Johnston Canyon Hike: Easy Guide to Banff’s Waterfalls
Make your way deep into Johnston Canyon in Banff National park to experience many beautiful waterfalls! This hike is best known for its two main highlights, the Upper and Lower Falls, but along the way you will also pass several smaller waterfalls that add to the beauty of the trail. Keep reading for everything you need to know before visiting Johnston Canyon.
At a Glance
Address: Bow Valley Pkwy, Improvement District No. 9, AB T1L 1K2, Canada
Length: 3.1 miles round trip
Difficultly: Easy – Moderate
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Where to Stay
There are a few hotel and lodge options listed below in case you prefer to stay close to the trail in a more secluded area. However, the town of Banff is less than a 30 minute drive away, so it is also easy to stay there and make the drive over in the morning.
Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows
• Located walking distance from the trail
• Restaurant onsite
• Around $400 per night
Castle Mountain Chalets
• Located 8 minutes from the trailhead
• Private chalet with fully equipped kitchen
• Around $350 per night
Banff Aspen Lodge
• Located in the town of Banff
• Includes breakfast
• Around $300 per night
Johnston Canyon Trail Head
Johnston Canyon is a must-visit spot located along the Bow Valley Parkway, just about 30 minutes from the town of Banff. There’s a large parking lot at the trailhead, but this hike is extremely popular, so it fills up quickly, especially during peak hours. We arrived around midday and were still able to find a spot, but if you want to beat the crowds, I recommend arriving early in the morning.
At the trailhead, you’ll find bathrooms and a water fill-up station. Once you’re ready to hit the trail, cross the footbridge, pass the Johnston Canyon Lodge, and you’ll soon be immersed in the forest as your adventure begins.
Lower Falls
The trail to Lower Falls is an easy and scenic walk with minimal elevation gain, making it accessible for most visitors. The wide path allows for two-way foot traffic as you follow the river through the picturesque canyon for about ¾ of a mile. To view the waterfall, take a dirt side trail off the main path—you’ll have the option to see it from a bridge or through a tunnel on the right.
Heads up: the line for the tunnel view can get very long during the day. We waited about 15 minutes and barely moved, so we ended up skipping it. To avoid the crowds, I highly recommend going early in the morning!
You can turn back here, but I recommend continuing on the trail to see Upper falls.
Upper Falls
Continue up the steep side path to rejoin the main trail, then follow it for another 0.8 mile to reach Upper Falls. After this point, the crowds tend to thin out a bit, as many visitors choose to turn around at Lower Falls. The trail gains some elevation as it makes its way toward Upper Falls. It briefly veers away from the gorge and into the forest, but eventually reconnects with the river.
Just before reaching Upper Falls, there is a fork in the trail. Turning left leads to an upper viewing platform with a higher perspective of the waterfall, while heading right takes you into the gorge for a closer, face-to-face view. If visiting around midday, expect a line to access the viewing platform at the end, as it is quite small. However, the wait here is usually much shorter and moves more quickly than the line at Lower Falls.
As you make your way to the trail, be sure to keep your eye on the river because there are more side waterfalls all along it. Below are four I noticed but there are more!
If you are feeling up for it, you can continue on the trail after Upper Falls to the Ink Pots. The Ink Pots are an additional 1.8 miles after Upper Falls and will lead you to 5 turquoise green pools.
Johnston Canyon – What to Know
This is one of the most popular trails in Banff, and for good reason. The scenery is incredible, but the popularity also means the trail can take a little longer to complete and parking may require some patience. Because of the high foot traffic, it is unfortunately not uncommon to spot trash along the way. Please do not be one of those people. Remember that you are a guest in nature’s home. Always aim to leave it better than you found it. If you come across any litter, consider picking it up and tossing it later. Just stick it in your backpack until you find a trash can.
Since the trail is located in Banff National Park, you will need to pay an entrance fee to access the area. To save time, tickets can be purchased online in advance.
Be sure to bring enough water, around one to two liters, and pack a few snacks to help keep your energy up during the hike.
