Johnston Canyon

Lower Johnston Canyon Falls, Alberta

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There are a number of waterfalls in Johnston Canyon, and I’m close to writing about all the falls. This is the “lowest” of the falls, which means it is the furthest downstream. There are three middle waterfalls that are named: Tunnel Falls, Stella Falls, and Cavern Falls. Then there are two falls the furthest upstream: Upper Johnston Canyon Falls and the falls I’ve designated as “Upper” Upper Johnston Canyon Falls.

Lower Johnston Canyon Falls in August 2014

As you might be able to figure out, Johnston Canyon is pretty awesome if you want to see waterfalls. And they’re really beautiful. The hike to view solely Lower Johnston Canyon Falls is 0.6 miles one-way. If you want to continue on to see the other falls, it is 1.7 miles one-way. The hike to the falls is pretty cool. There is a boardwalk that is built next to the canyon and at many points, you’re walking over or very close to the river.

It was very busy the day I visited. There was no parking available in the designated parking area and so I had to park on the main road somewhat distant from the trailhead. The hike is worth it, even to the lower falls. The one thing I will remember distinctly is families trying to push strollers down the boardwalk. It is a great hike for kids that can walk, but the boardwalk is just not big enough for strollers!

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: 9/10 (easy)
Height: 30′
Distance of Hike: 1.2 miles round trip

Where in the World is Lower Johnston Canyon Falls?

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Cavern Falls, Alberta

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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.

Cavern Falls in August 2014

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?

Stella Falls, Alberta

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As I’ve mentioned before in a post about Upper Johnston Canyon Falls, the hike in Johnston Canyon is one of the more popular hikes in Banff National Park. When I visited at the end of August 2014, the parking areas were completely full and people were parking on the road. The trail was very busy. People were trying to push their baby strollers down the trail, which was interesting, as the trail, while not difficult, wasn’t exactly built for strollers.

While some of the falls are named Johnston Canyon Falls, the falls in between have names. Stella Falls is the second of the three named falls you’ll encounter. The waterfall isn’t as exciting as the Lower and Upper Falls, but the scenery is stunning nonetheless. If you’re willing to do the 3.5 mile round-trip, it’s well worth it to see Stella Falls and five other 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: 20′
Distance of Hike: 3.4 miles round trip (to see all falls)

Johnston Canyon Falls Alberta (42)

Stella Falls in August 2014

Where in the World is Stella Falls?

“Upper” Upper Johnston Canyon Falls, Alberta

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Johnston Canyon is one of the busier areas in Banff National Park. When I visited on mid-August day, there were hundreds of people along the trail. (People were trying to walk down the rather narrow trail with strollers, and it wasn’t working particularly well.) The crowds disperse as you get further along the trail. There are still some people by the time you reach Upper Johnston Canyon Falls, but it’s a little less hectic.

I don’t fully recall, but it appears you can continue along this trail to see some other drops in the canyon. In this case, I did, and found what I called “Upper” Upper Johnston Canyon Falls. It’s not as tall as the Upper or Lower Falls, but it’s still beautiful none-the-less.

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)
Distance of Hike: 3.0 miles round trip
Height: 100′

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“Upper” Upper Johnston Canyon Falls

Where in the World is “Upper” Upper Johnston Canyon Falls?

Upper Johnston Canyon Falls, Alberta

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Upper Johnston Canyon Falls in late August 2014

One of the more popular hikes in Banff National Park is the hike in Johnston Canyon. In some ways, it’s easy to understand why…The scenery inside of the canyon is stunning. The “trail”, as it were, is really more of a boardwalk that has been installed. Otherwise, you would have to walk up the creek/river for much of the journey, and that wouldn’t be particularly easy. Along the way, you will be treated with views of at least six moderately impressive waterfalls.

But with the beauty and relative ease of access comes the crowds. You shouldn’t let this deter you, because it’s definitely worth it…But you should be ready to be as patient as possible. The trail to the Upper Falls is 3.4 miles round-trip, while to just the lower falls, it’s about 0.5 miles one-way. And it’s likely that first 0.5 miles that will be the most crowded. I have to admit, that portion of the trail seems to attract a number of people that shouldn’t necessarily be on the trail. I saw a good 10 or so children in rather large strollers…Except the trail/boardwalk in places was barely wide enough. It created these hiking traffic jams. My advice: leave the stroller behind.

If you can get past that initial extreme crowded-ness, it calms down a bit, though it’s still very busy. But if you are willing to deal with it, you’ll be rewarded with a view of Upper Johnston Canyon Falls. It’s a particularly beautiful waterfall. You’ll also be rewarded with a colorful rock wall near the falls.

(If you want something a bit (maybe a lot) calmer than Johnston Canyon, check out Silverton 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: 100′
Distance of Hike: 3.4 miles round trip

Where in the World is Upper Johnston Canyon Falls?