One of the things that helped establish Banff as a national park is the Banff Hot Springs. These were discovered by hikers in the 1800s. Since hot baths were hard to come by in the frozen Canadian mountains, they established a bath house.

The Canadian government acquired the land and established a national park and built a pool at the site of the cave. Called the "Cave and Basin," it was a major attraction throughout the 20th Century as its waters were claimed to possess therapeutic powers. Now it’s your turn to feel the effects of these historic hot springs!

You’ll find out that all the amenities of a modern facility are featured in this splendid, historic spa and bath house - against a backdrop of spectacular alpine scenery. Average temperature is 39C (103F) year-round.

Let the therapeutic effects of the hot mineral waters restore you. In addition to the outdoor spring-fed hot pool, there is a day spa onsite which offers massages, steam room and aromatherapy.

This is open year round, although the flow of the spring water may change, depending on what time of year you’re visiting. The Upper Hot Springs are on Mountain Avenue, four kilometers south of the town of Banff.

Follow Banff Avenue over the Bow River and turn left (east) at the last set of traffic lights, following the signs until you get to the Hot Springs parking lot at the end of Mountain Avenue.