Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk: Night Time Experience of Banff National Park’s Popular Hiking Spot
4.9
73 Ratings
Banff
Experience the Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk, a unique night time adventure in Banff National Park. Hike along frozen waterfalls, immerse yourself in the quiet darkness, and enjoy the beauty of the starry night sky.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- 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.
- 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)
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
What's Not Included
- Optional gratuities
Additional Information
Johnston Canyon is a top choice for hikers at Banff National Park, yet not many choose to explore it under the cloak of night. Armed with a headlight (which is yours to take home post-tour), make your way along the hanging walkway as the icy waterfalls sparkle. The night icewalk offers an enriching sensory experience, allowing you to savor the dark, inhale the aroma of fresh pine trees, enjoy the tranquility of a starlit night, and be led by your guide through the slender canyon sculpted by water.
- 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.
Location
Mount Royal Hotel
Banff Avenue
All guests must wait at the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 138 Banff Ave.
You must be ready at the pick up point 5 minutes prior to the 6:12pm or 7:12pm departure time (tour dependant).
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(73 Ratings)
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Tyler_r
Mar 31, 2024
A Different Way To Experience The Beauty of Nature - Experiencing this location in the dark was great and different! It really forced me to notice different things about the natural environment, and the hot cocoa and cookies were a great touch! The guides were also knowledgeable and it was evident they wanted everyone to have a safe and enjoyable time on the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Shanellesua
Mar 29, 2024
Johnston canyon ice walk - Great night hike of Johnston Canyon! My friend and I booked a tour online beforehand and we got picked up from a different hotel (only certain downtown hotels allow for pickup). Since it was in February, we dressed very warmly. Handwarmers and foot warmers would be advised. They provide headlamps which you can keep as a souvenir as well as snow shoes. Our group had about 12 people in it and we all fit comfortably in their van. The night hike was short and not too strenuous. We saw a waterfall and stopped at various points to gaze at the stars. One good tip for those with iPhones is to change the night mode setting from 3 seconds to 10 seconds in order to allow the photos to develop better. We had hot cocoa while on the trail and were given a packet of maple cookies. Overall, the night hike was a nice way to explore safely at night and view the beauty of nature.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steven_c
Mar 29, 2024
Fun Evening Activity - Did the night walk for my wife and I’s final night in the park.
It’s a simple, short hike that is accessible for all skill levels.
Liam navigated us through the beautiful, icy locations and did a good job working the crowd.
Review provided by Viator
Rosanna_r
Mar 11, 2024
An Awesome Nighttime Experience - Walking without any artificial lights so that the stars were brilliant at night. Seeing the frozen waterfall was amazing. It was very quiet and not crowded at all which was the reason we decided to go at night. Highly recommend this experience.
Review provided by Viator
Miaoyee
Feb 28, 2024
Interesting night walk - Interesting to see the frozen waterfall in winter and guide did good job to explain and show us about the different landscapes and stream. Night walk with cleats was an interesting experience than walking in the noon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael_r
Feb 20, 2024
Such a nice short hike... - Such a nice short hike through the canyon! Emma was a wonderful host and guide! This is a place my fram and I are are going to have to come back in the summer
Review provided by Viator
Jean
Feb 20, 2024
Neat experience! - Really cool experience and I would not want to have done it without a guide. Our guide Piper was informative and personable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kytraveler79
Feb 7, 2024
Wonderful Tour! - This tour was wonderful! We were with Phoebe and she challenged us not to use our head lamps by the end of the tour. Halfway through the tour, no one had them on and we were only walking by the light of the snow. It was wonderful! So beautiful and peaceful and SILENT! I recommend for sure!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gmoneymayweather
Jan 30, 2024
Johnston canyon review - Such a fun and easy experience for the family (including elders)! Our tour guides were also so fun and helpful! Shout out to piper & max!!
Review provided by Viator
Saraelisabetho2024
Jan 20, 2024
Unique Experience - Such a unique experience to be out in the wilderness so late at night, I would highly recommend this to anyone considering! My guide Emma was very kind and made the experience enjoyable! I was unsure how it would go as I was joining by myself but it was a great experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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