Banff: Johnston Canyon Icewalk to the Frozen Lower and Upper Falls

In winter the waterfalls of Johnston Canyon freeze into columns and curtains of blue-white ice, and the steel catwalks fixed to the canyon walls become one of the most memorable short walks in Banff National Park. This guided half-day icewalk picks you up in Banff, fits you with ice cleats and takes you to both the Lower and the Upper Falls, with a guide who explains how the canyon was carved and how the ice builds up over the winter.

Johnston Canyon lies on the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A), about 25 km and a 30-minute drive west of Banff. The trail follows Johnston Creek through a narrow limestone gorge, partly on catwalks bolted to the rock just above the water. Parks Canada gives the distance as 1.2 km to the Lower Falls, with about 50 m of climbing, and 2.5 km to the Upper Falls, with about 120 m, so the full walk is roughly 5 km return at an easy pace, with plenty of stops for photos.

At the Lower Falls, a short passage through the rock leads to a viewing spot facing the frozen cascade. The trail then climbs gently through snowy spruce forest to the Upper Falls, where the canyon wall is hung with long icicles and frozen curtains; on some days ice climbers can be seen working their way up the ice. Back near the trailhead, the guide serves hot chocolate and a snack before the drive back to Banff, about four hours after pickup.

Parks Canada has closed the Johnston Canyon Trail and day-use area from 13 October to 11 December 2026 for rock slope remediation work. Departures for the 2026–27 season therefore start on 12 December 2026, provided the trail reopens as scheduled, and run until early April 2027, while the falls stay frozen. Parks Canada describes the winter trail as usually very icy and strongly recommends ice cleats, which are included in this tour along with hiking poles.

The walk is easy to moderate and suits most people with normal fitness from the age of 8. Small groups mean the guide can set a steady pace, help anyone unsure on the ice and point out details you might otherwise miss, from layers in the canyon walls to the way meltwater refreezes into new shapes. Very cold days are part of a Banff winter: tours are usually cancelled only at around minus 30 °C, so dress for real cold.

Wear insulated, waterproof winter boots with a good sole; ice cleats are fitted over them, so heels, fashion boots, trainers and sandals are not suitable. Dress in layers with a thermal base layer, a warm sweater, a winter jacket, snow pants, a hat, a neck warmer and mittens. Snow pants are strongly recommended on cold days.

The walk covers about 5 km return with roughly 120 m of gentle climbing, on packed snow, ice and steel catwalks, over two to two and a half hours. It suits most people with normal fitness. The minimum age is 8, and adults will be asked to sign a waiver on site.

Tours run in snow and normal winter cold but are cancelled in extreme cold, around minus 30 °C, or if Parks Canada closes the trail; you are then offered another date or a full refund. The Johnston Canyon Trail is closed by Parks Canada until 11 December 2026 for rock slope work, so check the season dates when booking early-December travel.

Bring a water bottle, sunglasses for bright snow, and a charged phone or camera. Cell coverage is unreliable along the Bow Valley Parkway, so tell your guide about any health issues before you set off.

Pickup is from most Banff hotels; your exact pickup time is confirmed after booking. Guests staying in Canmore or outside town meet at the Banff Visitor Centre on Banff Avenue.