Johnston Canyon Icewalk: Experience Natural Ice Sculptures in Banff National Park

Experience the natural beauty of Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park. Walk along steel catwalks to marvel at frozen waterfalls and towering ice sculptures. Don’t miss this popular guided icewalk!

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Johnston Canyon - This popular walk will lead you past the lower falls and to the breathtaking upper icefalls. You’ll hike on steel walkways built into the canyon walls and get an airy view of the canyon below.

What to expect:

ullet Walking Time: 2 - 2.5 hours

ullet Return Distance: 3.4 miles (5.4 kilometers)

ullet Elevation Gain: 443 feet (135 meters)

What's Included
  • Maple cookie snack, hot chocolate
  • Small group size (up to 12 guests per guide)
  • Professional guide
  • Ice cleats
  • Hiking pole
What's Not Included
  • Optional gratuities
Additional Information

Johnston Canyon, a renowned focal point in Banff National Park, offers a fascinating spectacle of natural ice formations in winter when its powerful waterfalls freeze into statuesque structures. Throughout the sun-drenched summer, the confined canyon elegantly channels wafts of water. A system of metal platforms affixed to the canyon’s faces, allows…

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(534 Ratings)
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Bigd73
Apr 19, 2026
Stunning scenery - Excellent trip, guide was on time and took us on the walk pointing out and sharing knowledge and info on the area. Was tricky in parts with a new snowfall but well worth the effort
Review provided by Tripadvisor
498maureenv
Apr 17, 2026
Wondrous icy falls - We had a most wonderful time with Chloe. She was so much fun, telling great stories. The canyon is a must see in any season but we were very pleased that we were able to view the falls in their icy state. Highly recommend and ask for Chloe- she is great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carley_b
Apr 14, 2026
Storytelling and Sunshine - This was an amazing experience overall. The trail was 98% covered in ice so having crampons provided was not only convenient but necessary. Sophie was an excellent guide and helped to turn a casual walk in the (gorgeous) woods into an informative tour. Even the drive from the pick up spot to the trailhead was packed with great storytelling. We got very lucky with the weather and had a perfectly warm, sunny day in April! Couldn't have asked for a better set of circumstances. Highly recommend this beautiful tour.
Review provided by Viator
769devenj
Apr 12, 2026
Amazing tour guide, amazing views - The guided tour is the way to go. Our tour guide, Neil Evans was very knowledgeable about the park, the canyons as well as the history of Banff. The views were absolutely stunning. The hike took about 4 hours and has multiple different terrain elevations but nothing too bad. My daughter and I give this tour company and the hike a 10/10. Thanks for having us Discover Banff Tours and thank you to our guide Neil Evans.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tiffany_v
Apr 11, 2026
Breathtaking - Absolutely unforgettable experience at Johnston Canyon in Banff! From the moment we started the trail, it felt like stepping into a postcard. The turquoise water, the sound of rushing waterfalls, and the stunning canyon walls made every step worth it. The walk itself was easy to follow and incredibly scenic, with well-maintained pathways and breathtaking views at every turn. Reaching the Lower and Upper Falls was the highlight—each one more beautiful than the last. The fresh mountain air and peaceful atmosphere made it such a refreshing escape from everyday life. If you’re visiting Banff, this is a must-do. Whether you’re going for a relaxing walk or chasing views, Johnston Canyon delivers pure magic. I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Review provided by Viator
Alvincf5253om
Apr 3, 2026
Good tour - Superb tour with amazing views and lots of time to explore. It is not rushed. Lot of free time and guided knowledge sharing with other people. Very friendly people and staff.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
809caitlinc
Mar 26, 2026
A blast! - This was a blast! I'm not normally one for guided tours but our tour with Neil was great. He had a ton of info about the canyon and did a great job of telling us about the geography of the area. He also gave us a very clutch suggestion about when/where to ski which really helped us plan the rest of our vacation in Banff. Highly recommend doing a tour with this group, they truly do set up everything and make everything very easy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Crystal_r
Mar 26, 2026
Awesome Ice Formations - Georgia was great with a blend of humor, facts, stories…and even geology! She even enticed us with treats. Thanks Georgia!
Review provided by Viator
John_a
Mar 26, 2026
Great hike with fantastic views and our guide Georgia was amazing! - The hike was not overly strenuous. You definitely need ice cleats. The views are worth every step. Georgia was our guide and she was fabulous! The hot chocolate and cookies she served when we got to the turnaround were such a nice treat. We have only positive things to say about this experience. Georgia was even kind enough to drop us off at our hotel when we got back to town.
Review provided by Viator
Juliebi436qx
Mar 25, 2026
Interesting and fun winter activity while in Banff - We really enjoyed the hike to the falls and the scenery was beautiful. Georgia was a fantastic guide, she was so knowledgeable and made the drive and hike so interesting and fun.
Review provided by Tripadvisor