The parking assistants are unbelievably rude. They told us the lot was full and to come back in half an hour. We pulled into the gondola parking lot to do that instead while we wait for spots to open up. They then let several cars into the hot springs parking lot immediately after us. We circled around and they again told us again to come back in half an hour. Like WTF! They then wouldn't allow us back into the gondola parking lot and told us we have to completely leave the area. Mind-blowingly unprofessional! read more

This place is a bit dated but overall very beautiful and relaxing. People are extremely respectful of your space and go here to sit and relax. The day was cloudy so the views didn't shine through as much but I got the jist. I recommend going if you're rained in. read more

Banff Upper Hot Springs - Day Spas Near Me - Banff, Alberta

Definitely a must-visit just for the sake of tourist activities. But the 3/5 stars is for the realism. It isn't fancy, at all. The floors in the locker room are drenched in both the men's and women's side, to the point that a man slipped in the men's side. The pool smells of chlorine as most people mentioned, and it is overcrowded with people. Like... people were touching me by accident. That's how crowded it was. Someone stole the towel I rented, so I had to run through soaking wet in my swimsuit, freezing cold, to the lobby to request another. They also have zero regulations for dress code so a bunch of people were inappropriately dressed in non-swimsuit attire. Like, they were there in normal clothes. I saw one woman who wore a white shirt and shorts, and saw EVERYTHING god gave her. Completely inappropriate. They need to regulate swimwear only. read more

The Banff Upper Hot Springs are a lovely experience after a long day of hiking. A big outdoor hot tub, fed by natural springs and surrounded by mountain views? What could be better? If you're a high end spa person, this might not be your cup of tea. But if you don't feel like spending $50+ just to access some sanitized fancy hotel spa facilities, there's not much in Banff that's a better value than these hot springs. They're clean, pleasant, and relaxing. I visited in early June before the peak of the tourist season, at around 9 PM, so it wasn't overly crowded. Some crucial information: PARKING: there's a big free parking lot operated by Parks Canada. COST: $7 and change a person. You can rent bathing suits (unisex 1920s suits with a tank top and shorts available, or basic women's one pieces) and towels for $2 each, if you need them. Don't get tricked and think you need to buy bathing suits at the entry level gift shop: go upstairs and you can rent them, instead. LOCKERS: coin operated, single use (you can only open it and close it once), for a $1 coin. They'll make change for you if you need it. There are also small 25 cent lockers near the pool -- so if you want to bring a camera or phone and snap some pictures, you can do so and then lock up your phone for 25 cents. HOURS: They're open late! And in the summer, you get sunlight until at least 10 PM. Come here at the end of the day to maximize your hiking/sightseeing time and to reward yourself for a long day's work. WATER: there are water fountains at the pool. You'll you'll want to be sure to drink enough. When I visited, the fountain closest to the women's lockers had much better water pressure and was a lot colder. read more

Great location and that's about it, being surrounded by the Canadian Rockies with the clear blue skies, and this place fails to make the most of it. Reminds me of a public swimming pool with no real feel of being in natural springs. On the way here i was hoping for something akin to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland but I was felt let down. This place just screams community swimming pool, the water is not that hot and the pool area itself is small so gets busy. It is a shame they did not try to make it a more natural experience and also make the most of the view, the railings and trees obscure most of it. read more

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. read more

This should actually reflect 4.5 stars. Banff is not only an amazing town in the Rocky Mountains with skiing, hiking, shopping, and relaxing, it is also home to natural hot springs which makes Banff and even better place to visit. The hot springs are located higher up on one of the mountains close to the township which is great to have it somewhat secluded from the main drag and the views up there are amazing. With the exception of seeing the Rimrock hotel, you don't really see anything but mountains and trees. There's ample parking, and the facilities are very clean and were upgraded in the last 10 years or so. Lots of lockers and if there in the cold of winter, you can go quickly from locker room to pool. My only issue with the hot springs is the pool itself. Though it seems like a big pool, it is almost always so crowded that often you have to wait for someone to leave before you get a chance to sit down, and then you'd better not move until you're ready to leave. It would be nice if the pool was larger or had some seating in the middle of the pool. Also, with spa trends taking off in North America, how about making this pool look more like it's surrounding environment than a public swimming pool? Both summer and winter have appeal to visit the hot springs. In winter, the idea of being in an outdoor pool in nothing but swimwear as the snow is falling all around is really unique, and the length of daytime you get in the summer months is amazing. It's strange when the pool closes and it's still light outside! Banff is a great vacation destination and the hot springs is so soothing after a day of skiing, hiking, shopping, or just taking a dip to relax! read more

Well, it's less than $8 to go to the upper hot springs, and you can rent anything that you've forgotten to bring with you. The view is incredible, but it's crowded and there is chlorine in the mineral springs. I was expecting it to be much more natural feeling but it felt like an outdoor, 102℉ pool. The kids seemed to be enjoying it. Oh well, next time I will probably spring for the Fairmont's hot springs or hit up the sulphorous Cave and Basin hot springs. read more

It was pretty boring, honestly. The pool is fairly small and the water feels lukewarm. Perhaps it's better in the winter. There was a family of tourists that annoyed everyone in the pool, as one of their brats was shooting some sort of ball gun that kept hitting people. The only good part was how cheap admission was (around $8), but since you likely won't be in the water long maybe that's not so great. I rarely smelled sulphur, as I have at other hot springs. Other reviews (Sapna and Bobby N.) sum up my thoughts quite nicely. "Community swimming pool," "not that hot," "small," and "disgusting locker rooms." read more

Quick trip outside of the town of Banff. One main heated pool with a nice mountain view, a great option after a long day of hiking. Tips: Bring your own towel to save $1.90 Bring a bag to leave outside if you do not want to rent a locker Bring flip flops. read more

We came late at night on a holiday Friday, so it was pretty full. The pool capacity says it's 205, but I wish it was more like 100. We were unable to sit and truly relax, and just sort of stood in a buddy group in the middle of the pool. Fewf. Now that my minor complaint is out of the way, let's talk about how fantastic it is to be in a natural hot spring under the stars amidst the mountains? Pretty freakin' great. I'm not at all athletic and earlier in the day I'd done a two-hour hike up Sulphur Mountain, and the medicinal qualities of the water definitely saved my muscles. 20 minutes in hot springs can cure you of almost any ailments, me thinks. All of the bonus points for the rentable and purchase-able 1920s bathhouse bathing suits. Cute, cute, cute. read more

Nice little town,the pool is outside with beautiful scenery,perfect after along day hiking,affordable good service

After our delicious dinner at the Grizzly House decided to end the night in the hot springs. For two people with towel rental was $18, which is super cheap. Big change rooms and shower area, so can have a lot of people. We were lucky, as we had gone on a Monday night so there was maybe 10 people in the pool as well and no kids!!! It can get super busy on the weekend for sure, which can be a pain when you are trying to enjoy some quiet time and there are drunk people or kids splashing. It was awesome to just sit, have my fondue twice cooked (not the best idea right after a meal) and relax. I have totally driven to Banff for the Hot Springs and will continue to do so. read more

I recently visited the Hot Springs for the first time in... oh, I'd say 15-20 years! I remember them so vividly as a child, I really loved coming up here. So when the opportunity arose, I was very excited! First off, the entrance area is quite nice, with some really neat info on the history of the Springs. If you have flown to Canada and did not bring a suit with you, they do rent swim suits and towels, so don't let that deter you from a visit. They do a nice job of keeping the change rooms clean (and the floor dry), so thank you staff. The water area was so much smaller then I remember it being - I guess I grew, not the pool shrinking... It is a nice temperature, has that sulferie smell that I love! The view is spectacular. But then after 10 minutes my other half and I looked at each other and it was like... now what? This is not an all day excursion; all in all, expect to be in and out in under an hour. Pro Tips: Bring a towel and swim suit and save money. Read the info at the front, the history is really cool. The Springs are located right beside the Gondola and the Rim Rock Hotel. Go ride/hike the Gondola trail, then soak in the Springs followed by a cocktail in the wonderful Rim Rock lobby bar. read more

Having read the reviews prior to visiting, I knew that the 'hot springs' was chlorinated and that it gets very crowded, especially at night. I visited it as a tourist knowing that I would never go back again. Indeed, Banff Upper Hot Springs was a disappointment and the fact that it was nothing more than a giant jacuzzi was very underwhelming. First and foremost, the workers should make showering before entering mandatory. They should have someone at the door making sure that everyone has showered before entering because the pool isn't continuously filtering, which means that everyone's filth is combining into something that's really disgusting. They should also limit the number of people who're allowed to enter the pool. To say it was crowded is an understatement. Would I ever go back? No way! I would rather use the hotel's jacuzzi for free than to pay money to sit in everyone's filth in water that is barely hot enough to call it a jacuzzi. This is not to mention that the water isn't anything special. The water doesn't improve the condition of the skin whatsoever and as a matter of fact, I think it got worse because of how dirty the water was. Visit this place as a tourist for the experience but don't expect much more than a giant jacuzzi. read more

A very good excursion if you are in Banff. For prices less than those at a pedestrian movie (not even including popcore, etc.), you get to soak in warm/hot waters from nature. One tip: Go later at night, possibly after dinner. I went later at night (past 9pm) and didn't run into any crowds that quite a few reviewers complained about. The cool night air gave a good contrast to the warm waters. read more

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. read more

This seems like a $100 visit for the nice hot spring and beautiful view. Couldn't be more pleased, my friends and I felt so refreshed afterwards. read more

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! read more

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! read more

Husband and I decided to try the hot springs since we were staying at the Rimrock which is practically across the street. We just grabbed hotel towels and flip flops and walked over so we didn't have to deal with locker room issues or some of the other things people complain about here. We paid our entry fee, cringed at the sheer number of people sharing the untreated water and went in. The water was definitely warm and relaxing and I know that the minerals in the water are good for the skin etc. However we only lasted about a half hour because there were too many splashing, screaming, undisciplined children for our taste. Kind of ruins the relaxation part. And with the sheer number of people you were just jockeying for a seat as well. I'd rather go in the hot tub at the hotel or in our building at home. read more

Great experience, went early in the morning and it wasnt crowded. Excellent view of the mountains while you soak in the hot water, theres a spinner to dry your swimsuit (perfect if you dont have time to dry when you're on the go). Entry includes a locker token, if you dont have a towel youll need to rent one. The people working were very polite in explaining how everything worked, would for sure go again! read more

Fun people watching, nice temperature, but really crowded and the locker rooms are not very clean. We went after a hike because it was across the street from our hotel. We would probably not go back. read more

I came to the Hot Springs on a whim, upon the suggestion of a co-worker and I was so excited, I hadn't thought to do any research. Had I done so, I might not have been so surprised to find...an overheated swimming pool. Having been to hot springs before, I had anticipated a more natural-looking, hole-in-the-ground type of spring instead of a swimming pool. It was Easter weekend, so it was crowded, but not so busy that the lineup (at the time) was too long. It's an $8 entry, $1 for a locker, and you can also rent towels and swimsuits (this sounds a little iffy to me, but who am I to judge?) at the register. The locker rooms looked suspect (I presume it's because it's so dated), but there was someone cleaning them when I came in AND when I was leaving. The pool itself IS pretty warm, after 10 minutes of being in the pool, I started feeling lightheaded and had to get out... I did this in rotation for a couple of hours, and it was fine. It's a great way to kill a couple of hours, and a cheap way to relax for a bit - enjoy the scenery, as you're surrounded by the beautiful mountains :) It wasn't what I expected, however for $8, you can't really ask for too much more. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

This was pretty nice and I would definitely come back for more. I was here in March and it was snowing which makes it a bit magical and surreal. You have the hot steamy mineral water and snowflakes are falling down. I did wish the spring looks more natural looking like the Japanese hotspring. It just a pool and I thought the designs could have been much better. Also, the water can get pretty hot for some people. I notice some people (including me) have to get out of the water for a bit and go back in. Others seems to be fine. Other than that, I really enjoy my stay. I felt really relax and rejuvenate. It was nice that the spring is surrounded by pine trees. The air was really clean. The experience was pretty amazing. read more

After exploring the town of Banff, I was ready to relax at the hot springs. First off, finding parking was extremely difficult when I got there at 3:30PM. The parking lot was completely full and I had to find parking on the side. I was able to rent a locker for $1 and the cost of admission was inexpensive. The hot springs is a swimming pool with natural hot spring water. The view of the mountains was great, but it was jam packed with too many people. There are also lifeguards on duty. I enjoyed relaxing in the pool after a long day exploring the town, but it was way too crowded. read more

Nice facility and very clear water. Nice temperature too -- they put good efforts to keep water temp high for such an outdoor pool in the winter. read more

During the day this place has a GORGEOUS view! Top notch really! And what a wonderful place to relax after a hike or getting off the slopes. I guess the Springs just celebrated their 100th anniversary and have these old school bathing suits you can rent too - HILARIOUS for both men and women who don't have suits. I recommend bringing your own and a towel though! And loonies for the change rooms. The change rooms are large sized and you have big lockers to hold your items. Once you leave the room you essentially walk straight into the springs. It is more like a smallish pool though with seating room along the perimeter. Every time I've been here though it seems to be almost too crowded. It's really too bad it's not bigger. At night when the pool steams up you can go without any visibility until the wind pushes it out. Kind of a neat little experience! For the price it's great - though it would have been nice to be a little bit more naturey (is that even a word?!) looking as you are smack dab in the mountains! read more

I really enjoyed my time spent here!!! It was relatively inexpensive and was very relaxing. It was foggy while I was there so I didn't get to enjoy the view but the water was amazing. I went early in the morning so it was not crowded. read more

Very well run establishment. Get there early so it isn't too busy. Very clean with an incredible view!

I can't believe how many hours I passed here. The water and the view were super relaxing. It was a bit chilly outside, but you don't feel it at all here. The facilities themselves are a bit dated, the restaurant closes earlier than the pool read more

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. read more

I was really looking forward to relaxing in the Hot Springs but when I arrived I was a little disappointed because I didn't see much difference between this and a regular heated outdoor rooftop pool. I have been to other Hot Springs that were more natural and less like a small public pool but nonetheless it was enjoyable and relaxing. I came with my family and 1 family member did not wish to go into the pool but they wouldn't even let her watch from the pool deck - which had chairs on it that were not being used. I thought that was rather strange and it put a damper on the entire experience. All things considered, the price was very reasonable and I loved that you can rent towels. It was very clean and tidy and although next time I will likely try somewhere else, if you don't have much time in Banff then it is worth checking out. read more

This is an excellent example of a great public recreation building in one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. Definitely on the top 3 reasons to visit Banff. The option to rent a traditional bathing suite is a wonderful and hilarious choice. read more

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... read more

My wife and I both suffer from chronic neural pain. Five minutes into our soak we could feel our pain slipping away!! Usually I sleep poorly and wake up a dozen times a night but I slept like a baby thru the night. Pool is clean and well kept. Dressing room is adequate and the rental towels are nice and plush. Handicapped parking is right outside the door which was good for us. Parking for everyone else seems far away and an uphill walk. Limited spots too. Everyday in Banff we visited here and the therapeutic effects lasted and over a day. Felt like new. read more