Hiking Johnston Canyon

In southern Alberta, just to the North West of Banff, and within Banff National Park, there are three terrific hiking opportunities, all at the same spot.

Johnston Canyon offers a wonderful hike up Johnston creek, a tributary to the Bow River. A 1.5 mile hike leads to the lower falls, and that alone is worth the trip, because the lower falls are best seen once you, the viewer, pass over a bridge and through a natural tunnel to be sprayed with water from the falls themselves as they spill into a crystal blue pool.

photo by Author

If a person has time, and enjoys a further hike, they may wish to continue an extra mile to the Upper Falls. Another 2 miles beyond that and the trail leads to the Ink Pots, a series of colorful pools formed by springs.

Myself, step daughter, and wife did the hike to the lower falls and back in about 1 hour. We, of course, were stopping to take pictures. In addition to the falls and walkways, which are built clinging to the walls of the canyons, our cameras were frequently on the Golden Mantled Ground Squirrels along the way. Note: These are not Chipmunks as you may think, their heads and shoulders are solid brown.

photo by Authors step-daughter, a Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel.

The parking lot is often over-crowded and people were parking on the highway itself. There are good washrooms and beyond lies a place to get a bite to eat, an ice cream, and Johnston Canyon rental cabins. The trail starts conveniently near the ice cream stand. If you buy ice cream you should note that you should not feed it, or the cones, to any of the local wild life.

Dogs are allowed on the trail if kept on leash, but bikes are not. Small children should be watched closely, as parts of the trail are slippery and they should not be allowed to climb on the railings.

We were impressed at how well the trail was maintained. The catwalks which clung to the side of the canyons felt safe and secure, in real life they are far more spectacular than in photos.

Photo by Author, part way through the walk to the lower falls.