Canada/Alberta: Cave & Basin National Historic Site

This hotsprings area in the heart of Banff National Park is actually considered the birthplace of the Canadian National Park system. In 1885, a government-administered reserve was established around the hot spring area, which was the first protected area in Canada. People would come here to explore the caves and see and relax around the hot spring in the pool that existed here between 1914-94. Today it’s more of a historic museum, although the springs and caves are still quite spectacular and interesting.