JOHNSON CANYON HIKE

Take a catwalk with the steep walls of the canyon jutting high above you and the deep blue pools of the creek far below.

Carved steeply into the limestone bedrock by thousands of years of water erosion, the dramatic Johnston Canyon is a must-visit natural attraction in Banff National Park. Overhanging canyon walls, waterfalls, the deep pools of Johnston Creek, and lush forest are sure to leave a memorable impression. And it can all be experienced via an easy hike along smooth trails and catwalks, making it ideal for families and people of all ages.

It’s amazing how much varied scenery you see over the course of the very short 1.7 mile hike.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

LENGTH:

3.5 MILE ROUNDTRIP OR TO THE INK POTS FOR AN ADDITIONAL 3.6 MILES
Time to reach lower falls 30 minutes, 1.1 km one way, elevation gain of 30 meters.
Time to reach upper falls, one hour , 2.6 km’s one way, elevation gain of 120 meters.
Return trip going to both lower and upper falls allow 2 to 2.5 hours.

TRAIL DETAILS:

The trail to the lower falls covers minimal elevation as it works its way through the forest. It then takes you over catwalks alongside Johnston creek and up into the canyon above the rushing waters below. As the trail approaches the lower falls the first site that comes into view is a deep pool that has been created by the plunging water. A bridge crossing the creek serves as an excellent viewing spot, but there is another platform that sits within meters of the falls. To get to it you have to go through a tunnel in the canyon bedrock. Don’t be surprised if you and your camera get misted with water.

The trail to the upper falls covers more elevation as it climbs its through the forest and out of the lower canyon. It works its way back towards the creek and offers several scenic viewpoints, like this small set of cascading waterfalls. There are two viewing areas. The first is accessed by a catwalk that leads to a viewing platform looking across to the bottom of the falls. The other viewing area can be reached by taking a steeper trail to a platform overhanging the gorge. It looks across to the top of the falls that drop a dramatic 40 meters.

The Trail To The Ink Pots Beyond The Upper Falls

The Ink Pots consist of several pools made up of greenish coloured mineral springs that bubble to the surface. If you have time, carry on to the Ink Pots to leave the crowds behind you and get some solitude. From the upper falls the trail is a moderate climb out of the canyon for 3 km’s through the forest. It opens up to a meadow where the Ink Pots sit. The hike from the upper falls to the Ink Pots takes approximately one hour.

The Ink Pots are also accessible via Moose Meadows. This route completely bypasses the Johnston Canyon Trails. The trail head is located 1.4 km’s west of Johnston Canyon on the Bow Valley Parkway. It is 5.9 km’s one with an elevation gain of 215 meters. Allow 4 hours round trip.

TIPS FOR HIKING:

The trail has a lot of shaded areas, it can get cool even in summer months, dress in layers to adjust to the temperature as needed.
Pack drinking water and a snack

LOCATION

Johnston Canyon is located 25 kilometres (around 30 minutes’ drive) from the town of Banff and 33 kilometres from Lake Louise on the Bow Valley Highway.

The hiking trail starts at the northern end of the parking lot, right behind Johnston Canyon Lodge.

GPS COORDINATES

51.245748, -115.839925

AMENITIES:

There are washrooms at the parking lot, and a gift shop and restaurant open during summer at the Johnston Canyon Resort.

We promised the kids ice cream or a popsickle after the hike, and turns out they received it at the very end. Their was a cute little gift shop and tiny bar stool restaurant at the end of the hike. It was perfect and unexpected.

The trail to the Lower Falls is stroller and wheelchair accessible – after that there are a few steps.