In Banff National Park, one of the best trails where you can see waterfalls is Johnston Canyon. I recorded six waterfalls that were big enough for me to call them distinct waterfalls. You can read previous posts about Stella Falls, Upper Johnston Canyon Falls, and “Upper” Upper Johnston Canyon Falls.

The hike to see all of the falls is approximately 3.5 miles round-trip, and it’s set up so that it isn’t a difficult walk. There is a wood path built in the canyon that allows you to get places you could not get to otherwise. I visited in August 2014, and it was very busy as it is an easy hike. I distinctly remember people trying to push baby strollers down the pathway, and because it was very busy, it would create bottlenecks. The further you go along the trail, the less busy it gets, so it’s worth it to go the distance!

When I first hiked the trail, I didn’t realize some of the falls had specific names. Cavern Falls is one of them. I think it’s named Cavern Falls because you may be able to notice there is a cavern behind the water. I think Cavern Falls is off at an angle and may be more difficult to notice unless you’re looking for the falls.

Directions:

1. This isn’t a particularly difficult set of waterfalls to find, with one minor hitch. The trail head is along of the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A). If you’re driving along the Transcanadian Highway 1, there are limited entrances/connections onto 1A. In order to find the falls, you can either enter onto 1A a few miles after leaving Banff. You will be heading west if you take this exit, and the trail head will be on your right after driving for a while. (You can also exit at the junction of Transcanadian Highway 1 and Alberta 93. Instead of heading south, though, head north for a short distance. Then turn right and drive for 6.4 km. The parking area will be on your left.)
2. I mention a parking area, but if I remember correctly, that parking area was completely full. There were at least a hundred or so cars (possibly more) parked on the sides of 1A, so that’s where I parked. It added a little bit longer to the walk, but it wasn’t much.

Accessibility: 8/10 (easy/moderate, though strollers are honestly too big for the trail)
Height: 30′
Distance of Hike: 3.4 miles round trip (to see all falls)

Where in the World is Cavern Falls?