Banff Upper Hot Springs
Thermal baths · I.D. No. 9 (Banff) ·

Banff Upper Hot Springs

Thermal baths · I.D. No. 9 (Banff) ·

Canada's highest thermal springs with 1930s bathhouse & views

mountain view
crowded
public pool
rude staff
hot water
bring own towel
locker
relaxing
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null
Banff Upper Hot Springs by null

Information

1 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2, Canada Get directions

$

Restroom
Debit card accepted
Contactless accepted
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Information

Static Map

1 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2, Canada Get directions

+1 800 767 1611
parks.canada.ca
@parks.canada
𝕏
@parkscanada

$

Features

•Restroom
•Debit card accepted
•Contactless accepted
•Wheelchair accessible entrance
•Wheelchair accessible parking lot
•Wheelchair accessible restroom

Last updated

Jan 28, 2026

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@travelleisure
28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

25 Best Mother-daughter Trips Around the World

"I soaked sore muscles at Banff Upper Hot Springs as a soothing follow-up to long hiking days in the area." - Chelsee Lowe Chelsee Lowe Chelsee Lowe is a Los Angeles-based writer with an obsession with good eats and interesting stories. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure, TravelAge West, Ventura Blvd, and L.A. Parent, writing about food, family travel, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-mother-daughter-trips-around-the-world-7106420
Banff Upper Hot Springs
@nomadicmatt
6,682 Postcards · 1,172 Cities

How to See Alberta (10-Day Suggested Itinerary) (Updated 2025)

"After a day on the trails, I love soaking in the Banff Upper Hot Springs — they are a stunning and restorative way to end a mountain day." - Matthew Kepnes

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/alberta-road-trip/
Banff Upper Hot Springs

Victor

Google
Fun place to visit for a few minutes but detractors include an extremely large crowd, limited shade, and it's not a very big pool for the number of visitors that are here. Views are good and the pool is warm. It's best not to bring anything in the pool area as there is extremely limited space to store anything. This includes water bottles, towels, watches, etc. Bring your phone if you want to grab a few pictures.

Adam V.

Google
We really enjoyed the hot springs. The whole family even our little ones said they felt better and their skin felt less dry after spending time in the baths. We did forget to bring our water bottles up and hydration is important when you're sitting in that heat. It was not too full when we visited on a Friday afternoon. The views are amazing all around while you relax in the pool. The only negative was the high cost for a family of 6. We were once again discriminated against for having too many kids. The "family" pass only covered 4 people. Well, we have 4 young kids, so we had to pay over $70 to go sit in the bath. We were given 6 locker tokens though, as if our 7 and 10 year olds needed their own locker. Felt like another globalist led attack against "the family unit". Maybe Parks Canada can look at this and aim for a bit more fairness for families. Also, no Jr Ranger anything available at the NP Historic Site.

Evelyn M.

Google
Just one big hot tub. Beautiful views! Fun experience but not a must do. Full at opening but quieted down around noon. Easy parking and change rooms. Dining inside (did not eat there but nice that there is the ability). Bring your own towels or rent onsite. Swimsuits also available to rent. $17.50 for adult admission is reasonable for the experience.

Alison M.

Google
Opinion seems to be divided on this one! It’s basically a thermal pool with a view. It’s not a spa experience like the Blue Lagoon or the Thermae Spa in Bath so anyone looking for that would be disappointed. I like a soak in a hot pool so really enjoyed it and I liked the retro vibe. I went at about 10.45 on a drizzly Saturday morning. It was busy but no queue to get in. People tend to sit round the edge of the pool but it’s reasonably easy to find a spot and the atmosphere is quite chilled. It’s not expensive. I got a senior rate and paid just over £10 for admission, bus each way from downtown and towel hire. You can bring flip flops for the poolside but I didn’t use them as the floor was clean and non slippy. As other reviewers have said the staff are really nice. There’s a little cafe upstairs - very similar to swimming pool cafes in England.

Roseanne

Google
It was okay, there’s just one pool and it was quite crowded when we went. The day was very hot, so we mostly sat on the sides, and a thunderstorm ended up closing the pool for safety. They did offer rain checks to those who had only just arrived, which was nice. The women’s locker room swimsuit dryer was out of order, but overall the facilities are good. I think it would probably be a much better experience in the winter.

Nara L

Google
We went in early summer in June. It was pretty hot day so we were sitting on the edges. It would be nice if they could have a colder pool to cool off on hot days. The swimsuit drying machine didn’t work which was a bummer. However, its a very cool experience. It is first come first serve so be there early. Gondola is a street down so if you can plan accordingly can go right after. They have a family price for 2 adults and 2 children which was nice and lockers come with the cost. You will need to bring your towels and swimsuit or pay extra. The view is amazing

Andrea C.

Google
Went for a muscle soak after walking up Sulphur mountain. Quite expensive as we only stayed about 30 minutes because it was so hot. Had to exit 2 or 3 times and cold shower to cool off (I know that's the whole point). Quite busy, even at midday in high season. Would be lovely early on, or perhaps later in the afternoon, especially if it's cold outside. Great views!

Bastiaan Bakker (The World At Your F.

Google
A great way to spend the afternoon after hiking and touring around Banff. Unfortunately it's just one pool but the views make up for it.
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Doreen T.

Yelp
The hot springs admission was included in the package we purchased with the Banff Gondola, though we had to pick up the hot springs tickets separately at the visitor center in town. The hot springs are just a short 7-minute walk from the gondola area. At check-in, you'll need to remove your shoes, but indoor slippers are allowed outside. Lockers were included with our tickets, though towels cost $2 CAD each. Once we got to the thermal pool, it was a bit underwhelming, there was only one pool, and it was quite crowded, especially with a lot of kids, which made it less relaxing. Honestly, it felt like something we could have experienced at our hotel's hot tub. We stayed for about 45 minutes before calling it a day. While I'd definitely recommend the gondola experience, I would skip the hot springs.
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Mark P.

Yelp
If you're looking to have your relaxing hot springs experience completely ruined, just stop by and say hi to Faye--the front desk's official Minister of Misery. Faye greeted guests with all the warmth of a snowstorm in January. She was rude, short, and managed to pack a whole lot of condescension into just a few syllables. Last time I visited (when she wasn't there), it was peaceful and amazing. This time? Let's just say the only thing hotter than the springs was Faye's temper. She looked like she hated every second of her job--and when someone dared to ask a question, she turned the volume up to "angry GPS" mode. No apology, no chill, just straight-up chaos. When called out, she leveled up into full-blown Karen: Boss Battle Edition. We caught it all on video (plot twist: we weren't even trying to go viral). Long story short, we reported her to the supervisor--because relaxing in geothermal water shouldn't include surviving a boss fight at check-in. P.S. I'm about to call the company and follow-up to our initial complaint.
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Brian H.

Yelp
Great natural hot spring in Banff that is a wonderful place to come with family. We came as part of our tour to Banff and enjoyed an hour in the hot springs. There are showers that you use before and after using the natural hot springs and is day am hour is good enough. We came in July 2025 and had a wonderful time. Gift shop available and towels as well.
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Melissa M.

Yelp
The idea of hot springs is great. The vibe of everyone sitting around a pool staring at each other, not really. I think if I came on a weekday on a less busy day I would have enjoyed the experience. It's not science, but I just don't think it was this grand thing I needed to do.
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Kerri F.

Yelp
Visiting the Banff Upper Springs is a must for everyone who comes to the area. The natural healing hot waters are truly spectacular, and I was fortunate to experience it while it was lightly sprinkling--what a treat! Yes, they provide towels with admission, making the experience even more convenient.
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Andrea U.

Yelp
We paid admission, took off our shoes and went into the dressing room. For $1.50 we each purchased a large full sized locker and put a towel and dry clothing inside. The dressing room was clean and well organized, there were showers, toilets, mirrors and an abundance of lockers and a machine to ring out my bathing suit. We walked out to the hot spring pool. The mineral water was 104° today and can accommodate 200 visitors. There were cold showers outside and shelves to put our towels and belongings on. We went into the geothermal pool for 10 minutes and came out for 10 minutes, it was hot. There was a bench around the pool to sit on. The pool depth went from 2 to 5 feet deep. There were children & signage about being respectful and not playing music, diving or bringing in toys. There were two lifeguards on duty. There was a gift shop, but nothing with creams or salts from the mineral bath.
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Eddie O.

Yelp
This one is something to pass on next time. Essentially a large heated pool. We had the same thing at our hotel but with jets and privacy. We were expecting a hot springs built into the land (next time we will visit the Radium Hot Springs).
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Joshua D.

Yelp
Review Visit: July 13th, 2015 During a 50+ hour drive, you naturally stop at gas stations and restaurants for a stretch of the legs and bathroom breaks. But a hot spring? Sure, why not! If you've been reading my last few blogs, you'll note that I went on a 50+ hour trip across America and Canada to reach Nakusp, British Columbia. Along the way, we made many stops at gas stations, restaurants and various odds and ends. When we were approaching the Banff National Park area, Laura asked us if we wanted to spend the afternoon taking a break from driving. All the adults immediately said yes and so did the kids. We set our new coordinates to Banff Upper Hot Springs and got excited in anticipation. As we pulled up, Laura had to hunt for a spot to park as the number of parking spots was rather limiting. After we waited for a spot to open up, everyone filed out of the van, gathered our swimming gear and headed in. The building that houses the business is beautifully built. I'm not expert on buildings but it felt like a mansion that was lifted out of the Swiss mountains. As we headed in, we got in line and read the signs and posters as the line slowly moved forward. When it came time to pay, I think it was around $10 or so per adult? Maybe a little more or little less? The website says under $10/adult but they may have seasonal pricing. Either way, it is a fairly cheap admission cost. After paying, the guys and girls split up and head to their respective locker room. Andy and I shared a locker since we weren't carrying much. After getting in our swimming trunks, it was hot springs time. Now, if you are thinking of a normal pool with screaming kids, parents lounging on chairs, a life guard with sunscreen on his nose and that one person doing cannonballs, you couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, the hot spring was more of a relaxation experience. No noisy kids. No diving board. No nothing. Just relaxation. That first toe or foot in to the water was exciting. I believe the big pool were the majority of the people were had it's temperature around 100F/38C. It was comfortably hot and as you fully submerged in to the pool, you felt yourself melt and all your worries slowly dissolve. We spent about 30 minutes or so in the main pool and that is about your limit before the heat of the hot spring causes you to feel dehydrated and thirsty. During that 30 minutes, Andy and I decided to try the hotter springs behind the main pool. This is like the hot tub version of a hot spring. Smaller, more intimate and a solid 20F hotter than the main spring. I don't recall exactly how hot the hotter spring is but I know after 10 minutes, I had to cool off and go back in to the main spring. Laura told us that the indigenous people of the area would relax in hot springs to open the body's pores to let out negative/bad stuff and then they would jump in cold water to close everything back up. Here, they offered a cold shower in the corner walking area. Being the explorer that I am, I jumped out of the pool and took a deep breath before dumping a ton of cold water on me. Talk about shocking! As I stood there with cold water pouring over me, I couldn't help but stare at the mountains as my body cooled down and I wonder why I do the things I do. Did I mention the beautiful view from the pool? While your body gets to enjoy the benefits of relaxing in the hot water, your eyes get to enjoy a gorgeous view of the mountains and skyline. I tried to include photos of the view but they do far from serve it justice. I found myself just zoning out while staring at the landscape that poked up beyond the wall. All my worries and concerns just disappeared as I became attuned with nature and serenity. While I highly visit anyone and everyone to try a hot spring out at least once in their life, you should really just come and check out Banff National Park in general. It's one of the most gorgeous places I've ever visited. I am from Central Illinois, so the change in landscape from flat lands and corn fields to mountains and forests was a welcoming one. If you can't make it to Banff, just know there are a ton of hot springs in the world and if there is one within a feasible distance from you at any time, don't hesitate to go. Your mind, body and soul won't regret it.
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Shane P.

Yelp
Visited Banff last month and of course this was a must visit! We decided to stop by after me and my wife did the legacy trail and it was a great decision. Water was warm and relaxing and could tell it helped and could feel our bodies relaxing. Overall 5/5. Now the bad: People steal towels and don't shower before getting In springs, also get in fully clothed. Pro tip: lockers open when you put coin in and turn, you'll get a key to the locker...make sure you got all you need when you use it cause you'll need a coin everytime you lock it

B F.

Yelp
VERY RACIST supervisor Macy AND worker! We got kicked OUT for trying to ask a simple question! I had an extremely disappointing experience at Banff Upper Hot Springs on August 25, 2025. Two staff members, including the supervisor, Macy, and another staff member, Fay, were rude, dismissive, and made me and my girlfriend feel targeted. Before any issue even began, I politely asked the staff to be nice, and they continued yelling at us. When clarifying the "shoes off" policy (I was wearing sliders), I was treated as if I couldn't read a sign. Another guest was allowed ahead of me unfairly, and when I asked why, the supervisor told me to "zip it" and that I should either "be quiet and get in or get out." I was shocked that the supervisor acted this way and left me with no one above her to escalate to. This behavior felt discriminatory and ruined our short visit -- we only had two days in Banff, and it was extremely upsetting that staff treated us this way. I hope Parks Canada addresses this, as no visitor should experience such poor treatment.
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Megan Y.

Yelp
I would give zero stars if I could. For the price, I knew that it would be no frills and small, which I was fine with. But the cleanliness was sub par- the locker room was completed flooded with water on the floor, the showers sprayed everywhere. Worst of all, the pool was filled with detritus - bugs, leaves, who knows what- and very crowded. Also for somewhere so far up the mountain, there were very mid views from the pool. DO NOT GO AND WASTE YOUR MONEY HERE!
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Ben H.

Yelp
It's nothing too spectacular. It's just one average sized wading pool that gets VERY busy. The only selling point is that it's not too expensive and you get great views of the mountain. Since it's basically an oval and it gets very crowded, most people end up fighting for space on the walls to sit and relax. It ends up being a big mixer/social where everyone is looking at everyone and people watching awkwardly. You get views of the mountain only if you're lucky enough to get good spots but other than that you're going to just be watching other people
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Mari E.

Yelp
It opens at 10am. As one cashier managed a long line up, it took a while to get in, but later I understood why. The pool can have 205 people maximum. So I guess the cashier needed to count how many inside. The water temperature was 39c and it was lukewarm water. The chemicals in the spring water are very mild. When I got this building, I could smell like egg but the waterwise, I didn't small at all. There is one life guard on poolside. As it was a sunny day, he suggested everybody(first batch group) got off from the water once and got a cold shower or drink water. Then back to hotspring. Glad he paid attention for the heat not only drowning. There is a shallow step but the centre part is 1.4m depth. Just be careful if you have a small child. The locker room had two sections. Regular locker room and private changing room. The locker token is only one time use. Please make sure all you got before you lock it. There is Thermal water pass that you can get discount if you go to Cave and Basin later. You don't need to go those two spots in a same day. Just keep the receipt when you purchase the ticket next time. This service is not listed on the price board. Ask it directly to the cashier.
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David N.

Yelp
It's more of a warm pool than what you would normally expect from a hot springs. The vibe was very much like a hotel pool. The key was it was cheap. I would skip this if you are short on time.
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Jonathan B.

Yelp
Really pretty views, close to town, reasonable price - we went 2 days in a row. I have to take a few stars off for the naked old guy that wouldn't stop lathering himself in the showers asking every boy how much they love bath time. Definitely stop by!
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Hope A.

Yelp
We made a quick stop at this hot spring pool to soak our sore muscles after hiking. There is limited parking in the lot, but we were fortunate to snag a spot. It was relatively inexpensive ($17/person): keep in mind you need to pay for lockers and towels.
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Michael B.

Yelp
Stopped in here for a soak during our day in Banff It's a beautiful area in the mountains Simple pool but great mineral water, the heath benefits are definitely noticeable I always feel better after being in a real mineral pool It's not as relaxing when certain inconsiderate people are there talking loudly or goofing around but its always worth a soak for me as my body feels looser and I have less pain afterwards. It's reasonable in price and not far from Banff's main drag. I'll definitely be back when in the area.
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Rachel B.

Yelp
There is only one man made pool here. There is no sulfur smell instead there's chlorine in the water. The lockers are large and clean. You have to take shoes off. Bring sandals so you're not barefoot. Bring towels so you don't have to pay. The lockers are free. The best part is the views driving up to get here. When you're in the pool the views are not as good as being out of the pool.
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Connor L.

Yelp
Of all the hot springs I've been to this was probably the worst one. Just the fact that it was a man made pool made the experience mid. It was crowded (there's only one pool), and within half an hour of being there, we were ready to leave. The service wasn't exceptional. I would not go back here, nor recommend it to anyone.
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Michelle D.

Yelp
I'm not sure what I expected from hot springs lol. I kind of imagined sitting somewhere that did not look like a public pool but aside that, it was a different experience and relaxing to sit in hot water when it's freezing out. The views this hot springs provided was spectacular and probably my favorite part.
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Ivana L.

Yelp
The definition of hot spring...I thought it might be legit. I was disappointed. It felt like a public pool raised to 38C with mountain view. I understand there are filters used to remove the sulfur odor....but the overall experience...It really was not worth the value. When you purchase admission, comes with locker. Towels are extra. I would say this is just a heated pool experience. You've been warned!

Angie L.

Yelp
It's ok for that price 17.50 CAD. The lady works at register who is not nice and not willing to help. It seems she doesn't like her job. When we reach close to the counter she pointed at the sign which set behind us and tell "read the sign before coming to the counter. It's so rude to greet customers with that tone. We will not come back this place.
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Dani S.

Yelp
It's just a-ok, not impressed. Came here on a complimentary entrance ticket so we didn't pay. It's really just a very large hot tub with a gazillion people in it. The view of the mountain from the hot tub is nice. The shower facilities is fairly clean and large shower stalls for use. There's also large area to change. We had a decent time here but probably wouldn't pay to go.
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Abigail G.

Yelp
I found this experience to be just okay. I went on a particularly cloudy day so I would come during a clear day to make the most of it. There is just one big pool that feels like a public pool - it was packed and felt like there could've been better crowd control. It's cool to be in there especially when it's cold out, with the mountain view but it's not somewhere you need to spend a lot of time. Also bring some indoor slippers if you don't want to walk around barefoot.

Don V.

Yelp
Nice venue but shockingly bad staff. Folks travel from all around the world to be met by gruff, incredibly rude staff. The lady and gent on the front talked to several people right in front of me with a despicable contempt. Unhelpful and downright rude. Real shame because the place is nice. If any supervisors are reading this a review is called for of staff customer service - corrective training would be one option .
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Rodrigo T.

Yelp
You know what's great after a whole day of carving up a cliffside over at Lake Louise Ski Resort? A nice hot soak here at the Banff Upper Hot Springs. I dont remember, but I think the fee comes with a locker rental. If you didnt bring a towel with you, that's also going to cost you a little extra. It does get a little crowded, but it's not hard to find a corner to park at. It's definitely a very relaxing joint to be in. If it gets too hot, the cold frigid winter season weather will definitely cool you down pretty good. The husband and i enjoyed this spot and would definitely love to come back and soak around again. Thank you so much for reading my review. I hope this helps with your decision making experience. Enjoy your awesome yelptastic day!!

Doug S.

Yelp
We bought a seasons pass for over $400 for two. Now everytime we go they want us to pay for lockers. What's next a surcharge on the water we are using? Not happy
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Tina L.

Yelp
This place is ok, personally I think we should have skipped it. As you can see from the picture it's not big and since it's doesn't cost much to enter there are plenty of people here! The pool deepest side is about 1.4m I think, I'm 5.5 and it's goes up to around my shoulders. Although the pool does have a greats view it's hard to get a good picture of it while in the pool. So if u not really a fan of hot spring you can skip this. The Banff gondola has better view.
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Rachel T.

Yelp
While in Banff we wanted to try the Hot Springs as we could smell it, and wanted a nice little relaxing time. When we arrived we go inside take your shoes off and pay for your ticket, and get your coin for your locker. Once you get inside you are able to rent swimsuits or towels if you need, but highly recommend bringing your own as that's a lot more convenient. When you go inside it splits to a girls and boys bathroom. In the bathroom they still recommend no shoes, and there are showers, bathrooms, and lockers. Afterwards they have you shower and rinse before going into the hot springs and then you're able to go to the joint Hot Spring area which is outdoors. Overall was a really pretty view, large space to move around and a lifeguard in case of an emergency. Overall they recommend you staying there for only 20 minutes as you shouldn't be in the hot water too long, but you can get in and out and move around whenever you feel like. Overall was very surprising to have an experience like this out here in Banff.
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Sangjoon B.

Yelp
Bang for the money, great price and great view, just wish the staff could be nicer because I felt bad with the counter lady. But except the staff, super good!
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Lily H.

Yelp
Did not go in. Walked up to the "hot springs" and literally came upon an undistinguished pool. You smell the sulphur but the pool was not appealing at all. We saw several people go up, look, and walk back down. You're literally using a pool with sulphur water pumped in. Skip!!!
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Shameek C.

Yelp
We went to the Hot Springs in July and the staff was very rude. What happened was their clock were not working and I asked one their staff for time and she was very rude. I mean from her behavior it seemed she perceived me to be creepy or something. Not good. I have been in USA for 20+ years and never experienced this kind of thing. I see from other reviews that the Staff was rude so hopefully there is no racism involved.

Lisa L.

Yelp
We loved the Hot Springs,,,, it.s the perfect way to end of day when traveling long distances and sightseeing! Yep the lines can be long on holiday weekends and the pool can be a bit crowded, but there was more than enough room for everyone! The way was very warm and relaxing and the views of mountains were magnificent! We enjoyed it so much we visited the hot springs twice! Definitely worth it! Banff is a swanky place! They have showers, bathrooms and you can rent swimsuits/towelk there is not sulfur smell, and they have reduced entry rates for seniors!

Oğuzhan T.

Yelp
This place should be shut down by Public Safety Authorities. My wife and I just had the worst experience having paid $35 to try and find a space to stand around dead mosquitoes floating in the pool. There were way too many people and no space to use the facilities. Lots of people were in the pool with their daily clothes (not proper swimwear), walking outdoors with shoes (although it's not allowed), and time limit was not enforced. Not worth it; highly recommend not going.

Olivia O.

Yelp
1. Not allowed to wear shoes and have to walk on disgusting locker floor filled with dirt and hair. 2. Lady giving us towels and locker coins was extremely rude to my father. Snapped at him to get his shoes off the desk when we were just asked to take them off. 3. We had to wait 30 minutes shivering in the shower room while we waited for the lightning warning to be over and no one came to tell us what was happening and no towels were provided. 4. Lady yelled at my sister to get out of the pool as my sister was struggling to quickly leave the pool following me. 5. Due to the gross floor, I was washing my feet in the shower and a worker lady used a long mop to sweep sludge water filled with hair and dirt right at me and it got all over my feet. Then she proceeded to do it AGAIN. She clearly saw me and just didn't care.
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Ada F.

Yelp
I was expecting it to be more than just like a community pool with a locker room. Granted entry was pretty cheap, but it just wasn't that accommodating compared to other hot springs I've been to. There were many lockers, you rinse off before you head into the pool, and the pool was pretty large as well. It was probably 4 feet at the deepest and then 1 feet at the shallowest. The water was definitely very hot, but not unbearable. Not much to do than just to sit and talk in the pool. There was also a very strong chlorine smell so it's definitely not a natural hot spring. The showers did have some soap for you to use but otherwise, it was very similar to just a community pool locker room. No blow dryers and everywhere was wet.
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Cynthia C.

Yelp
Less of a natural hot springs and more of a well maintained hotel pool with lifeguards.
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Karnesha S.

Yelp
Fun stop on my tour of Banff, beautiful views but it's essentially a public hot tub. You can rent towels and lounge around in and out of the pool but that's pretty much all there is to do. I came in the summer so I'm sure it's more impressive in the winter with snow all around and the frigid air. No shoes in the locker room so bring shower shoes, the floors were pretty gross. If you pass on this you won't be missing much.
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Emily L.

Yelp
what a complete waste of $40 to rent towels swimsuits and pay for admission it is literally just a giant community pool I highly doubt there's even actual like spring water. it's very very gross inside the locker rooms it is literally just a breeding ground for bacteria and foot fungus. this gave me flashbacks to high school and I most definitely not coming back next time I come to Banff.
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Jasmine L.

Yelp
After a long drive to Banff, the first stop was the Banff Upper Hot Springs for a good soak. LOCATION: 5 minutes drive from Banff village and there are public buses (bus#1) that go up to the parking lot of the hot springs too. PRICE: $7.30/person and $1 for a coin locker. Bring your own towel (or your hotel towel) or else you'd have to rent one from the springs. OTHER THOUGHTS: I went in the beginning of May on a Tuesday ~7pm and it wasn't crowded at all, there was tons of space to swim around and sit. It was basically a swimming pool layout with hot spring water pumped into it. There's a kiddie pool area, deep-end, and lots of space for the normal depth. The view from the pool is stunning, you're basically surrounded by the Rocky Mountains while soaking in this hot spring.
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Patrick V.

Yelp
When you think hot springs you do no expect this. Basically a pool with hot water lol. However, when coming to Banff you should give this spot a try. It is nice after a long day of snowboarding or skiing. We went here on a friday night and the place was busy. You have to pay an admission charge which isnt really that bad. Everything else like towels you need to pay for as well. However, when you get into the hot springs it is nice and relaxing. You can stay there as long as u want but definitely take breaks. Everyone is just there to relax. We went during the night so we did not see the surroundings as people described. Overall, yes a place to go to in you are in Banff.
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Kristian U.

Yelp
This is one of those rare occasions where I wish I could award a half star as in my opinion it's somewhere between a 3 and 4 star experience. It was pretty good, pretty cool, but also kinda basic overall. To put it briefly once you've been in the hot tub for 20-30 minutes you're kinda over it. The cool? It's built up to look like a shallow swimming pool but the water is coming from natural hot springs in the earth. They use a series of filters to remove all the sulphur (egg) smell that hot springs can generate. It's an affordable experience at around $8 per person. What I enjoyed was that you don't need to come prepared with swim trunks, towel or locker. For very reasonable prices (less than $2 each) you can rent everything you'll need for a successful soak. And it's kinda cool that you can rent 1920s inspired swimwear. As others mentioned the changerooms are a bit of a nasty mess. The floors are soaked and it's basically a breeding ground for bacteria and foot fungus since you HAVE to take off your shoes before you walk in. Kinda nasty. It was fun and I recco you check it out butttt I think it's a one and done for me :)
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Jake W.

Yelp
It was cheaper then I thought it would be. And it was a great place. The view was great, there was mountains covered in snow.
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Lisa W.

Yelp
Overly crowded, it was like a child's swimming pool! We came at the end of May and it was so jammed packed. The line took forever, the hot springs (or basically pool like) was so crowded with kids and adults. No where to sit or relax. For Banff, I would think they have a huge hot spring. So if you're thinking Budapest or even the Blue Lagoon... nope. Reminded me when I was young and went to the community pool. It is however very cheap and the view is stunning. Parking was also horrible. Lot was full so we parked on streets. I probably went at the worst time ever, but if I'm ever back here, I would try to hit it up when it first opens.
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Derek L.

Yelp
Wonderful experience for a very good price. There's quite a few hot springs under the same umbrella company (checkout their website). Ended up going here since closest to Banff around lunchtime during a weekday and it wasn't too crowded. Entry is about $10 per person including a locker and you can rent towels for an additional $2 each or bring your own. They say you can only stay for Max 60 min but no one enforces it. You do get quite hot even in winter... We left after about 40min bc we were boiling! Highly recommend coming during off-peak hours to avoid mass crowds.
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Liselle L.

Yelp
I'm shocked this place only has 3 stars, because Banff Upper Hot Springs felt like entering a steamy heaven! The parking spots are limited, so try to go during a time that isn't too popular - perhaps in the morning or early afternoon. Luckily we found some people who were leaving right at the time we entered, so our 2 cars were able to find parking spots! It's a short yet steep uphill walk into the building to get to the hot springs. The line was about 10 people long, but it moved quickly. People can borrow swimsuits for about $2 CAD as well as towels if need be. Per person is about $8 CAD, so everything was a steal! The water is 40 degrees C or 104 F, so it takes some adjusting but with time and patience, people can get used to the water! There is a small hallway from the changing room to the hot springs that actually have some of the water seeping indoors, so that is one way to transition from Banff's cold weather into its naturally hot water. There is a sign suggesting people don't stay in the water for more than 10 minutes at a time (or at least take breaks every 10 minutes), but there is no technical time limit in how long someone can stay. So with this in mind, there will be a lot of people in the hot springs, especially during peak hours. However there is still room to breathe and relax without strangers touching you. It's a wonderful way to take in the mountain scenery and air while melting away any stresses and toxic vibes you may be having. We ended up staying in the hot springs for about an hour. There is even a cafe upstairs for you to look outdoors and order some snacks/drinks. I'm so happy Banff Upper Hot Springs was my first hot springs experience! A quality hot springs area for so cheap - what could get better than that? Definitely a must, any time of the year!
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Luke H.

Yelp
Cool experience but it was packed full of people. Wasnt a "hot spring" i imagined. It was really just 1 giant hot tub with people from around the world with a cool view
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Linda C.

Yelp
The hot springs isn't what I expected a hot spring to look like but it was a nice experience. They have towels, lockers and even swimsuits you can rent for a very low price. The water temperature is great for relaxing the sore muscles after a long day/week on the slopes. The hot spring itself looked more like a large pool which isn't a bad thing. They filter the water so you don't really notice the Sulfur smell; which is nice. The only minor complaint I have is the floor of the locker rooms. Because they do not allow shoes in that area, you end up walking around with bare feet and those that are sensitive to foot issues may have problems. Otherwise, I'd consider going again when in the area.
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Debbie M.

Yelp
I LOVED the Banff Upper Hot Springs! Even though it's just a very large swimming pool with mineral spring water and some mandatory chlorine, it was fabulous. You can't beat the gorgeous views of the mountains. The water is not super hot which is good and its not smelly. It really helped my shin splints and sore muscles. It was only $16 CAD for admission. Bring your own towel (otherwise they charge you), bring flip flops so you don't have to go barefoot in the locker room (gross!), and bring your own swim suit. They sell swim suits, I overheard a girl buying one and it was $150!!! They even rent swim suits (eh) and the cool thing is they are the old school swim suits from the 1920's! Rad! Unfortunately I didn't see anyone wearing a rental. We only stayed about an hour but it was still worth it. The public transportation goes here, for only $2 CAD one way. I definitely recommend this, especially if you have sore muscles from a hike!