Canada
Alberta
Canadian Rockies
Banff National Park
Banff
Things to do in Banff
Cave and Basin National Historic Site

Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff: Hours, Address, Cave and Basin National Historic Site Reviews: 4/5

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Cave and Basin National Historic Site

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Cave and Basin National Historic Site
4
1,570
#23 of 57 things to do in Banff
Historic Sites
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Tours & experiences
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The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
130 within 5 kms
La Terrazza
623
1.3 km$$$$ • Italian • Canadian • Vegetarian Friendly
Chuck's Steakhouse
581
1.4 km$$$$ • Steakhouse • Canadian • Gluten Free Options
Hello Sunshine Banff Sushi
408
1.5 km$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian
Block Kitchen and Bar
1,157
1.5 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Fusion • Canadian
Masala Authentic Indian Cuisine
1,039
1.5 km$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Healthy
BeaverTails
649
1.4 km$ • Fast food • Canadian
The Bison Restaurant
1,444
1.5 km$$$$ • Contemporary • Healthy • Canadian
Coyotes Southwestern Grill
1,564
1.4 km$$ - $$$ • Southwestern • Canadian • Vegetarian Friendly
Wild Flour- Banff's Artisan Bakery Cafe
1,106
1.4 km$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe • Canadian
The Bear Street Tavern
1,834
1.4 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pizza • Canadian
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Attractions
47 within 10 kms
Lake Minnewanka
3,790
1.3 kmBodies of Water
Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum
354
1.1 kmNatural History Museums • Educational sites
Cascade Gardens
421
1.2 kmGardens
Roam Public Transit Service
577
1.6 kmPublic Transportation Systems
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
581
1.3 kmSpeciality Museums
Banff Park Museum
437
1.3 kmSpeciality Museums • Natural History Museums
Banff Visitor Centre
1,114
1.6 kmVisitor Centres
Banff Avenue
1,476
1.5 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Vermilion Lakes
908
1.6 kmBodies of Water
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
369
2 kmArt Galleries • Theatres
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,571 reviews
Excellent
586
Very good
622
Average
275
Poor
63
Terrible
25
Iva V
243 contributions
See the pool but skip the guided tour
Had a tour with scenes acted out. This was okay but you really wouldn't miss much if you didn't make this stop. Excellent gift shop though.
Written 10 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ONTARIO1981
CANADA251 contributions
Cool National Parks History!
Family
This was a must do while visiting Banff for the first time. The history and educational info here behind Canada's National Parks is pretty neat. The Cave/Basin is pretty cool itself - try to spot the snails who live there, the only place on earth you can find this type! A bonus was that our Discovery Pass included admission this site.
Written 7 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JeffFr
Edmonton, Canada48 contributions
Good, educational, hikes have lots of horse poop and mosquitoes
Family
Title says it all really, it's very well done and educational. Our teenagers enjoyed it and they even had little interactive booklets for younger kids that our nieces and nephews seemed to enjoy. Interesting history not only of the springs/conservation but also of the internment camps that were there in World War 1. Lots of hikes, they're decent but not spectacular and the horse dung and mosquitoes were everywhere.
Written 4 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tony D
Livingston, UK250 contributions
The original Banff hot springs
There are guided tours available which helps the understanding of the site. This is the original hot springs tourist attraction but bathing is no longer possible here, (try Banff Upper Hot Springs for bathing).

The discovery of the hot springs led to the development of the Banff tourist industry.
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Johnny H.
Manassas, VA336 contributions
Nice place to start your Banff experience
Don't let the sulfur smell get to you in the basin area, the awe that comes from this place is palatable. I understand why this is the first national park in Canada, there is something primordial about the basin/pool. I wish that the swimming pool/hot spring was still around, but it was nice that you can still imagine what the place was like back in the day.
Written 16 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lyncroft
Quebec285 contributions
For the historical buff
This is where Banff started. Small museum relating the history of the springs, access to the cave (sulphur smell included!). Interesting if you like history. Nice boardwalk trail nearby.
Written 8 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lisa W
DeLand, FL89 contributions
Free with Discovery park pass.
Family
We had the discovery park pass so admission was free. Most time needed is 20 min - half hour. The cave was a very short walk inside. Once inside the cave, the closer you got to the basin the smell of sulphur increased to rotten egg smell. I took two pictures and left. Nothing more to see.
Written 1 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michele G-W
London, Canada428 contributions
Wouldn't Pay For It
Couples
We were trying to kill time which isn't hard to do in Banff and thought this sounded neat.
We were about to pay admission when of one the staff working mentioned to another group that you can see the basin for free at the top of the stairs. Needless to say I'm glad we didn't pay.
The views from the top are beautiful of the mountains but the basin itself was not as thrilling. And the smell could be smelled right from the parking lot.
There is alot of history here though.
Written 25 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vacationers62
San Diego, CA657 contributions
Tourist Rip-off!
After reading the reviews on this "historic" site, we were expecting a LOT more! At $7 senior price, this is a big rip-off! The "cave" is just a very small pool, and the tunnel into it is less than 500 feet. VERY disappointing. The guide books say to walk around and review the exhibits - not worth your time.
Written 12 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julia S
4 contributions
Very helpful staff member at first point of contact - asked about wheelchair availability? Answer "Yes". Immediately produced.
Couples
Availability of wheelchair enhanced mine and my husband's visit 100%. Able to observe all aspects of the displays - excellent viewing. Thank you very much.
Written 12 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Cave and Basin National Historic Site
Cave and Basin National Historic Site is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Cave and Basin National Historic Site tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 14 Cave and Basin National Historic Site tours on Tripadvisor