Welcome to the Banff Upper Hot Springs!
Banff National Park began as a result of the discovery of the hot springs. For over a century, visitors have come to soak in the soothing hot mineral waters of this famous resort. This fully restored heritage building welcomes guests year-round and offers a variety of services.
Visitors to the Banff Upper Hot Springs can also treat themselves to wellness treatments at the day spa - Pleiades Massage and Spa. The beautiful environment of this spacious spa is the perfect place to de-stress and enjoy a massage or skin treatment. The spa features natural lighting in the treatments rooms, a steam room, plunge pool, separate change rooms and showers. Please ensure that you take a look at this area on the ground floor level.
Familiarization Tours and Media Visits
We are always happy to assist you with a guided tour of the Banff Upper Hot Springs. During the guided tour, a staff member will walk you through the facility showing you all the amentities and features, as well as provide an explanation of the history, hydrology, and answer any questions that you should have. In addition, enjoying the experience yourself is a must, after the tour you are welcome to enjoy a soak on us.
Booking a Media Visit
- Please book media visits at least one week in advance - this helps us to ensure that a trained staff member can assist you to ensure you get all the information you need.
- To book a media visit please phone Paige Thomas at (403) 760 - 1346 or email her at paige.thomas@pc.gc.ca
Story Ideas
Celebrating 125 years and going strong
Banff has over 125 years of Spa-going heritage! From the early development of the Cave and Basin and the Banff Springs Hotel to the later additions of the Banff Upper Hot Springs and the Banff Sanatorium, “taking the waters” to benefit one’s health is a long standing tradition in Banff. The story of Banff’s spas and the creation of Canada’s first National Park in 1885 are intertwined and feature vivid characters, hot arguments and governmental decisions that changed Canada and its place in the world forever. The Banff Upper Hot Springs generates rave reviews for its spectacular scenery, soothing, mineral-rich spring water and its fully restored heritage bathhouse. An on-site day spa offers wellness therapies, aromatic steam room and indoor plunge pool.
The Underground Story
What happens beneath the ground to create a hot springs? How does it enter the Banff Upper Hot Springs pool? A hot spring begins when precipitation seeps through cracks in rocks and travels deep into the earth’s crust. Scientists believe that the water in the Banff Hot Spring system is hundreds of years old by the time it completes its underground journey. We invite you to learn more about the “underground” workings of the Banff Upper Hot Springs facility to find out how the ancient hot spring water is created in the earth and how it flows through a high-tech heat exchange system when it emerges on the mountain. As this water is treated and directed to the pool for visitors, its final journey through pipes generates huge environmental benefits for the facility.
The Locals know….
Although summer is always exciting in Banff National Park, some folks argue that the best time to enjoy the soothing mineral waters of the Banff Upper Hot Springs is in the spring and fall seasons. If you visit the Hot Springs during the week and early in the day, you will be able to luxuriate in true serenity. Imagine soaking your cares away in the steamy, hot water as you enjoy the golden trees of autumn's iridescent morning sunshine reflecting off of snow-tipped Mount Rundle. It's a fantastic experience not to be missed!
