Banff Upper Hot Springs

We went here with my friend after a good 5 hour of cold and rainy hiking in Banff, so you can imagine how nice it felt to get into the hot spring pool.
The entrance price is totally fair ($ 7) and they even rent you a swimsuit if you forgot to bring your own.
The lockers room are a bit crazy and crowdy but not too annoying, everybody was respectful and in a good mood.
We did not eat or drink anything there, we just enjoyed the hot springs, the nice view and the deck.
It was super nice and relaxing.

If you are expecting a natural setting you will be dissapointed. It’s a pool that has the natural hot spring water in it. It can get crowded at times so do your research on when to come and have your expectations in check and you will not be dissapointed. I enjoy it here and it’s something I do every time I come to Banff. The mountains, blue sky, warm water it’s all very relaxing and for a very small price.

If you’re from the USA this is probably not your idea of relaxing, enjoyable or worst yet… Sanitary water spa experience. Day we got there there was a small 8“X11″ sign stating the pools were closed for 2 hours for draining and cleaning… Not a good sign for those of us hoping not to get «shigella»…
The older gentleman in the gift shop seemed somewhat perplexed… And sheepishly stated…” Somebody musta make a mistake «…I replied «you mean a floata». He chuckled like he hadn’t chuckled in years!
Any who’s we still came back 2 hours later to a pool filled to the brim with international tourists sporting speedos to boxer briefs and everything in between…
My family reluctantly entered the pool changing area after I pleaded with them the pool has never been cleaner than right now and we had driven 2100 miles we can’t turn back now??? (Clark Griswold moment)… They’ll never trust me again!
The lockeroom experience is not fit for publication on Unilocal… Totally disgusting and an image that will forever haunt me!!!
The pool was lukewarm, overcrowded and filled with infants and children… If you’re into back hair this is your place!
Never been more adamant about my advice as I am on this one!
SKIP IT!
For your health if no other reason!

We go to the Banff Upper Hot Springs at least 5 to 6 times per year when we visit Banff to go hiking. After a long hike, taking a shower and a long soak in the hot springs really hits the spot. We are really glad this exists and we always come away feeling great. The hot springs are especially nice in the winter when it is snowing. All it needs is a drink service and an extra hot hot hot section ;)

This was like a big hot tub swimming pool. The water is special because it’s got minerals and is heated naturally underground. Soaking in water by the mountains is nice. The bathroom facility is good. There are life vests for kids and my nephews were using them. Lots of people. We did this using an activity package from Discovery Banff Tours. We stayed for 45 minutes to an hour.

We came late at night on a holiday Friday, so it was pretty full. The pool capacity says it’s 205, but I wish it was more like 100. We were unable to sit and truly relax, and just sort of stood in a buddy group in the middle of the pool.
Fewf. Now that my minor complaint is out of the way, let’s talk about how fantastic it is to be in a natural hot spring under the stars amidst the mountains? Pretty freakin’ great. I’m not at all athletic and earlier in the day I’d done a two-​hour hike up Sulphur Mountain, and the medicinal qualities of the water definitely saved my muscles. 20 minutes in hot springs can cure you of almost any ailments, me thinks.
All of the bonus points for the rentable and purchase-​able 1920s bathhouse bathing suits. Cute, cute, cute.

I can’t believe how many hours I passed here.
The water and the view were super relaxing.
It was a bit chilly outside, but you don’t feel it at all here.
The facilities themselves are a bit dated, the restaurant closes earlier than the pool