Banff Cave & Hot Springs Self-Guided Walking Tour

Explore the famous Banff Hot Springs and scenic trails on a self-guided walking tour. Uncover the history, enjoy breathtaking views, and learn interesting insights along the way!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Cave and Basin National Historic Site - Here, underground hot springs create gorgeous natural pools which stay warm year-round—even in Canada’s harsh winters! For thousands of years, people of the First Nations lived around these springs.

Note: This 2.2+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Banff’s Cave and Basin in 1-2 hours.

  • Internment museum - During the first World War, the Canadian military established the Castle Mountain Internment Camp here in Banff National Park. But who was interned in this camp? Enemy soldiers? German officers?
  • Marsh Loop Trail - This easy and popular hike hugs the Bow River and offers beautiful views of the wetland, hot springs, and the mountains beyond.
  • Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site - Up ahead, in the distance, stands Sulphur Mountain, the summit of which was once home to a high tech research station. It was called the Cosmic Ray Station, and it studied rays emitted by the sun.
What's Included
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Entry to Cave and Basin National Historic Site is $9/Adult. (2024))
Additional Information

Get up close and personal with Banff’s famous hot springs with this self-guided walking tour which features the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and follows one of the national park’s most popular riverside trails. Uncover the history of the springs, find out how their discovery created all sorts of legal drama, and dig into lesser known aspects of Banff’s history along the way. As you stroll, you’ll also get to enjoy amazing wilderness scenery and breathtaking views of the Bow River.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Walking Tours: couples can share one using headphones.
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
  • For the tour guide app to function as intended, iPhones must be iOS 13 or above and Androids must be version 9 or above.
Location
311 Cave Ave
Cave Avenue
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.0
(4 Ratings)
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1 star
Anne_g
Jul 12, 2024
I strongly advise using the Viator guide. - The self guided walking tour was very helpful because there were not very many staff members or maps available on the walking tour.
Review provided by Viator
Sally_d
Aug 8, 2024
Scenic but smelly - Scenic views of the Bow River and Sulphur Mtns, interesting stories from the recorded narrative. However, 2nd half of the Marsh route I followed, the path is a big muddy trench used for horse riders so full of horse manure! Would not recommend this route until the path is improved or changed.
Review provided by Viator
Joannepv4177fm
Jun 4, 2024
Helpful - The app was easy to use. For us, much of the facts/local information shared were things we had learned on our tour of the area. It might be beneficial for those not travelling with a tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hunter_p
Jul 27, 2024
Was told it was a scam - These tickets did not work at the cave and basin. Was told this has been a problem all year and that these tickets are not real and I had to purchase new ones
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1
Adult
September 2024
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