Winter Hiking through Johnston Canyon to See Frozen Waterfalls
- Attraction: Johnston Canyon Alberta
- Location: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
- Walking distance: 5.2km (3.2 miles)
- Elevation gain: 135m (443 feet)
- Johnston Canyon winter = frozen waterfalls
- Johnston Canyon summer = waterfalls
- Cost: Free
Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park
Like a scene from the Chronicles of Narnia, the Johnston Canyon frozen waterfalls are truly remarkable. It’s like standing beneath a giant rock-cake with icing sugar running down the sides. The views are simply breathtaking and if you’re visiting Banff National Park in the winter (or the summer for that matter), this is a must-do experience.
Hiking Johnston Canyon trail during the winter is usually quite easy. From the car park, it’s only a two or three-hour return trip. You’ll want to hike the entire 5.2 kilometre return trip so that you see both the Upper and Lower Falls. Although you don’t need snowshoes, you may want to bring ice cleats to put on the bottom of your hiking shoes as it can get icy in spots. My family wore regular hiking shoes without ice cleats and although it was quite slippery in some areas, we made it there and back just fine. Sometimes it depends on the weather.
During the hike, you’ll traverse a series of steel catwalks, which crawl along the edge of the canyon. You’ll walk beside the creek for most of the trail but will also have some scenic moments within the snow-covered forest. The first viewpoint you’ll reach is a cave, which opens up to the incredible Lower Falls, which has water flowing behind the ice-faced surface. It’s absolutely stunning and worth the trip alone. Afterward, you’ll keep following the trail until you get to the Upper Falls, which is where you might see people climbing up the frozen ice pinnacles. This, combined with the beautiful canyon, is a photographers delight. However, there are two views of the Upper Falls. The first viewpoint is from the bottom looking up and the second viewpoint is from the top looking down. It’s only another 10-minute walk to the second viewpoint and I highly recommend doing both. You’ve made it this far already so you might as well get the full experience.
Johnston Canyon Hike
This little adventure can be done as a half-day trip and is great for the whole family. In fact, it’s one of the top things to do while driving from Calgary to Lake Louise. My wife and I brought her mother and sister, who are from Mexico, and although they aren’t used to hiking, they really enjoyed it. There’s not much of an elevation gain and the trail is often well-groomed. There’s also no cost to hiking Johnston Canyon but because it is located within Banff National Park, you will need a Canada Park Pass. This is also a very popular hike so if you want to avoid the crowds, I recommend going early and on a weekday.
Although the highlight of the hike belongs to the sheer beauty of the canyon and the frozen waterfalls, you’ll also find a number of informative signs explaining how Johnston Canyon was formed as well as information on the local wildlife. Whether you’re from Canada or another country, Johnston Canyon Banff will impress and delight.
For those who do not have a vehicle or would feel more comfortable with a guide, there’s an organized tour from Banff called the Johnston Canyon Ice Walk.
Johnston Canyon Ink Pots Banff
An inkpot is a crystal-clear, emerald green spring-fed pool located in a meadow near Johnston Canyon. They are called “Ink Pots” because there are seven of them. The same trail that takes you to the frozen waterfalls will also bring you to the ink pots. However, the hike from the Upper Falls will add another three kilometres (almost 2 miles) through a forest and up over a ridge, eventually leading to a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. Hiking to the Ink Pots will basically double your time of the hike, making this a full-day hike instead if a half-day hike. In the winter, it gets dark early so plan accordingly.
Johnston Canyon Map
Where to Stay near Johnston Canyon Canada
There are a plethora of places to stay in Banff, Canmore, and Lake Louise. There are also the Johnston Canyon Cabins, which are located right next to the trail and provide a tranquil environment once the day-trippers are gone home. It’s called Johnston Canyon Resort (or Johnston Canyon Lodge) and it books up fast, so you’ll want to book as far in advance as possible! After all, it’s the only place next to the trail. In the summer, you’ll find Johnston Canyon campgrounds as well.
However, most people stay in nearby Banff, which is a better spot for those looking for a wider array of restaurants, bars, and shopping.
Some of our favourite places to stay in Banff include Hotel Mount Royal, the Banff Aspen Lodge, and the Bow View Lodge for those on a budget.
Have you been? What did you think? Would you like to go? Let us know in the comments below?
For more AWESOME things to do in the area, check out these articles below:
- Things to Do in Banff National Park
- Calgary to Banff
- Banff to Jasper
- Things to Do in Canmore
- Things to Do in Jasper
- Things to Do in Calgary
- Things to Do in Lake Louise
- Banff Snow Days
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An adventure for the not so faint of heart!
It looks so pretty! Love waterfalls, especially in the winter.
So, about that yellow ice….;)
haha I know eh. It looks gross but I can’t remember what it is. Not pee though 😛
Beautiful! I have always wanted to do this. I have seen the falls and summer and have always wanted to return during the winter time.
We just saw the falls for the first time in the summer. equally incredible!
Do you know how the conditions are in April? (Almost May!) Is it still quite wintery and frozen or starting to melt quite a bit? I wanted to get up there earlier but never got a chance!
I’m not 100% sure but I would think it would be starting to melt. Might be a little messy, although it’s quite sheltered from the sun, so I doubt it would be as messy as in the town. I’d still go!
WOW! What an amazing sight!
I have never been but it looks and sounds beautiful…..as for climbing, that’s not for me as I am a senior now and cannot do heights any longer. Sounds like a great adventure.
Not for this old gal, but nice for those that are able. Beautiful!
The steel catwalk sounds like an adventure in itself
This looks like a great place for hiking although I think I would try it in the summer first.
This is a fascinating article. I learned a lot from it. Thanks for the information.
I would like to go but not in the winter as I would find that difficult but it would be stunning if I were younger.
True, but it’s also beautiful in the summer… and much warmer!
Yikes I think I could watch to old to try.
haha I think I would try it but yeah, kinda scary! (you mean the ice climbing right?)
This is definitely something I would love to do.
I have never hiked to see a waterfall in cold weather.
We don’t do a lot of winter hiking either but I think we will from now on… but you definitely have to be prepared!
We visited just last year! Amazing experience
That’s awesome! In the winter?
This makes me want to travel Canada .Can’t wait to retire…
I hear ya! There’s so much to see!
Heavenly beautiful
I know right!
That looks gorgeous! I foresee a family trip in my future.
I prefer my waterfall hikes in the summer but it lets me know how much of our beautiful country we haven’t yet seen.
Love exploring unfortunately I have not been back to Banff since 1984 ,still hoping to get back again one day and explore more !
Oh wow. 1984 was a good year. I was born 😛
oh wow! 1984 was a good year – I was born! 😛
I loooove Johnston Canyon in the summer but have never been in the winter…gorgeous!
Totally recommend! I’ve now been in the winter and fall and both are equally stunning!
Canada really is such a stunning place I’m proud to call home! I’ve never been to Johnston Canyon even though I’m not too far from Banff, but I can see it’s absolutely breathtaking. Yes it may be SO cold here but I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!
haha Johnston Canyon was new to us as well, despite living in Calgary!
Banff is on my list of places to visit with my family. Looks like a beautiful area and I can’t wait to go. Especially looking forward to visiting the Hotsprings!
The hot springs are great and if you can make it, Radium hot springs is even better!
Exhilarating photos !!! I love waterfalls – these are so cool… literally, haha.
Canada is amazing… although I live across the border (Michigan) I have always loved our northern neighbor/friend – the beautiful land and the warm, genuine people.
P.S. My favorite waterfalls are on Kauai’s NaPali Coast & Waimea Canyon. 🙂
That must be Hawaii is it? They must be amazing! I’ve seen some cool shots of Michigan too. We’ll have to go one day!
Do you know of the waterfalls would be frozen now (early December)? We went to Abraham Lake today to see the ice bubbles and it was not frozen- no bubbles. Looks like that does t happen until January-February. I’m finding some bodies of water completely frozen and others not at all.
Yes, it’s unpredictable. They can be, but January to March is a safer bet