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Hidden Treasures of Banff

November 10, 2017 by My Farmhouse Table Leave a Comment

Hidden Treasures of Banff

The town of Banff lies in the heart of Banff National Park. A mountain town that brings a mix of fine dining, history, and natural wonders to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This is my list of the Hidden Treasures of Banff.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

Hidden Treasures of Banff: Johnston Canyon

Okay, so I wouldn’t say that Johnston Canyon is the best kept secret around Banff. Actually, the parking lots fill up pretty early in the morning. What is a surprising find is the wonderful scenery on the Bow Valley Parkway (the road that you must take to get to Johnston Canyon).

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

The Johnston Canyon trail travels through the forest and along canyon walls (via catwalks) following the flow of the creek below.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

There are numerous smaller waterfalls between the beginning of the trail head and the lower and upper falls.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

The canyon views are always changing between roaring sections of falls and calmer stretches of creek.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

The day we visited Johnston Canyon was my parent’s 30th anniversary and the reason we did this whole trip!

Aren’t they cute?

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

The hike to the Lower Falls is relatively short and not extremely steep.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

But the real gem is taking a little more time and going further up the trail to see the Upper Falls.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

Because a little before the Upper Falls is a hidden Instagram-worthy spot. Off the beaten trail and a blink or you’ll miss it, is this waterfall.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

Now it may not be big enough to be named a “Lower” or “Upper” fall, but in my opinion it’s even more special. This fall has a hidden “nook” that allows you to stand behind a waterfall.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

Yep. I can now mark that off my bucket list!

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

Hidden Treasures of Banff: Bow Falls and Surprise Corner

Driving back towards the town of Banff, we realized that smoke from wildfires in British Columbia had made its way over the mountains.

Our first stop upon returning to Banff was a stop at Bow Falls near the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

And even though the view of the hotel was obscured by the smoke, seeing it from “Surprise Corner” is not something that should be missed.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

Now if only I could win the lottery so I could live in a “castle” surrounded by mountains!

Hidden Treasures of Banff: Cascade Gardens and Downtown Banff

A short distance from Bow Falls is the Parks Canada Administration Office.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

Slightly behind the building is a little hidden oasis, Banff’s Cascade Gardens.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

A beautiful escape filled with flowers, flowing water, and various pathways that lead around the gardens.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

This is also the spot of an iconic downtown Banff photo opportunity, looking down Banff Avenue with the mountain peaks in the background.

Hidden Treasures of Banff My Farmhouse Table Johnston Canyon Bow Falls Fairmont Banff Springs Cascade Gardens Downtown Banff Canada Travel Alberta

And obviously all the summer tourist traffic!  😉

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Filed Under: Canada, Farmhouse Life, Travel Tagged With: Canada, Canada Travel, Travel

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About My Farmhouse Table

Hi! I'm Chanda of My Farmhouse Table. Raised in the Midwest on my family's grain and cattle farm.
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I'm Chanda of My Farmhouse Table. Raised in the Midwest on my family's grain & cattle farm. My days are based around faith, family, farming, & food.

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