CAVE AND BASIN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
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Historic site near downtown Banff with the cave where the first sulphur-scented hot spring was discovered.
In the fall of 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway workers stumbled upon a hot springs cave on the eastern slopes of the Rockies. This discovery led to the creation of Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and the third largest national park in the world. The Banff Hot Springs Reserve was first established in 1885 and was later incorporated into Rocky Mountain Park in 1887. Today, it is possible to visit this historic site, known as the Cave and Basin, located near downtown Banff.
A renowned historical site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its small museum allows you to learn a lot about the history of the discovery of Western Canada, the creation of the park and its evolution over the years and in the years to come (especially with regard to environmental issues and efforts to limit risks and improve cohabitation between humans and wildlife). But its main attraction is the visit of the cave where the first thermal spring was discovered and where an endemic species of snail lives (very protected because threatened with extinction). There are also many trails to explore the fauna (especially birds) and flora. The museum is fully translated into French and guided tours in French and English are available upon reservation.
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Entrée inclus dans le pass parc canada.