Scenic Views · Fishing · Alberta
Silverton Falls
A tall, powerful waterfall on a short trail off the Bow Valley Parkway near Castle Junction. Much quieter than Johnston Canyon, with a narrow, slippery section near the top.
What visitors say
Silverton Falls pours down a cliff below Castle Mountain, a few minutes up the Bow Valley Parkway from Johnston Canyon. Hikers describe it as powerful and beautiful, with mountain peaks behind you when you turn around at the top. Most of all, they like how few people are there compared with the canyon.
The trail starts at the Rockbound Lake day-use lot and is about 1 km each way. It begins in forest beside a creek, then switchbacks up the slope. Keep left at the junction where the Rockbound Lake trail continues. Most people take 30 to 45 minutes each way at a relaxed pace. One hiker found the trailhead sign a little hard to spot.
It makes an easy add-on to Johnston Canyon or a first stretch before the longer Rockbound Lake hike. Silverton Creek isn't on Banff's closed-waters list, but it's a small mountain stream, and any angling needs a Parks Canada permit and follows the park's seasonal dates.
Near the top there's a narrow, gravelly stretch that gets slippery. One winter hiker used crampons and crossed a small mudslide. This is bear country, so carry bear spray; one visitor had an active bear in the area.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 251 Google reviews. Conditions and rules change — check current park, access and fishing regulations before you go.