Banff Park Museum National Historic Site

Explore the oldest natural history museum in western Canada. Get face-to-face with Rocky Mountain wildlife! Located in the heart of downtown Banff, the Banff Park Museum houses more than 5,000 vintage botanical and zoological specimens — from bears and bighorns, to birds and bees. The Banff Park Museum shows us how natural history was understood in Canada near the end of the Victorian era. Built in 1903, it is the oldest surviving federal building in any Canadian national park.

Visiting Banff Park Museum

Activities and experiences

Things to do, events, programs, exhibits, and activities.

Plan your visit

How to get here, facilities and services, how to plan ahead and other important information to help you plan your trip.

Fees

Daily visitor fees, program fees, and more.

About Banff Park Museum

Culture and history

History, archeology, cultural landscape, architecture, historic engineering.

Stewardship and management

Site management plan.

How to get here

Contact us

+1 (403) -762-1558 | caveandbasin@pc.gc.ca

For emergencies within the park:

Banff Dispatch, non-emergency (24 hours):
(403) 762-1470

Hours of operation

May 15 - October 15

Thursday to Monday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Complete schedule

Social

More places to discover with Parks Canada

Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site

Discover a historic trading post along the North Saskatchewan River and immerse yourself in stories of Indigenous Peoples and legendary explorers.

Cave and Basin National Historic Site

As the birthplace of national parks in Canada, the Cave and Basin shares stories about one of the finest and most extensive systems of natural and cultural heritage places in the world.

Banff National Park

Founded in 1885, Banff is Canada’s first national park and part of the first national park system in the world. With its soaring peaks, azure lakes and abundant wildlife, this Rocky Mountain park attracts millions of visitors every year.

Date modified :