Safety and guidelines

Visitor safety and facility policies

Banff Upper Hot Springs is located in Banff National Park; this place is unique and protected by the Canada National Parks Act and Alberta’s pool standards legislation

Violating these regulations can result in consequences including evictions, court appearances and/or fines up to $25 000. Hot springs visitors who do not comply with site rules will be directed to leave. Failure to do so will result in the RCMP being called and may lead to charges.

There are many activities within the national park that are prohibited or require permits. Visit the Banff Visitor Centre on Banff Avenue or the Banff National Park regulations webpage for more information.

On this page

• Entry and capacity
• Service dogs
• Pets and emotional support animals
• Intoxication, alcohol and cannabis
• Violence, verbal and/or physical abuse
• Pool rules
• Swimwear
• Weather and unexpected closures
• Waterfall feature
• Camping
• Day-use area
• Filming and photography
• Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
• Garbage
• Parking

Entry and capacity

Entry to Banff Upper Hot Springs is first come, first serve.

Admission can only be purchased in person at reception.

Online bookings, reservations, and advance tickets are not available.

Capacity is based on lifeguard to visitor ratios. When the hot springs is at capacity, new visitors will only be permitted to enter as others leave.

Service dogs

Certified service dogs are permitted throughout Banff Upper Hot Springs, including in the lobby, change rooms, café, washrooms and on the pool decks while on-duty. Following the Alberta Public Swimming Pool Regulations, service dogs are not permitted in the pool.

All service dogs must be certified per the Alberta Service Dogs Act. Staff may request visitors show their Alberta Service Dog Identification Card.

Out-of-province and international visitors are encouraged to visit the Government of Alberta website for information on certifying your service dog prior to travelling.

Intoxication, alcohol and cannabis

Visitors must be sober while visiting Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Consuming alcohol, smoking or vaping tobacco or cannabis, or taking any other intoxicating substance is not permitted at Banff Upper Hot Springs. This includes on outdoor decks, walkways or associated day-use areas.

Visitors who are intoxicated will be directed to leave and will not be permitted re-entry for the remainder of the day. The RCMP will be called if visitors are found to be consuming intoxicating substances within the facility.

Violence, verbal and/or physical abuse

Violence, verbal and physical abuse will not be tolerated. Please be polite, follow directions from Parks Canada staff and respect your fellow visitors.

Visitors who do not comply with site rules will be directed to leave. Failure to do so will result in the RCMP being called and may lead to charges.

Pool rules

For your safety, rules that you may be familiar with from your local public swimming pool also apply at Banff Upper Hot Springs. Visitors are expected to follow directions from lifeguards at all times.

Individuals who disobey instructions from lifeguards or repeatedly break pool rules will be directed to leave and may not return for the remainder of that day.

Non-swimmers

Non-swimmers and children under the age of 8 must be within arm’s reach of a parent or guardian aged 18 years or older.

Age requirements

Children under 3 or those who are incontinent must wear a swim diaper. This is a provincial public health requirement.

Unaccompanied youth behaving in an unsafe or inappropriate manner will be asked to sit in the facility’s lobby until their parents or guardian can pick them up.

Youth ages 14 to 17 are welcome to visit Banff Upper Hot Springs without an adult.

Youth age 13 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (age 18 or older).

Spitting and polluting the water

Spitting and polluting the water is not permitted.

Protective, water-resistant swimwear

Protective, water-resistant swimwear (swim diapers) are required for children 3 years and under, and anyone who is or may be incontinent.

Illness or medical conditions

Visitors with the following circumstances should consult with a physician prior to visiting the hot springs. Individuals who:

• are pregnant
• have a chronic medical condition including, but not limited to, heart disease, hypertension, seizures, diabetes, or obesity
• have a medical condition requiring ongoing care of a physician

Visitors with diarrhea or a history of diarrhea over the previous two weeks, or individuals with open sores or wounds must not use the hot springs.

Cleanliness

Visitors must shower using soap prior to entering the hot springs, and wash their hands with soap after using the washroom or changing diapers.

Glass

Glass is not permitted on the pool deck or within the Upper Hot Springs bathhouse. This includes baby bottles and water bottles made of glass.

Footwear

To maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic environment in accordance with Alberta Health pool standards and industry best practices, outdoor footwear is not permitted in the change rooms, showers, or on the pool deck.

Outdoor shoes must be removed in dry hall at Banff Upper Hot Springs, before entering the change room, and stored in a locker.

Visitors are welcome to carry in an additional pair of clean shoes (flip flops or water socks) to wear in the change rooms and onto the pool deck.

Hot pool etiquette

Screaming, running, pushing, play fighting, rough play, jumping, diving, inflatable toys, portable speakers, and other aquatic items like mermaid fins, pool noodles, and snorkels are not permitted in any of the hot pools.

Strollers

Strollers are not permitted on the pool deck or in the change rooms. Please park them in the designated areas located in the dry hall.

Food and drink

Food and drink (except water in an unbreakable metal or plastic container) is not permitted on the pool deck, in the change rooms, hallways, washrooms, or pool.

• Food and drinks may only be consumed in the café, located on the second floor of the bathhouse, or at the Upper Terrace picnic area before or after your soak.

Hydration

To avoid dehydration and overheating, we recommend all bathers take breaks to cool off every 10 minutes and drink water while soaking. Water must be kept in an unbreakable, resealable drink container. Water fountains are available to refill water bottle on-site.

Diving

Diving is not allowed in any part of the pool.

Lockers

One locker token is included with single-entry pool admission. Locker tokens are not included with annual membership passes and may be purchased separately. Tokens are single use. Please note that oversized bags, coolers, and sports equipment (e.g. skis, hockey sticks, skates) are not permitted in lockers. Parks Canada is not responsible for lost and stolen items.

Sunscreen

Waterproof sunscreen is allowed, provided it is applied at least 30 minutes before entering the pool. Please note the use of aerosol sunscreens is not permitted in the change rooms or on pool decks.

Swimwear

Parks Canada is committed to providing a safe aquatic environment where individuals from all backgrounds are welcome.

In addition to swimwear, visitors may wear:

• Long-sleeved shirts and pants
• T-shirts and shorts
• Any other swimwear that allows them to feel comfortable whether for cultural, religious, personal preference, and/or medical and health reasons, with the exception of underwear, which is not permitted as swimwear

In all swimming areas managed by Parks Canada, bathers are required to wear a swimwear bottom but wearing a top is not mandatory. Making it optional to wear a bathing suit top is consistent with human rights law.

All swimwear must be:

• Different from the clothing the visitor arrived in
• Freshly laundered
• Not impair the visitor’s ability to swim or the lifeguard’s ability to perform a rescue in the event of an emergency
• Include a swim diaper for children under 3 or for reasons related to incontinence

Weather and unexpected closures

Banff Upper Hot Springs is open daily, year-round. The Upper Hot Springs may unexpectedly close throughout the year as a result of thunder, lightning or cold water.

When closures occur, visitors will be directed to leave the pool immediately. Visitors who have been in the facility for 30 minutes or less from the time of payment will be eligible to receive a rain check. Refunds will not be issued.

Rain checks are valid for one year for redemption at Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Waterfall feature

A waterfall feature is located next to the Upper Hot Springs bathhouse on the approach from the parking lot and bus stop. Bathing in the waterfall feature or climbing the surrounding hillside is not permitted.

Camping

Camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds within Banff National Park. This includes sleeping in a vehicle. Camping is not permitted in the Banff Upper Hot Springs’ parking lot, or any other roadside pullout, trailhead or day-use area in Banff National Park.

Day-use area

A day-use area with picnic tables (summer only) is available on the Upper Hot Springs’ terrace overlooking the pool. Alcohol use, smoking, vaping, photographing pool visitors, and overnight stays or camping are not permitted.

Filming and photography

To ensure the privacy of visitors, filming and photography are not permitted in the change rooms or washrooms at Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Limited photography and filming of scenery and members of the group you are visiting with is permitted on the pool deck and from within the hot springs. Underwater filming and photography and capturing images / video of other visitors is not permitted. The use of selfie sticks and tripods is not permitted anywhere in the facility, including on the pool deck. Individuals who do not follow directions from lifeguarding staff will be directed to leave.

Commercial filming activities in Banff National Park have special considerations. All commercial activity is subject to licensing and permits, and is only permitted at Banff Upper Hot Springs outside of regular business hours.

Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Recreational use of drones at all Parks Canada places is prohibited and may result in a fine of up to $25,000. Leave your drone at home when visiting the Upper Hot Springs and Banff National Park.

Learn more about drones in Banff National Park.

Garbage

Place all garbage and recycling in the containers provided. Do not leave any garbage at your picnic table or in the change rooms.

Parking

Parking is only permitted in the designated parking lot, a short uphill walk to Banff Upper Hot Springs. From May through October, the parking lot is often full; Roam Public Transit Route 1 is the most reliable way to access the Upper Hot Springs.

Three accessible parking stalls are located adjacent to the Upper Hot Springs’ bathhouse. To access these stalls, drive up the hill from the main parking lot. You must display a provincial or federal permit to park in these stalls. Individuals who do not display a permit may have their car towed.

RVs or buses are not permitted up the hill from the main parking lot. Bus drop-off is available at the base of the hill from the main parking lot.

Bike parking is available at the facility. Please use the provided bike racks and park in designated areas only. Chaining or locking a bike to any other item, such as a fence or post, is not permitted.