Most visitors budget an hour or two for Johnston Canyon: snap a few photos of the Lower and Upper Falls, then head back to the car. While there’s a reason it’s so popular (it’s stunning, of course!), there is so much to see beyond the main trail. The canyon is really the gateway to one of the most rewarding stretches of the Canadian Rockies. Spend a full day, or even a couple of nights, and you’ll find quieter trails, a century-old lodge with its own trailhead, and one of the best cycling roads in the country.
Beyond the main trail, what are some other things to do near Johnston Canyon?
Hike Past the Falls: Ink Pots and Moose Meadows
If you only do one extra thing at Johnston Canyon, make it the hike to the Ink Pots. The Ink Pots are a series of cold mineral spring water pools that have formed alongside Johnston Creek. Due to their high mineral content, the pools are a vibrant blue-green hue. The best part? The Johnston Canyon hike leads into the Ink Pots, meaning you’re already on your way! The round trip from the main lot runs about 11.5 km with roughly 330 m of elevation gain; budget four to five hours.
For a quieter approach, start instead from the Moose Meadows trailhead, about 2 km west along the parkway. It’s a gentler path through aspen and evergreen forest that meets the main route just below the Upper Falls, so you can hike up one way and loop back the other. On its own, Moose Meadows is also a fine easy walk, with views of Pilot Mountain and a decent shot at spotting deer or elk.
More Trails Worth Hiking
A short drive or pedal west toward Castle Junction reveals trails with far less foot traffic from visitors or tourists. Castle Lookout climbs steadily through forest to an old fire-spotting tower site, with views back across the valley: 7.4 km return, with about 520 m of climbing. Another favourite, Rockbound Lake is a great all-day option. Near Castle Junction, it gains roughly 800 m over 16 to 18 km past tiny Tower Lake to a glacial cirque behind Castle Mountain. The same trailhead also leads to Silverton Falls, a quick under-1.5-km out-and-back to a tucked-away waterfall, handy if the Johnston Canyon lot is full. This section of the Rockies is chock-full of beautiful hikes, so take a look at some of our other favourite moderate hikes!
Bike the Bow Valley Parkway/1A
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – the Bow Valley Parkway is one of the most stunning bike routes in the Rockies! The Bow Valley Parkway, also known as Highway 1A, was the original road between Banff and Lake Louise and has become one of the park’s most popular cycling routes (for good reason!). Twice a year, Parks Canada closes the eastern 17 km stretch between the Fireside day-use area and Johnston Canyon to private vehicles, typically late April through late June and again for several weeks in September, leaving the road to cyclists and walkers (current dates and details can be found here). Most riders start in Banff, taking the Legacy Trail near Vermilion Lakes Road before connecting to the parkway. Bikes can be rented in town, or with us at Johnston Canyon Lodge. There’s a rack to lock up at Johnston Canyon, since bikes aren’t allowed on the canyon trail itself. Outside the seasonal closure, the road is still very rideable, just with light traffic and a 60 km/h limit.
Make the Lodge Your Basecamp
Rather than treating Johnston Canyon as a day-trip stop, consider staying with us at Johnston Canyon Lodge and Bungalows! We’re a family-run property that’s occupied this spot on the parkway since 1926. Our heritage cabins range from compact studios to multi-room cottages, several with wood-burning fireplaces; our property skips Wi-Fi in the cabins for a bit of a digital detox (it’s available at the main lodge if needed). We have delicious options for on-site food – Black Swift Bistro for a sit-down dinner or the Market Cafe for some easy bites before your adventures. The best part is our location; we are just steps away from the trailhead for easy access to the area’s hikes, and perfectly in between Banff and Lake Louise on the 1A for endless cycling adventures. The lodge runs seasonally, roughly mid-May through mid-October, so confirm dates before booking.
Slow Down And Enjoy!
Even if you’re just driving through, the parkway rewards a slower pace. Finding things to do near Johnston Canyon doesn’t always have to be a big hike – there are plenty of options for those just looking for a slower day. Castle Cliffs and Storm Mountain Lookout are both short walks from roadside parking with stunning mountain views, and the latter occasionally rewards visitors with a passing train below. History buffs can stop at the unmarked site of Silver City, a short-lived 1880s mining boomtown, or the Castle Mountain Internment Camp memorial, marking a World War I detention camp nearby. The parkway also runs through prime wildlife habitat, so keep your eyes open: elk, deer, and bighorn sheep are common, and bears and the occasional wolf aren’t unheard of around dawn and dusk.
Treat Johnston Canyon as a starting point, not the whole trip, and this stretch of the Bow Valley Parkway becomes a long weekend’s worth of hiking, cycling, and slow mountain mornings.