5 Must-See Summer Waterfalls In Banff (NOT Johnston Canyon)

Waterfall season in Banff hits just as the snow melts — and so do the crowds.

Johnston Canyon is the go-to for most people (myself included), and to be fair, it’s a beautiful little hike. But in summer? It’s basically a slow-moving conga line of tourists. Hard to feel the magic with a dozen GoPros pointed at you.

Luckily, there are plenty of other waterfalls in Banff National Park that are just as stunning — and way less packed. Some are tucked into trails with lakes, peaks, and quiet creeks along the way. All are well worth a detour.

Here are five waterfalls that fly under the radar but absolutely deserve a spot on your summer list.

(#4 you won’t find anywhere else, but here)

Silverton Falls

Waterfall Height: 50m
Hike to Location: Beginner

Not only do the Silverton Falls make for a stunning view, you don’t need to be a hardcore hiker to get there.

The route is just 1 km each way — making this an easy one-hour excursion, tops. You’ll pass a scenic creek and wander through the woods along the Rockbound Lake trail. After turning onto the Silverton Falls trail at a fork, there’s a short set of switchbacks and steeper sections before you reach the falls.

The payoff? A gorgeous 50m cascade that drops in three tiers — and way fewer people around than most popular spots.

Bonus option:

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can turn this into a much bigger day. Head back to the fork and continue on the Rockbound Lake Trail. 

This route climbs steadily, passing Tower Lake and serving up some epic views of Castle Mountain before ending at Rockbound Lake. It’s steep, and it’s a grind — but if you’re up for it, it’s well worth the effort.

Bow Glacier Falls 

Waterfall Height: 154m
Hike to Location: Intermediate

This one’s a beast — a much bigger waterfall than Silverton, but it comes with a longer hike to match.

Back in the day, the glacier used to block the view of the falls, but thanks to climate change (not exactly the trade-off we asked for), you can now see the full 154m cascade in all its glory. It’s one of the largest waterfalls off the Icefields Parkway.

The trail starts at Bow Lake, which I’d argue is one of the most beautiful lakes in Banff — even more stunning than Lake Louise, and way less crowded. It’s also the source of the Bow River, so a pretty iconic spot to kick things off.

The 9 km round-trip trail hugs the shoreline of Bow Lake before veering south toward the glacier. You’ll climb through rocky sections, cross creeks, and wind your way through a canyon. Early in the season, parts can still be snowy.

One of the coolest things about lake and river hikes in the Bow Valley is the unreal, fantasy-world blue of the glacial water. The water of the Bow Glacier Falls route is no exception.

Giant Steps Falls

Waterfall Height: Multiple small falls over ‘steps’
Hike to Location: Challenging

The Giant Steps definitely live up to the name — a stunning, terraced waterfall where water spills down massive rock shelves like nature’s version of a staircase. After a long (and I mean long) hike, it’s a pretty epic payoff.

The route starts by following Paradise Creek and passes Lake Annette — a hidden gem that’s way quieter than Moraine Lake, and a stunner in fall when the larches turn gold. After the lake, take the right fork onto the Horseshoe Lake Trail, where you'll get sweeping alpine meadows and towering peaks for company.

Heads up: this hike is a bit of a grind. From the Paradise Valley trailhead, it’s a 20 km round-trip with 712m of elevation gain — so yeah, it’s a full-day effort.

If the distance doesn’t scare off most tourists, the logistics probably will. Moraine Lake Road (where the trailhead is) is now closed to personal vehicles. Your best bet? Start from the Hamlet of Lake Louise and cycle the 5 km to the Paradise Valley trailhead, then stash your bike in the trees before heading out on foot.

Worth it? Absolutely. But bring snacks. 

Murchison Falls 

Height of Waterfall: 180m
Hike to Location: Intermediate, challenging if climbing

You won’t see this one on many hiking blogs — unless you hang out with ice climbers. In winter, experienced climbers take on the frozen falls head-on. But for the rest of us? Definitely skip it in winter. Between avalanche danger and falling ice, it’s just not worth the risk.

In summer, though? Completely different story.

Murchison Falls is absolutely massive — a 180m plunge into a natural amphitheatre, surrounded by jagged cliffs. The sound of the water crashing down echoes through the basin, making you feel tiny in the best way.

Because this one’s way off the radar, don’t expect an official trail. The route only recently popped up on AllTrails, so that’ll give you a rough guide. It follows the obvious creek on the left side, and while it’s only 5 km round-trip, you’ll likely be bushwhacking for parts. It’s also a steep haul — with over 600m of elevation gain.

Parking tip: There’s no official lot or trail signage. Most people just pull off into the ditch — not ideal. A safer option is to park at the Mount Wilson Overlook lot and walk about 2 km back along the highway to the trail start. Adds a bit to your day, but worth it for peace of mind.

Takakkaw Falls

Height of Waterfall: 373m
Hike to Location: Beginner

Okay, this one’s not a hidden gem — it’s pretty popular. But stick with me.

Takakkaw Falls is the second-tallest waterfall in Canada, and it’s an absolute showstopper. Glacial water thunders down 373 metres in one massive vertical drop followed by two smaller ones, carving a dramatic streak into the cliffside.

If you have to pick between the touristy Johnston’s Canyon and the touristy Takakkaw Falls, definitely pick Takakkaw Falls.

Despite the crowds, there’s a trick to enjoying it in peace: get there early. And we mean early. Aim to arrive 30 minutes before sunrise on a weekday, and you might just have the whole place to yourself.

Don’t want to crawl out of bed at 4am? Camp nearby. There’s a walk-in campground right by the parking lot, so you can roll out of your tent and hit the trail before anyone else.

The hike itself is short and easy — just 1.6 km round-trip. It’s a mellow stroll alongside the Yoho River, then over a bridge and up Takakkaw Creek to the falls viewpoint.

Bonus adventures: This area is packed with trails. From the Takakkaw Falls parking lot, you can head deeper into Yoho National Park:

• Laughing Falls is a great add-on if you want another waterfall
  

• Iceline Trail offers a tough but stunning alpine route
  

• Hidden Lakes is a quieter, easier option

The access road to the falls is only open mid-June through mid-October, but within that window, it’s an easy drive from Lake Louise, Banff, or Field.

One more thing: Bring binoculars. You’ll often spot climbers scaling the cliffs beside the falls — a pretty wild sight when you realize just how tall that rock wall is.

What Did We Miss?

Did we miss one of your favourites? 

Got a secret waterfall spot you’re willing to share? 

Or have you hiked any of these and have tips to pass along?

Let us know in the comments below! 

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