Cave and Basin National Historic Site
Cave and Basin National Historic Site, National historic site in Banff National Park, Canada
The Cave and Basin features naturally occurring thermal springs emerging from the base of Sulphur Mountain at temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius.
Three railway workers discovered these springs in 1883, leading the Canadian government to establish Banff National Park as the first national park in 1885.
The thermal springs held profound meaning for indigenous peoples who utilized these waters for over 10,000 years before European settlement began.
The site opens Monday and Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with guided tours available at 311 Cave Avenue in Banff.
The waters contain the only known habitat of the endangered Banff Springs snail, making it a critical location for species preservation.
Location: Improvement District No. 09 (Banff National Park)
Fee: Yes
Operator: Parks Canada
Address: 311 Cave Avenue T1L Banff
Opening Hours: May 15-October 15 Monday-Sunday 09:00-17:00; October 16-May 14 Wednesday-Sunday 10:00-16:00
Phone: +14037621566
Website: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/ab/caveandbasin
GPS coordinates: 51.16923,-115.59089
Latest update: September 29, 2025 13:28
Alberta offers a wide range of landscapes and activities, from Banff National Park with its turquoise glacial lakes to the geological formations of Jasper National Park. The province is home to natural sites such as Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Athabasca Falls, as well as the Glaciers Parkway that crosses the Canadian Rockies over 232 kilometers. The cities of Calgary and Edmonton enhance this selection with institutions like the National Music Centre at Studio Bell, the WinSport Olympic site, and the Edmonton river valley extending along the North Saskatchewan River. In the Drumheller area, the Royal Tyrrell Museum displays dinosaur skeletons found in the Alberta Badlands. This collection highlights the main places to visit in the province, from mountain areas to urban centers.
Banff Springs Hotel
2.1 km
Banff Upper Hot Springs
2.9 km
Tunnel Mountain
2.8 km
Bow Falls
2.2 km
Upper Hot Springs
2.9 km
Banff National Park Pavilion
1.4 km
Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station
2.7 km
Whyte Museum
1.4 km
Banff Park Museum
1.4 km
Walter Phillips Gallery
2.1 km
Bow River Bridge
1.4 km
Bow Falls
2.1 km
Banff National Park Administration Building
1.4 km
St. George's-in-the-Pines Church
1.6 km
Beaver Lodge
1.8 km
Upper Hot Pool Residence
2.9 km
Upper Hot Springs Bath House
2.9 km
St. Paul's Presbyterian Church
1.8 km
Cambrian Pavilion
1.3 km
Tarry-a-While
1.9 km
Rundle Memorial United Church
1.5 km
Luxton Residence
1.8 km
Tanglewood
1.8 km
Harmony Lane
1.5 km
Dave White Block
1.5 km
Devonian Pavilion
1.3 km
Rustic Lookout Pavilion
1.3 km
Information Building
1.7 kmReviews
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