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The Birthplace of Canada's National Parks
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Parks Canada
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Parks Canada
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Parks Canada
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Parks Canada
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Parks Canada
Story and Photos by Parks Canada
“Like some fantastic dream from a tale of the Arabian Nights.” That is how William McCardell described the mist-filled cave when he, his brother Tom, and their partner Frank McCabe first saw it in the fall of 1883.
Although they were not the first to discover the Cave and Basin Hot Springs, these three railway workers can lay claim to bringing the springs to public attention. By following their dreams of fame and fortune, they also helped launch Canada's national parks system.
For thousands of years, First Nations people told the story of the healing power of the bubbling, warm water that flows from the base of Sulphur Mountain and still regard the Cave and Basin as a sacred place – a place of wellness, spirituality and celebration.
In the early 1880s, Canada's first national park was still an idea, whose chief supporters were the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Government of Canada. Both saw the potential for tourist traffic, the advantages of western settlement, and the prestige that a national park would bestow on a young country.
Recognizing an ideal location and opportunity, the Government of Canada declared that the springs would belong to all Canadians – as part of Canada's first national park.
On May 17, 2013, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site opened to the public after an extensive, two-year renewal project. “The re-opening of the birthplace of Canada’s national parks is an occasion for all Canadians to celebrate,” said Mr. Richards, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose. “As the birthplace of Canada’s national parks, this site welcomes Canadians and visitors from around the world to discover, learn more about and enjoy our magnificent system of real and inspiring national heritage places.”
The site hosts a number of special events and tours throughout the summer including the Discovery Tour. In this dynamic guided tour, the story of Cave and Basin National Historic Site unfolds at the very place where Canada’s first national park was borne. Plumes of billowing, sulphurous steam will guide you to the cave’s vent hole, reliving the discovery of thermal waters.
Enter the underground Cave and experience a symphony of natural sounds; the bubbling echo of warm waters that have offered solace and purpose to generations of Canadians. Run your fingers along rich and complex tufa rock formations shaped by thermal waters over millennia, and search the shadows for hidden stories from the past. Under the historic archways of the newly restored Bathing Pavilion, explore brand-new interactive exhibits that tell the story of how this remarkable little spot in the Rockies became the birthplace of Canada’s National Parks.
Revive body and spirit with a rest on the former pool deck, and listen for the splash of laughter from days gone by when people used to bathe and swim at the Cave and Basin. Walk in the footsteps of First Nations people, who to this day hold spiritual connections to the Cave and surrounding natural landscapes. Enjoy panoramic views of the Bow Valley as you stroll along gentle, paved trails. Take an easy walk along the Discovery and Marsh Boardwalks, and delight in the unusual flora and fauna poking up through the marshes and mineral rich waters. Look closely and catch a glimpse of the site’s strangest (and rarest) residents, the Banff Springs Snail, found here and nowhere else on Earth. The tour is offered by knowledgeable Parks Canada staff daily at 11 am from May to September.
The Lantern Tour allows you to explore after-hours, and listen for whispers from the past as you enter the cave where tufa shapes and shadows come to life by lantern light. Delight your senses in new ways to the sounds of an unconventional orchestra of bubbling thermal water, a babbling stream and special sound effects. Dancing light effects illuminate the stories hidden in the ancient cave walls.
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site is an invitation to reflect upon your own personal connection to Canada’s cultural and natural heritage and will lead you to places you never dreamed of exploring.