Did you know the Canada Strong Pass doesn’t just apply to National Parks? It also means many National Historic Sites, including the Cave and Basin, are free. So taking advantage of this opportunity, we decided to head to the birthplace of Canada’s National Parks. And we’ve gotta say – it’s worth the visit.

The museum starts with the stories of the natural hot springs, which stretch back thousands of years. There are stories about how First Nations people had their own ways of accessing the cave pool. It continues to modern times, when three railway workers stumbled upon the cave, and their “right place, right time” actions triggered a series of events that resulted in the commercialization of the hot water and the construction of a hotel and bath house. This was the beginning of Banff National Park, a forest reserve designed for tourism and recreation.

The museum has information on the critters that call the hot spring area home, including the Banff Springs Snail, a unique snail found in these springs, and nowhere else in the world. This tiny snail is specifically adapted to this environment. It both acts as a nutrient source for other species and it helps control the algae and bacteria.

The cave itself is always a surprisingly beautiful experience. A round cave with a pool of hot spring water lit from a natural skylight above. It’s easy to walk to now, but it’s not so easy to imagine people finding this in the first place and taking the risk to rappel down from the small hole above. You can see why these healing waters continue to call people to this day.

The museum continues to the old bathing hall, an impressive feat built into the side of the mountain. There are stories about the area, about the hotel that used to be here, and about the swimming pool itself, which is now a bricked-over walkway.

The old bathing pool currently houses the Indigenous Voices exhibit. This display showcases stories and artwork from communities with traditional and contemporary ties to Banff and the greater Bow Valley Region. This collection of Indigenous-led exhibits features artists, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and other esteemed voices. It’s a great way to learn something new, and to explore this area through a more traditional lens.

Finally, the basin is an outdoor pool of turquoise mineral water, just as unique as the cave but with more daylight to bring out the vibrant colour. Here, Parks Canada interpreters have the answers to all your questions about this one-of-a-kind place and its history.

The museum also features regular interpretative tours. It's a fun way to spend an afternoon, and it's also a great way to learn something new. So take some time to explore the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Connect with the roots of Banff National Park and discover something truly unique within the mountain ecosystem.