Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada
This is the birthplace of Canada’s National Park system. You will visit and see the Cave that three railway workers discovered years and years ago. This lead to Banff as you see it now! The Cave and Basin is located at the end of Banff Avenue (near the Bow River)(311 Cave Ave.) on the other side of the bridge, turn right from the town or or straight from Spray Ave. to Cave Ave. It is at the end of the road.
Open all year around. Facilities are fully accessible. Phone 403-762-1566
Summer Hours May 15 – Sep 30, 9:00 – 18:00 Daily
Winter Hours Oct 01 – May 14, Weekdays 11:00 – 16:00, Weekends 9:30 – 17:00
Closed Dec 25,26 and Jan 1.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Bathe in soothing and recuperative Hot Springs with the spectacular Canadian Rockies right in front of you. There are shops, indoor and outdoor cafeteria, change rooms, day spa, rental towels, bathing suits and lockers. The Banff Hot Springs are open all year round. Opening hours vary, you should call before you go. Normally everybody goes there after their day trip so late afternoon is usually busy. The morning is typically the best time to go. From downtown Banff, it is on the other side of the Bow River. Cross the bridge, turn left to Spray Avenue, then take your first right onto Mountain Avenue. The Banff Hot Springs will be at the end of the road. You will see a big parking lot just after the Rimrock hotel that is for the Sulpher Mountain Gondola. Keep going up the hill. Phone 403-762-1515 Toll Free 1-800-767-1611
Surprise Corner
Locally known as Surprise Corner (but there is no sign), this is the spot where most of the famous pictures have been taken of the historic Banff Springs Hotel!
As you drive the Tunnel Mountain road from town, you get to Surprise Corner where it opens up suddenly and you can see the Banff Springs Hotel on your right. You may have seen this view somewhere already. typically in a book or on a postcard. The best time to take pictures here is late morning or mid-day.
Drive down Banff Ave. towards the Bow River, turn left at CIBC Bank (located on the left) onto Buffalo Street. You will see the parking space just after view opens up. You can park your car there and then cross the road to go up to the platform of view point. Be careful crossing the road as not all traffic is stopping at this location and are carrying through onwards up Tunnel Mountain or down to the town of Banff. During the winter months the platform might be closed due to the snow and slippery conditions. If this is the case you can still get a good view from the road, but be careful. You can ask for more details at the information centre in downtown Banff located at 224 Banff Ave. Phone 403-762-1550
Vermillion Lakes
These are 3 lakes just outside of Banff townsite. You can see a great view of Vermillion lakes with famous Mount Rundle behind. There are 3 lakes: the third one from town has some hot springs and you will notice this as you get closer. Between first one and second one there is tree island where a Bald Eagle couple comes back every Spring. You may be able to see their white head shining on top of the tree. Sunset or Sunrise time is the best time to go. You may see the gorgeous alpenglow if you can time it just right!.
Driving out from Banff to Highway 1 towards the Western exit, just before the Highway there is a sign for Vermillion Lakes and you turn left. Soon you will see the first lake on your left. Keep driving until you reach the dead end. You can then turn around to come back. There isn’t much space to park, but it rarely gets busy there. You can ask for more details at the information centre in downtown Banff located at 224 Banff Ave. Phone 403-762-1550
Highway 1A (Bow Valley Parkway)
This is an just an alternate highway to Lake Louise, but you can travel at much slower speeds and you may have a chance of seeing wildlife. If you see other cars stopping, especially tour buses, that usually means there is something out there. Early in the morning you might have a bigger chance to see wildlife. Please don’t get out of your the car if you see animals, or think there may be some close by. It is very dangerous.
Get on Highway 1 from Banff going West and you will see Vermillion lakes on your left hand side. Soon you will see the big sign on your right that syas 1A and Bow Valley Parkway. Take the turnoff to the right and off you go. You can drive until Castle Mountain junction and get back to Highway 1 or keep driving on the 1A to Lake Louise and the Lake louise Ski Area.
The 1A is open all year round, but it is not recommended during the Winter due to the snow conditions and lack of traffic when something happens. March 1 to June 25 2009, Parks Canada asks all the travellers, including cyclists, to refrain from travelling on the Bow Valley Parkway between Johnston Canyon and the Parkway’s East entrance off the highway between 6 pm to 9 am. This is to create traffic-free periods for wild life.
Wet N Wild
Located in the middles of the Canadian Rockies and has been running for 25 years. They have activities such as white water rafting, hikes, climbing, and riding.
