Quick facts
- Located in
- Banff National Park, Bow Valley Parkway
- Best time
- Year-round — summer and winter both excellent
- Getting there
- 26 km northwest of Banff town on Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A)
- Days needed
- 2-4 hours
Johnston Canyon is the most popular short hike in Banff National Park — and probably the most unusual, in the sense that the trail includes sections of metal catwalk bolted directly into the canyon walls, hanging above the rushing water below. The Lower Falls and Upper Falls, accessible on a well-maintained trail that follows the Johnston Creek canyon, are the destination; the industrial ingenuity of the trail construction — cast iron walkways suspended from cliff faces — is the experience that distinguishes this from every other canyon hike in the Rockies.
In winter, Johnston Canyon freezes. The waterfalls become towers of sculpted blue ice; the creek becomes a floor of textured ice formations; and guided ice walks take visitors up the frozen creek bed and past the frozen falls in an experience that regularly surprises even visitors who think they know Banff well.
Summer: the canyon hike
The Johnston Canyon Trail (3.6 km one-way to Upper Falls from the main parking area, or 1.1 km to Lower Falls) is accessible to almost anyone in reasonable health. The trail begins in the forest above the creek and descends to creek level, then follows the canyon walls via the metal catwalks to the falls.
Lower Falls (1.1 km one-way from parking, 30 m elevation gain): The first major waterfall on the trail — a 15-metre cascade seen from a tunnel cut through the canyon wall, where the creek erupts from a narrow slot in the limestone before falling to a pool below. The framing effect of the tunnel aperture around the falls is one of the more dramatic perspectives in Banff hiking. Allow 20-30 minutes to reach the Lower Falls from the parking area.
Upper Falls (2.7 km one-way from Lower Falls, 120 m additional elevation gain): The more impressive of the two waterfalls — a 30-metre drop through a narrow canyon crack in the limestone. The approach trail climbs above the canyon on a combination of catwalk and forest path before descending to the Upper Falls viewpoint. The falls here emerge from a narrow fissure in the rock and crash into a circular pool that catches the spray from multiple angles. The Upper Falls are less visited than the Lower because of the additional distance; worth every extra step.
The Ink Pots (9.4 km one-way from parking, 215 m total elevation gain): Continuing beyond the Upper Falls, the trail climbs through forest to the Ink Pots — a series of five cold mineral springs in a meadow above the canyon. The springs bubble from below with mineral-rich water, creating vivid blue-green, pale yellow, and clear pools in a meadow setting entirely unlike the dark canyon below. The Ink Pots are an underrated destination: the trail beyond the Upper Falls sees far fewer visitors, the meadow is open and beautiful, and the springs themselves are genuinely surprising.
The Ink Pots trail is a full half-day commitment (allow 3-4 hours return from the Upper Falls, or 5-6 hours return from the parking area). Worth it for those who want the full Johnston Canyon experience.
Catwalk sections: The metal catwalks bolted into the canyon walls cover the lower canyon sections near the Lower Falls. They are safe, regularly maintained, and wide enough for two-way pedestrian traffic. Handrails are provided. Visitors with extreme fear of heights may find the most exposed catwalk sections difficult — the drop below the walkway to the creek is visible through the metal grating.
Browse Banff National Park guided tours including Johnston CanyonWinter: the ice walk
In January through March, Johnston Canyon freezes in extraordinary fashion. The catwalk trail becomes an ice-covered walkway; the Lower Falls becomes a hanging curtain of blue-white ice up to 15 metres high; and the Upper Falls — the creek emerging from the narrow fissure — transforms into a frozen sculpture of ice columns and curtains that can be viewed from close range.
What changes in winter: The canyon in winter operates under a self-guided model (the trail is open and accessible without a guide, with the catwalk sections navigable in micro-spikes) or with a guided tour. The guided ice walk experience adds context — guides explain the ice formation, the geology, and the specific formations of the current winter — and provides ice cleats at the trailhead.
Equipment: The catwalk sections in winter are icy and require micro-spikes or ice cleats for safe navigation. These are available for rent at the Johnston Canyon Resort or from outfitters in Banff. Running shoes or non-gripping boots are genuinely dangerous on the winter catwalk. Do not attempt without appropriate footwear.
Self-guided winter access: The trail is open in winter. With appropriate footwear, visitors can walk independently to the Lower Falls (30-40 minutes each way) and the Upper Falls (60-90 minutes beyond the Lower). The Lower Falls in winter is one of the most accessible dramatic ice experiences in Banff — frozen falls visible from within the tunnel viewing aperture, surrounded by ice-covered walls.
Guided ice walks: Multiple Banff-based operators offer Johnston Canyon ice walks, typically covering Lower and Upper Falls in 2-3 hours. The guides provide cleats and headlamps (the canyon is dim in winter) and narration on the ice formations.
Wildlife in the canyon
Johnston Canyon’s canyon floor is protected from the main Bow Valley thermal patterns and maintains conditions that support certain resident species year-round.
American dipper: The most notable wildlife in the canyon — a small grey bird that walks underwater in the creek, hunting aquatic insects. Dippers are present year-round, including in winter when the creek runs under the ice. They are almost always visible near the Lower Falls area. The dipper’s ability to walk underwater in fast-moving water is a genuinely remarkable adaptation.
White-throated swift and black swift nest in the canyon walls above the catwalks — both species nesting in cliff faces and feeding by catching insects in flight. They are present from May through August.
Bighorn sheep frequently use the canyon area and are regularly seen on the hillsides above the trail approach.
Photography guide
Lower Falls from the tunnel: The tunnel viewpoint frames the Lower Falls with the surrounding rock — a natural frame that works in both landscape and portrait orientation. A medium zoom (35-70mm) fills the frame with the falls and the tunnel arch. In winter, this is the most dramatic ice photography location in the canyon.
Upper Falls wide angle: The Upper Falls emerge from a narrow crack; standing directly below on the viewing platform, a wide-angle lens (14-24mm) captures the full height of the falls with the canyon walls on both sides.
Catwalk and canyon perspective: The catwalks suspended above the creek provide unusual perspectives looking both up and down the canyon. A wide-angle lens at the catwalk level captures the industrial structure against the natural canyon walls.
Winter ice colour: Blue ice in the frozen falls is deepest in the early afternoon when the limited winter light penetrates the canyon. Overcast days provide even, soft light for ice photography.
Book a Johnston Canyon guided hike or ice walk from BanffGetting there
Johnston Canyon is 26 km northwest of Banff town on the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A). From Lake Louise, it is 29 km southeast on the same parkway. The Johnston Canyon Resort (a year-round accommodation property with a café) is at the trailhead.
Parking: The parking lot at Johnston Canyon fills by 8-9am in peak summer. Overflow parking is available along the Bow Valley Parkway nearby. Alternatively, Roam Transit from Banff serves the Bow Valley Parkway (seasonal).
Bow Valley Parkway winter hours: The Bow Valley Parkway is closed to private vehicles before 9am each day in winter for wildlife corridor management. Plan departure from Banff accordingly.
Banff National Park pass required.
Combining with other Bow Valley Parkway stops
Johnston Canyon is best combined with other Bow Valley Parkway stops for a full day:
- Castle Mountain (between Banff and Lake Louise on the Bow Valley Parkway): The distinctive battlemented limestone tower rising above the valley floor. A 3-km hike (one-way) leads to Rockbound Lake above; the mountain itself is a major alpine climbing destination
- Lake Louise (29 km north of Johnston Canyon): The natural extension of a Johnston Canyon morning
- Banff town (26 km south): Hot springs, gondola, food — the natural end point of a Bow Valley Parkway day
Practical information
Year-round access: Johnston Canyon is accessible and worthwhile in every season. It is one of the few Banff hiking destinations that is excellent in both summer and winter.
Facilities: Johnston Canyon Resort at the trailhead has a café (seasonal summer hours), washrooms, and accommodation. No other facilities on the trail.
Difficulty: Accessible to almost all visitors for the Lower Falls. The Upper Falls adds distance and elevation suitable for most. The Ink Pots require hiking fitness and appropriate footwear.