 1883 and immediately wanted to develop the area around it. The Prime Minister of Canada created the hot springs reserve to protect the property. 

entrance sign to Cave and Basin National Historic Site

The bathing pavilion officially opened in 1914 and stayed open until 1976, when it closed due to structural damage. The site reopened in 1985 as a public pool, with swimming allowed until 1992. From 1992 until 2013, guests were welcome to visit the site as a reflecting pool with limited facilities. In 2013, a museum and walking trails open, along with renewed programming, allowing visitors to explore more areas of the property while preserving the hot springs.  Today, the National Historic Site is overseen by the Parks Department, welcoming visitors year round to enjoy the hot springs, learn about the history of the area, and walk the trails around the property. 

entrance to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site

Travel Tips:

  • The site is open from 9:30am-5pm every day from mid May through mid October and from 11am-5pm Thursday through Monday mid October through mid May; information on admission fees here (it is included in National Parks Discovery passes and kids ages 17 and younger are free).
  • Plenty of free parking in the large lot in front of the main admissions building and gift shop.
  • Washrooms are located in the main admissions building, in Story Hall, and in the Galletly Building
  • A Gift Shop near the parking lot sells a variety of park themed gifts and souvenirs as well as snacks and drinks.
  • There is a short walk uphill from the parking lot to the main exhibits; the walking paths are paved. Bring the stroller for the toddler crew.
  • Make sure kids grab the Explorers booklet at admission and complete it while touring the site to earn a special keepsake. 
  • Check here for special events and programs, most of which are kid friendly, and here for guided tours. 
  • Plan on 90 minutes to tour all the exhibits, more time for the walking trails. See the full brochure and map here. 
entrance to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site

Ten Things to Do at the Cave and Basin NHS:

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  1. Learn how to make hot spring soup and all about the famous Banff Springs snails in the Hot Springs History exhibit.
  2. Look for flowstone, speleothem, the vent hole, and the waterfall inside the cave (and watch your head if you’re taller than 5’6”!) Note the strong sulfur smell.
  3. Follow the important dates of the springs from 1885 through modern day on the life size timeline in the Story Hall exhibit. 
  4. Check out the styles of bathing suits from when the bathing pavilion opened in 1914.
  5. Hop inside a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle Buggy that was common to find inside Banff National Park during the surge in visitors in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff, Alberta
  • Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff, Alberta
  1. Share your vision for the world on a white board and upload it to the projection screen in the Story Hall exhibit.
  2. Check out the outside basin for micro animals in the pools. And be sure to climb the stairs and get an aerial view from the upper platforms. 
  3. Enjoy a variety of kids activities, including Snakes and Snails and Tower Tumble games, in the Galletly Building. There’s also coloring stations, reading nooks, and a series of Indigenous Voices short films (nine short films about the indigenous people of the Canadian Rockies). 
  4. Play a lifesize version of Snakes and Snails outside next to the basin.
  5. Learn about the forces physical labor or interments in the Enemy Aliens, Prisoners of War exhibit. During and after World War I, Canada operated 24 internment camps for prisoners of war, mainly civilians. Women and children were not subject to internment, but 81 women and 156 opted to go to the camps with their husbands and fathers. 
Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff, Alberta

outdoors at Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff, Alberta

Bonus: Hike, bike, or even snowshoe on the Sundance Trail.

Looking for other adventures in Banff National Park? See our full City Guide to Banff here. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and X.  

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

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4 Comments

  2. I loved visiting the Cave & Basin. Such an interesting site. I find so many people who visit Banff miss it because it’s not right downtown, but it’s somewhere I always recommend. I especially love seeing the vintage bathing suits

    Reply

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