Johnston Canyon

A friend was visiting me from Edmonton and she requested to do a hike. She asked that the hike be at a beginner level and after another good friend did some research, we came up with Johnston Canyon. Although many parts of the hike is on an incline, there’s a good number of spots where it levels off so it’s not too challenging. Lots of spots to sit along the way if you need to rest. The waterfalls are beautiful but the vantage points to view them are small and narrow. We were lucky, we started our hike at 2:30pm and got to the upper falls by 3:30 and there wasn’t that many people, however I’m sure during peak hours which I assume would be mid morning and early afternoon, the crowds would make this hike more challenging to maneuver as some of the paths are narrow so you would be just shuffling in a long line there and back. So I suggest going super early or later in the day as people are finishing up. If we had more time we would have ventured up further to the ink pots, but that will have to be for my next visit!

This place offers a nice scenic relaxing walk upstream towards the waterfalls. There are only 2, the lower falls which in my opinion has a better up close in your face waterfall experience which you have to crouch down and go thru this small tunnel. Be prepared to get misty faced! The upper falls which is another hour hike up. There is a restaurant area by the base and a souvenir shop. The restroom is located at the parking lot across the bridge in front of the restaurant.
Supposedly there are bears at the trails but we didn’t encounter any and there are enough people walking this trail so don’t be afraid! This is a dog friendly hike.

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!!!

Really nice hike with easy walking trails that have been planned out to make it really easy to look around. I took some stunning pictures here. It was a wonderful way to start out the trip.
Absolutely gorgeous falls, enjoyed the lower and upper falls.

Great hike; the first I’ve ever done in Banff National Park. Although this hike doesn’t lead to a wide open vista, this hike has the unique destination of the ink pots at the top of the hike in a secluded meadow.
It’s a very easy hike to complete (round trip 3 hours, at a moderate pace) and has options to stay closer to the bottom with shorter, less steep distances where you can view the canyon falls.
I enjoyed the time of year for this visit — my boyfriend noticed that there were a lot less people in early October than more busy times of the year than previous visits he’s made.

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.