When is johnston canyon open

Easy hike. Not busy at all. Went around 10am and took around 1hour and 45 minutes with lots of breaks to take photos. Did this hike because it was too cloudy and rainy to do a summit. Nice walk and easy. Narrow trail so be prepared to cross people Bring a mask on the trail if you prefer it is recommended anyways I travelled without my kids but it would definitely be an easy one for them 6, 10 and 17yo You can as well bring your dog on leash Beautiful views of canyon and waterfalls everywhere!

I recommend it. Trails are well maintained but a little tight from the start up to the lower falls. I really enjoyed this hike. It has many beautiful views of water falls. It was a bit slippery once I went through the tunnel to see the upper falls. Wonderful trail and beautiful water falls but very crowded. Good luck finding parking at the trail head. The trail was so busy we had to walk single file in a line the whole way.

Not a relaxing walk. Way too many people when we started about 1pm, less congestion on the way back. Dogs did not like the narrow passages, took some convincing to cross. Would not recommend taking your dogs, it was too stressful for them. Falls were pretty, hike was easy. There are so many nicer dog friendly hikes, do not waste your time on this one.

Great trail for beginners, a little busy. Great views, upper falls well worth the extra walk. Nice little hike with easy to walk trail. Good views of river. Rained at the end. Not busy on Monday morning, until around 11AM. Access to upper falls was closed.

Very very busy arrived by noon and it was extremely busy make sure to bring your mask! Or go earlier in the morning! Use Navigator in the AllTrails app and join the other outdoor explorers who have completed this trail. Johnston Canyon to Upper Falls easy Length 5. This often results in long lines of slow moving visitors, especially in the summer months. Parking is limited, so it is best to arrive early since police will block the entrance to parking if full. The trail begins immediately behind the Johnston Canyon Lodge.

Along the way users will pass over sturdy and well-maintained iron catwalks attached beneath overhanging canyon walls.

After only about 1. Visitors can get a better view of the falls by crossing the bridge over the creek and passing through a small tunnel, which opens right across from the mouth of the falls. Families with very young children may opt to turn around at this point, as the trail becomes slightly more difficult with some added elevation between the lower and upper falls.

This is an ecologically sensitive area, and visitors are very strongly encouraged to stay on the designated paths and walkways. There are multiple catwalks and lookout points along the entirety of the trail that each allow for beautiful and unique viewpoints of each of the falls and the canyon. When visiting Johnston Canyon in the winter months, the majority of the trail becomes extremely slippery as it is often covered with thick ice due to the snow constantly melting and freezing throughout the season.

It is typically at least two feet wide. Continuing past the lower falls, the trail becomes narrower and more steep. Reviews 1, Sort by:. Amanda Madhu Whiting. November 13, Hiking Icy Snow. Brandon Carrier. November 12, Nice hike, very busy, lots of nice waterfalls. Anna Vafadar. November 11, November 10, Hiking Great! Rebecca Phillips. Terry Ford. November 8, Little slippery in sections. Jesse Sarro.

To have an enjoyable time during the summer, you should plan to arrive by am and even earlier on the weekends. Due to the crowds in peak summer, it often means you can be stuck in a long procession of people moving slowly in both directions on the trail.

Eventually, you enter Johnston Canyon, where a series of catwalks over Johnston Creek lead you to the waterfalls. You reach the lower falls at around 1. A bridge over Johnston Creek serves as a great viewpoint of the rushing cataract, and further along, you can enter a short tunnel for a closer vantage point. Be prepared to get wet if you continue through the short tunnel. From the Lower Falls, you continue up the canyon with a bit more elevation gain. This section of the trail continues for another 1.

The falls are 30 meters high and can be seen from two separate viewpoints. The first viewpoint is accessed by a platform that leads to a viewing area that looks across to the bottom of the falls. Consider booking the ice climb tour with Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. The second viewing platform can be reached by a steep trail to the platform that hangs over the gorge.

From the top Upper Falls, you can continue the hike for another 3km to the Ink Pots. The Ink Pots are several colorful cold mineral springs that bubble to the surface in an open meadow. The springs are located in a lovely alpine meadow that often is filled with wildflowers. Salomon Speedcross 5. PD Capture Clip. This nifty clip from Peak Design secures a camera to my backpack strap for easy reach. No more digging in the backpack!

Hiking Poles. Gregory Nano 20L. We love the Nano from Gregory with a hydration reservoir. Garmin Inreach Mini. There is not much cell service in the Canadian Rockies. In case of emergencies, we carry an emergency beacon with GPS.

Both hikes are easy and follow a well-maintained trail suitable for all. If you decide to hike to the Upper Falls, expect the hike to Johnston Canyon to take you between hours. It takes around one hour one way, with an elevation gain of metres over its 2.

The Upper Falls drop a dramatic 40 metres to a deep pool below. There are two good viewing spots. The first is a viewing platform looking over to the bottom of the falls. The second is accessed by a steeper trail to a platform overhanging the gorge, with an outlook across to the top of the falls. During the winter months December to April , Johnston Canyon is a favourite place to go ice walking and ice climbing.

The Upper Falls at metres above sea level freeze during the winter and make for excellent beginner and advanced ice climbing. Although ice climbing might sound rather daunting, with proper instruction complete beginners can climb simple routes - if you can climb a ladder, you can climb a frozen waterfall! Guided trips and instruction are available from several providers in Banff and Lake Louise. Ice walking is another great way to experience Johnston Canyon during the winter.

Guided tours are a good option - you will be provided with all the gear you need to safely and enjoyably walk up the canyon and the opportunity to learn about its striking features book with Banff Adventures , Discover Banff Tours , or White Mountain Adventures.

Alternatively, you can purchase or hire snowshoes and ice cleats from many stores in Banff and Lake Louise and explore on your own. Rent or purchase with Snowtips-Bactrax. If you are looking for a longer hike and some more solitude than the canyon, you could try the trail beyond the Upper Falls to the Ink Pots.

The Ink Pots are seven pools of green coloured mineral springs located in an open meadow about 3 kilometres on from the Upper Falls. Vehicle access to Johnston Canyon is open however parking can be limited during peak times.

Use public transit for the best experience. Roam Transit Route 9 can be accessed from the Town of Banff. There are washrooms at the parking lot, and a gift shop and restaurant open during summer at the Johnston Canyon Resort. This website uses cookies so we can give you a better online experience. By using this website or closing this message, you are agreeing to our use of cookies as per our Privacy Policy.