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Summer or winter, one of the best things to do while in Banff is to soak in the hot springs. Banff is Canada's oldest national park and one of Canada's most acclaimed Canadian Rockies national parks. One of the best hot springs is the Banff Upper Hot Springs (in fact, they are the last remaining springs open to the public for bathing). The springs are, without a doubt, one of the top places to visit in Banff National Park.
100% natural mineral water is flowing at the Banff Upper Hot Springs. The Banff Upper Hot Springs are situated up near the top of Sulphur Mountain. Today the Banff Hot Springs remain a favorite with visitors and locals - it's almost magical to sit in the pools in the wintertime while watching the snow falling on the surrounding Canadian Rockies.
The Story Of Banff Upper Hot Springs - The Highest In Canada
The Banff Upper Hot Springs were discovered by Europeans in 1883 as rail workers stumbled across hot water steaming out of a cave on the lower side of Sulphur Mountain. It soon became a craze to soak for a "water cure," and people flocked to Banff. People came from far and wide for the soothing and supposedly healing properties of the mineral-rich springs.
The Canadian Rockies Hot Springs are operated by Parks Canada. They have hot springs in three iconic Canadian national parks - Jasper, Kootenay, and Banff. The hot springs in these parks are called Miette, Radium, and Banff Upper Hot Springs, and they are easily accessible and open to all ages. Of these springs, Banff is the hottest.
For anyone looking for another activity while spending a day at the Banff Hot Springs, consider going on the 13-kilometer (8-mile) round-trip hike up to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. The trail gains 750 meters (2,500 feet) and visits the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site from where visitors can enjoy commanding views of Banff township.
- Elevation: 1,585 Meters or 5,200 Feet
At 5,200 feet above sea level, the Banff Upper Hot Springs is the highest operating hot spring in Canada.
What To Know Of The Mineral Waters Of The Banff Hot Springs
The water in the Banff Upper Hot Springs bubbles up from deep in the earth from where it has been geothermally heated. The waters one soaks in haven't seen daylight for hundreds of years. The waters have been pushed over 2,000 meters through the Sulphur Mountain Thrust Fault to reach the surface.
The temperature of the hot springs is between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius or 98 and 104 Fahrenheit. The temperature of the waters varies with the season. In the winter, it is as hot as 47°C (116°F); in the spring, the follows increases, but the temperature decreases to a minimum of 27°C (81°F).
- Temperature: Celsius 37-40 / Fahrenheit 98-104
The Banff Upper Hot Springs is rich in minerals - the five top minerals are:
- Sulfate 572 ppm
- Calcium 205 ppm
- Bicarbonate 134 ppm
- Magnesium 42 ppm
- Sodium 6.6 ppm
Planning A Visit To The Banff Hot Springs
The best times of the day to visit are sunrise and sunset to visit (this is when the mountain air cools). The most relaxing times are said to be the mornings, while winter when there is snow, is pure magic. Visitors are asked to limit their time at the springs to 30 to 60 minutes.
Banff Hot Springs are accessible, and they have a café. Visitors can hire swimsuits, lockers, and towels. The hot springs (along with Miette and Radium in the other national parks) are operated on a first-come-first-served basis. Reservations are not required (neither are they available).
- Winter Season: October 21, 2022 - December 2022
- Days Open: Daily
- Winter Hours: 10.00 am to 10.00 pm (Last Entry 9.30 pm)
- Cafe: Open from 12 pm to 5.00 pm
During peak times, visitors may need to wait outdoors without access to shade or shelter to get in (so bring something to drink and dress appropriately).
Visitors can also purchase the Thermal Waters Pass and enjoy entry to Banff Upper Hot Springs and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and save. Learn more about visiting the hot springs on their official website.