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Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta workforce
Final up to date on March 16, 2024
Nestled within the Canadian Rockies, within the shadow of Sulphur Mountain, you’ll discover the magnificent Banff Higher Scorching Springs. A soothing soak is among the finest issues to do in Banff Nationwide Park, and the Higher Scorching Springs have lengthy offered relaxation, leisure, and therapeutic to individuals attributable to its mineral-rich water. We like to soak within the steaming water of the outside pool and take within the nationwide park’s beautiful panoramic mountain views. Nonetheless, there are some issues guests must know earlier than they go to. This information will let you know every little thing in regards to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs.
Every little thing You Must Know in regards to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs
In regards to the Springs
What makes the water on the Banff Scorching Springs so particular? Rainwater that has seeped into the earth’s crust undergoes thermal heating earlier than ultimately effervescent its method as much as the floor of Sulphur Moutain; from there, the thermal waters cross and trickle down the mountain to the springs at a price of as much as 900 litres per minute. Alongside its journey, the water picks up an infusion of minerals, together with sulfate, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, and sodium.
The water temperatures are additionally particular right here, and it’s stored at round 40°C (104°F) in the primary scorching pool. When the movement of pure spring water is just too low to fill the swimming pools, supplemental municipal water is used in order that the recent springs could be loved all 12 months spherical.
The Banff Higher Scorching Springs is the best scorching spring in all of Canada at an elevation of 1,585 metres!
Historical past of the Springs
The historical past of Banff Higher Scorching Springs goes again centuries, as Indigenous peoples used the recent springs as a sacred place to treatment sickness and keep good well being. In 1883, Canadian Pacific Railway staff began utilizing the Cave and Basin Scorching Springs, paving the way in which to create Banff Nationwide Park; the next 12 months, Europeans additionally began utilizing Banff Higher Scorching Springs. As a result of reputation of spas in Europe, the positioning grew to become extraordinarily widespread, particularly with the enlargement of the railway system within the late Eighties and motorway development within the 1910s.
Whereas varied buildings had been constructed after which destroyed (usually by hearth), the Higher Scorching Springs Bathtub Home opened in 1923. Much like a number of the well-known spas in Europe, the bathhouse has a sulphur-water swimming pool, plunge baths, steam rooms, tubs, showers, and dressing rooms. In 1931, the Canadian authorities declared the bathhouse a Registered Federal Heritage Constructing.
After many renovations, the bathhouse has been restored to resemble its 1932 look, and a restaurant and a present store have been added. With over 300,000 guests yearly, the Higher Scorching Springs is considered one of Banff Nationwide Park’s hottest vacationer locations.
The place are the Banff Higher Scorching Springs? Location and parking
Banff Higher Scorching Springs is situated on Mountain Avenue, 4 kilometres south of the city of Banff. The path to get there’s well-marked. If driving, strolling or biking, comply with Banff Avenue over the Bow River and switch left (east) on the final set of lights. Observe the indicators for 3.6 kilometres to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs parking zone.
Sadly, there’s restricted parking, and why many individuals select to take public transit to the recent springs as an alternative. For those who’d wish to take the bus from downtown Banff, take the bus marked with Route 1, “Sulphur Mountain.” Buses run each 20 minutes throughout common operation hours.
You too can stroll or cycle to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs, which is an effective way to see the city and get slightly little bit of train earlier than your soak!
Earlier than or after your soak, we advocate going up Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola, seeing they’re so shut to 1 one other.
How a lot does it value to go to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs?
Contemplating how costly actions in Banff could be, a go to to Banff Higher Scorching Springs is comparatively reasonably priced. Notice that advance tickets and reservations are usually not out there and admission can solely be bought in individual at reception. One-time-use lockers are included in all charges.
Present charges are as follows:
Single Entry Charges (GST included)
- Grownup: $17.50
- Senior: $15.25
- Youth (ages 3-17): $15.25
- Kids: (underneath 3): Free
- Further Youth: $8.50
- Household: $56.75
Group Charges (ten or extra individuals all checking in and paying in a single fee – GST included)
- Grownup: $16.00 every
- Senior: $14.00 every
- Youth (ages 3-17): $14 every
Extra Admission Choices
Annual passes and multi-use passes can be found for many who wish to go to the Higher Scorching Springs greater than as soon as. Moreover, should you plan to go to the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Web site and the recent springs there, you should purchase a thermal cross that mixes the 2 admissions.
For extra details about admissions and tickets, please go to the web site.
A reminder that you simply’ll want a park cross to be in Banff Nationwide Park (whether or not that’s a day cross or a Parks Canada Discovery Cross).
Hours of Operation
The Banff Higher Scorching Springs is open day by day of the 12 months. And once we say day by day, it’s true: the Higher Scorching Springs are even open on Canadian holidays, together with Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Yr’s Day, Good Friday, and Easter.
Through the peak season (Could to September), the recent springs are open every day from 9 am to 11 pm. Through the low season (October to April), the recent springs are open every day from 10 am to 10 pm.
That being stated, the swimming pools can shut at occasions for upkeep and cleansing. It’s essential to verify the Parks Canada web site for surprising closures earlier than you go to.
When to Go to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs
As talked about above, the Banff Higher Scorching Springs are open year-round! Due to this fact, there are advantages to visiting throughout each season, irrespective of the temperature. The busiest time on the Banff Higher Scorching Springs is in the summertime months, as it’s the peak season for Banff Nationwide Park. And being peak season, the recent springs will likely be very crowded, and there’s a restrict to how many individuals can enter the recent springs directly.
Weekdays are typically much less busy than weekends, with Monday and Tuesday being the quietest days to go to. Moreover, early morning and later night are much less widespread occasions to go to; the recent springs peak within the afternoon.
We advocate visiting within the springtime or fall should you’re after cooler temperatures and fewer individuals. The Canadian Rockies are nonetheless stunning, and the recent spring waters are a welcome deal with on a cold day. However we extremely advocate going within the winter. We expect the colder the higher as we benefit from the heat swimming pools as we soak in each the panoramic views of the snowy mountains and the thermal waters.
What to Convey to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs
Guests ought to carry swimsuits, towels, and water footwear to the Banff Scorching Springs, though there are additionally bathing fits and towels out there for rental should you wouldn’t have your individual. You may additionally wish to carry some other toiletries you are feeling you’ll want after the springs, i.e. deodorant, make-up, and so on.
You will have entry to one-time use lockers however should buy a further locker token if wanted.
How lengthy do you have to spend on the Banff Higher Scorching Springs?
Whilst you may simply spend half a day soaking within the mineral-rich water – these views are unbelievable! – we advisable planning for not less than two hours on the scorching springs. This is able to additionally offer you a little bit of time wanted to vary, bathe, and so on.
Accessibility
Banff Higher Scorching Springs is wheelchair-accessible, with many ramps, an elevator within the facility and accessible parking out entrance. An aquatic wheelchair can also be out there upon request (first come, first served). Service canines are allowed on the Banff Scorching Springs, though they don’t seem to be allowed within the water.
Issues to Do on the Banff Higher Scorching Springs
The principle factor to do on the Banff Higher Scorching Springs is chill out! The pure spring water of the recent springs is supposed to have therapeutic properties, and stress-free in a scorching pool is a magical expertise. The big scorching pool can accommodate as much as 200 individuals, whereas there’s a smaller, cooler pool for many who want barely colder temperatures. You too can spend time within the steam room.
While you’re prepared for a snack, a café sells gentle bites and drinks. The reward store can also be a superb cease to select up a memento out of your time on the springs. Additionally, ensure to take a look at the interpretive reveals across the bathhouse, which doc its historical past and the historical past of the recent springs themselves.
Issues to Do Close by
You too can mix a go to to the Banff Higher Scorching Springs with the Banff Gondola, as they’re so shut to 1 one other. Or you possibly can hike the Sulphur Mountain Path (a difficult, 9 km out-and-back hike) after which soak within the pure scorching springs afterward to assuage your physique. This hike is among the hottest hikes in Banff, and the trailhead is true subsequent to Springs.
Dalene Heck is a co-founder of Street Journey Alberta. She was born in Edmonton, grew up within the Peace Nation, and has ventured to virtually each nook of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 nations)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Advertising and marketing, co-creator of the Journey Chaser card recreation, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.
