Banff Upper Hot Springs
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 10 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 10 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
21 reviews for Banff Upper Hot Springs
21 reviews in English
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Review from Justin B.
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
I don't have much to say about the Banff Hot Springs, it's really nice, I wish I was there right now.
If you enjoy relaxing and feeling comfortable in your own body, an hour long soak in the hot springs will be right up your alley. -
Review from Jen W.
2/6/2012
Awkward! Changing in an open room with the mother-in-law and Gran. More awkward - them finding out about my tattoo collection - I could only walk backwards for so long before it just looked weird. The few private dressing rooms were overrun by tourists - well I guess we were tourists too but since I was with Canadians it felt different! We were able to snag a locker to share and headed out to meet the men folk.
We had some wiggle room for about 15 minutes before a steady stream of shower capped women entered the pools - it was amazing they each had a wash cloth or wash flannel that they held - as a cloak - in front of their lady bits as they got in. I was fascinated. After that the pool got really crowded and was just not enjoyable- I have personal space issues. The water was nice and warm but I was way past my comfort zone at this point. I was also grossed out by the bathing suit rentals but the suit itself was a super cute retro look! -
Review from Kali R.
Calgary, AB
9/16/2011
If you have never been to a Hot Springs before, you will probably enjoy it. It's fine if you're in the Banff area and you don't have access to a hot tub, but this place seriously does not float my boat.
Picture a really, really big bath tub. Made in the 80s with tiles falling off. With lots of wrinkly, hairy tourists and splashing children. Oh, and the RENTED unisex bathing suits that are a 1920's throwback. It's a little ridiculous (ok, the retro aspect is kinda rad if you don't think about the fact that they're rented bathing suits). Plus, it's often more like a Lukewarm Spring most of the time. Meh.
Don't get me wrong - I adore hot springs and a good long soak after a long day, especially in the winter. But if I'm not showing around a tourist, I would honestly prefer just to go home into my clean, hot, private bath.
For novelty's sake and to say you've been, check it out. If you have a family and want to take a trip on a budget, definitely check it out. If you are a child-free adult or couple and you want a nicer hot spring with a groovy environment, view, temperature, upkeep, etc..., drive to Radium. -
Review from Crystal E.
Calgary, AB
9/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I personally love the Hot Springs and have enjoyed my experience every time I come here. True, it can be quite crowded on long weekends but I've always been able to find a little spot in the pool to relax and enjoy the scenery. I have visited on chillier and hotter days, but I definitely find the experience nicer on the chillier days.
Even though others are worried about germs, I always feel refreshed after leaving the Hot Springs. Recently biked the Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff and back and the springs made a great after ride relaxing spot - so great for the aching muscles!
Service has always been friendly, even on the crazy weekends and yes, the locker rooms can be really busy but I don't find them that different from going to my gym locker room. Just bring some flip-flops with you if you are super worried about the floor (I've never found it that bad). But, like another reviewer mentioned, if you are looking to completely relax you might want to go to a quieter spot since you will see lots of families and tourists here on certain days. Otherwise, enjoy the scenery! -
Review from Carina Z.
3/31/2011
The best treat for your body after a day of skiing is a dip in the Hot Springs. The scenery is amazing! The outdoor pool nestled in the mountains is such a treat - I feel like it is right out of a dream. There are benches around the outside perimeter of the pool so you can take a seat, close your eyes, and just unwind. I always feel relaxed and rejuvenated leaving the hot springs.
While I agree pools are not the best places for germs I believe the staff has done a good job at keeping everything at clean and germ free as possible. I still bring my own sandals to wear in the change room and right out to the pool. The best part is that the pool starts inside so you don't have to freeze walking around outside and getting in.
The hot springs are family friendly which can be a positive or negative depending on your circumstances. There is a shallow, cooler temperature, kid pool sectioned off just remember if you are around this area you could be splashed quite easily and it is noisier with kids playing. The main pool feels like a warm bath (39 degrees Celsius when I was there) and bottom gradually goes from shallow to deep so you can immerse as much or little of your body as you want.
The Banff Upper Hot Springs are always a pleasure and I highly recommend you experience it for yourself when you are in the area. -
Review from Doug A.
6/5/2011
Great hot springs with no smell, plenty of room, cheap, open late, and provides everything you need including towel, locker, lock, and even bathing suits! The natural water has been processed to kill the smell. It's a beautiful relaxing place to chill while looking at Rundle mountain. Plenty of parking with a short walk uphill to the facility. They have a driveway for drop-offs too at the building. I just wish I had brought flip-flops to avoid the wet floors everywhere in the locker rooms.
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Review from KAT N.
Edmonton, AB
6/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very crowded! It seems like I was in a pool of people not salfar water. Come when it's not a long weekend holiday. We only stayed in the pool for 10mins and more people were coming in! Ekk! This pool is in sure need of chlorine and a water test!
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Review from Eric B.
8/12/2008
A love a good soak and on a scenic high point above the Banff Townsite, this is almost about as good as it gets. This is especially true after a long day of of skiing, hiking, sightseeing or or however elso you're enjoying your stay here.
The Hot Springs and Spa are open year round, most of which is contained within a restored 1930s heritage bathhouse. The outdoor mineral spring fed pool (including a children's area) has stunning views of Mount Rundle and the building itself contains spacious change rooms with heated floors, a gift shop, and snacks.
Water Temperature is kept between 37 and 40 degrees celsius or 98 and 104 Fahrenheit. The pool itself is roomy and relaxing. The only caution here is that since 1998, greater than normal reductions in winter flows from the source of the Banff Upper Hot springs have been experienced. This has occurred quite regularly each winter in the past decade. The flow returns in Springtime. -
Review from Vicky L.
2/26/2009
EWWWWWWW!!!
It was a cesspool of everyone in there.
Bacteria galore!!! Give me a private spa in Calistoga anyday!!
Oh yeah... becareful of the Asian Female Tourists!
They've never met a razor or deoderant!!!
I felt sooooo gross after going there. :( -
Review from Chad W.
Calgary, AB
12/22/2008 1 photo
This tepid pool of filth reminds me why I hate Alberta tourism. Europeans in speedos, a ton of old men, and families are what you can expect to find here. The place has a spectacular view, I'll grant it that.
But if you're a shrewd bushman or if you can hook up with local guides, you'll learn that the interiors of British Columbia and Alberta are teeming with naturally occurring hot pools that don't get overrun by people from out-of-country.
After going here, I'd suggest a three-hour shower to wash off all the baby pee. -
Review from Mike W.
2/18/2011
The Hot Spring are OK during warmer weather. We went there once when it was very cold outside figuring this would be a great time to soak in the hot springs. They had only half of the pool open at one time while they heated the other half. They gave you a limit of 20 minutes in the pool to accommodate others getting in the pool and you had to wait 20 minutes to get back in again. There was no price reduction either for doing this. They did not bother to explain this to the customer until you have already paid and went in. Do not go here in colder weather or you will run into the same situation. Otherwise the pool is OK but should be bigger to accommodate the large amount of people they allow in.
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Review from Larry M.
10/28/2008 2 photos
I went here in the summer of 2008 with family.
This is an old hot springs that pipes in naturally hot mineral water from a nearby spring. The water is jacuzzi hot. It is refreshing after a long day traveling, hiking or whatever.
The pool can get really crowded, almost to the point of not being able to move. After we were there a while, a bus full of high school kids came in. The pool got packed real quick. I did get quite a kick out of eavesdropping on the high school boys critiques of the girls attributes as they emerged from the changing rooms. That alone was worth the price of admission of $23 for the family. They also rent a 1930's era swimsuit just in case you do not want to show off your man-boobs.
In all a fun way to end a day in Banff. -
Review from Katie C.
Calgary, AB
12/1/2009
I dig the Springs, but I always shower thoroughly afterwards. I usually hit the parking lot at around 4 or 5 on my way back into Calgary after a long day of skiing. Depending on the weekend, the Hot Springs tend to be either packed or almost empty, but either way I always try to carve out a spot to relax and enjoy the view.
The springs are naturally sulphorous, so they do smell a little. That sulphur is also a natural anti-bacterial, so the Springs aren't quite as gross as some people think. It is a good idea to peak over the top and check the crowd before going in, and also to check the temperature of the Springs, as it does vary. When it's nice and hot and the weather is nice and cold you get the perfect combination of two temperatures at once that is just so relaxing.
Bring flip flops and a big towel for the locker room, and don't forget a loonie for the lock. They try to keep the locker rooms clean but it is an uphill battle, so I just plan ahead.
The most germaphobic might consider trying the Spa at the Banff Springs hotel, which uses the same sourced water but without the tons of people flowing through. -
Review from Monica L.
11/28/2008
First, a note about the rental bathing suits. I LOVE THEM. Well, specifically the one for women. I had forgotten my bathing suit back home in DC and was anticipating some disgusting, saggy polyester number that would reveal my lady bits at inopportune moments. However, the one I got was a delightfully retro one-piece in a flattering navy blue. The bottom half is cut as shorts, with a skirt over them, which sounds a lot more awful than it looks. Anyway, they effectively kept me covered and didn't make me look like a huge dork, especially as I realized I was the only person in a rented suit.
The pool itself is quite nice, although I was here in late November during the slow tourist season. There were about 15 people in the pool and it was not crowded at all. Water temperature was a toasty 39 C, and it was lovely to see the steam rising off the surface of the water and our skins into the mountain landscape. The water in the children's area is much cooler than the main pool, and it felt nice to lie down there without having to get into the freezing air.
It is easy to get to the springs from downtown Banff, as the #3 ROAM bus stops directly in front. There is a five-minute walk from the bus stop to the entrance. -
Review from Christopher W.
Calgary, AB
12/16/2008
First of all, we should be careful not to call this a bathhouse. From what I understand that conjures up images of something else entirely. But the hot springs weren't exactly what I expected the first time I saw it. I was expecting a grotto-type place, that had a real rustic feel to it. Instead, it's a swimming pool....
But it is relaxing when that hot water surrounds your body. It gets crowded at times, but I've always found a place to soak for a while. The body feels so relaxed afterwards, it really is quite refreshing. It's better on cool days, but even in the hot summer, the hot springs does the trick. -
Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
10/6/2009
I'm a germaphobe. I'll be the first to admit it. So when I recently made a stop at The Banff Upper Hot Springs, I was repulsed. Normally, the hot springs are a life-altering experience because of their beauty, their serenity, and the fact that you can sit outside in the hot springs while it is snowing! It's usually one of the most unbelievable sensations in the world.
Unfortunately, this experience was unbelievable alright, but it was for all the wrong reasons.
First of all, their locker room is DISGUSTING. You're supposed to take your shoes off at the door, but no one does. There is dirt, mud and just filth everywhere. Once you finally make it past the locker rooms, the actual hot springs themselves are ALWAYS packed. Like uncomfortably packed. There are crowds of kids, adults, and everything in between, but here's the thing: Some people are blatantly sweating into the pool, some people are most definitely excreting other fluids into the pool, and you can actually see dead skin floating to the top of the water. I have goosebumps just thinking of it.
I usually go to the Hot Springs at The Banff Springs Hotel, and there, the beauty of the hot springs is MAJESTIC. The pools are not crowded, the locker rooms are clean and the entire experience is serene...you know, the way it should be.
Unfortunately, my experience at these hot springs was nothing of the sort and you couldn't pay me to go back. -
Review from Angela X.
2/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Well, it's a good place to relax in Banff maybe, after all the climbing and hiking. But let's be honest, it's just a swimming pool with warm water. Do not have too much expectation and you will be fine.
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Review from Liv L.
1/29/2009
I don't get the draw of hot springs - but If you happen to be in Banff - you should go.
The thing I liked best here? You can rent suits - serious retro looking 'swimming costumes' I loved seeing all the Japanese ladies in their rented 1930's suits.
Oh yeah, the hot water - there is the hot water too... -
Review from Sherri C.
6/10/2010
The Banff Upper Hot Springs is just one single pool and not very hot at all. The outdoor setting is nice, but the facilities are little worn. The view of the mountains is also nice, but you can get that from many other different places in Banff. I suppose if it's raining or snowing at the time, it would provide a longer-lasting, more interesting experience. When the baby in diapers was brought into the pool, we decided to leave.
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Review from mly a.
1/3/2009
we were here late night during Dec when its sub zero, so there wasn't a whole lot of kids or old ppl. it was a pretty young crowd. i was a little confused on what to expect before coming. but if you were to come here, it's nice to bring your own towels (they charge you $1 or $2 to rent theirs) and maybe a pair of flip flops. 100+ degrees pool temperature and it was snowing at the same time..u can't really get that experience anywhere else :)
here what to expect:
- pay the guy at the front desk
- change and put your stuff away at the locker room
- the water starts at the the hallway from the locker rooms to the pool.. this is pretty cool cus i was completely dipped into the pool before i was even outdoors. (esp when it's -10 degress outside) -
Review from Kristin K.
1/7/2010
I had a different picture of what this place would be like. The locker room was clean the day I went despite some of the reviews below, but I still wore my (clean) flip flops into the locker room. The water was nice, but it was way too crowded for me. There was no where to sit in the pool without having more than 1 inch of space between you and your neighbors. The only other place I can compare these hot springs to is in Ouray CO and the springs there were also crowded, but it was a much more pleasant experience because people weren't practically on top of each other.
