Hot Springs Near Banff & Canmore: The Complete Guide
As the temperatures start to drop in October in the Canadian Rockies, visiting hot springs near Banff can feel like the height of luxury. Whether it’s paired with a hike, a ski day or part of a quiet weekend of rest and relaxation, staying in Canmore and visiting the Banff Upper Hot Springs can make for a bucket list day for visitors. Travelling a little further to the Miette Hot Springs in Jasper can be a great add-on to a trip to Canmore, as well.
Here, we’ll look at everything you need to know about hot springs near Banff.
Key Takeaways
- The Banff Upper Hot Springs are the closest hot springs to Canmore, about 25 minutes away. They're open year-round, the water stays between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius, and you'll need a Parks Canada pass to visit.
- None of the three hot springs take reservations. Entry is first-come, first-served, so it's best to arrive early.
- The Miette Hot Springs in Jasper National Park are the hottest in the Canadian Rockies and usually less crowded than Banff. They're a four-to-four-and-a-half-hour drive from Canmore via the Icefields Parkway, and they close for the season in mid-October until May.
- Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park makes a scenic day trip from Canmore, about two and a half to three hours away, with a hot pool and a separate swimming pool.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Location: Sulphur Mountain in Banff National Park (25 minutes from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre
Hours: 10am to 10pm, with last entry at 9:30pm
Cost: $19.75 for adults (18-65), $17.25 for seniors (65+) and youth (3-17) and free for children under 3 years old
The Banff Upper Hot Springs are the perfect place to slow down and relax during your mountain getaway. Whether you’re visiting in the height of summer or popping in after a winter ski day, the water in the hot springs is heated geothermally from three kilometres below the earth’s surface, and the location in Banff National Park means you get stunning views as you soak in the warm water.
While the water in the Banff Upper Hot Springs is heated naturally, it is usually warmer in the winter and cooler in the spring and summer, but it is kept between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius, making it comfortable whether you’re enjoying long summer days or watching the snowfall after an early sunset in the middle of winter.
There are a few things to remember when visiting the Banff Upper Hot Springs:
- Admission is first-come, first-served. There is no advance online booking, even for large groups.
- Parks Canada operates the Banff Upper Hot Springs, and they recommend that visitors limit their stay to one to two hours. That makes a trip to the hot springs a perfect pairing with a hike around Canmore or a visit to the Banff Gondola, which is just a short walk away.
- There is parking at the Banff Upper Hot Springs, but it can also be accessed from Canmore using the ROAM Transit system.
- Visitors also need to have a Parks Canada day pass or Discovery Pass to visit the Banff Upper Hot Springs. They can be purchased online and in advance.
Miette Hot Springs
Location: In Jasper National Park, about 60 kilometres from the Town of Jasper and 4.5-5 hours from Canmore
Hours: 11am to 9pm, last entry at 8:30pm until October 12, when the Miette Hot Springs will close for the winter before reopening in May of 2027
Cost: $19.75 for adults (18-65), $17.25 for seniors (65+) and youth (3-17) and free for children under 3 years old
The Miette Hot Springs are further away from Canmore than the Banff Upper Hot Springs, but getting to them will involve a drive up the absolutely breathtaking Icefields Parkway. The trip is absolutely worth your while, especially as a way to see more of the Canadian Rockies after spending a few days exploring Canmore, Banff and the surrounding mountains.
The Miette Hot Springs are the hottest in the Canadian Rockies and flow from the mountain at a temperature of 54 degrees Celsius before being cooled to a temperature of 40 degrees. There are also generally much smaller crowds than you’d get in Banff, so even though entry is established on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets cannot be purchased in advance, most visitors won’t have trouble accessing the gorgeous hot springs.
As a reminder, though, the Miette Hot Springs close for the winter on October 12 and don’t reopen until May.
Radium Hot Springs: Worth the Longer Drive?
Location: The Village of Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park, between 2.5 and 3 hours from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., last entry at 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $19.75 for adults (18-65), $17.25 for seniors (65+) and youth (3-17) and free for children under 3 years old
The drive from Canmore to Radium Hot Springs is authentically stunning. It starts on the Trans-Canada Highway and offers breathtaking views of Banff National Park’s mountain vistas before taking you down the historic Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park. The views alone will make it worthwhile for visitors to try out a day trip and return to the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre after a couple of hours relaxing in the Radium Hot Springs.
There are two pools at this national historic site, so you can alternate between the shallow hot pool and deeper swimming pool throughout your visit.
Quick Comparison: Hot Springs Near Canmore
Banff Upper Hot Springs is approximately 25 minutes from Canmore and is open year-round. Miette Hot Springs is about four and a half to five hours away and is open from May to mid-October. Radium Hot Springs is approximately two and a half to three hours away and is open year-round. Reservations are not available at any of these hot springs.
Stay in Canmore for Easy Access to Hot Springs in the Canadian Rockies
Whether you choose to stay close and visit the Banff Upper Hot Springs or extend your trip with a visit to the Miette Hot Springs in Jasper or Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park, staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre makes it easy. Just minutes from the Trans-Canada Highway, getting to Sulphur Mountain is simple, and the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre gives you a quiet, convenient home base to take in all the Canadian Rockies have to offer.
Book your stay today.
FAQ
Can I book tickets in advance for Banff Upper Hot Springs?
No. Access to the Banff Upper Hot Springs is first-come, first-served, and you cannot book your tickets in advance. This is true for groups large and small, as well as individuals. The same is true for both the Miette and Radium Hot Springs, so it’s best to plan ahead and arrive early when you’re visiting hot springs near Canmore.
Do parents need to stay with their kids at the hot springs?
Parks Canada requires that children 13 and under be accompanied by an adult at all times at Banff Hot Springs and Miette Hot Springs, while children 14 and over can freely visit without the company of an adult. Youth aged 8 to 17 are welcome to visit Radium Hot Springs without an adult.
Can you rent swimsuits at the Banff Upper Hot Springs?
Yes, the Banff Upper Hot Springs offer swimsuit rentals in a wide variety of sizes, so if you’re looking to visit a hot spring near Banff but didn’t pack for it, you can still visit.