Johnston Canyon Reopens As Suspected Drowning Now ...
RCMP say witnesses saw individual enter water and fail to resurface
bowvalleyinsider.comHere’s the latest on Johnston Canyon.
-
A suspected drowning occurred at Lower Falls in Banff National Park, prompting Parks Canada to close the Johnston Canyon Trail and Day-Use Area while authorities investigated. The closures affected access to both Lower Falls and Upper Falls, and remained in place as RCMP handled the investigation and park rangers conducted recovery efforts.[2][4][6]
-
Johnston Canyon reopening: after authorities determined the area could be accessed again without hindering the investigation, the Johnston Canyon Trail and day-use area reopened to the public in early May 2026 (May 4), though ongoing updates from Parks Canada and RCMP were expected as the situation developed.[1]
-
Context and what to expect: the incident involved an American visitor who did not resurface after entering the water near the Lower Falls; Parks Canada extended condolences and asked visitors to stay away during the emergency response, with access restrictions lifted only after responders determined it was safe to do so.[6][1]
-
For visitors and planning: Banff National Park remains busy, so if you’re planning a trip, check Parks Canada’s Banff Park updates for current access, safety advisories, and any lingering closures before you go. Recent coverage also notes that closures in response to the incident were specifically tied to public safety operations and would lift as the investigation and recovery progressed.[4][2]
Illustration: Johnston Canyon is a popular, canyon-style hike near Banff with catwalks and waterfalls; incidents have led to temporary closures in the past, with reopenings following safety assessments and investigations.[5][6]
Citations:
- Parks Canada updates and closure details after the incident.[2]
- Rehabilitation and reopening announcements and public safety communications.[1]
- Additional reporting on the incident and ongoing investigation.[6]