Cave and Basin has been a special place for Indigenous Peoples for over ten thousand years and continues to be so to this day. In 1883, three railway workers happened upon the thermal springs, sparking a series of events that led to the creation of the first national park in Canada. Today, the site is a gathering place for sharing stories about conservation and the connection between people and the land. Visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits, short films, seasonal activities, and stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.
Cave and Basin is a significant example of the syncretism between National Parks Rustic and Railway Gothic. The existing structure was designed by architect Walter Painter, who was also responsible for the Banff Springs Hotel’s makeover as a Scottish castle. Echoes of that imposing, mediaeval, imperial style are present in Cave and Basin. Yet the construction is of local “Rundle Stone” – a darkly-coloured 250-million year old marine siltstone quarried from nearby Canmore – and blends organically with the surrounding hillside and underground cave.