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Top 8 Hot Springs in Alberta

Top 8 Hot Springs in Alberta

Clever Canadian Written By: December 2023

After a tiring day, we all need to relax and rejuvenate. Given that Alberta has cold weather, soaking up in a hot spring can offer a warm and relaxing experience, especially after a day of activities.

Don’t know where to go? Worry no more! We’ve listed our favourite places to soak your problems away!

Banff Upper Hot Springs

Website: https://hotsprings.ca/banff/ 

Address: 1 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2, Canada

Contact Details: 1-800-767-1611

Opening Hours: Hours are subject to change

  • Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Last Entry: 9:30 PM

Fees: In-person purchase only, no online reservations

  • Adult (age 18-64) – $16.50
  • Youth (age 3-17) – $14.25
  • Child (under 3 years) – Free
  • Senior (age 65+) – $14.25
  • Family (four members) – $53.00
  • Extra Youth – $7.75

This modern hot spring is located in the historic Federal Heritage Building. Relaxing on the mineral-rich waters is the perfect way to end the day in Banff, given how cold the lakes and rivers are in the area!

The water temperature is anywhere between a warm and soothing 37°C to 40°C (98°F to 104°F). Meanwhile, during winter, the water gets as hot as 47°C (116°F), which is pretty nice since the area gets covered in snow, even the pool’s metal handlebar.

And the views you get while relaxing here are absolutely breathtaking! You get a front-row seat marvelling at the Canadian Rockies.

Pro Tip:
Make sure to stuff all you need into the locker before closing it. The locker token is for one-time use only.

Don’t forget to bring flip-flops because the ground around the pool gets slippery. Also, so you won’t go barefoot in the shower room.

Bring a towel to avoid incurring an extra $2 for a rental.

Canmore Natural Springs

Address: Mist Mountain Trailhead, AB-40, Turner Valley, AB T0L 2A0, Canada

Opening Hours: 24-hours

  • Annual Road Closure – December 1 – June 14

Fees: Kananaskis Conservation Pass

  • Single Day – $15.75
  • Small Commercial Vehicle – $23.63
  • Large Commercial Vehicle – $31.50

Taxes included in prices

Now, while this is a natural hot spring, it’s not exactly the one you go to for a casual rejuvenation. Before getting to the Mist Mountain Hot Springs, you need to hike (canmore hikes) the 4km trailhead.

The hike is moderately difficult, but beginners can find the rocky terrain a bit challenging. And don’t be surprised if you find a line of people at the hot springs since it’s become popular now, and many people hike to the mountains to experience it, too.

Only two to three people can comfortably fit in the two tiny pools, with waters reaching up to 40°C (104°F). It doesn’t quite get hot but mainly stays pleasantly warm.

Pro Tip:
Bring a GPS so you won’t get lost. You can check the AllTrails map for a more accurate location.

Kananaskis Nordic Spa

Website: https://knordicspa.com/ 

Address: Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, 1 Centennial Dr, Kananaskis Village, AB T0L 2H0, Canada

Contact Details: 

Opening Hours:

  • Hydrotherapy – Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Hydrotherapy Twilight Soak – Monday – Sunday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Fees: 

  • Hydrotherapy – Starting at $129
  • Hydrotherapy Twilight Soak – Starting at $79

Prices are subject to change anytime

The perfect place for complete peace, relaxation, and rejuvenation for adults only. It’s an absolute sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle with hot and cold pools for a complete hydrotherapy cycle—a Mother’s Day gift, perhaps?

Try the Exfoliation Cabin, where you can scrub your body to keep your skin looking fresh—you’ll find a body scrub inside your locker. But a favourite of our team is the hammocks, where you can nap after a rejuvenating session at the hot springs.

Pro Tip:
Bring a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated. The facility only allows non-glass, by the way.
Get a reservation because this facility gets booked fast, especially the massage. Although walk-ins are welcome, it’s likely you won’t get in.

Miette Hot Springs

Website: https://hotsprings.ca/miette/ 

Address: Miette Rd Jasper, Miette Hotsprings, AB T0E 1E0, Canada

Contact Details: 1-800-767-1611

Opening Hours: Spring season, dates vary each year

Fees: In-person purchase only, no online reservations

  • Adult (age 18-64) – $16.50
  • Youth (age 3-17) – $14.25
  • Child (under 3 years) – Free
  • Senior (age 65+) – $14.25
  • Family (four members) – $53.00
  • Extra Youth – $7.75

Jasper National Park is home to the hottest hot springs in the Rockies. The natural mineral water of Miette Hot Springs has a temperature reaching 54°C (129°F) but cools down to a toasty 40°C (104°F).

The best part of this place is the availability of two hot and two cold plunge pools for muscle recovery after a day at Jasper (things to do in jasper). Despite having four pools, it still gets crowded

There are lockers, on-site vending machines, and rental towels and swimsuits. And unlike other hot springs in Alberta, this one allows families with young kids.

Pro Tip:
Just like in Banff Upper Hot Springs, the locker token is for one-time use only. So, once you close that locker, you can’t put anything in it again unless you purchase another one for $1.25.
The floor is slippery, so bring flip-flops.

Try to visit around September to avoid peak months.

Fairmont Spa at Fairmont Banff Springs

Website: https://www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/spa/the-fairmont-banff-springs-spa/ 

Address: 405 Spray Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1J4, Canada

Contact Details: 

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Fees: 

  • Aquatic Centre is complimentary for hotel guests
  • Treatment services – Starting at $249

Right in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, this luxurious spa provides everything you need for a complete relaxing experience—complete with a bathrobe and slippers.

It has an indoor mineral pool, a heated outdoor pool, three waterfall treatment whirlpools, a relaxation lounge, a fireplace relaxation lounge, and more!

But, the luxury doesn’t end there. If you plan on having a complete body treatment, there are various spa services available to keep your body rejuvenated.

Pro Tip:
Since this spa is for adults only, families staying at the hotel can avail of childminding services or opt for babysitting services from a third-party provider, Childcare Connection Banff.

Cave and Basin National Historic Site

Website: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/ab/caveandbasin 

Address: 311 Cave Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2, Canada

Contact Details: 

Opening Hours: 

  • May 15 – October 15 – Monday – Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • October 16 – May 14 – Thursday – Monday: 11:00 AM –  5:00 PM

Fees:

  • Daily Pass
    • Adult – $8.50
    • Senior – $7.00
    • Youth – Free
    • Commercial Group, per person – $7.00
  • Parks Canada Discovery Pass
    • Adult – $72.25
    • Senior – $61.75
    • Family/Group – $145.25

Alright, this isn’t exactly a hot spring you can swim in, but it’s the perfect place to learn about the history of the place. It’s also a very special place for Indigenous Peoples and has been for thousands of years.

These Albertan hot springs are definitely a historical place since they were the beginning of a series of events that led to the establishment of Banff National Park, Canada’s first-ever national park.

Pro Tip:
There’s a very intense sulphur smell in the cave going to the hot springs, which can be nauseating. If that’s not something you think you can handle, it’s best to stay on the outdoor trail.

Hidden Ridge Resort

Hidden Ridge Resort

Photo from: https://banffhiddenridge.com/ 

Website: https://banffhiddenridge.com/ 

Address: 901 Hidden Ridge Way, Banff, AB T1L 1H8, Canada

Contact Details: 800-661-1372

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Fees:

  • Complimentary pool access for guests only
  • Average room rate: $229/night

The outdoor pools at the Hidden Ridge Resort are perfect for families. There’s one heated pool and a wading pool, making it perfect for children to play in.

Of course, swimming here comes with stunning mountain views, and it looks even more perfect in the winter. Guests at the hotel conveniently get a complimentary Roam Transit Pass for an easy commute while in Banff.

Pro Tip:
Try to book a hotel on the upper floors to get away from the noise.
Booking a room on weekdays gives you a chance to avoid large crowds and noise from downstairs.

Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa

Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa

Photo from: https://www.facebook.com/manitouspringsresort/ 

Social Media Page: https://www.facebook.com/manitouspringsresort/  

Address: 302 MacLachlan Ave, Manitou Beach, SK S0K 4T1, Canada

Contact Details: 

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Fees: Complimentary swim pass for hotel guests

There’s no need to travel far because “The Dead Sea of Canada” is just in Alberta. The water is so dense with salt that you can just float in the mineral pool.

This indoor pool is family-friendly, with a temperature usually between 34°C to 38°C (94°F to 102°F). It’s definitely one of the best places to soak in warm waters in Alberta, given it was one of the Top 100 Spas of 2021 by Spas of America.

Pro Tip:
It’s best to check if the hotel is open if you plan on booking late in the year. There’s an annual maintenance, usually sometime around November to December.

If you want to avoid large crowds, try to avoid visiting in the summer and winter seasons.
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