Johnston Canyon

We did the hike from Johnston Canyon all the way to the Inkpots, and it was an unforgettable experience. The trail through the canyon is well-maintained and offers breathtaking views of waterfalls and dramatic rock formations. The catwalks built into the canyon walls make for a unique hiking experience. Once you pass the Upper Falls, the trail becomes quieter and more natural, leading to the serene Inkpots — beautiful turquoise pools bubbling from underground springs, surrounded by open meadows and mountain views. It’s a peaceful spot to rest and soak in the scenery before heading back. The full hike took us about 4–5 hours round trip at a relaxed pace with plenty of photo stops. Highly recommend starting early to beat the crowds at the canyon and enjoy the tranquility of the Inkpots.

My hike through Johnston Canyon was simply fantastic. The route is exceptionally well-maintained, with sturdy catwalks and bridges that allow you to get up close to the incredible scenery without feeling unsafe. The views along the way are spectacular, with the waterfalls thundering through the narrow canyon. ​The real gems of the hike are the fabulous Upper Falls and, for those who continue on, the beautiful Ink Pots. Reaching the Ink Pots is a bit more of a challenge, but the serene, naturally colored pools are a truly unique reward that makes the extra effort completely worth it. ​This hike offers a great physical challenge that is both fun and rewarding, even for those who might not be experienced hikers. It's accessible enough for most, but challenging enough to feel like a real accomplishment. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a memorable and beautiful experience in Banff National Park.

This hike was amazing! The parking lot was pretty packed but there were open spots in each row and the bathrooms were clean. We came at around 4 and there were still a LOT of people. The trip has 3 main destinations- lower falls, upper falls, and the ink pods. We went all the way to the I’ll pods and the trip was about 12km(7.5 miles) there and back. The views were breathtaking and even some postcard worthy pictures. Highly recommend

We arrived to the park around 9am and parking was plentiful. The park paths are well maintained and the waterfalls are amazing! Such a beautiful park. Then we continued on to the Ink Pots and the scene was stunning. The path to the Ink Pots has a bit more elevation. You may need more time to get there and back.

This trail is such a lovely way to spend a few hours outdoors. The path winds through the canyon with the sound of rushing water always nearby, making it a peaceful and refreshing walk. There are two beautiful waterfalls along the way — one lower and one upper. The full route through the canyon is about 5.5 - 6 km, you may choose to visit just the lower falls for a shorter 2–5 km hike. The upper falls are absolutely worth the extra effort — a rewarding finish to a scenic and relaxing adventure in nature.

It was very nice trail for family walking together. There are a few Fall to see. If you have enough time to climb to top (around 4000m) to ink pot. The view will be beautiful. The parking lot is free. Before you start to climb, make sure you to washroom beside the parking lot.

This is a great hike with awesome views and a couple waterfalls. You can probably do it in a few hours and it is well maintained - be aware in the winter the trail can get very icy - cleats are recommended. There are great walkways and paths and it can get busy because it is so popular but it is worth it.

This is one of our all time favorite places to go. It's absolutely amazing, the trails are unique (i.e. concrete slabs on steel walkways in some places), and the views are spectacular and breathtaking. The pine forest smell, the fresh clean air, the running water/river and sounds of birds is always awesome. The problem is the amount of people. In the past 8 years, the amount of visitors to this place has grown exponentially. If you are planning to hike this in the summer, plan on HUGE crowds. Even in early October this year (2025) there was a lineup to get to the lower falls viewing platform. Given it was a Saturday, that might have been one reason. But I don't remember ever having to stand in a line to see the lower falls from the viewing area. I can't speak to how crowded it is during the week. I can also say that the cabins are something else! Real log cabins, real wood burning fireplaces, and super cozy. Real rustic feel and quite the experience. If I could afford to stay in one of those in the winter while skiing at Sunshine I would. Last time I checked, one night for one of the cabins was crazy expensive during that time of the year ($1000+ CDN per night) and also in the summertime as well. Still overall a great experience. Just try to schedule your visit for the "off-peak" times of the year.

Best time if you want to take a long stroll on a paved walking area. Don't bring any scrollers or heave bags with you. You should bring a lightweight backpack to stored some snacks and pre-cut fruits in a separate bags. No garbage cans and no where to dump your garbage. It can be 2-3 hours walk depending on how far you want to walk. Remember that you need to walk back to your car. Bring some sturdy and comfortable walking or lightweight hiking shoes No boots, sandals, or heeled shoes. Bring a light wind breaker and/or 1/4 zip fleece. You can take off the windbreaker and/or fleece based on the weather. If you need more info, you can send me a direct message. It's worth your time and I would visit the place again.

Johnston Canyon is a must add to your list of to-dos while in Banff! We went in the winter time and it was beyond beautiful. We went later in the day, so we were racing the sun and only had time to go check out the lower falls. I would say it is an easy hike, even in the winter. We did wear our ice cleats, and they were helpful especially when going down hill! There were restrooms located at the entrance of the canyon which was a plus

Easy Hike with paved roads. Some areas were a lot more crowded especially around the lower falls. We decided to skip it because we didn't wanna spend an hour long just to take pictures behind the falls.i recommend not bringing strollers and maybe using a carrier for the little ones. We didn't go to the upper falls because we had older parents with us and 2 littles. There's parking if you come early.

One of the first hiking adventures that we did on our trip to Banff was Johnston canyon. First and foremost, we arrived a little bit later on a Saturday afternoon and parking was a nightmare. It was Labor Day weekend, and we circled the parking lot for quite some time before we eventually found a spot. The "hike" is a solitary mostly paved path that leads you out and back to the lower waterfall with the option to continue onward and upward to the upper waterfall. Both of the viewing points for the lower waterfall and the upper waterfall had quite long lines, so we opted to go past them, and just keep hiking. The farther you go on the hike, the less crowded it is going to get because the elevation changes drastically and most people were there just to snap photos of the waterfall and not actually hike. I was so glad that we kept going all the way to the upper most waterfall look out because there were almost no people up there and we got to really enjoy the beauty without the crowds.

Lots of people in the trail so it's safe for solo walkers Ice cream on the way back was amazing The last part of the falls did not wow me as much. Once you pass the lower falls the trail becomes less populated by others :)

This hike was on my must do & see list. It didn't disappoint. While I wasn't able to hike to the upper falls due to time constraints, the lower falls were pleasant & enjoyable. If you have time, I do recommend hiking further to see the upper falls and if you're able, possibly the ink pots. I've seen pics and it looks quite picturesque. Johnston Canyon is an out and back trail along catwalks throughout the canyon, so the trail width is tight with people coming and going down the same trail. Keep this in mind if you want to avoid high traffic and loads of people, just go earlier in the am. It was raining when I went, so in case of undesirable weather, make sure you wear weather proof hiking shoes/boots with good grip. There were some areas in between that were muddy and puddle filled with a slight gradual incline. You can view the lower falls closer up if you crouch down through a short tunnel, just be mindful of your head. Once you go through it's only small enough for 5-6 people to step up some rocks to see the lower falls close up. If you have only 45 minutes to an hour to check out Johnston Canyon, it's most likely you'll only be able to hike to the lower falls. But it's worth it. It's seems like the general consensus on recommended time spent here is 2-3 hours. Ideally, it's probably better to go independently without a tour. It's only a 30 minute drive from downtown Banff and there is a parking lot at Johnston Canyon. If you don't rent a car, you can still access Johnston Canyon by public transit from downtown Banff. Roam Public Transit Route 9: Departs daily from May to October and on weekends from October to May from the Banff High School Transit Hub, this service travels directly to Johnston Canyon. Visit the ROAM website for specific times. However, if you are only staying in Calgary, but want to do Johnston Canyon and don't rent a car- it is possible. Westar Travel is a tour company that goes to Johnston Canyon. There are probably three tour companies that I saw that do group tours here from Calgary with the max time of 45minutes to an hour or 1hr 45 minutes at Johnston Canyon as one of the stops contingent upon the tour company you choose. Just be sure to read the respective itinerary, as some tour companies only travel to Johnston Canyon seasonally. Our group tour only had a max of 9-12 people and only four of us were willing to hike in the rain, while the rest of the group either hung out in the van or visited the coffee shop on premises. Ps you don't need a tour guide nor pay for a tour to do this trail, we just did a day tour so we could do Johnston Canyon while staying in Calgary. There's no entrance fee for the trail itself, just the price of a Banff's park pass. There are bathrooms available near the parking lot. However, I recommend using the bathrooms closest to the Johnston canyon sign arch, as it has stalls that have flush toilets and running water. I made the mistake of using the single occupant toilet that was a vault toilet in a separate building to the right side of it.

Magical winter wonderland, from a fairytale. No video or picture can show the beauty and just the sheer size of this beautiful canyon. You have to do this hike, just grab some ice cleats or crampons before coming in the winter. We bought some on Amazon, so needed and it'll make the experience more enjoyable. They maintain the catwalk and trails nicely, it's open year round it seems. The parking lot is fairly decent in size but I'd go before 11am to avoid the crowds, no fees for entrance or the lot! Honestly, I was expecting some amazing views but in person it blew me away. My jaw dropped at every turn. The icy canyon all around you is pure bliss, we came here when the temperature was around 40 degrees fahrenheit (sorry I'm American and didn't use celcius or the metric system growing up which is a shame) on 01.26.23 which is pretty crazy because it should be way colder during this time. I'm grateful it was warmer because it made it pleasant for my 5 yr old son. Go to the lower and upper falls. Round trip I believe it took us with a kid about two hours, including us just staring at the waterfalls for a long time lol. It's very doable for most people, just get the ice cleats and crampons. Trust me. I know there are tour groups from downtown Banff if you want to go that route, especially if you don't have a vehicle and crampons. I believe the prices will vary but it might run you around $75 - $80 bucks per person. Bathrooms are available and the whole place is maintained constantly. Enjoy and please be respectful of the environment and critters, it's worth it!

Will keep this review short(ish) instead of writing a long love letter to Johnston Canyon, my absolute favorite spot that we visited in Banff! The hike was beautiful as it took you through the canyon, next to the water, and even over it in some spots. I was truly in awe throughout the entire hike! The water was the most beautiful color and I loved being surrounded by the mossy rocks and trees. We visited as part of the hop on hop off experience and were on a time crunch so we didn't get to spend any time exploring the lower falls, but headed straight to the upper falls. The hike to the upper falls was fairly moderate, a good mixture of flat, steep, and gradual incline, it got the heart pumping in a few spots, but it was short enough that it wasn't too tiring to take all your energy for the day. We arrived pretty early and I'm happy we did, as we didn't pass many people returning from their hike on our way out. When we headed back from the upper falls there were a lot people headed our way, but only in a few places on the bridges did it feel too cramped.

Banff National Park just keeps giving and giving with more gorgeous hikes and places to discover! We visited this place late in the day in September. There were quite a few people but you could still hike up to the falls with no waiting. Parking was easy as lots of people were leaving. It is an absolutely gorgeous canyon, with dramatic lime stoned carved walls, and a rushing creek with little falls all the way to the top. Unfortunately for us, the Upper Falls was closed for repair. Definitely a bummer as I really wanted to see the magnificence of the Upper Falls and the Ink Pots. The Ink Pots feature seven pools of green colored mineral springs. Anyway, the hike to the lower falls is pretty flat and easy. It is less than a mile to the lower falls so I think most people can make it. Once you cross over the bridge, there is like a mini cave/tunnel that you can walk through to reach a nice viewing platform. Great picture spot. This trail is just gorgeous with a the creek running by you, the intense forest surrounding you. I found it to be so peaceful and relaxing. In the winter the Upper Falls freezes offering some nice ice climbing. Love to try it someday! This canyon and falls is definitely not to be missed when visiting here. You will love it!

Hmm...everyone gives Johnston Canyon 5 stars. Eh, it was just okay for me. This place was crowded when I visited in mid-June a couple of weeks ago. And along the trails...sometimes the passageways are thin so you may have to wait for people to finish their selfie photos while on bridges and then some. Overall, the purpose for coming to Johnston Canyon is to hike along an easy and relatively flat pathway to the Lower and Upper Falls. - The Lower Falls is 1.2 kilometers each way. - The Upper Falls is 2.5 kilometers each way, but it's past the Lower Falls on the same route so ultimately you're getting 2 falls for the price of 1 in a full 5 kilometers roundtrip trek. One other thing...you can go further past the Upper Falls if you're adventurous or are having fun and visit the Ink Pots section. I returned back towards the trailhead after viewing the Upper Falls, but in total the Ink Pots are 11.4 kilometers roundtrip from the trailhead or 3.2 kilometers past the Upper Falls area. Btw...parking was quite difficult as well for my late morning stop here. I barely found a spot. Along the way to the Lower Falls it's a nice and refreshing setting winding your way through the canyon walls. But I guess for me, I wasn't so impressed with the sceneries and I barely took any photographs until I finally arrived at the Lower Falls. The Lower Falls were not so impressive either! Upon stepping foot on the bridge overlooking them, I felt a little letdown by what I was seeing. Now...strangely, there was this long line of visitors standing on top of the bridge and every few moments, families or groups were entering this cave-like passageway. I figured this was a more advantageous accessway to sort of efficiently capture these Lower Falls. Alright, well, I guess I had no choice but to wait because from the bridge the Lower Falls pretty much failed me. Grrr...after waiting for at least 20 minutes and not making much headway towards this cave entrance...I gave up and said in my head "I refuse to wait any longer"! So...I started making my way towards the Upper Falls. Finally arriving at the Upper Falls, all you really get is an observation platform to watch these impressive appearing falls from high above. But...as is always my ordeal with waterfall vista moments...I'd rather be at the base of the falls to capture the backdrop and with myself in the pictures. But when you're standing above the falls, and with fenced guardrails protecting you from dropping...you're sort of relegated to doing selfie pics...and for me I hate selfie pictures. I will say these Upper Falls were much better than the Lower Falls. For the morning time I was here, the sun was at my back and reflected well onto the falls. Plus as an added bonus, there was a rainbow shining right through the middle of the falls. That was cool. Also, this spot was very popular and it was congested with all sorts of tourists trying to take family photos. I asked a stranger to take my picture and it came out terribly. But...I did appreciate looking at these Upper Falls. So yes, I decided I wasn't interested in venturing further towards the Ink Pots so I was ready to return to the trailhead. I spent about 2 - 2.5 hours hanging out here at Johnston Canyon. When I reflect back on my time spent...I was disappointed with the Lower Falls but impressed (for the most part) with the Upper Falls. And lastly, back at the trailhead there are bathrooms and a map guide sign explaining the details about the experience here. From this Johnston Canyon I actually started my explorations of Kootenay National Park, located just 18 kilometers away.

Wear your cleats in winter Bring your poles Wonderful hiking trail and reasonable safe walking with railings Such a magical place Very nice

Gorgeous hike! A must do when in Banff. Easy trail to follow and options for an extended harder route if you want to go further.

I can definitely see how this hike was popular! The hike was relatively easy with minimal uphill and mostly flat grounds. Lots of bridges to cross on as well, but since the hike was one way there and back, it definitely got difficult to pass by other hikers. my biggest tip would be to GO EARLY!! Missing the rush hour would be a huge game changer whereas you won't have to wait for people to finish taking selfies before you cross the bridges that way. I went around 11 and the hike was extremely busy and passing others on bridges got very annoying over time. That is my only deduction of points for this trail. I also enjoyed how you can turn around at any point you want, such as turning around at the lower falls or choosing to continue further to the upper falls. The upper falls was definitely worth it, so keep going past the lower falls! The waterfall lookout was also very very beautiful so definitely check that out too :) I unfortunately did not view the ink pots as I had other hikes to catch that day! This hike is also dog friendly! But be aware passing others gets very tight so be careful if you dog doesn't like other people/dogs or doesn't do well in that situation. Bridges are narrow. Also there were cute gift shops as well at the beginning as well as a cozy coffee place which i admire!

When I was in Banff a little over a year ago the one thing I really wanted to do was the frozen waterfall hike at Johnston Canyon. Unfortunately, I couldn't make any of the guided tours work and I didn't have my own rental car that trip. This visit, I made sure we rented a car and made this hike first on my agenda. We did the hike on a Wednesday early afternoon and it wasn't terribly crowded. There was plenty of parking in the parking lot and the hike itself is fairly easy, particularly to the lower falls. However, I highly recommend pressing on to the upper falls because that's where the real wow factor is with the frozen waterfalls. If you're lucky you'll even get to see some folks ice climbing! There's some incline to the upper falls but everyone in my party, from kids to adults of various levels of physical fitness, were able to do it no problem. Even though there is a proper path with bridges and such, the terrain in the winter is still a bit on the slick side so I highly recommend bringing crampons if you plan to do the hike to the upper falls. We also had hiking poles which was also very helpful since there were a few spots that were so icy even our crampons weren't quite doing the job. Finished the hike in about 2 hours. But that's because we all stopped pretty regularly to take in the scenery and take tons of pictures. You could probably do it faster if you were in the zone (1-1.5 hours) but I recommend giving yourself a couple of hours to really enjoy the experience and take in all the beauty around you!

Good trail to lower falls. Trail started getting busy by 10:00 when the tour buses start rolling in. Well worth the time.

This is one of the easier hikes in Banff National Park, but it isn't lacking in views. The parking lots definitely fill up early which seems to be true if most things. There were still plenty of spots when we got there at 8:30, but by 10:30 when we were leaving, people were parked way down the street. The hike to the lower and upper falls was about 3.5 miles round-trip. It was mostly uphill on the way out, but it was a gentle slope for the most part. The entire hike was gorgeous in the canyon. The river was a seafoam green with lots of rapids and smaller falls along the way. It was a good hike to do in the rain since the views were close and not blocked by fog. Even with the crowds, I thought it was a great hike to do.

An easy hike to the falls that starts in a smooth trail by the forest, then continues on sturdy iron catwalks attached on overhanging canyon walks. It's a steep catwalk as it allows only a single line going up or down so no pets, wheelchairs or strollers are recommended. You will pass along the Johnston Canyon Creek and if you look down, you will even see the creek below your feet as you descend up or down the falls. After a short hike, you'll reach the Lower Falls. Take the bridge to see the best view of the falls, or continue your walk to the adjoining tunnel and see the waterfall right next to you but be prepared to get a little wet. I advise you to do it. The hike allows you to continue to the Upper Falls which I have yet to see. Even further up is the Ink Spots. Every single time I visited, I only went as far as the Lower Falls. I have to allocate more time to explore the area in my next visit.

Nice waterfalls and a good walk. This is one of the more popular spots for all tourists visiting Banff. The walk to lower falls isn't bad and it is worth the wait in line to see the falls up close. The walk to upper falls requires a good amount of work since it is mostly uphill all the way and the constant sound of water running by made my bladder a tad uncomfortable (yes, I thought about going into the woods but could never find the right opportunity). Overall, this is an excellent place to walk around and enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds. Highly recommend.

Wonderful hiking trail with beautiful falls. In the winter, the trail gets iced over so either be careful or wear cleats. Barely any elevation and a very enjoyable hike up. Well maintained and no need to worry about bears!

The beginning has way too many people. It was so crowded all the way up to Upper Falls. Do yourself a favor and go to Ink Pots. You will not regret it at all. One of the best views I have ever seen. Turquoise water and the Canadian Rockies in the back. The hike is not bad but took us about 3 hours from the start up to Ink Pots. In total we walked 9 miles.

A lovely destination with a beautiful walk to get there. We only went to as far as the first waterfall, because we were with a friend who had a bad knee - but it's wonderful that the mostly paved route and gentle slope makes this hike manageable for so many people. Do expect crowds, but as long as your expectations aren't being all alone on a backcountry hike, this is a lot of fun. Whether you take the hike or not, you shouldn't miss taking the drive on Route 1A.

This was one of my favorite hikes in Banff! It's about 7 and a half miles and the elevation gain is spread out through the hike. The best part of the hike happens after you pass the Lower and Upper Falls so make sure to keep going to the Ink Pots! After the falls, the people start to become more scarce and the crowds thin which is great. The beginning of the almost feels like you're waiting in line which is not a great pace. We came on a rainy day so on a normal, sunny day I'd guess that it's even more crowded than what we encountered. The Ink Pots are one of those magical places in Banff that you just can't believe you're seeing. It's something out of a painting, I'm telling you! Because we went on a rainy day, on the higher elevation portions of the hike, we were surrounded by pieces of clouds. Magical! Parking wasn't too difficult for us to find but we got lucky. I'd guess on a sunny day, it's probably a lot harder. If you're in Banff, you must do this hike!! You won't regret it.

Johnston Canyon is another great, easy-to-moderate hiking area for Banff. There are actually three hikes available: lower falls (1.5 km), upper falls (2.5 km), and the Ink Pots (maybe 4-6 km). We just did the first two and it took a good 2-3 hours total. At the start of the hike they have a full-service restaurant, washrooms, and a coffee shack. I would recommend going through the upper falls first. Lots of concrete pavers along a long bridge with steel railing. The dirt trails are pretty clear, and the grade is very gentle. Lots of trees and rock formations and of course the sound of running water! The lower falls is also impressive, but to make it even more impressive there is this little cave where you can go through and see the falls up close.

Beautiful location. Next to Johnston canyon. You can hear the river from the cabins. There were however many people walking the trail beneath us.

In terms of Banff, this has probably been my least favorite "hike". It's very popular among tourists, so expect it to be crowded. To get to the falls, lower and upper, is extremely easy. Most of the path is either paved or boarded with very little elevation gain. The viewpoints for both falls are crowded, and it may take a little time to get the picture or video you'd like. Neither are overly impressive, in my opinion. If you'd like to go further and see the ink pots (also unimpressive in my opinion), you will get a better workout, and the herd thins out dramatically. While not challenging, there is a modest elevation gain, but nothing too problematic for even the most casual hikers. As you hear the ink pots, the path opens up to a beautiful valley (probably the highlight of the hike). The ink pots are mesmerizing, but anticlimactic compared to other views in the region. Altogether, you're looking at roughly a six-mike round trip if you make it to the pots and back.

Johnston Canyon is next to the Bow Valley Parkway in the Banff National Park. I would suggest the Johnston Canyon is a must visit point of interest in Banff National Park. It 2.3 KM each way. The trail is amazing to the lower and upper falls. The trail is located close the river surface. The water and earth make this better. Sometimes the trail is overhanging the cliff to provide passage. This man made broad walk is skid resistance in the rain and wet conditions. The lower fall is beautiful. To get closer to feel the wind blow and the mists of the falls, a small tunnel to side of the falls enable the falls water in the reach distance. The upper falls is taller. Essentially you can take a picture like washing your hair behind the falls. It look funny but memorable. The whole canyon has majestic rock every where. Every time I turn a corner, we got different scenery.

Beautiful spot that's a must visit if you're in Banff. Came here during winter. It's a beautiful road through Bow parkway there. The lower falls is 1/2 mine and upper is 1.5 miles one way, which will prob take half an hour and about an hour to go. Better to wear good hiking shoes. The frozen waterfalls were amazing though the whole hike is beautiful as well.

Amazing hike for views and not too challenging. Banff weather is unpredictable and you can have rain and sun within the span of 20 minutes. Does that mean we sit in our hotels/bread&breakfasts after we made it all the way to this wonderous park? No! Johnston canyon was apparently the best hike to do in the rain because the tall trees that would save you from directly being hit with rain. We went in late May. Nice boardwalk style initial pathway, two waterfalls and a secret cave for real proximity to the waterfall. Come early if you want to snag a parking spot in the popular months.

We considered if we should even bother with this over-popular trail. The lines are long and the parking is crazy. Is this hike even worth it?? I would say yes it is. Do not leave Banff without doing this trail. Pro tip: you don't have to do the whole thing. So this is a review of Johnston Canyon only. The path through the tall canyons and overlooks is really special. The flowing water and ripples downstream are so pretty. The bridge to the cave has a super long line that that I think is overrated. But see for yourself and decide. My favorite part was walking tall on the narrow paths that seemed to wind and stretch on and on.

I came to this canyon this past weekend and it was a great way to spend a nice afternoon. Like others say, the trail is mostly paved and well maintained. The hike to the lower falls was easy and it took about 20 minutes one way. The hike to the upper falls was a little more challenging and an additional kilometer. I would recommend going to the upper falls if you have the time. It's less crowded and a nice opportunity to take gorgeous pictures. What I love most about this canyon is how clear and blue the water is. I read somewhere that it's the minerals that give it such a nice color. This canyon, in my opinion, is similar to the Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park. I had just been there the day before and I guess that's why I wasn't blown away. Also, I guess it's a very popular stop for tourists... some were very rude and inconsiderate. Just so you know.

The Johnston Canyon trail was pretty basic up until you got to the INK POTS. This took about 3.5 hours round trip but boy was it worth it going through the crowd. I think the ink pots were the best part of my trip (yes, might have even topped Morraine Lake) since it was not crowded at all. Once all the influencers get to the waterfall (which there's a line to take pictures for), that's probably what they've come for. So the trail up until that point was super crowded and busy. But after that, the trail going to the ink pots wasn't crowded at all. Highly recommend seeing these beautiful calm ponds of deep blues and greens! Nature is so awesome.

A must see and very popular attraction in the Banff National Park. We were lucky to be there off season after a big snow and then a melt and refreeze over the last couple of weeks. There must have been an inch or more of ice on most of the trail. Very slippery and very dangerous... Lots of people with the wrong shoes were sliding and falling all over the place. A great day to have crampons on your shoes. In spite of the slipping and sliding, the trail was pretty crowded. The trail, boardwalks and falls were amazing. With as crowded as it was with these poor conditions, I can't imagine how busy it must be when the trails are ice free. Get there early or much later in the day if you want your space.

Even if you don't have the time or ability to hike to the Ink Pots, you should visit Johnston Canyon. The hike to the Lower and Upper Falls is well worth your time. The first time we visited was in March. There were sheets of ice in front of the Falls. It looked so surreal. I'm glad that we had traction cleats for our boots. The trail got pretty icy as we neared the Upper Falls. The second time we visited was in late July. The woods, river and waterfalls were all so scenic.

We started the hike to the Ink Pots from Moose Meadows, the following turnoff from the Johnston Canyon parking lots. I recommend this as it's less congested than the main parking lots and not many people start the trail from there, but still connects to the ink pot trails :) It was a steady easy-moderate climb, and so much snow that the snowshoes proved very useful!

It is a very beautiful hike through a canyon to see multiple waterfalls. It is a relatively easy to hike for all ages because the trail includes manmade platforms and paved paths. Families can definitely take their young children and strollers through the Canyon. As a result, it is very popular and extremely busy during the day. I highly recommend going at the end of the day. I arrived at the parking lot after 4 PM. As I drove down the road, I saw visitors returning to their cars that they had parked on the side of the road. By the time they finished their visits, there were plenty of spots in the parking lot for me to select from as I arrived. In addition to parking, it is just a better experience later in the day. There were plenty of people on the trail when I was there. I had to wait to pass some visitors and needed to wait a little for the lookout points for the two main waterfalls. However, the traffic jams and lines were reasonable. If I had gone to the Canyon earlier in the day with a lot more people, the foot traffic and waiting would have definitely annoyed and frustrated me to no end. Of course, I would have also added additional time to walk to the entrance of the trailhead in the likelihood that the parking lot was full and I needed to park farther away on the road. The path to the Lower Falls involves walking on platforms that are firmly secured on the side of the Canyon. Consequently, you are walking over the river that cuts through the Canyon. Once you get to the Lower Falls, there are lines to go through a hole in the wall that brings you right next to the roaring waterfall. Nevertheless, you can still see the Falls from the bridge next to that hole if you do not want to wait. I stopped by that spot on my way back after the line dissipated. It was nice but I certainly would not wait in a long line for it. As you continue on the trail to the Upper Falls, it turns into a paved path. As a warning, the pavement has some slick spots if it has recently rained and is wet. I saw a woman losing her footing a few times on her way down as I was going up. I did not have an issue ascending. However, I faced the same issue she did when I was descending. Even though I was wearing hiking boots, I wiped out and landed on my butt. Ironically, I hiked in the Canadian Rockies all week without falling but finally slipped on a paved road. At the Upper Falls, there is a bridge near the base that serves as a lookout point. However, you need to go on line to stand at the end of the bridge to see the falls between the rocks. On the other hand, you can make your way up a set of stairs to the Upper Falls overlook. There was a lot less people and I felt the view at the top was better than the view at the bottom of the Falls. The crowds started to thin after the Lower Falls. As such, you can start escaping them on the walk towards the Upper Falls. After the latter, hikers can go another 3.1 km (1.9 miles) past the top of the Canyon to see a group of lakes called the Ink Dots. However, it would be a significantly longer hike round trip. Of course, most people turn back at one of the two Falls. I turned back at the Upper Falls. If you are visiting the Canadian Rockies and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me through Yelp and I can share my itinerary/ recommendations, which includes my Yelp reviews. The information for an electronic copy can also be found via my Yelp profile.

Johnston Canyon and the ink pots is a very popular tourist destination located about 25 mins from downtown Banff. The location is popular due to its amazing views and awe inspiring waterfalls. For those more adventurous you can continue on from the upper falls to check out the ink pots. The walk to the lower and upper falls is widely paved and is a moderate to easy walk. This trail can get very busy to either arrive early or go in the spring or fall season. The ink pots is located in a valley where there are several small pools of emerald green mineral water. If you decide to make this slightly longer and less populated trek be sure to bring a snack and extra water to replenish yourself after the mostly uphill hike. On the tail end of the hike right before reaching the pots we encountered a small stretch on ice on the trail. Definitely a good idea to have proper hiking shoes on. Those with walking sticks or ice cleats managed the ice easily. If visiting this site in winter months ice cleats and walking sticks are probably a must have unless you don't mind broken bones.

Beeeautiful hiking place! You'll need a parking pass to get into the park, they do check so make sure you have one. They also have a parking lot, but it cost $10 per car if I remember correctly the weekend (Sunday) that we went so we parked on the side of the road right outside the parking lot (you'll see a lot of cars parked there too), it's free. There's a little shop and cafe at the start of the trail along with a coffee and ice cream stand too. A little past that is a gorgeous wide river with a bridge that takes you to the restroom and resting area. Johnston Canyon was a very beautiful and clean hiking trail although wasn't a fan of the amount of people that were there though. It's apparently a very touristy hiking area. There's three trails to the hike: lower falls trail, upper falls trail and Ink Pots. Lower Falls is about 0.7 miles (1.1 km)- 30 minutes, to Upper Falls 1.7 miles (2.6 km)- 1 hour hike and to Ink Pots 3.5 miles (5.6 km)- 2 to 3 hour hike. We did up to Upper Falls, the first section was pretty easy but getting up to Upper Falls was a tiny bit harder as inclines started, but not too problematic (cardio was just never my specialty). You'll get to see many beautiful small waterfalls along the cat walk trail (that's nailed to the side of the canyon) though! I originally wanted to try my way up to Ink Pots because I heard there's much less people, but we ended up not having enough water so we ended our hike at Upper Falls. Took us about 3 hours the entire roundtrip with resting and photo taking periods (there's just SO many people waiting in line for photos). I recommend 2 liters of water each person on warm days. It was about 68-70 degrees F (20-21 degree celsius) the day we went which I considered pretty warm since it was sunny and cloudless. Don't forget sunblock if you burn easy! Overall decent but easy hike (trails is about 90% paved), just the distance could be hard for some and pretty waterfalls + rock formations (honestly anything in Canada is pretty compared to brown and dry Los Angeles, California where I'm from).

Easy hike with a fantastic view. Most of the hike is on a paved trail with guardrails. The hike itself has spectacular views as you walk through the canyon to the falls at the end. The father hike can take you to the larger falls, but it was not worth it. The first waterfall had easy access and had a better view.

Distance: 7.2 miles Elevation Gain: ~1990 ft I did this hike in early August and although I was so tired from waking up at 5 am to get here before the crowds, it was definitely worth it. There were only a couple of other groups on this hike as we started our trek, which made the entire experience really magical. I didn't realize how crowded the hike could get until the hike back from the inkpots, when it was so congested with people stopping to take pictures (I don't blame them!) every few feet and long lines to see the cave. The beginning of the hike was probably my favorite part because you are following a river to the right side of you. If Lothlorien from Lord of the Rings was a real place, I think it would be here. After the first couple of waterfalls, the hike starts to get a little steeper but less narrow as your turn away from the river. Right before reaching the inkpots, the trail dips down a bit to give you some relief of all the previous incline. The end of the trail is a big area where you can wander off and have a picnic if you want to. There are several bridges, lakes, seating area to sit and enjoy the view. Easily, one of my favorite hikes ever!

I visited Johnston Canyon this past week. In Banff, it is still winter even though it was March. Although I survived walking in my hiking boots, I would definitely recommend getting cramp ons to walk further to the Upper Falls and to the Ink Pots safely. We hiked it in morning around 9am and many parts of the trail was icy. I definitely slipped here and there. Johnston Canyon is just off the Highway 1A. There is a Lower Falls, Upper Falls and the Ink Pots. You'll see a sign for Johnston Canyon which will lead you to a parking lot. The trail starts where the restrooms are. Side note, the restrooms are very nice and clean. The hike to the Lower Falls is 1.1 km, to the Upper Falls is 2.7 km and to the Ink pots is 5.8 km. Many people say to hike to the Upper Falls but since we did not have cramp ons, we decided to just hike to the Lower Falls. The Lower Falls was just as cool and beautiful. When you arrived to the Lower Falls, the waterfall is actually across the bridge and through a small tunnel. There, you'll see the waterfall. Everything was breathtaking from the trail to the waterfall. It was snowy, icy and quiet. I hope to come back one day to hike further up to the Upper Falls and Ink Pots. Good thing about going in the winter is less crowds :)

Who wants to see some waterfalls? If the answer is "yes," then you need to head to Johnston Canyon where you can get great views of Lower and Upper Falls. My friend and I decided to head to Johnston Canyon after reading about it online. It sounded like a fun hike. We arrived early, around 7:15am and it was very peaceful and quiet. We only ran into a few other groups on the hike. We went to the Upper Falls first because we saw a few groups heading to the Lower Falls and by the online description, not as many people go to the Upper Falls. Once seeing those beautiful falls, we decided to take the trail further to the Ink Pots. These small pools with varying hues of blue and green were like gold at the end of the rainbow. There were more people than expected at the Ink Pots. It seemed to be a good spot for a snack and water break along the river or on the benches scattered around. When we made our way back, we thought we could check out the Lower Falls but it was WAY too crowded! So many people. That's why my advice is go early because at least part of your trek will be quiet and not clogged with visitors. At the end of this hike, my Apple Watch said I clocked in just under 9 miles. I'd say this was a moderate hike not in that you're scaling rocks or anything, but just for the length and how steep the trail can be at some points. Plug this destination into your GPS and you won't be disappointed!

Highly recommend coming before 8am. Arrived around 6am and there were less than 10 cars, and the trail felt so empty and serene. Beautiful views! The "secret cave " was a fun find

I did the Johnston Canyon ice hike for the first time and it was amazing! I'd recommend renting crampons from any rental shop in Banff - costs $6 (if you say you're a local ) to $12 for the day and you won't be slipping and sliding! Totally worth it. Give yourself 2.5hours for a leisurely walk up and down. Once at the top falls there is an addiontal spot to check out 3km further called Inkpots. Give yourself more time to do those if you wish to do them. The entire hike is a winter wonderland with beautiful snow pillows on trees and baby blue frozen water! In areas where the water hasn't turned to ice it's so crystal clear! Once you arrive to the big waterfall you might even get to see courageous ice climbers! Grab a hot beverage before hitting the trail and enjoy your nature walk in the crisp mountain air!

My first ever hiking trip! I have been to the mountains a few times, checked out Lake Louise and the usual hot spots. This time my friend (new Banff local) took me to Johnston Canyon to visit the waterfalls. Every step of the way was beautiful despite the constant rain. But what the heck, we were going to see a waterfall and get wet anyway! The whole path is mapped out and pretty much paved right up to the end. Which was great for us as we were taking my little pal in a stroller. This is a very accessible walk to take, great for those with children. It is a popular route so be prepared for a bit of traffic when crossing the bridges. It's not too strenuous a walk, unless you are the one pushing the stroller! The actual waterfall at the end is totally worth the effort. Gorgeous crystal clear waters rolling down into beautiful forest that goes on for miles. Creep through a cave in the mountain, be prepared to get a quick wakeup call when you get to the other side, as you are face to face with the falls. It's spectacular!

Winter Review: This was one of my FAVORITE things we did in Banff when we visited in January. We did it with regular snow boots and jeans - no special snow gear required, although we did notice some people had winter hiking gear on. It's great for beginners who don't hike a lot and they have railings all the way up the trail so you don't slip. The views were beautiful. The frozen waterfalls especially. Casually strolling up the trail, the whole thing took us about 2 hours. Definitely recommend it!

Very nice nice short walk to lower falls you can do with smaller children. Went during winter and didn't need any special shoes compared to many of the other walks. However can't speak for how it would be for the walk to upper falls or ink pots

If this is your first time to the mighty Rocky Mountains and you're in search of an adventure, this is a good place to start. Nestled 30 minutes west of Banff, this well-visited tourist spot has 3 hiking options depending on your fitness level and adventurism. The first 2 hikes are easy to accomplish by most. Hell, I witnessed 70 year olds and mothers with strollers trekking to the upper falls. Craziness!!! The third hike is a jaunt to the ink pots. If you have never made the 2 hour hike up to the ink pots, do it once. I never ventured up there before until this time around. What an amazing view! I didn't realize there was this majestic valley with seeping pools of crystal clear water in many colors. The rushing creek that feeds the falls down below finished off the untamed beauty of this valley. Look, nature is a wondrous gift and if you want to spend 4 hours of your life soaking in its beauty. Do this hike. Take your time. There are places to rest and enjoy the scenery. Breathe deeply. Pro tips: Take snacks and water. But be sure to carry your garbage out. There are no trash cans on the trail. Just at the parking area. There are restrooms at the parking area and an overpriced restaurant that serves tourist food. If you have a water filter and enjoy taking sips from a mountain creek. Bring it. You can do this hike in running shoes in the late spring/summer time. The drive to the canyon will be slow. Parking can get packed on the weekends. Dogs are allowed on the trail of leashed. No leash no pets allowed. If you are scared of heights you may want to sit this one out. There are cat walks that protrude from the canyon face. You will be overlooking a gorge. Also don't forget about your camera!!!!

Johnson Canyon is a nice little hike and is conveniently located along the Bow Valley Parkway between Lake Louise and Banff. There's also a seasonal Lodge and cabins at the Trail-head, but there didn't seem to be a lot of accommodation activity when Gayle and I were there. This is apparently one of the most popular hikes within Banff National Park. This scenic (and easy) stroll certainly shows the power of nature and time - rushing water carves a path through the limestone canyon and potholes form over the years from plunging waterfalls. There are also options in terms of how far you want to go and logical turnaround places. We both enjoyed the hike, especially the views and the the scents from the surrounding spruce, pine and fir forest. However, parts can be slippery and moist. Gayle took a fall and I almost did the same (despite both of us wearing day hiking shoes). In addition to being upset by this, she also got a bit cold and insisted that I proceed a little farther without her. We were then both happy to return to base. At that point, I wanted to go straight to dinner, as we were meeting friends at the Keg in Banff and time was running short. But with all that wetness, Gayle insisted that we go back and change clothes. What she later called an example of my occasional cluelessness, I simply though was a sense of adventure.

This was a wonderful & easy hike! It's paved and gated so it is pretty safe. It's best to come as early as possible. The waterfall views were beyond gorgeous and breathtaking. There were plenty of clean bathrooms that we could use before the hike. The only wild life that I saw was a chipmunk!