Looking for more to see and do along the Icefields Parkway?
Camp overnight at nearby Silverhorn Creek Campground, or head north to hike to Parker Ridge or join a guided glacier walk on the Athabasca Glacier.
LOCATION
Mistaya Canyon is located right off the Icefields Parkway in northern Banff National Park, five kilometers south of Saskatchewan Crossing.
LENGTH
- 0.6 miles to the Mistaya Canyon Bridge and back
- 1.2 miles round trip including a short loop trail along the river
DIFFICULTY
Moderate/Challenging — Yes, this trail is short. It doesn’t take much effort to reach the bridge over Mistaya Canyon, although the trail is briefly steep and rocky. The more challenging part is getting down to the river, as the trail is eroded and can be slippery underfoot.
WE HIKED IT
August, 2023, around 45 minutes
CURRENT INFO
A map and reviews for the Mistaya Canyon Trail are available on the AllTrails website. Planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies? I recommend the Moon Canadian Rockies guidebook by Andrew Hempstead. For the most current information, be sure to visit the Banff National Park website with Parks Canada.
GOOD TO KNOW
- The large parking lot for the Mistaya Canyon trailhead is located right off the Icefields Parkway in northern Banff National Park, just five kilometers south of Saskatchewan Crossing. The trailhead is marked by an arrow at the north end of the lot.
- All visitors must pay the national park entrance fee or have a valid annual Parks Canada Discovery Pass to drive the Icefields Parkway. Check the Banff National Park website for current information.
- Vault toilets are available at the trailhead.
- While quite short, the trail is also steep. Be prepared for loose dirt and gravel, or mud if it’s been raining. Below the Mistaya Canyon bridge, you may have to use your hands as you make your way down the highly eroded trail to the river.
- Wear shoes or hiking boots with good traction. The sandy, gravelly trail surface is slippery.
- Hiking poles are not required, but may be helpful for some.
- Bring water and snacks. No water is available at the trailhead or along the trail.
- Always follow Leave No Trace principles.
HIGHLIGHTS
Mistaya Canyon is one of several stunning narrow river gorges in Banff and Jasper National Parks. Although easily accessible from the Icefields Parkway, its location in the northern reaches of Banff National Park means it doesn’t draw as many crowds as some of the other more famous locations. The canyon is dramatic, framed by Rocky Mountain peaks, and the limestone banks of the river below are perfect for picnicking or just relaxing and enjoying the views.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
A short trail to a thundering river with plenty of rocks to climb? Yes, please! Mistaya Canyon is a terrific adventure, but there are a few important safety tips to keep in mind. The river here is swift and rocky, and definitely not safe for swimming. Keep children a safe distance from all ledges and drop-offs. This is a “walk, don’t run” trail, as the path is often slippery. In a few spots, my kids even sat down to better maneuver down the deeply eroded trail to the river.
While some erosion is inevitable, do your best to stay on the main trail and avoid creating even more erosion. So many people have gone off trail here and created alternate routes that sometimes this is easier said than done. And of course, have fun!
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
Looking to camp? Mistaya Canyon is 20 kilometers north of gorgeous Silverhorn Creek Campground, where our family camped for three nights. The Peyto Lake viewpoint, probably one of the most famous stops along the Icefields Parkway, is located just 12 kilometers south of the campground.
Heading north on the Icefields Parkway, you’ll reach Saskatchewan Crossing only five kilometers past Mistaya Canyon. Home to a resort, pricey (but strategically located) gasoline, basic supplies, ice cream, and more, Saskatchewan Crossing is the only place to access these kinds of goods and services on this stretch of the Icefields Parkway.
A half hour drive north of Saskatchewan Crossing, the trail to Parker Ridge leads to glorious views of the Rockies and Saskatchewan Glacier. Head 10 kilometers further north to hike to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier and experience a glacier at close range. For an even bigger thrill, book a guided glacier walk with IceWalks. This was one of the highlights of our two-week trip to the Canadian Rockies.
Located on the opposite side of the Icefields Parkway from Athabasca Glacier, the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre features washrooms with flush toilets, a Starbucks, restaurant, and gift shop. It’s also the departure point for the Columbia Icefield Adventure tours that drive large groups of tourists onto the glacier in a giant ice explorer bus.
Our Experience
After settling into our new campsite at Silverhorn Creek Campground, we were ready to get out and explore. Although a smokey haze obscured the full glory of the Canadian Rockies, I was sure a short hike to Mistaya Canyon would turn our gaze from the smoggy sky to more immediate delights.
It took just 15 minutes to drive to the Mistaya Canyon trailhead from the campground. We followed the arrow at the north end of the parking lot to join the trail, a wide gravelly path that soon turned steep. Not too steep, but with the loose rock underfoot I had to watch my step.
In just a quarter mile, we reached the Mistaya Canyon Bridge. Stop here for a few moments to peer into the deep gorge carved into the rock by the Mistaya River. We caught glimpses of the frothing ice-blue water as it churned and roiled beneath our feet, but the canyon is so narrow and deep that in places it’s difficult to even spot the water.
Naturally, the boys were eager to head down to the riverbank and explore further. Just past the bridge, the sandy trail takes a steep, sharp plunge down the hillside. If you aren’t up for a little scrambling or don’t have good footgear, avoid this part and just enjoy the view from the bridge. For those ready to get a little dirty, head on down.
Our family made it safely down to the Mistaya River, where the water continued to froth and roar. This is definitely not the place for a swim, but the rocky shelves along the shore offer many great picnic spots. We followed the trail into the woods and headed further downriver. It’s a little sketchy and brushy, and didn’t seem to lead anywhere in particular, so after a little wandering we turned around to head back.
The AllTrails information for Mistaya Canyon indicates there is a small loop trail along this section of the river. I found what I believe is the trail junction that leads to the upper part of the loop. As you can see in the photo above, it’s a little rough around the edges. We took a look and decided to stick with the riverside trail.
After enjoying a break by the river, we made our way back across the bridge and up the trail to the parking lot. Although smoke obscured the mountain views, it couldn’t diminish the sparkling turquoise of the Mistaya River, or the incredible depth of the canyon. Even on a smoky day in Banff National Park, Mistaya Canyon was just the adventure we needed.
