Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk
Description
Johnston Canyon is one of Banff National Park’s most popular hiking spots, but most people don’t think to experience it at night. Your headlight (yours to keep after the tour) makes the frozen waterfalls shimmer as you hike along the suspended catwalk in quiet darkness. The evening icewalk is all about heightening your senses, appreciating the darkness, the scents of the fresh pine forest and enjoying the silence of a night spent beneath the stars as you follow your guide through this narrow, water-formed canyon.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Travel through breathtaking scenery and nature on your way to the trailhead and learn about the history and geology of Johnston Canyon.
Light your way through this narrow, water-formed canyon as your small group follows your guide to the Canyon’s lower falls. The suspended catwalks, built into the limestone walls, make this an easy trip for everyone. Along the way, your guide will highlight unique features by powerful flashlight and pause for moments of darkness and quiet to foster an appreciation for spending time in the canyon at night. At the turn around point, your guide will illuminate the expanding ice that encases the rushing water and escort you through a natural tunnel onto the viewing platform, beside the cascading Lower Falls themselves. Warm up with hot chocolate and maple cookies while you look around the Lower Falls, the turnaround point. The return journey is your opportunity to travel without your headlamp (should you wish!). You’ll be amazed as to how quickly your eyes adjust to the darkness, enough for you to travel through the pine forest guided only by the ambient light of the moon and the stars above your head. What to expect: • Walking Time: 1 - 1.5 hours • Return Distance: 1.4 miles (2.2 kilometers) • Elevation Gain: 213 feet (65 meters)
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Every pickup point has a unique pickup time. Guests must be ready at their selected pickup point 5 minutes prior. Banff Rocky Mountain Resort at 17:55 / 18:55 Canalta Lodge at 18:00 / 19:00 Banff Caribou Lodge at 18:01 / 19:01 Fox Hotel & Suites at 18:02 / 19:02 Red Carpet Inn at 18:03 / 19:03 Douglas Fir at 18:06 / 19:06 Banff Ptarmigan Inn at 18:10 / 19:10 Mount Royal Hotel (Public Bus Parking behind hotel) at 18:12 / 19:12 Rimrock Resort at 18:20 / 19:20 Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Motorcoach Entrance) at 18:25 / 19:25 Banff Train Station at 1:30 PM Juniper Hotel at 1:35 PM If no pickup is selected, your pick up will be defaulted to meet at the public bus parking behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 18:12 / 19:12, pending the tour departure time throughout the season.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 8 years. All children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by someone 18 years and older.
- All adults must sign a waiver prior to the tour. A waiver must also be completed by the parent or guardian of any child under the age of 18.
- Guests should dress in ski wear for this trip including hats, mittens, and warm boots. A detailed list of items to wear and bring is provided on your voucher.
- Group bookings of 9 or more guests have a 7 day cancellation period.
- In accordance with our Cold Weather Policy, if safety conditions deteriorate, we may cancel the tour, offering guests the option to receive a refund or reschedule for another date or time.
Reviews(97)
Walking through the canyon under the moonlight felt like a dream, it’s the kind of place that’s so beautiful it’s hard to believe it’s real. Jeff was very knowledgeable and kind, and did a great job of driving our group back to Banff safely in treacherous conditions! The hike is simple and pleasant, I’m rather unfit and managed it in heavy snow.
That moonlit canyon magic is something special 🌙 We’re so glad Jeff helped make it both safe and memorable, even in tough conditions. Thanks for sharing your experience!
The evening Icewalk is perfect if you want something less steep than the daytime tour. We got to see the canyon and lower falls during the daylight on the way up. On the way down you got to see it in the nighttime which was a perfect blend. Our tour guide Jake was very knowledgeable about the area and ensured everyone felt comfortable at their own pace. A couple of stops throughout to take great pictures. This might be hard to believe as bears do hibernate during winter but Jake fought off a bear in majestic fashion saving us all 🤣. I highly recommend this Icewalk, especially with Jake as he hilarious and ensured you felt comfortable during the walk no matter your age or fitness level.
Thank you for such a raving review about Jake! We are glad to hear that Jake and his guests shared the same type of humour! PS: Our guides are not picking up fights with bears!
Niels showed us the canyon at nightfall. Letting our eyes get used to the night, we were able to evolve in this beautiful place in the light of the moon and under a starry sky of beauty. It was beautiful. Thank you!
Rob was excellent! This was a perfect way to send the evening. We went in the winter and not having to beat crowds or adjust to large tourist was the main draw. He was very informational and did a great job. The passion for this job rubbed off on us. Love the small groups!
This night hike was a highlight of our trip, even though it was extremely cold, we bundled up and could walk by just the moonlight. The scenery was spectacular, our guide was informative and personable.
Professional, took a good care of everyone in the group. Night walk was an excellent choice with a great guide. The clear night sky through the trees was beautiful this night.
Phenomenal experience! The landscape under the moon light was straight out of a fairy tale. Jake, our guide, was knowledgeable, engaging, focused on safety and comfort and had a great sense of humour. Our family has memories together that will last a lifetime.
We had a wonderful evening on this tour. Hiking at night is so peaceful. The trail was quiet and the snowfall was perfect ambiance. Having the headlamp was nice for when you wanted to look at something but walking with the dark sky was sensational. Neil was an incredible guide, and we would take a tour with him again, in a heartbeat!
Brilliant experience! Highly recommend. Jake our guide was fantastic - full of deep local knowledge of the area & wonderful stories of local explorers and founders. The best part by far was him saving our tour group from an unexpected avalanche on our hike to Johnson's Canyon. Beyond this, the hike was absolutely wonderful with postcard views & scenery along the way.
Jake was an absolute blast! He fought off this huge mountain lion with only his hiking pole and good looks. Highly recommend doing this tour for anyone in Banff!!!!
