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Hiking Johnston Canyon, Banff's Most Popular Hike in the Winter
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
Johnston Canyon is easily one of the most popular hikes in Banff National Park, and for good reason. It’s accessible, family-friendly, and offers some of the most impressive waterfalls you’ll find in the Canadian Rockies. Because of that, it can get very busy, especially in peak season.
However, if you’re visiting for the first time, particularly in winter or shoulder season months, this is one of those “must-do” hikes that really lives up to the hype. Yes, you’ll be sharing the trail with others, but the experience is still well worth it.
After all, it’s not often you find yourself strolling along elevated catwalks carved into a tight canyon, with towering frozen waterfalls all around. Plus, if you’re lucky, you might even spot ice climbers scaling the cliffs, clinging to the frozen walls.
One of the things that makes Johnston Canyon especially popular is how flexible the hike is, and you don’t have to commit to the full distance to enjoy it. It’s one of our favorite easy hikes that nearly any visitor can enjoy.
If you have young kids or are short on time, you can simply hike to the Lower Falls, which is an easy and rewarding turnaround point. Continuing on to the Upper Falls is a great option for most families and gives you a more complete experience, while those wanting to go further can carry on to the Ink Pots for a longer, quieter adventure beyond the canyon.
Keep reading this blog post for all the essentials you’ll need to explore Johnston Canyon near Banff, including key details of the hike, how far to go (from the Lower Falls to the Upper Falls and on to the Ink Pots), and what to expect when hiking the canyon in winter.
Why not try some of our other favourite winter hikes in the area?
THE JOHNSTON CANYON HIKE IN WINTER OVERVIEW
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Table of Contents (click to expand)
JOHNSTON CANYON HIKE IN WINTER - KEY INFORMATION
Here is the key hike information:
How long is the Johnston Canyon hike?
One of the great things about the Johnston Canyon hike is the ability to 'choose your own adventure' a little bit. You have three options, depending on how far you would like to walk.
Lower Falls: ~2.4 km round trip
Upper Falls: ~5.4 km round trip
Ink Pots: ~11.7 km round trip
Many visitors stop at the Upper Falls, which makes for a great half-day outing.
How hard is the hike?
This is one of the easiest and most accessible hikes in the area. The trail is well-maintained, and suitable for families with young kids. The gradual incline makes it manageable for most fitness levels - just make sure you are wearing ice cleats for safety.
How long does it take?
Lower Falls: ~1 hour
Upper Falls: ~2–2.5 hours
Ink Pots: ~4–5 hours
Of course, this depends on how often you stop for photos. During busy periods, there can also be some slow-moving sections along the trail, especially where it gets slippery and people aren’t wearing the right footwear
If you want to snap a photo of the Lower Falls through the cave, there might be a bit of a wait to do so.
When is the best time to visit?
Johnston Canyon is open year-round, and each season offers something different:
Winter: Frozen waterfalls and fewer crowds early in the day
Summer: Flowing waterfalls and lush greenery (but very busy)
Shoulder seasons: A quieter experience if you time it right
For the best experience, try to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the crowds are much lighter. In winter especially, keep in mind that the sun can set as early as 5 p.m., so plan your timing accordingly.
Are Dogs Allowed?
Dogs are allowed on this hike, but given how busy it can get and the bottlenecks in some of the narrower sections, it’s best to bring your dog only if they’re well trained and comfortable around crowds.
If possible, plan your visit during quieter times. And as always, keep your dog on a leash and be sure to clean up after them.
Do I need a park pass?
Yes - you’ll need a Parks Canada pass to visit Banff National Park. These can be purchased online or at park entry points.
HOW TO GET THERE AND WHERE TO PARK
Getting There
Johnston Canyon is clearly marked and straightforward to get to.
From Banff, drive west along the Trans-Canada Highway. Take the exit for Highway 1A (Bow Valley Parkway), then continue for about 18 km until you reach the Johnston Canyon parking lot. It's clearly signposted.
Make sure to not park directly on Highway 1A - I’ve seen tickets being issued there, so restrictions are definitely enforced.
If you don’t have a car, you can take a bus from downtown. Roam Route 9 operates on weekends during the winter, and a one-way fare is just $5.
The Car Parking Facilities
A large parking lot is located right at the trailhead, but it fills up fast, especially on weekends and during the summer. If the main lot is full, a second parking area is available across the road near the Johnston Canyon Campground. As noted earlier, parking on Highway 1A is not allowed!
There are large restroom facilities at the trailhead. Please remember that ice cleats are not permitted inside the bathrooms, so it’s best to put them on afterward. There are some low walls near the entrance gate where you can sit to put them on comfortably.
Johnston Canyon Trail Map:
THE TRAIL TO LOWER FALLS
You start the hike by passing through the iconic wooden gate with Johnston Canyon on it - it makes for a great photo if you are there at a quiet time.
The hike begins on a wide, well-defined trail that quickly leads you into the forest, before heading towards the canyon itself. There is minimal elevation gain.
As you cross the bridge, you’ll notice a building on your left with distance markers - this is the Blackswift Bistro. It’s only open during the summer. I still find it unusual that you can grab a coffee right at the start of a mountain hike!
Not long after the cafe, you will pass some signs describing the history of the area. You’ll soon find yourself walking along a series of steel catwalks bolted into the canyon walls, and this is where the hike really starts to feel unique. As you wind your way along the path, the views of the canyon get better and better.
After about 1.2 km, you’ll arrive at the Lower Falls. There is a small bridge that you can cross that has a view of the cataract, as well as a small cave that you can walk through to get a closer look of the falls themselves.
My take on the cave is that if it is quiet, then it's definitely worth taking a look. However, if there is a large queue, I would honestly skip it. I waited 20 minutes on this visit as I wanted to get a photo for this blog post and while impressive, I'm not sure it's worth a long wait
It's worth noting that if you are planning on continuing the hike up to the Upper Falls, you will get a view of the Lower Falls from above along the way.
THE UPPER FALLS
If you continue past the Lower Falls, the trail climbs higher into the canyon, with a series of fairly steep switchbacks and a few particularly challenging sections.
This stretch tends to be much quieter, as many people turn back early, especially in winter, when they realize they should have brought ice cleats! While the first part of the climb from the Lower Falls to the Upper Falls is a little steep, it's relatively short, and the rest is very manageable.
Along the way, there are some great viewpoints overlooking the canyon, plus an especially nice vantage point looking back toward the Lower Falls
The trail has plenty of mileage markers to track your progress, and it’s very straightforward, so getting lost is virtually impossible!
After about 1.5 km, you’ll arrive at the Upper Falls, which I personally find far more impressive than the lower ones. The falls drop around 30 meters and there are two different viewpoints.
The first viewing platform sits right at the base of the falls, and is a has a great perspective of the frozen falls in winter, and it’s a perfect spot to watch ice climbers as they scale the towering ice wall.
The second viewing platform is accessed by a steeper trail and extends out over the gorge. It offers a another impressive perspective, allowing you to look over the top of the falls and down to the base of the falls.
THE INK POTS
If you’re up for a longer winter hike, you can continue beyond the Upper Falls to the Ink Pots.
This section is much quieter, as you leave the canyon behind and it opens into a peaceful, snow-covered valley that feels more like a traditional backcountry trail.
The Ink Pots themselves are small, spring-fed pools. In winter, their colours aren’t as vibrant as in summer, but they’re still lovely to see set against the snow and ice.
It’s worth noting that after a fresh snowfall, you may need snowshoes for this stretch, as the trail widens and can become less packed.
For a bit of variety, you can also turn this into a snowshoe outing by heading toward Moose Meadows, which is a popular and scenic winter route in the area.
THE NOT-SO-SECRET CAVE
You might have heard (or seen on IG) about a secret cave where you can frame a stunning photo of a large rock. While it is technically possible to find it, the railing put in place by Parks Canada is a clear sign that visitors aren’t meant to go down there.
This area is home to endangered black swifts that nest in caves and behind waterfalls in Johnston Canyon, which is apparently one of only a few known nesting sites in the park.
To protect them, a seasonal closure is enforced each year from mid-May to mid-November, and off-trail travel is strictly prohibited. The penalties are serious too as you can be fined up to $25,000 for going off trail.
More importantly, it’s about the impact. Even small disturbances can cause these birds to abandon their nests, and their population has already declined significantly, so for this reason we advise against visiting at any time.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is There any Exposure on the Trail?
There is a little bit of a drop off the side of the walkway, but there is no risk unless you were to climb over the barrier. Some people that struggle with heights might find some sections slightly uncomfortable.
Is Johnston Canyon suitable for children?
Yes - this is one of the best family-friendly hikes in the area. The trail is relatively easy, well-maintained and has plenty of interesting features to keep kids engaged.
Is it safe in winter?
Traction devices like ice cleats are highly recommended. In winter, the trail becomes very icy, and as temperatures rise slightly in the afternoon, melting and refreezing can make sections especially in shaded parts of the canyon quite treacherous. Slipping and falling is by far the biggest safety risk for those without proper footwear.
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU
Please, please, please do not attempt this hike in Nike Air Max’s! While this is technically an easy hike, in winter so many people end up slipping and sliding along the handrails that the trail becomes extremely icy. Come prepared and you’ll have so much more fun!
Good Hiking boots – This is definitely not a flip flop type of hike! Make sure the whole family has some good hiking boots. In the winter you will need some form of traction device, as the paths get incredibly slippery.
Ice Cleats - in the winter these are a MUST! Our kids have these Ice Cleats by High Stream Gear off Amazon. They're amazing! The kids can literally run down icy slopes without the risk of falling or slipping. Me and Susie both have the Kahtoola MICROspikes and really like those as well.
Phone – it’s always worth carrying one for emergencies, plus you’ll probably want to take a photo or two…..
Food and Water – Bring lots of water! We recently bought both of our kids Camelbaks so that they can drink on the go and it has been a game changer! Bring plenty of snacks and gummy treats, especially if continuing on until the ink pots at the end!
Dress in Layers - Weather can change quickly in the mountains. Dressing in layers lets you adjust to whatever comes your way.
First Aid Kit – I always recommend bringing a basic first aid kit in your bag as a precaution. It means you are able to patch up any bumps and bruises along the way, or help others on the trail who aren't as prepared.
Walking Poles / Snow Shoes – you may feel more comfortable walking with poles, especially if you are heading past the Upper Falls and on to the Ink Pots. Snow shoes aren't required until after the Upper Falls.
ENJOY EXPLORING JOHNSTON CANYON
In summary, the Johnston Canyon winter hike is one of the best easy adventures you can do in the Rockies.
With frozen waterfalls, fun walkways that hug the canyon walls, and the chance to watch ice climbers in action, it’s an experience that’s just as exciting for kids as it is for adults. If you’re looking for one must-do winter hike this season, this should be right at the top of your list.
If you enjoyed exploring Johnston Canyon in the winter, there are plenty of other great hikes nearby that are just as magical in the colder months.
As always, if you have any questions about the hike feel free to ask away in the comments section!
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