I’ve written about Johnston Canyon before, but I’ll reiterate this again…Johnston Canyon is really beautiful. You can find it in Banff National Park, and it’s really a worthwhile hike, even if you’re not interested in waterfalls. The canyon is really amazing and the water is so blue.

There are a number of distinct waterfalls that are large enough to be named in the canyon. I have six or so named falls. There are the Lower Johnston Canyon Falls, and then three interestingly named falls in between that and Upper Johnston Canyon Falls. Cavern Falls, Stella Falls, and Tunnel Falls are the three falls. Not that they’re wildly unique names, but I guess these three just needed more interesting names than Johnston Canyon Falls or something of that sort.

Tunnel Falls by itself would be a worthwhile waterfall to visit. With the other impressive waterfalls in the canyon, it’s a must see in my opinion.

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 as I said, 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)
Height: 25′
Distance of Hike: 1.7 miles round trip

Where in the World is Tunnel Falls?