Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada is Closed and will re-open December 2012
What's New
Birthplace of Canada’s National Parks Project
Cave and Basin National Historic Site Renewal
June 2011
Parks Canada’s Birthplace of Canada’s National Parks Project and Cave and Basin National Historic Site Renewal is well underway. This project involves a major redevelopment of Cave and Basin National Historic Site to re-connect the site with the local community, offer exciting new programming and events, install new exhibits, and strengthen the protection of the site’s cultural and natural resources. The next phase of construction will be starting soon.
As a result of this phase of the project work:
- The parking lot will be closed until further notice and temporary parking will NOT be available.
- Public parking will be available at recreation grounds.
- Cave and Basin National Historic Site will be closed until further notice.
- The lower portion of the Marsh Boardwalk and Horse Trail through the site will remain open.
- Cave Avenue will be closed to non-residential traffic at Sundance Road to Warner Stables.
- Pedestrian and bicycle access to Sundance Trail and Marsh Loop Trail will be maintained via the Cave Avenue Trail and Horse Trail.
For a map of Cave and Basin trails during construction, please click here.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope that you will enjoy an “old and improved” Cave and Basin National Historic Site in December 2012.
For more information, please contact:
Steve Malins, Project Lead (403) 762-1557 steve.malins@pc.gc.ca
Back to the Past
This Cave Avenue landmark, the birthplace of the Canadian national park system is about to undergo a wonderful revitalization.
The three-phase, $13,877,000 project will focus on improvements to celebrate our grand system of protected areas and will tie in to the 125th anniversary of Banff National Park (2010) and Parks Canada Centennial (2011) celebrations.
Starting this winter work will commence on the parking lot with the construction of a new washroom/information kiosk building that will provide visitors with an improved sense of arrival.
In May 2010 work will begin on the historic 1914 Bathing Pavilion. The scope of this work includes the relocation of the second floor exhibit space to the ground level, providing an opportunity for visitors to touch thermal spring water and the development of significant new personal and non-personal interpretive exhibits and interpretive programming.
While the 1914 Bathing Pavilion at this Site will be CLOSED for revitalization from July 2010 to December 2012, visitors may still access the interpretive boardwalks and Sundance Trail Day Use Area.
Parks Canada staff will be available on site at key times throughout the year to provide information and assistance to visitors. There will also be signage on the Site to provide visitors with information when staff is not present.
This work is part of an overall project to make much needed improvements to the Cave and Basin to improve visitor experience and to ensure commemorative integrity for this national historic site.
This transformation will make this national treasure more welcoming and restore it to its landmark presence on Cave Avenue.