Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows Review

Nestled in Banff National Park, the Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows offers a serene escape for nature enthusiasts and travellers looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors. If you’re searching for Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows reviews, this is our honest take after staying here several times. As locals to the Bow Valley, we are no strangers to the Johnston Canyon hike and the Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows, yet we still get excited about the opportunity to stay in the charming, rustic cabins at this Johnston Canyon resort.

We first stayed in one of the Johnston Canyon cabins over 10 years ago, before we had kids and just before we became residents of the Bow Valley. We had two dogs at the time, so we appreciated that the cabins are pet-friendly. Staying right near the Johnston Canyon trail was a big part of the appeal then, and it still is now.

We recently stayed at the Johnston Canyon cabins for a second time. This time, we stayed with two kids and no dogs! In this post, we’ll share everything you need to know about staying at Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows in Banff, including what the cabins are like, who they’re best for, and what makes this Johnston Canyon accommodation such a great choice for exploring the natural wonders of Banff National Park.

We were hosted for our most recent stay at Johnston Canyon Cabins, but all opinions are our own. This post contains compensated links.

What It’s Like to Stay at Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows

We’ve stayed in two different styles of cabins at the Johnston Canyon Resort. The first time was in one of the smaller Red Cabins with our two dogs. The second time was in the Large Bungalow with our two kids.

All the cabins are heated with a gas fireplace, which makes them feel cozy the second you walk in. Some of the Studio cabins, the Bungalows and the Carriage House also have wood burning fireplaces.

The small cabin was a perfect fit when we travelled as a couple, but we really appreciated the extra space in the Large Bungalow with kids. While we try to travel light, we just end up with a lot more stuff when traveling with kids and especially on a cool weekend in October in Banff.

We really appreciated all the hooks for jackets and hats, but my one suggestion would be to add a shoe rack. With all our hiking shoes, they were either in the way by the door or inevitably got kicked into the living area.

The living area with a couch and two chairs was the perfect place for us to hang out and play games in the evening when it got chilly outside. We loved the large glass windows with the forest and the kids enjoyed getting to stay so close to the hiking trail where they could watch the hikers wander by.

There are two separate bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed, which suited our family perfectly. While we typically prefer two singles for the kids, they managed just fine sharing a bed (with some middle of the night kicking).

The large bungalow also has a large bathroom with a claw tub and separate shower.

Finally, our favourite spot was outside on the porch with the two Adirondack chairs where you can hear Johnston Creek and look down on the hiking trail to Johnston Canyon.

It’s important to note that while the hiking trail to Johnston Canyon can get busy, it never impacts the feel of solitude and tranquility of the cabin.

Johnston Canyon Cabins: Room Types, Layout, and Comfort

Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows is made up of 42 cabins, plus the BlackSwift Bistro and the Market Café. The cabins are open from May to October each year, closing for the winter.

The 42 cabins are nestled in a natural pine and spruce forest, where you’ll also find a tennis court. Scattered around the grounds are vintage cars and other interesting memorabilia. Most importantly, the Johnston Canyon cabins are located right at the trailhead to the popular Johnston Canyon hike.

Across the property, there are several different cabin and bungalow styles. Many of them fit only 2 people. There are also options for families which include the Large Bungalows and the Cottages. The Large Bungalows can fit 4 to 6 people and the Cottage can fit 4 people. Other options for small families are the Small Bungalows that can fit 2 to 4 people (cots or a hide-a-bed are available at a small incremental cost).

Amenities at Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows

BlackSwift Bistro and Market Café

As mentioned, there’s also the Market Café and BlackSwift Bistro on the property. In the Market Cafe you’ll find souvenirs, clothes and books. They have a great selection of books on the area that are worth perusing. For eating, you’ll find snacks like chips and chocolate bars, but there are also baked goods, milkshakes, sandwiches and coffee.

The BlackSwift Bistro, connected to the Market Café, has typical Canadian fare. The restaurant itself is surrounded with large windows and has a large patio to enjoy meals outside. There’s a wood burning fireplace and antiques throughout that give it some rustic charm. The restaurant is open for breakfast at 8 am and for dinner at 5:30 pm.

We had both breakfast and dinner at the Blackswift Bistro. Our favourites from the dinner options were the poutine and the steak sandwich. We especially enjoyed the breakfast. The avocado toast with poached eggs was delicious as was the French toast.

Our son ordered the pancakes, which may have been some of the biggest pancakes we’ve seen and he finished the meal by saying “that was the best breakfast ever”. As parents, we especially appreciated the free coffee refills!

Wi-Fi, Kitchens, BBQ Area, and Family Extras

The cabins have free Wi-Fi, but if you prefer to disconnect then they also have games and DVDs to borrow at the check-in desk. For those traveling with kids, they do not have kids movies so this is where you might want to bring an iPad for movies.

Most of the cabins at the Johnston Canyon Resort are small and quaint with beds, a private ensuite bathroom and a coffee/tea area with a bar fridge.

The Large Bungalow cabins have full kitchens, which is nice if you are travelling to Banff on a budget or simply want a break from restaurant meals. There’s a gas stove and electric oven plus all the typical appliances like a kettle, toaster and Nespresso with pods. The fridge has a freezer and there’s also a microwave.

All the Johnston Canyon cabins share a large barbeque area, so even if you aren’t in a large bungalow, there’s still the option to self-cater.

Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows Location

Driving from Calgary and the Town of Banff

Johnston Canyon Resort is located near Castle Junction on the Bow Valley Parkway between the Town of Banff and Lake Louise. Due to its central location, it’s one of the best places to stay instead of the Town of Banff.

The Bow Valley Parkway is one of the best scenic drives in Banff National Park, so getting to Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows is part of the experience.

The fastest way to get to the Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows from Calgary or Banff is to drive west along the Trans-Canada Highway and then turn onto the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A). It will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive from Calgary to Johnston Canyon and only 30 minutes from Banff.

There are three access points to the Bow Valley Parkway:

• Fireside Entrance: The eastern end of the scenic drive begins just 15 km west of the Mount Norquay overpass. This access point is often referred to as “Fireside” due to the proximity of the Fireside picnic area.
• Castle Junction Entrance: If you continue driving on the Trans-Canada Highway for another 24 km past Fireside, you’ll reach Castle Junction; the second access point to the Parkway.
• Lake Louise Entrance: The western end of this scenic route is along the road to the Lake Louise Ski Resort; just a minute away from the Trans-Canada Highway.

Driving Directions to the Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows

Bow Valley Parkway Driving Restrictions

There is an annual road closure in effect every spring to protect our precious wildlife who call this scenic route home. We keep all the closure details up to date in our post on the Bow Valley Parkway Scenic Drive.

During these restrictions, guests can still access the Johnston Canyon cabins by driving to Castle Junction then onto the Bow Valley Parkway back to Johnston Canyon. This section of the Bow Valley Parkway is always open.

Roam Transit

The Roam Transit bus Route 9 goes from the town of Banff to Johnston Canyon, making it convenient to stay here even if you are visiting Banff without a car. The Roam bus to Johnston Canyon operates daily in the summer and on weekends and statutory holidays in the fall and winter. Always consult the Roam Route 9 schedule before your planned trip to Johnston Canyon.

What to Bring for a Stay at Johnston Canyon Cabins

There’s not really too much extra you need to bring for a stay in one of the Johnston Canyon cabins. The onsite restaurant and Market Cafe make it easy to have a meal or pick up snacks and coffee.

If you are staying in one of the Large Bungalows with a full kitchen, everything you need is supplied.

There were a few things we brought that we were glad we had:

1. Slippers – The floors get a little chilly especially in the bathrooms. We were glad we had these.
2. Snacks – We loved that our Johnston Canyon accommodations allowed us to hike Johnston Canyon without the crowds. In the summer, it’s well worth it to bring some snacks to get you going in the morning to do the hike. After the hike, you can return for breakfast.
3. Evening Snacks – We loved hanging around in the evening. With a microwave, a bag of popcorn would have been ideal for our family game night.
4. Kids Games – Our kids are big fans of Exploding Kittens, so that was easy for us to pack.
5. Camera – Especially important for driving the Bow Valley Parkway and spotting wildlife!
6. Pet Supplies – When we stayed with the dogs, we brought their pet beds and dishes. Though they preferred to curl up under the table.

Why Stay Here Instead of the Town of Banff

While we found the cabins cozy and comfortable (our kids especially loved staying in this cabin), what we really love about Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows is the location.

We love the sense of being in nature the entire time and yet, you are so well situated for so many of the best things to do in Banff National Park.

Hiking to Johnston Canyon is an obvious one, but the real benefit is being right at the trailhead to beat the crowds. We hear many complaints about people not enjoying Johnston Canyon because of how busy it is, but it truly is a wonderful hike when you can enjoy it without all the people.

Staying at Johnston Canyon Resort makes it so easy to get on the trail early in the morning or later in the afternoon when everyone has left (especially in the summer when the days are long).

Thankfully we were staying in October, as we were still able to have breakfast and get on the trail before it got too busy.

There’s something really wonderful about getting to start a hike right from your doorstep. Without the drive, you’ll also have more time to hike to the Ink Pots.

Since the cabins are right on the Bow Valley Parkway, you’ll love this Banff scenic drive which is ideal for spotting wildlife. In May/June and September, you can also enjoy biking the Bow Valley Parkway car free. You can even rent e-bikes right at the Johnston Canyon Lodge!

Other incredible hikes just a short drive away along the Bow Valley Parkway are the Rockbound Lake hike, Silverton Falls and Castle Lookout hike. Further up Highway 93, are Marble Canyon, the Paint Pots plus the hikes to Arnica Lake, Boom Lake and the popular Stanley Glacier.

For photographers looking to capture the mountain landscape, the Morant’s Curve, one of Banff’s best viewpoints, is also one of the stops along the Bow Valley Parkway. You can also stop at Castle Junction exit for an ideal vantage point to capture Castle Mountain (head down to the Bow River through the gate just before the bridge).

Finally, the Johnston Canyon Lodge and Bungalows are only 33 km from Lake Louise area where there’s no shortage of things to do in Lake Louise. During our stay, we enjoyed the most lovely Banff larch hike from the Lake Louise gondola!

The only downside to staying here, is that if you want to try different restaurants, then you’ll need to drive into the town of Banff and back for your meals. This isn’t a big deal and we’ve done it in the past without any issue, but it’s something to be aware of, especially in the spring when the eastern section of the Bow Valley Parkway is closed overnight.

See Also: The best hotels in the Town of Banff.

Final Verdict: Is Johnston Canyon Lodge Worth It?

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay in the Johnston Canyon cabins, and our kids did too. We all loved how cozy our cabin felt and thoroughly enjoyed getting on the hiking trail right from our front door.

If you have an opportunity to stay at Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows, we would definitely recommend it.