Taking kids through Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon is one of the more family-friendly walks near Banff, with railings on the catwalks and a tunnel at the end of the first leg. Each tour sets its own rules, though, which leave some younger children out. This guide sorts out who can join what, and how to keep small hikers happy.
What the trail asks of children
The path into Johnston Canyon is well built. Steel catwalks run along the canyon walls with railings on the open side, so children walk above the creek rather than beside it.
Most school-age children manage the Lower Falls, which sit 1.2 km (0.75 mi) in, after a gentle rise of about 50 m (165 ft). The Upper Falls are about 2.7 km (1.7 mi) one way with about 135 m (440 ft) of climb, which is a real effort for small legs.
In winter the steps and slopes are icy, and everyone needs ice cleats. Each stretch of the trail gets its own section in our Lower Falls and Upper Falls page.
Age rules and paperwork by tour
None of the listings we read for the two icewalks or the Rockies Journey day gives a minimum age. That does not mean every age is welcome. Read the small print on ages before you pay, or ask the operator.
| Tour | What the listing says | Length | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discover Banff day icewalk | Moderate fitness recommended, not wheelchair accessible | About 4 hours | ~$78 |
| Discover Banff evening icewalk | Waiver for every guest, parents sign for under-18s | About 2.5 hours | ~$78 |
| White Mountain e-bike and hike | Minimum rider height 152 cm (5 ft), not for back problems | About 4 hours | ~$143 |
| Rockies Journey day tour | Long day in a minibus with many stops | About 10 hours | ~$58 |
The Discover Banff tours ask every guest to sign a waiver. A parent or guardian signs for anyone under 18. Have the children's full names ready when you book, so the paperwork does not hold up the pickup.
The day icewalk with children
For most families the daytime walk is the easiest fit. Pickup is in Banff, the minibus does the driving, and the guide hands out cleats and a hiking pole and shows everyone how to fit them.
A family winter morning in the canyon
Discover Banff Tours' Johnston Canyon Icewalk leaves in the morning or afternoon and lasts about 4 hours from ~$78. Ice cleats and a hiking pole are in the fare, and so are hot chocolate and maple cookies. It reaches both falls and holds 4.9 from 530+ reviews on Viator.
The catch for families is the distance. The group walks to the Upper Falls and back, so a child who tires at the Lower Falls still has the climb ahead. The listing recommends a moderate fitness level, and that is a fair guide for children too.
Daylight helps as well. Children can see their footing on the icy steps, and the blue ice at the falls holds their attention far better in the sun. Our page on day and evening walks compares the departures.
The evening walk for older kids
The evening icewalk from ~$78 lasts only about 2.5 hours. Many teenagers love walking through a dark canyon by headlamp. Each guest keeps the headlamp, which tends to go down well with children.
It is colder after sunset, though. A long day of sightseeing can also leave younger children flagging by the time the pickup comes. The group is capped at 12, so the guide can keep an eye on everyone on the icy catwalks.
E-bikes and the height limit
On the summer e-bike and hike tour from ~$143, nobody under 152 cm (5 ft) can ride. Most younger children fall short of that, so this one tends to suit families with older teenagers.
The listing also rules out guests with back problems or heart conditions, and everyone needs closed-toe shoes. Our guide to Johnston Canyon by e-bike covers the route and the traffic on the parkway.
A long day tour with young children
The Rockies Journey day tour visits Johnston Canyon only in winter and runs about 10 hours, with pickup as far away as Calgary. That is a long time in a minibus for a small child, even with stops at Lake Louise and Emerald Lake.
Children also tend to tire of scenery sooner than adults do. A day built around several lakes and a canyon can feel like a lot of getting in and out of a bus for a six-year-old.
For families with toddlers, splitting the sights over two days often works better. Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise in one day weighs the full day against doing each on its own.
Keeping small hikers going
The tunnel at the Lower Falls is a favourite with many children. It is a short natural passage through the rock to a platform facing the falls, and it makes a good first goal to aim for.
Small children walk slower than the group, and the guide sets the pace for everyone. If your child needs frequent breaks, a walk on your own to the Lower Falls and back may suit you better than a 4-hour tour.
The hot chocolate and maple cookies on the icewalks work well as a reward along the way. Walking on your own? Carry a thermos and snacks, and agree on a turning point before you set off.
- Dress children in layers they can open, since they warm up faster than adults on the climb
- Pack spare mittens and socks, because children find snow wherever it lies
- Keep a hand free for the railing on icy steps
- Let them spot ravens or dippers in the creek to break up the walk
The full clothing list is on our page about what to wear for the icewalk. For what the ice formations are and why they look blue, read what you see in the frozen canyon with the kids before you go.