Tips For Visiting the Banff Upper Hot Springs
The Banff Upper Hot Springs, located just outside of Downtown Banff near Sulphur Mountain, is an attraction that many people consider when planning their itinerary. They are the perfect thing for any visitor to do when a chill day is calling, or after a long hike or day out skiing in Banff.
Besides soaking in the hot springs, there’s a lot of interesting history here, too! You may be wondering what to expect and if visiting the hot springs is even worth your precious time while in Banff. We’re here to give you the rundown.
What Are The Banff Hot Springs?
Back in 1883, railway workers discovered natural hot springs at the base of Sulphur Mountain. It was well known to the Indigenous community, who often went. Hot water and steam were flowing out of a cave on the lower slopes of Sulphur.
They found this hot spring to be one of nine sulfurous hot springs on the mountain (hence the name). Soon, people from all over were flocking to Banff to soak and be cured in these natural waters, which were said to have healing properties.
These mineral-rich springs then became known as the Banff Hot Springs. Today, they are known as the Banff Upper Hot Springs and are still open to the public. These Alberta hot springs are located at 1,585 meters of elevation, making them the highest hot spring in Canada.
How Hot Do They Get?
The Banff Upper Hot Springs water is geothermal, coming from the earth’s crust 3 km down. The hot spring water flows from the earth’s crust through a big crack of rock called the Sulphur Mountain Thrust Fault. As the water flows down the mountain, it picks up more heat and minerals.
In the spring, the water flows at over 900 liters per minute (the highest rate of the year). In the winter, the water flow drastically decreases.
The natural temperature of the water depends on the season. In the winter, you can expect a temperature of 45-50°C; also, the water flow is lower during this time, and municipal water heated is used to top up the water. Typically, water temperatures are kept between 37-40°C (98-104°F).
Are the Banff Hot Springs Natural?
The Banff Upper Hot Springs’ current natural spring water flow is inadequate to fill the pool completely. To compensate until the springtime brings an increase in natural flows, heated municipal water is added to the pool.
Where Are They?
The Upper Hot Springs are located at the base of Sulphur Mountain, which is located at the end of Mountain Ave, near the Banff Gondola and parking area for Sulphur Mountain. Here is the exact location on Google Maps.
How To Get There?
There is really limited parking at the Banff Hot Springs, especially in the summer. It may be worth taking public transport to the Banff Hot Springs during the peak season to ensure you enjoy the hot springs to the fullest.
If you have a bike in Banff, it’s a short bike up to the Upper Hot Springs, or you can catch the bus. The Banff Upper Hot Springs can also be reached by ROAM Bus Route 1 (“Sulphur Mountain.”) Take Route 1 up Sulphur Mountain to the Upper Hot Springs parking lot, then follow the sidewalk along the road up a short hill to Banff Upper Hot Springs.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
I love visiting the Banff Hot Springs in the winter, when the snow is falling ever so nicely all around. It’s a feeling of peace one doesn’t get often. If you’re going to go, I would also suggest visiting the Banff Hot Springs early morning before everyone else starts their day.
It gets crowded come midday hours and essentially turns into one big bathtub. The Banff Hot Springs are one of the most visited attractions in Banff. It’s estimated that over 300,000 people visit every year. Take that information with you when determining your Banff itinerary.
What Facilities are at the Banff Hot Springs?
The Banff Hot Springs has a cafe on the upper level and is where you can grab a meal or coffee. There are also changing facilities with washrooms, showers, and one-time use lockers. Everyone must shower with soap before entering the pool. You can rent swimsuits and towels as well. There is also a gift shop at the hot springs as well.
What are the Minerals Found in the Banff Hot Springs?
Sulphate, Calcium, Bicarbonate, Magnesium, Sodium.
What is the Cost?
Single Entry
- Adult – $17.50
- Youth – $15.25
- Child (Under 3) – Free
- Senior – $15.25
- Family – $56.75
Rentals
- Swimsuits – $2.25
- Towel – $2.25
- Locker – $1.50
This is in addition to the National Park Pass you must have to recreate in Banff National Park.
Things to Know Before Visiting
- Entry to the Banff Hot Springs are first come/first serve. You cannot make reservations for the hot springs. You can only purchase tickets at reception.
- The Banff Hot Springs are open daily from 10am to 10pm.
- Banff Hot Springs asks that you limit your stay to under 60 minutes.
- The last entry is at 9:30pm.
- There are lifeguards on duty.
- Rental towels may be purchased. Alternatively, you can rent a towel or swimsuit if need be.
- Fun Fact: At 1,585 meters, the Banff Hot Springs are the highest operating hot springs in Canada.
Are the Banff Hot Springs Worth Visiting?
This may be a very unpopular local opinion, but I don’t think the Banff Hot Springs are anything more than a warm swimming pool in the mountains, and we almost universally hear that people are disappointed in the experience. Sure, the views toward Cascade Mountain are amazing and it is a cheap thing to do in Banff, but if you have a limited amount of time in Banff, you may want to utilize your hours somewhere else. If you really want a hot spring experience, we recommend checking out the Kananaskis Nordic Spa instead (though be forewarned it is not cheap).
In the summer months, the hot springs are very popular unless you visit first thing in the morning, and you may find them to be one of the more crowded experiences in Banff. This is certainly not my cup of tea when in the mountains.
That being said, they are an iconic piece of history, and if you are dead set on visiting, you’ll be able to spend a great 1-2 hours here. The Banff Hot Springs can easily be combined with the Banff Gondola experience as well.
You can often get great views in a hot tub at a few of the famous Banff hotels. My personal favorites are the hot tubs and sauna at The Moose Hotel on Banff Avenue, where hot tub views of Cascade Mountain and Mount Rundle don’t get much better! Alternatively, head to Canmore and book a stay at The Malcolm.
Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendations include the Banff Gondola and a cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island in Jasper. If you want a stress-free way to get to Moraine Lake, we highly recommend looking into Moraine Lake Bus Company.
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get to Banff or Canmore Without a Car: The Banff Airporter provides fantastic service connecting you from the Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Banff or Canmore.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. For a campervan trip, you can check prices and compare on Outdoorsy.
- Cheaper Airfare: We also use Going for airfare deals and travel credit cards to earn points on purchases. Those credit card points can be redeemed for free flights and hotels! Our favorite cards is the Capital One Venture X (which has an insane welcome bonus right now) as it has no foreign transaction fees.
- Hop On, Hop Off: This tour is taking Banff by storm. It’s exactly what it sounds like, hop on and off a bus to visit all the best attractions at your own pace!
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Very helpful coming to Banff June 22 for only about 36 hours lake Louise tour 4 hours is already pre planned but I will be definitely try to fit in gondola and hot springs after reading your article
Thank you ..as coming from Scotland trying to squish in as much as possible
Hi Natasha, your information has been very helpful regarding planning our upcoming stay in Banff at the end of May. We are staying at the Rimrock Hotel for 3 nights so will be taking the gondola up Sulphur Mountain and visiting the hot springs and you answered some of my queries. Is it worth taking the chairlift from Banff and lunching at the Cliffhouse Bistro, or should we eat at the restaurant at the top of Sulphur Mountain? We’ve booked afternoon tea at Lake Louise, is it worth the money, as we can still cancel. Your opinion would be gratefully received.
Thanks again for your help, Ann
Hi Ann, I would say if you are already doing the Banff Gondola up Sulphur and have lunch at the Sky Bistro you should skip the Cliffhouse Bistro and chairlift. Although the views are different, the experience is similar so perhaps plan another activity.
Personally, (as I don’t care much for afternoon tea+small plates) I do not think that afternoon tea is worth the price tag. As you can enjoy the views of Lake Louise for free. However, everyone’s opinion is different and some really enjoy afternoon tea. If you are going to do it, it’s hard to find a more beautiful place. Another option is to hike to the Lake Agnes Teahouse and have tea and a scone there https://thebanffblog.com/lake-agnes-teahouse-hike/
You mentioned that mornings/evenings are the best time to visit the hot springs. If visiting in the middle of the week in March, is it still just as busy in the middle of the day or are evenings/mornings still the best option? Thanks!
March will certainly be less busy than high season months, but you’ll find even fewer people if you go in the morning or evening.