Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada, Banff

In 1883, during construction of Canada's transcontinental railway, three Canadian Pacific Railway workers, Frank McCabe, Tom McCardell and William McCardell, discovered an underground cave containing a hot spring, at the foot of what is now called Sulphur Mountain. Although not the first to discover the site, they were first to recognize its commercial potential and duly staked their claim. But others followed, and soon there were disputes over ownership and development rights.

The Canadian Pacific Railway wanted to see the area designated as a federal reserve, and in 1885, Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, set aside a 26 km² area around the hot springs, naming it the Banff Hot Springs Reserve. Formally established on November 28, 1885, the reserve was a precursor to the present-day Banff National Park, and a catalyst to the development of Banff as a major tourist destination.

Originally, the only access to the cave was via a vent hole in the roof, but in 1886, a tunnel was blasted through to the cave to improve access. In 1887, the government erected a bathhouse beside the basin, and visitors flocked to swim there, attracted by the mineral-rich water's reported health benefits. A new pool was built at the basin in 1903 and the bathhouses extended, but the facilities stuggled to keep up with demand. So, in 1914, a new stone bathhouse building was erected along with a large swimming pool (the largest in Canada at the time), fed by water from the hot springs.

The pools closed in the 1970s due to problems with chlorination, structural issues, and deterioration caused by the corrosive effect of the hot, mineral-rich water. The outdoor pool was restored and reopened in 1985 as part of the National Parks centennial celebrations, which also saw the development of the Cave and Bain Centennial Centre, including a replica of the 1887 bathhouse.

However, further technical issues and falling attendances meant the pool closed again in 1993, this time permanently.

Even with the pools closed for swimming, there are many things to do at the Cave and Basin, including:

• Enter the cave to see the interior pool and original vent hole, and smell the pungent sulphurous aroma of the waters
• View the basin, the outdoor emerald-coloured mineral pool and see the mats of algae growing in the pool, home to the unique Banff springs snail, found nowhere else in the world
• See the historical exhibits on the second floor of the bathing pavilion
• Watch 'Steam, Schemes and National Dreams', the film on the discovery of the site and the formation of Banff National Park, in the replica 1887 bathhouse
• Walk along the 0.4 km Discovery Boardwalk Trail above the bathing pavilion to see the cave vent from the outside
• View the two smaller springs bubbling from the mountainside and the pools filled with bright pink bacteria, white and blue-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 and spot the fish and bird life that live in the wetlands below
• Visit the interpretive panels describing the World War 1 internment camp that was based at Cave and Basin
• Walk the 7.4 km round trip Sundance Trail and the 2.7 km Marsh Loop are two other walks in the vicinity

Facilities:
Guided tours
Films and exhibits
Disabled access
Free parking
Gift shop (open during summer season)
The Sundance Bistro at the Cave (open during summer season)
Picnic tables nearby

Hours:
15 May to 30 Sep
9am - 6pm daily
Tours: 11am, 2pm and 4pm daily

Rest of year
11am - 4pm Mon to Fri
9:30am - 5pm Sat & Sun
Tours: 11am Sat & Sun

Closed Dec 25-26 and Jan 1

Entry fees:
Adult $3.95
Youth (6-16) $1.95
Senior (65+) $3.45
Under 6 Free
Family (2 adults and up to 5 children under 17) $9.90

Location:At the end of Cave Avenue, about 1.5km from downtown Banff. There is also an easy walking trail from the Bow River Bridge.

Parks Canada: www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ab/caveandbasin

This information was accurate at the time if publication, but is inevitably subject to change without notice.