Alberta
Johnston Canyon
Adventure 6/10 · Scenery 8/10 · Family 9/10 · Access 8/10
The place
A steel catwalk bolted right to the canyon walls carries you above a rushing blue-green creek to the Lower and Upper Falls — and in winter the frozen falls become a playground for guided icewalks.
Johnston Canyon is one of the most accessible dramatic hikes in Banff, thanks to a steel catwalk that carries you along — and sometimes right over — a rushing blue-green creek to the Lower and Upper Falls. It's a manageable walk that delivers big scenery for modest effort.
In winter the falls freeze into blue columns and guided icewalks (with cleats provided) turn the canyon into a different world. Parking is limited, so arrive early or take the seasonal shuttle, and continue past the Upper Falls to the Ink Pots meadow if you want to leave the crowds behind.
What you can do
- Canyon catwalk hiking
- Waterfall viewing
- Winter icewalks
- Ink Pots hike
