Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada

Learning Experiences

Cave and Basin
© Parks Canada

• Visit the cave including its interior pool and the original vent hole.

Cave Spring
© Parks Canada

• Visit the basin, the open air mineral pool. Notice the mats of algae growing in the pool. Look closely for, but please don't disturb the Banff springs snails or their habitat.
  
  Cave
  © Parks Canada
• View the exhibits on the second floor of the bathing pavilion.
• Visit the replica 1887 bathhouse to see the film on the discovery of the site and the establishment of the national park.
• Breathe in the smell of the sulphur vapours.
• Walk along the 0.4 km Discovery Boardwalk Trail above the bathing pavilion to see the cave vent and the location of the former Hotel. View the two smaller springs bubbling from the mountainside and the pools filled with pink bacteria, white and green algae, small fish, and insects.
• Explore the 0.5 km Marsh Boardwalk Trail below the building to find out more about the natural history of this area. Look for the fish and bird life that live in the wetlands below.
• Visit the interpretive panels describing the World War 1 internment camp.
• The 7.4 km round trip Sundance Trail and the 2.7 km Marsh Loop are two other walks in the vicinity. Enjoy a safe walk along these trails by watching for wildlife and giving them the space they need.

Basin
© Parks Canada