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.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
6:30 PM and 7:30 PM
Season
Starts Dec 4
Next available
Fri, Dec 4
Adult (ages 13+)
$78
Child (ages 8–12)
$49
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 11.
Tour Options
Evening Departure
Pickup included
Itinerary
Bow Valley Parkway
Pass by
Travel through breathtaking scenery and nature on your way to the trailhead and learn about the history and geology of Johnston Canyon.
Johnston Canyon
90 min
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)
What's included
Included
Maple cookie snack, hot chocolate
Small group size (up to 12 guests per guide)
Professional guide
Ice cleats
Souvenir headlamp to keep
Pick up from the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel.
Hiking pole
Not included
Optional gratuities
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
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
97 reviews
5
93
4
3
3
0
2
1
1
0
How it compares in Banff
Starting price $78 is close to the typical $78 for tours of similar length in Banff
Excurgo comparison of 337 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
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.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk take?
Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk lasts about 2h 30min. The itinerary has 2 stops.
How much does Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk cost?
Prices start at $78 per person for this Banff experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM.
How much does Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk cost for children?
Children aged 8–12 pay from $49, adults from $78.
Can I cancel Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. 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.
What languages is Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
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.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 97 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Discover Banff Tours.
Reviews(97)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
6
634saskiam
March 26, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Like a Dream
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.
Operator response
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!
4
431simonej
March 16, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Perfect blend of daylight and nighttime
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.
Operator response
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!
E
emmanuel_d
February 23, 2026 · via Viator
Remarkable walk under the stars
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!
A
Allison_N
February 13, 2026 · via Viator
Great Night Option
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!
K
kavery717
January 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Exploring the woods by the light of the moon.
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.
H
haesunl2025
December 28, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Professional
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.
1 people found this helpful
S
sarahsU7938MD
December 28, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Incredible experience!
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.
1 people found this helpful
L
Lorelei_T
December 22, 2025 · via Viator
We had a wonderful...
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!
R
Road22345364160
December 21, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Johnsons Canyon
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.
M
miaw5930
December 20, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Jake’s a legend
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!!!!
1 people found this helpful
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Best rated: Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk — 4.9 (97 reviews)
