Johnston Canyon: Is Banff's Popular Hike Worth It?

The crowds were the problem

Johnston Canyon was overrun with people when we visited. Parking was difficult, the trail was packed, and there were lines at the waterfall viewpoints.

We moved fairly quickly and reached the upper area in about 35 minutes. Then we spent roughly another 35 minutes standing in a line for a waterfall photo.

Skip the waterfall lines

At the first waterfall, we saw a long line and skipped it because there were already good views along the trail.

At the second major waterfall, we made the mistake of waiting. It was difficult to see what we were even waiting for until we reached the front. The platform was small, the photo angle was not especially good, and the setup effectively let one person or group take a picture at a time.

If instead you continue to the left and go above the waterfall viewpoint, you get a very similar view without wasting half an hour in line.

When I would recommend it

Johnston Canyon can be a good choice if you have limited mobility or want a less strenuous outing, although the full route is not universally accessible.

It was also a surprisingly good smoky-day option for us. The wildfire smoke was hurting big mountain views elsewhere, while being down in the canyon made the smoke much less noticeable.

Our Verdict

If you have clear weather, limited time and are comfortable with more substantial hiking, I would spend my time elsewhere. If you need an easier option or smoke is ruining the big vistas, Johnston Canyon becomes much more appealing.