The Cave and Basin Marsh is located 2 km. Parking is available at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and from there several footpaths will take you through the forest to the marsh and marsh boardwalk. The Cave and Basin Marsh is a large wetland area separated from the Bow River by a levee. It is fed by hotsprings that normally permit some open water areas throughout the winter. Tall willows grow in dense tangles throughout the marsh and the edges are lined by spruce and pine forest.
Waterfowl are abundant.
Mallards, Green-winged Teal, and Barrow's Goldeneyes are the most common ducks. Some consider it to be a paradise for warblers. Common Snipe, Killdeer and a few winter rarities may also be spotted. Vermilion Lakes Vermilion Lakes Drive begins west of Banff townsite 100 metres south of the Norquay Interchange with the TransCanada Highway and runs parallel to the TransCanada for 4 km. The Vermilion Lakes are a large wetland area of sedge and willow flats and shallow water bodies connected by many small channels.