Hiking Johnston Canyon with Kids: Our Spring Visit to the Lower Falls

Over the Easter long weekend, we headed to Johnston Canyon (a quick, family-friendly outing in Banff National Park) for a little adventure, and I’ve got to say that it was the perfect way to stretch our legs, breathe in that fresh canyon air, and make memories with the kids

Johnston Canyon

So if you’re thinking about getting outdoors this spring without doing a full-on hike, this one’s for you.


🥾 Getting There
We left Calgary with our usual goal of “early-ish” and landed at the trailhead around mid-morning. It’s about a 2-hour drive, give or take. Parking was surprisingly okay when we got there, but I wouldn’t push it much later on a long weekend; it fills up fast.

Oh, and yes, the washrooms are open (very important, information to know, especially with little kids


🌸 Springtime on the Trail

This time of year, Johnston Canyon is still in between seasons, and we got a little bit of everything—ice here, sunshine there and a dash of slush for fun. It felt like nature was slowly waking up and stretching.



The Lower Falls trail is just over 1.1 km (one way), and it's mostly boardwalk, so it’s very manageable even with younger kids. Just make sure you’ve got good grippy shoes!


💦 Lower Falls Highlights

We didn’t push for the Upper Falls this time; We kept it easy and stopped at the Lower Falls, which was the perfect payoff for a family hike. The little cave tunnel leading to the lookout was honestly my highlight. There’s something about squeezing through that passage and being face-to-face with a roaring waterfall that just feels epic.




That said, there was a bit of a queue to get through the cave, so be prepared to wait a few minutes, especially on a busy weekend. This is where my kids finished ALL their snacks, so definitely have a little something stashed in your bag to keep everyone happy while you wait.



👉 Want to see what we got up to? Here's a link to our Instagram Reel 🎥


👟 Tips for a Spring Visit to Johnston Canyon

✔️ Wear proper shoes – You’ll want something grippy. The trail can be wet and slippery in some spots.
✔️ Dress in layers – It could be chilly in some parts of the canyon.
✔️ Bring snacks & water – Kids don’t care how pretty the waterfall is if they’re hungry.
✔️ Stroller (maybe not) – Bring a carrier if your little one can’t do the full walk.
✔️ Go early – Especially during weekends or holidays.

If you love easy hikes, you might also enjoy this trail we explored in Canmore.


🧡 Final Thoughts

Even though we only did the Lower Falls, it was the perfect little spring outing for our family. We got fresh air, some nature time, and lots of pictures for the memory books.


Would I recommend it? Absolutely. It’s low-effort, high reward, and just the right amount of wild for a weekend adventure with kids.


That will be all from me today. Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet today. Until next time… Xoxo 💋


No comments