15 Canyon Tours in Banff to Build a Day Around

1.Lake Louise, Moraine, Emerald Lake & Johnston Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 808 reviews · 11 hours · from $50Our pick

Spend 11 hours touring Banff National Park with an English-speaking guide such as Guri, Hari, or Mandeep. Visit Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Johnston Canyon, Natural Bridge, and Moraine Lake in season, with transport, park entry, water, and photo help included.

“We visited nice places. the guide guy gave us good information and was caring and helps us taking nice pictures. I recommend this tour.”

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2.Lake Louise Moraine Lake Johnston Canyon 1.5h Half Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 323 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $44Best value

Ride from Canmore or Banff to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in summer, or Johnston Canyon in winter. You get 1 to 1.5 hours at each stop to walk, take photos, and explore independently. Guides such as Edward and William may also share local tips, stories, snacks, and photo help.

“Our driver Edward was fantastic; funny, knowledgeable and clear. He took time to explain, point to great viewing spots and a bit of the history of locations. Well worth it. Thank you Edward”

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3.Morning or Afternoon Johnston Canyon Icewalk

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 253 reviews · 4 hours · from $79

From Banff, a small group follows the Bow Valley Parkway to Johnston Canyon for a 5.4-kilometer winter hike. Your guide supplies ice cleats and poles, explains the canyon’s geology, and leads you to the frozen Lower and Upper Falls. Hot chocolate and maple cookies await at the top.

“It was a good trail and the waterfalls were fascinating, a lot of walking but if you’re physically fit, it’s definitely a good hike. My husband and I enjoyed the activity”

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4.eBike and Hike Banff to Johnston Canyon small group guided program

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 197 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $155

Ride 26 km by e-bike from Banff past Vermilion Lakes and along the Bow Valley Parkway, then hike 3 km through Johnston Canyon. Guides such as Megs, Michael, Luke, and Julia provide bike help, safety support, and local insight. The group is limited to seven people.

“The bike ride was fantastic and the ebikes where of nice quality. We passed the Vermillion Lakes and road the Bow Valley Parkway which was closed to cars. Very easy to get comfortable with the bikes. Our guides where extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Johnston Canyon was super busy with people. Would suggest going early or late to avoid crowds as much as possible.”

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5.Morning Whitewater Rafting Tour in Horseshoe Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 89 reviews · 4 hours · from $109

Spend four hours rafting the Horseshoe Canyon section of the Bow River, with 1.5 to 2 hours on class 3 and 4 rapids. Your guide handles the river while you paddle, watch for eagles and deer, and choose an optional medium or big cliff jump. Guides such as Adam, Georgia, and Gavin are known for energetic instruction.

“Adam was a very good guide ! Thank you for this great moment !”

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6.Banff, Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon – Winter Wonderland Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $180

Spend a winter day around Banff with a local Radventures guide, visiting Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, and the Bow Valley Parkway. Walk frozen trails with supplied cleats, enjoy hot drinks, and leave room for ice skating or snowshoeing at Lake Louise for an additional fee. Guides such as Rae, Simon, and Michael are known for helpful route advice and photos.

“I had an amazing time! I can’t say enough about Simon, my tour guide. He was amazing, helpful and knowledgeable, friendly and kind! It was freezing on our tour (started around 5°F,) but I loved every second! Simon knew all the great picture spots, and very patiently helped us take them, and we lucked into perfect timing at Morant’s curve with the train coming! The hot chocolate after the beautifully chilly Johnston Canyon hike was soooo good! This experience was so worth it, I felt like I really got a lot out of the day, thanks to Simon!”

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7.4-Hour E-Bike and Walking Tour in Johnston Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 67 reviews · 4 hours · from $146

Join a guide such as Michael, Alina, or Chris for a four-hour Banff outing combining a 26-kilometer e-bike ride with a three-kilometer hike at Johnston Canyon. You’ll pass Vermilion Lakes, ride the Legacy Trail and Bow Valley Parkway, then return by shuttle.

“Excellent tour with great views! E-bikes were easy to use and great to get around”

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8.Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 57 reviews · 2h 30m · from $79

Join a certified English-speaking guide such as Tim, Emma, or Jeff for a 2.2-kilometre night walk through frozen Johnston Canyon. You’ll use ice cleats, pass along steel catwalks, visit the lower falls and cave, then return beneath the moon and stars.

“If you're going to make a good life choice it is this excursion you want to make one.. This product did not disappoint, Our guide Tim was full of local knowledge for both banff but also the surrounding sights to experiences to relish in on your next holiday. The walk itself is easy. The sounds and sights did not disappoint. Must Do Mission.”

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9.Lake Louise, Moraine, Emerald & Johnston Canyon tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 51 reviews · from $51

Spend a full day visiting Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake, Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park, and Banff town. Departures leave Calgary, Canmore, or Banff, with transport, park fees, water, photo stops, and an English-speaking guide included. Bally may lead your trip.

“It was awesome. Guide was super helpful amd trip was very convenient even for parents”

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10.Half Day Heart Creek Canyon – Near Banff & Canmore- For Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $146

Join a certified guide such as Jack, Juan, Guillaume, or Olivia for a four to five-hour canyoning trip at Heart Creek. Hike 45 minutes uphill, learn basic rope work, rappel through the canyon, descend an 18-meter waterfall, and finish with natural rock slides. Wetsuits, harnesses, helmets, and drybags are supplied.

“My daughter and I had a wonderful day canyoning. Jack was our tour guide. He was friendly and knowledgeable about the area and made the day a pleasure for us and the other two participants. Heart Creek Canyon is a beautiful area. There were a few challenging aspects that Jack coached us through safely. To get there and back, we prebooked a taxi from Canmore to the Heart Creek trail head, which cost about $40 each way. My daughter and I both thoroughly enjoyed our day.”

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11.Lake Louise, Moraine, Emerald & Johnston Canyon Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 40 reviews · 11 hours · from $87

Spend 11 hours touring Banff’s best-known lakes and waterfalls with an English-speaking guide such as Guri, Harry, Ross, or Sharan. Ride from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff, with park entry, water, Moraine Lake access, and winter crampons included. Lunch is on your own in Banff.

“The Guide Amarjeet was exceptional. At no point he rushed the tour and always gave as much time as needed at each location and explained everything about the places clearly. It was raining half of the day but he went above and beyond to keep us happy by taking to the locations which were not on the itinerary.”

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12.Horseshoe Canyon Whitewater Rafting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 39 reviews · 3h 30m · from $98

Take on the Bow River’s Horseshoe Canyon with an experienced English-speaking guide, full river gear, big Class 2 to 4 rapids, and optional 8-foot or 30-foot cliff jumps. Guides such as Sam, Ames, Quynton, and Bets bring local stories and steady river skills to this 210-minute half-day trip.

“Lots of fun and beautiful scenery. Our guide, Sam, told us great stories about the area and kept us all feeling safe and exhilerated. I went with my husband and mid-twenties year old children. We all had a wonderful time. We were in a raft with a mom and 2 teenagers and felt we were very well matched.”

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13.Johnston Canyon Frozen Waterfalls – Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85

Travel from Banff to Johnston Canyon with a local guide such as Tess, Gini, or Michael. Walk with supplied crampons to the Lower and Upper Falls, learn about wildlife and geology, pause for hot drinks, and stop at scenic Bow Valley Parkway viewpoints.

“Friendly tour guide! She was very helpful, gave good recommendations and cool facts during the trail”

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14.Bow River E-Bike Tour and Sundance Canyon Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 3 hours · from $114

Ride about 12 km from central Banff along the Bow River to Cave & Basin and Sundance Canyon. You will hike 2 km on an uneven trail with 100 metres of ascent. Guides including Julia, Dylan, Santiago, and Luc have led recent tours.

“The e-bikes were very powerful which we loved! My cousin loves to asks questions and our tour guy was great at answering all of them. I forgot his name, but he honestly was the best.”

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15.Banff, Lake Louise, Marble Canyon & Yoho National Parks Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 33 reviews · 8 - 9 hours · from $104

Travel from Calgary with a Mandarin and English guide to Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, Lake Louise, and Marble Canyon. You get park entry, transport, and guide service for $104, with optional lunch or afternoon tea at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Expect a full day and moderate walking.

“I totally recommend this activity. You will be tired at the end of the day because you will see amazing landscapes. We traveled with Mike. He is an amazing guide”

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