Johnston Creek, Canyon and watercourse in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.
Johnston Creek flows through a limestone canyon featuring suspended catwalks, multiple waterfalls including Lower and Upper Falls, and blue-green mineral spring pools called the Ink Pots located in a mountain meadow.
The canyon was originally explored by prospector Walter Johnston in the late 1800s, evolving from a rugged prospecting area into a developed trail system with safety features while maintaining its natural character.
Indigenous peoples historically utilized this region for livelihood and spiritual practices, and the site retains ecological importance while serving as a protected natural landscape for outdoor education and scientific research.
Visitors can access Johnston Canyon via Bow Valley Parkway with free parking, heated washrooms, and dining facilities at the trailhead, requiring a valid Banff National Park pass for entry.
The canyon features seven waterfalls that freeze during winter creating ice climbing opportunities, and temporarily closed nesting sites for endangered American black swifts to protect fragile ecosystems.
Location: Alberta
Address: Bow Valley Pkwy, Improvement District No. 9, AB T1L 1K2, Canada T1L 1K2
Phone: +14037621550
Website: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/randonee-hiking/banff
GPS coordinates: 51.24580,-115.84100
Latest update: September 27, 2025 02:26
Alberta offers a wide range of landscapes and activities, from Banff National Park with its turquoise glacial lakes to the geological formations of Jasper National Park. The province is home to natural sites such as Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Athabasca Falls, as well as the Glaciers Parkway that crosses the Canadian Rockies over 232 kilometers. The cities of Calgary and Edmonton enhance this selection with institutions like the National Music Centre at Studio Bell, the WinSport Olympic site, and the Edmonton river valley extending along the North Saskatchewan River. In the Drumheller area, the Royal Tyrrell Museum displays dinosaur skeletons found in the Alberta Badlands. This collection highlights the main places to visit in the province, from mountain areas to urban centers.
Banff National Park
22.1 km
Banff Springs Hotel
21.5 km
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
19.4 km
Tunnel Mountain
21.4 km
Bow Falls
21.5 km
Banff National Park Pavilion
20.5 km
Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station
21.4 km
Whyte Museum
20.3 km
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
21.1 km
Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar
20.3 km
Banff Park Museum
20.4 km
Walter Phillips Gallery
21.2 km
Massive Mountain
7.8 km
Bow River Bridge
20.5 km
St. George's-in-the-Pines Church
20.6 km
Banff National Park Administration Building
20.6 km
Beaver Lodge
20.5 km
St. Paul's Presbyterian Church
20.3 km
Johnston Canyon
608 m
Cambrian Pavilion
20.5 km
Luxton Residence
20.5 km
Tarry-a-While
20.8 km
Rundle Memorial United Church
20.4 km
Tanglewood
20.5 km
Rustic Lookout Pavilion
20.5 km
Information Building
20.3 km
Dave White Block
20.4 km
Devonian Pavilion
20.5 kmReviews
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