Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

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.

Additional Info

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 Policy

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

What‘s 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

Optional gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Bow Valley Parkway

Travel through breathtaking scenery and nature on your way to the trailhead and learn about the history and geology of Johnston Canyon.

Admission Not Applicable

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)

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Evening Departure

Pickup included

Reviews

4.93

86 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Beautiful and Special Experience
jnreeves,
Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My guide, Tim, was very personable and knowledgeable. He shared local history and facts on the way to the canyon and during the icewalk, then played calming music on the way back to Banff to allow everyone to relax and unwind after the walk. The icewalk itself was stunning. Since it was late March when I went on the walk, the beginning was in daylight, allowing us to see more of the canyon and ice formations. Once we got to the turnaround point and had hot chocolate and maple cookies (such a delicious and cute touch!), darkness had fallen. We were able to enjoy a moonlit walk back under a few stars, which was so cool. Overall, it was a special experience with a small group and a great guide. Highly recommend!
Unique winter nature experience
nicole n181123,
Feb 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a super unique experience, and getting to see the canyon at night was very cool. We were the only ones there, which is pretty rare for such a popular area. We saw some wildlife (fox) and the stars were incredible. Chloe was an awesome guide who shared many interesting facts about the canyon and Banff's history. She made sure everyone navigated the ice/snow safely and the tour pace was just right. Would recommend to anyone seeking to explore the canyon during the winter months!
Incredible experience
Amanda G,
Feb 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This is such a breathtaking experience, and a beautiful opportunity to stargaze and take in nature at night.
Lisa’s 60th Birthday Adventure
T1004ZWlisad,
Feb 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour was just so fun and Jake made it a truly memorable hike. It is my first time coming to Banff and I will be back! I would recommend this evening ice walk to anyone.
magical experience
jackiehO7892VH,
Jan 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What an amazing evening The sky was perfect just beautiful The guide was very knowledgeable on lots of topics and well prepared we were well looked after the canyon took on magical feel in the evening where all we could hear was the river running under the ice and the ice cracking would highly recommend it
Johnston Evening ice walk
F8976HJandrewc,
Jan 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A well run guided walk. Jake, our guide was most entertaining with plenty of stories and facts from the moment we got on the tour bus to completion. The night we went was clear with beautiful skies. No others in the car park except for us and the fox. Safety conscious throughout. equipment provided for the walk was of good quality. Hot chocolate and maple cookies were a nice addition. Would be happy to book through this company again.
Unique, enjoyable experience
David C,
Jan 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Unique, enjoyable experience. Georgia, guide, was great. Convenient pick up and drop off. Highly recommend.
Don’t pass on this experience
mku4440,
Jan 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a great excursion. I was a bit skeptical but we are so glad we went. We had a clear sky and full moon. Beautiful! And our guide Tina was fantastic. Would highly recommend this experience.
Our guide was amazing
Andrea G,
Dec 31, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Georgina was so great. We traveled with my parents who have a little bit of a mobility challenges, and she still made them feel apart of the group and not left behind.
Exceptional
Lori H,
Dec 31, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
The quiet. Until you hear water. It was the most wonderful experience I've ever had. Our tour guide Georja, was awesome. She was very patient with me. I have issues with my knees and she reassured me it was OK. I give her 10 out of 10 stars. Thank you so much.