Birthplace of Canada's national parks: Cave and Basin National Historic Site

What's New

On May 17, 2013, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site will reopen to the public after an extensive, two-year renewal project.

New programming and interpretive media exhibits will provide a fascinating glimpse into the heritage of the thermal waters protected here. The new Cave and Basin will tell the story of the birthplace of Canada’s National Parks and it’s legacy that can be found today from sea to sea to sea.

 

Opening Weekend Activities

The Birthplace of Canada’s National Parks
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
May 18 and 19, 2013

Saturday May 18

Pool Deck
10:15 am - Elements of Drumming
11 am - Explore the Fur Trade, Rocky Mountain House NHS
12 noon - Culinary and Medicinal Herbs of 18th Century New France, Fortress of Louisbourg NHS
1 pm - Sights and Sounds of a Victorian Regiment, Halifax Citadel NHS
2 pm - Sights and Sounds of Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Foot, Signal Hill NHS
3 pm - Healing in Style, Cave and Basin NHS
4 pm - Sights and Sounds of NHS, Signal Hill, Fortress of Louisbourg and Halifax Citadel
9 pm – 10:15 pm - Movies and Pop-corn, Banff Mountain Film Festival Presents “Finding Farley”

Story Hall
10 am – 5 pm - Sea to Sea to Sea - Underwater Archaeology with Parks Canada
10 am – 5 pm - Cambrian Explosion at the Burgess Shale, Yoho National Park

North Belvedere
11 am & 2:30 pm - Discovery Tour of Cave and Basin

Basin
11 am - Basin of Secrets
12 noon – 2 pm - Banff Springs Snail and Habitat
2 pm – 4 pm - World War II Interactive Airsoft Range, Halifax Citadel and Fort Cape Spear NHS

Galletly Building
10 am – 5 pm - Kids Zone activities, main floor
10 am – 5 pm - Parks Canada in the North, lounge
2 pm - Entrance to Torpedo Alley 1941-45, Cape Spear Lighthouse NHS
3 pm - Louisbourg300 - Come celebrate! Fortress of Louisbourg NHS

Welcome Centre
10 am – 5 pm - Cave and Basin Discovery Tent
10 am – 5 pm - Parks Canada Collectables & Merchandise



Sunday May 19

Pool Deck
10:15 am - Elements of Drumming
11 am - Explore the Fur Trade, Rocky Mountain House NHS
12 noon - Culinary and Medicinal Herbs of 18th Century New France, Fortress of Louisbourg NHS
1 pm - Sights and Sounds of a Victorian Regiment, Halifax Citadel NHS
2 pm - Sights and Sounds of Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Foot, Signal Hill NHS
3 pm - Healing in Style, Cave and Basin NHS
4 pm - Sights and Sounds of NHS, Signal Hill, Fortress of Louisbourg and Halifax Citadel
7:30 pm - Stargazing
7:30 pm - The man who looks at stars
8:30 pm - Dark Sky’s with Jasper NP
9:15 pm - Royal Astronomical Society presentation
10 pm - Stargazing (telescopes provided)

Story Hall
10 am – 5 pm - Sea to Sea to Sea - Underwater Archaeology with Parks Canada

North Belvedere
11 am & 2:30 pm - Discovery Tour of Cave and Basin
2 pm – 5 pm, Viewdeck - Solar Gazing, Jasper National Park & Royal Astronomical Society of Canada

Basin
11 am - Basin of Secrets
12 noon – 2 pm - Banff Springs Snail and Habitat
2 pm – 4 pm - World War II Interactive Airsoft Range, Halifax Citadel and Fort Cape Spear NHS

Galletly Building
10 am – 5 pm - Kids Zone, main floor
10 am – 5 pm - Parks Canada in the North, lounge
2 pm - Entrance to Torpedo Alley 1941-45, Cape Spear Lighthouse NHS
3 pm - Louisbourg300 - Come celebrate! Fortress of Louisbourg NHS

Welcome Centre
10 am – 5 pm - Cave and Basin Discovery Tent
10 am – 5 pm - Parks Canada Collectables & Merchandise

 

Upcoming Events

Parks Canada Collection “War of 1812”
May 24-27 

National Aboriginal Day. Storytelling and tours
June 21

Happy Birthday Canada!
July 1 

Drawn to Nature - Plein Air workshop with The Banff Centre
July 13 

Parks Day - Snails, snakes and hot springs
July 20

Doors Open Banff - Behind the scenes tour
August 11

Parks Canada Collection – “Fur Trade era camps”
August 17-18  

Lantern Tours 
August 30 

Lantern Tours 
September 1-2

Outdoor photo workshop
September 8

Stargazing with the Royal Astronomical Society  
September 21 

Culture Days
Sept 27-29

New Features Include:

• A 4-screen, HD immersive short video that takes you on a journey through Parks Canada’s network of national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. 
• The Story Hall, a space where the original vaulted ceilings have been uncovered, providing an inspiring and historic room full of stories, images, artifacts and fun photo booths. 
• Enhanced year round programming and new interpretive media exhibits. 
• The Welcome Centre, which includes a gift store, site orientation, information on 4 season Walking Trails and snow shoeing trails, maps and washrooms. 
• The Galletly Building, which features a café for tasty treats, infrastructure to support catering and special events and a 40-seat theatre. 
•  Late night special events, including cinema under the stars on the historic pool deck or stargazing on the boardwalks.
  
  We are inviting the world to come see Banff’s biggest story!