Grotto Canyon

Grotto Canyon is the best free winter canyon walk near Canmore, and a quieter alternative to Johnston Canyon. The trail starts at the Grotto Mountain day-use area just east of Canmore, about ten minutes from town, and follows a power line and then a creek bed for about a kilometre before entering the canyon itself. From there, limestone walls rise steeply on both sides and the canyon narrows as you walk upstream. In winter, the creek freezes and the canyon floor becomes an icy path, so microspikes are highly recommended. At a fork in the creek bed, the right branch leads to a waterfall that freezes into a column of ice in winter, often with ice climbers working on it, which makes for great watching. Just before the falls, on the canyon wall at about eye level, are faint red pictographs that are hundreds of years old; look but do not touch, as they are fragile and culturally significant. The round trip to the falls is about 4.2 kilometres with roughly 170 metres of elevation gain, and most people take one and a half to two hours. Beyond the falls, the canyon opens into a wider valley with hoodoo-like formations for those wanting to explore further. Grotto Canyon lies in the Bow Valley outside the national park, so no Parks Canada pass is needed, but Alberta Parks requires a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park your vehicle in Kananaskis and the Bow Valley. Check Alberta Parks trail reports for current conditions and closures before you go.

Why go in winter. The canyon is at its most dramatic when frozen: the waterfall becomes a pillar of blue ice, the walls are decorated with icicles, and the creek bed is a smooth, walkable surface in good conditions. Guided icewalks run here in winter if you prefer to go with a guide and borrowed traction, but it is straightforward to do independently with microspikes and sensible footwear. In summer, the creek flows and you walk beside or through it, which can be wet in early season.

Safety and etiquette. Ice conditions vary: after warm spells, water can flow over the ice, and thin spots may open near the falls. Stay on solid ice, keep away from the base of the frozen waterfall when climbers are active, and do not stand directly beneath them. Respect the pictographs; touching them damages the ochre. Carry warm layers and a headlamp in midwinter, since the canyon gets dark early. Dogs must be leashed.

Getting there and combining stops. Drive east from Canmore on the Bow Valley Trail (Highway 1A) to the Grotto Mountain day-use area. Combine the walk with a caving tour at nearby Rat's Nest Cave, or continue to the Kananaskis Nordic Spa for an afternoon soak. Purchase the Kananaskis Conservation Pass online before you go.