Canyoning in Banff

One of the best ways to experience Banff National Park’s exquisite natural beauty is by doing a canyoning tour of the park.

You can rappel, scramble, hike, water slide and pool jump in lovely spots such as Heart Creek Canyon, Ghost Canyon and Castle Mountain Canyon.

Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate or veteran canyoner, there’s a marvelous canyoning tour from Banff available to see this glorious part of Canada.

Here's all you need to know about canyoning, one of the most exhilarating outdoor activities in Banff.

What are the best canyoning tours in Banff?

Canyoning - Heart Creek Canyon beginner level

This canyoning experience at Heart Creek Canyon in Banff National Park is ideal for beginners easing into rope rappelling.

Located near Banff and Canmore, Heart Creek Canyon allows you a relatively easy approach with rappels progressively increasing in length. The activity culminates in an 18-meter waterfall rappel and slide.

Meet your guides at the Heart Creek Trail parking lot, at the exit to Lac Des Arcs east of Canmore. You will then go on a 30 - 45 minute hike to take you to the top of both the Canyon parts, where your canyon adventure kicks off.

Participants are provided with the canyoning equipment and to ensure your safety, the guides will first go through a mandatory rappel and rope safety instruction.

Once you start, you will go through a total of five rappels, with some scrambling and hiking in between. The upper canyon of Heart Creek is an easier section and later in the summer can be dry.

This provides you with the opportunity to ease your way into rappelling. Along the lower section of the canyon the last rappel is always wet. This you can consider optional, but it’s not required to exit the canyon.

Canyoning - Ghost Canyon intermediate level

Enjoy hours of fun rappels, slides, and pool jumps on this Ghost Canyon canyoning trip in Banff National Park for canyoners at intermediate level. The nature of the rappels is uncomplicated and even beginners can take up the challenge.

But there is still enough allure in the jumps and slides to also get veteran canyoners into the action.

Ghost Canyon is located on the northeastern edge of Banff National Park, requires 4x4 access, and offers a thrilling canyon experience.

Participants are not required to have any rope or rappelling experience, but should be fairly comfortable with swimming and heights.

Meet your guides either at the staging area in the Heart Creek Trail parking lot, or after being picked up from your hotel in Banff. Then follows an approximate 1.5 hour van drive to the starting spot in the canyon.

You will hike for about 30-45 minutes to the canyon top, where your real canyoning adventure starts. Wet suits and neoprene socks, booties, safety helmet, harness, all necessary rappelling equipment and snacks are supplied.  

After you have all suited up, the guides will do a mandatory rappel and rope safety briefing.

You will experience a total of four rappels, alternated with some scrambling, hiking, several slides and easy pool jumps.

It will take about three to 4 hours to descend the entire canyon. The whole tour lasts approximately 7  hours, of which 4 to 5 hours are spent in the canyons.

Castle Mountain Canyon for advanced canyoning

Take your canyoneering experience to a high level with a full-day canyoning excursion for advanced canyoners in Castle Canyon from Banff.

Get your adrenaline pumping with five challenging rappels, a 4-meter jump and a lot of pools to swim through.

To prepare your equipment before your arrival, you will be requested to provide your height and weight. Meet your guide at Beamers coffee shop in Canmore, but remember to change into your bathing suit beforehand.

When you arrive, you will be asked to sign a 'waiver of liability'. You'll be transported by a shuttle to the outdoor location where you will be briefed on safety and rappelling and do a practice session.

The guides will spend an hour or two to ensure that you are competent and comfortable for the relatively difficult challenges of the canyon.

You'll continue by vehicle for 30 minutes to the starting point of Castle Mountain Canyon and get to the top following a 20 - 30 minutes hike, where your exciting adventure starts.

After you’ve suited up, you can start your rappelling, jumping, sliding and swimming. You will face a total of five rappels, and alternately do some scrambling and hiking.

How much do canyoning tours in Banff cost?

Canyoning tours in Banff National Park cost from around US$150 to US$220 per person.

The Heart Creek Canyon beginner level tour costs US$150 and the Ghost Canyon intermediate level tour costs US$220 per person, with pickup at your hotel.

The full-day canyoning tour in Castle Mountain Canyon for advanced canyoners costs US$220 per person.

What is included?

The canyoning tours include certified canyoning guides, hotel pickup and drop-off in some instances, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional rappelling briefing, wet suits (bottom, top, and neoprene socks), safety helmet, harness, and snacks (some tours).

Where does it start?

The meeting point for the Heart Creek Canyon beginner level is Range Road at the Heart Creek Trail Parking lot or pickup at your hotel. The participants for the Ghost Canyon intermediate level tours use the same meeting point.

The meeting point for the Castle Mountain Canyon tour for advanced canyoners is at Beamers coffee shop in Canmore.

How long does it last?

The typical duration of the Banff canyoning tours is about 8 hours. Of this, about 4-5 hours are spent in the canyons, and 6 hours in the case of the Castle Mountain tour for advanced canyoners.

When is the best time for a canyoning tour in Banff?

The summer canyoning tours are offered from May through September. Summer is the most popular time to visit Banff as the weather is mild but sunny. You can then participate in activities such as canyoning, kayaking and river rafting.

Is it safe?

Canyoning in Banff is very safe if you just follow your guide’s instructions. These tours are not recommended, however, for people with back or heart problems or other serious medical conditions.

Are children allowed?

The minimum age for the Ghost Canyon intermediate level tour is at least 15. For the Heart Creek Canyon beginner level tour, children from age 13 are allowed but must be accompanied by an adult.

For the Castle Mountain Canyon tour for advanced canyoners, the minimum age is 17.

What happens in case of bad weather?

These tours depend on good weather. If it’s canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date, or request a full refund.

Which other outdoor activities can be done in Banff?

• Boat tours in Banff
• Rafting experiences in Banff
• Canoeing in Banff

Travel tips

• Make sure to book your canyoning tour in Banff in advance.
• Bring a bathing suit, day pack to carry gear, a towel, extra clothes for after the tour, water and snacks.
• Wear sturdy outdoor shoes.
• Dress in layers, and bring a rain jacket.