Johnston Canyon is the most visited trail in Banff National Park, and for good reason. The walk runs through a narrow limestone canyon on suspended metal catwalks bolted directly to the canyon walls, ending at the Lower Falls (2.4 km return) or the Upper Falls (5 km return). Both are free, both are family-friendly, and neither requires a Parks Canada pass to access the trail itself. In winter the falls freeze completely, and the canyon becomes one of the most memorable ice walks in the Canadian Rockies. There is no direct public transit from Canmore to Johnston Canyon. Canmore Travel provides tours and transfers with convenient pickup locations across Canmore, Harvie Heights, and Banff.
How Canmore Travel fits in:We provide private guided tours and transfers to Johnston Canyon. We do not sell tickets to third-party attractions.
Three destination points define the canyon experience: the Lower Falls, the Upper Falls, and the Inkpots far beyond. The guide below covers all three, plus the winter ice walk that transforms the trail entirely.
Lower and Upper Falls freeze December through February/March, catwalks transform into ice corridors, ice climbers on the walls in winter
Winter Ice Walk
The Ice Walk Experience
Ice cleats required (rentable at Banff Adventures), no timed reservation for self-guided, best from late December through mid-February when ice is fully formed
Johnston Canyon is located on the Bow Valley Parkway, 26 kilometres west of Banff town. There is no direct public transit from Canmore or Banff. Canmore Travel runs tours and transfers with convenient pickup locations across Canmore, Harvie Heights, and Banff.
