A Guide to Johnston Canyon Hike
Johnston Canyon hike is one of the easiest and most rewarding trails in Banff National Park, popular with both adventure travelers and families with kids. No matter if you are road tripping in the Canadian Rockies or you are only looking for a day trip from Calgary, this Johnston Canyon travel guide includes tips on how to get, trailhead, when to go, trail description, and what to pack.
You can't leave Canadian Rockies without visiting Johnston Canyon, one of the best natural attractions in the Banff National Park.
After a year we spent on Work and Travel visas in Calgary, working extremely hard to make enough money for traveling, the last day at work has finally come. We quit our jobs, rented a car, and for the next two weeks, we were ready to explore the Canadian Rockies.
We had indeed visited the Canadian Rockies a few times before, but several reasons brought us back.
One of the reasons was that the area is so vast that it was not possible to cover it during only one trip, and the other one was that this part of Canada is so beautiful that we wanted to see some of the top attractions one more time.
The first stop on our Canadian Rockies itinerary was Johnston Canyon, a place we did not have time to see during our first trip, so we were super-excited as we heard from locals only words of praise, plus we saw many photos that ignited our wanderlust.
Johnston Canyon is one of the must-visit places in Banff National Park, and thanks to the fact the trail is very well-maintained and easy to follow, it is super-popular with families with kids, elderly travelers exploring the Rockies in comfortable RVs, or young backpackers.
Johnston Canyon is on the way between two mountain towns Banff and Lake Louise, so you can expect crowds, especially during the high season between June and September, but it is nothing that should spoil your day.
Do you plan your visit to Johnston Canyon? You've come to the right place.
In this Johnston Canyon travel guide, we share how to get to Johnston Canyon independently or with a tour, tell you more about the hike and what to expect, when is the best time to visit this destination, give you tips on what to pack, and where to stay.
HOW TO GET TO JOHNSTON CANYON
Johnston Canyon is only 25 kilometers west of Banff, so you can easily visit it on a half-day trip from the town.
No matter if you are driving, biking to the beginning of the trail, or using a different way of transport, watch out for wildlife along the road.
Only a few hundred meters from the Johnston Canyon parking lot, we spotted two bears feeding on berries. When you spot wild animals, even though you want to take a picture, keep a safe distance and try to disturb them as little as possible.
Also drive slowly and safely, and always look out for traffic. But back to the topic.
You have several options on getting to the Johnston Canyon trail, thanks to the fact it is one of the must-visit places included on every single first-time travelers' itinerary.
BY CAR
The majority of travelers, including us, plan on arriving at Johnston Canyon by car. One of the advantages is that you can drive to Johnston Canyon as the parking lot is very close to the trail.
As public transport in the Canadian Rockies is almost non-existent, we can only recommend you rent a car as it will give you freedom, flexibility, and you'll be able to visit more destinations in one day.
When traveling from Calgary, drive past Banff via Trans-Canada Highway, and then turn right to Bow Valley Parkway, which will take you to the Johnston Canyon parking lot.
If the parking is full, there is one more overflow parking lot nearby, plust there is Johnston Canyon campground as well.
When traveling from the opposite direction, you can join Bow Valley Parkway right in the town and follow it for 40 minutes to the canyon, or when in a rush, you can take a bit faster route via Trans-Canada Highway and then turn left at Castle Junction.
TOURS
Most of the best tours to Johnston Canyon are available during the winter, like this well-rated Icewalk Tour, which we recommend to join for an extraordinary experience and safety.
If you look for something even more magical, this evening Johnston Canyon Icewalk Tour offers a great atmosphere too.
It is also possible to take a tour from Banff or even Calgary, in case you prefer being a part of guided tours and want to have everything arranged on your behalf.
HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS
In case you do not have a rental car, no worries. You can buy a hop-on hop-off bus one-day ticket. The bus is departing from Banff, then will take you to some of the top attractions in the area, including Johnston Canyon.
In our opinion, this is one of the better alternatives, especially if you are short on time and want to enjoy your day in the Banff area to the fullest.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Between the end of June until mid-September, Roam Transit runs its Roam Route 9 from Banff, which services Johnston Canyon.
The schedule changes each year, so check out their website before your trip.
The ticket price depends on the fare you will choose, but the return ticket should cost around CAD 6. If you plan on using the service multiple times, check out the passes to save money.
JOHNSTON CANYON HIKE
Johnston Canyon is rightfully one of the top natural attractions near Banff, but the beauty does not lie only in the visual attractivity but also in the accessibility and possibility to design the entire trip depending on your time, level of fitness, and members of your group.
The trail from the Johnston Canyon parking lot to Ink Pots will take you along the dramatically carved canyon, which results from erosion caused by snow and water.
You can go as far as you want; you don't have to walk the whole length up to the Ink Pots necessarily. It is possible to turn back anytime.
LOWER FALLS
The hike's first section is flat and leads on a boardwalk fixed to a cliff so that you will have the rushing river on your right-hand side. Do not be put away by the first impression.
Unsurprisingly, the beginning of the trail is the busiest section because it is an out-and-back trail. The further you go, the fewer people you meet, but still do not expect an off-the-beaten-path walk.
Even though the beginning of the canyon is not that impressive, pay attention to the incredibly blue water.
For us, it was a great introduction to the Canadian Rockies, and we knew the best is yet about to come.
After 1.2 kilometers, you will reach Lower Falls, which is a beautiful natural attraction. For the best photos, carry on, so you can capture the falls from above.
UPPER FALLS
The trail between Lower and Upper Falls is 1.5 km long and climbs steadily along the creek.
This part is very scenic, with many smaller or bigger cascades, and once the canyon narrows, you can hear and sometimes even feel the power of the water.
Upper Falls can be accessed via a boardwalk (wear a waterproof jacket and have your dry sack handy because of the spray), or you can enjoy the views from a viewing platform above.
If you have enough time and some energy left, continue from Upper Falls another 3.4 kilometers to Ink Pots.
This part of the trail is for sure the most demanding as it leads uphill all the time except for the last hundreds of meters, but an averagely fit person should not have a problem.
You may be surprised how many people finish the hike by the Upper Falls and do not continue to Ink Pots. So if you are by now annoyed by groups of people, carry on.
INK POTS
Ink Pots is basically a meadow surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and on this meadow, you can find five pools that are reflecting the mountains around. Once you soaked in the beauty, return the same way to the parking lot.
The trail now is easy, as you will be walking downhill all the time.
Now, when you've already seen the falls, keep your eyes open to other small details. The forest is wonderful here, same as cliffs and beautiful huge rocks that have been smoothed by water over the past thousands of years.
Is your itinerary packed, and you wonder how much time you need to do Johnston Canyon? The hike from the parking lot to the Ink Pots and back should take you 4 - 6 hours, depending on your pace and how frequently you will stop for taking photos.
In case you will walk inside Johnston Canyon only to Upper Falls, allow yourself two to three hours to return.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
BEST TIME TO VISIT JOHNSTON CANYON
Unlike some other places in the Canadian Rockies, it is possible to visit Johnston Canyon all year round as every season opens up a completely different experience.
We arrived at the parking lot in the morning at the end of June, and it was already slowly filling up. The beginning of the trail was quite packed with people, but later the crowds dispersed, and our experience was positive.
Most families with young kids are satisfied when they reach the first or the second falls, and they do not carry on to Ink Pots.
As we visited Johnston Canyon in the summer, we, unfortunately, do not have a personal winter experience, but what we could see in the photos, this place, when the trees around are covered in snow, the canyon is freezing cold, and waterfalls are frozen, is absolutely magical.
Johnston Canyon in winter is quiet, you will definitely meet here much fewer people, and your overall experience will be totally different.
Just be careful as boardwalks and later the trail can be slippery, consider using microspikes.
In case you are looking for a more adventurous way to explore the canyon in winter, take a guided tour from Banff or Lake Louise, which includes an ice walk or ice climbing.
Weather during spring and autumn in the Canadian Rockies can be unpredictable, and you should be prepared for windy, snowy, or rainy conditions as well as for sun.
Even in the summer, we could see a lot of water rushing down, but the falls and the river running down the canyon is for sure the most powerful in the spring (it can be in Canada as late as the end of April or the beginning of May) when snow is melting down.
Either way, we are pretty sure your visit will turn out great no matter the season.
When it comes to the time of the day, the earlier you arrive, the fewer people on the trail you meet.
WHAT TO PACK
As we had said before, it is possible to visit Johnston Canyon all-year-round, so you need to pack according to the season when you will be traveling around the Rockies.
In general, the canyon is relatively narrow, and you will be walking around the water all the time, so the temperatures are here a bit lower, even during the summer.
The beginning part of the trail is made of boardwalks, and the rest of the path leads in the forest, so there is nothing to be worried about, even if you are not an experienced hiker or travel with kids.
The only thing you need is hiking boots (definitely recommended after rain or when the conditions are slippery), but even trail walking shoes should be fine (not in the winter, though).
It is good to have a comfortable daypack, reusable water bottle to lower your plastic footprint, travel camera, and a classic rain poncho if the weather forecast is not looking good.
Wear functional clothes, hiking pants (shorts are fine if its too hot in summer), fleece jacket, and windbreaker or rain jacket.
In winter we recommend you to pack down jacket, winter hat, gloves, and extra (dry) warm socks just in case.
And don't forget to check out our Canadian Rockies Packing List, where you will find even more useful tips.
JOHNSTON CANYON ENTRANCE FEE
There is no additional entrance fee to Johnston Canyon; you only have to purchase Parks Canada Discovery Pass, which will allow you to access more than 100 parks across Canada.
You can find out more about the fees on the Parks Canada.
WHERE TO STAY IN BANFF
The closest town where you can stay, before or after visiting Johnston Canyon, is Banff.
The best idea is to base yourself here for a couple of days and explore the national park and other awesome trails near the town.
Banff is one of the most sought-after destinations in the Canadian Rockies, so it is necessary to make a reservation in advance, especially if you are traveling between June and September.
We've handpicked the three best hotels and one campground in Banff for every type of traveler to make your travels easier.
Budget | HI Banff Alpine Center - A popular hostel offers clean rooms, a friendly atmosphere, and even a free bus pass for the local transport system.
Mid-range | Banff Boutique Inn - Only a short walk from the town's center is this cozy hotel where you will find everything you need for either a short or more extended stay.
Luxury | Fairmont Banff Springs - A traditional hotel is a truly luxurious retreat. The services provided here are top-notch, and apart from beautifully decorated rooms and a superb breakfast, you can enjoy here pool, spa, and other wellness treatments.
Of course, after exploring the canyon, you can carry on either to Lake Louise, Canmore or Calgary, where you will find a wide choice of hotels as well.
CAMPGROUNDS
If you are traveling the Canadian Rockies on a budget or travel around in a campervan, you can stay in the campgrounds spread around the Rockies. The most budget-friendly option is to book campsites via Parks Canada's official website.
Here you will choose a specific campground and make a reservation. Some of the campgrounds are open all year round, while some are open only in the summer season.
Johnston Canyon Campground has an excellent location close to the canyon, 132 sites, and offers a good camping experience.
When looking for a more intimate campground, Castle Mountain offers only 43 sites on a first-come, first-served basis. As you would expect, the largest campground is Tunnel Mountain in Banff town.
Camping in the Canadian Rockies is fun, so read our article in order to come prepared.
WHERE TO GO NEXT
For us, Banff National Park was a huge playground with a large selection of hiking trails, blue glacial lakes, and snowcapped mountains, and hopefully, it will be the same for you.
The best thing about visiting Johnston Canyon is that this place is close to many other top attractions in the area. You can easily incorporate it into your itinerary and then continue your journey.
For example, we headed to Lake O'Hara as we were lucky to secure the spots on the bus, but you can also check out Cory and Edith Pass Loop or Bourgeau Lake hike.
If you are traveling to Columbia Icefields Parkway, remember to stop in Lake Louise first and explore the beautiful lakes such as Moraine Lake or Lake Louise.
When traveling in the opposite direction, you will find plenty of things to do near Canmore before you arrive in Calgary.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
