Grotto Canyon
Grotto Canyon
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
214 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
78
Average
19
Poor
5
Terrible
5
Justine28
Yellowknife, Canada2,191 contributions
Dec 2022
Went on this lovely hike in late December and really enjoyed it. It was a Friday between Christmas and New Year’s so the trail was actually very busy. The parking lot for starters was super packed around 11 AM, we had to circle quite a bit and wait for someone to leave before we could park the car. It was much quieter when we were finishing the hike 2 hours later, after lunch. Not a difficult hike, easily done with kids and/or by seniors, but there were a few spots that could be tricky. It was a rather warm winter day (not more than -5C) and the stream was not frozen solid, with some really wet spots. Be prepared with waterproof higher boots for those conditions. There was also quite a lot of snow on the ‘not maintained’ part of the trail (to the left after the climbing wall); it definitely slowed us down as very few people took that trail, so it was tiring to go through high snow for a long time. Other than that, the trail was absolutely wonderful, really picturesque around the river/stream etc, even despite the grey skies. Crampons are a must in winter here, they really do help in that terrain. Highly recommended!
Written January 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CW
Strathcona County, Canada4 contributions
Jan 2021
Had a nice NY day hike at Grotto. Was very busy but what isn't this time of year. The hike isn't too tough and I knocked it off in a pair of Nikes. I can see some ppl's concern and you might want to be better equipped than I, it is an icy river bed and rocky terrain. Lots to see and not too long to complete. We went well past the "cave", took many pics and round trip was under 2 hours.
Written January 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben B
Calgary, Canada14,150 contributions
Nov 2020
Grotto Canyon freezes over in the winter, and that means ice. We were there mid-November, and the ice had started to form. There were two sections that you needed to cross carefully. As the winter progresses, there will likely be more ice, and when it's on a slope, it could be quite hairy...
But it is a gorgeous place, and well worth preparing for, and the icefall is very fascinating.
But it is a gorgeous place, and well worth preparing for, and the icefall is very fascinating.
Written November 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie G
Calgary, Canada78 contributions
Jul 2020
With some water still flowing in the creek, we crossed it many times and felt like little kids puddle jumping. The canyon is an interesting hike that goes to a waterfall. WE went past it a little with the understanding that there was further trail that looped but ended up turning back after a while. Still a great day out!
Written August 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laco78
Coppell, TX119 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
I had high expectations and wasn't disappointed.
We skipped doing a paid tour, rented our grampons, parked and followed the signs from parking. It was that easy.
The path was clearly marked and fun to follow. When you first step on the ice you have a fear of falling through but you quickly get over it and then enjoy the view and experience. If brave enough make the climb up the frozen falls. After go explore the ungroomed trail and see the beauty beyond the falls. Highly recommended but not meant for kids.
We skipped doing a paid tour, rented our grampons, parked and followed the signs from parking. It was that easy.
The path was clearly marked and fun to follow. When you first step on the ice you have a fear of falling through but you quickly get over it and then enjoy the view and experience. If brave enough make the climb up the frozen falls. After go explore the ungroomed trail and see the beauty beyond the falls. Highly recommended but not meant for kids.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
digitalroc
Calgary, Canada2,141 contributions
Aug 2020
Unfortunately I never made it all the way on this trail, as I encountered a grizzly walking across the trail 70 feet away from me by the power pole on August 25th. As a solo hiker, I forgot my bear spray in the car, however fortunately for me, the bear gave me a look then carried on his merry way. The trail leading from the parking lot to the power station is very dirty, it is a river bed that is full of silt.
Written November 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Banff_Bear31
Banff, Alberta, Canada165 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
We visited this canyon about a week ago now and after reading about the canyon for years we were under the impression that this hike was very easy similar to Johnstone Canyon further up the road in Banff National Park.
It seems we missed something or something has changed since the floods in 2013 since their wasn't much of a trail to follow but rather creek jumping up the canyon as you followed the steep cliffs.
This doesn't take away from the beauty of the canyon but might deter some that might have thought this was a super easy hike.
Overall this was one of the funniest hikes that I have done in the area with the creek hopping and Steve Canyon next do adding to a 3-4 hr excellent experience of this canyon.
It seems we missed something or something has changed since the floods in 2013 since their wasn't much of a trail to follow but rather creek jumping up the canyon as you followed the steep cliffs.
This doesn't take away from the beauty of the canyon but might deter some that might have thought this was a super easy hike.
Overall this was one of the funniest hikes that I have done in the area with the creek hopping and Steve Canyon next do adding to a 3-4 hr excellent experience of this canyon.
Written May 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karanszia
Kent458 contributions
Feb 2013 • Couples
We had a lovely morning walking in Grotto Canyon, with our very helpful guides Ryan and Jack from Discover Banff Tours. Walking on solid ice is really something else. Ryan and Jack were very informative guides showing us the First Nation painting amongst other things. You don't really need a guide to do this walk, just make sure you have really good ice cleats. We'd be more than happy to go again. Highly recommended.
Written February 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katarina S
21 contributions
Dec 2012 • Family
Great trail. Beautiful scenery. Did this trail in the winter time and it was breath taking. There is a long stretch where you're hiking on ice so make sure to come prepared with the right footwear and crampons so you're not slipping and sliding. Also be sure to come prepared with layers as temperatures. I made the mistake of wearing my warmest clothing and it's a pretty good workout. We went a bit past the cave (which we climbed up into) and it took our 4 person group about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there... so maybe 2 and a half hours total for the hike. Would do it again in a heart beat. Gorgeous frozen waterfalls, ancient paintings on stone, an awesome cave, gorgeous scenery of surrounding mountains... what more could you ask for?
Written December 31, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janine M
Crawley, UK149 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Great hike suitable for most.
This time of year there is still lots of ice further up the canyon so be ware.
This time of year there is still lots of ice further up the canyon so be ware.
Written May 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There seems to be a few icewalk tours on the offer. Do I need to go on these tours or can I skip paying for the tours and hike the trail on my own time/pace using my own crampons?
Written February 10, 2020
Aloha, my wife and I plan to visit Canmore/Banff/Jasper next month, and I am interested in seeing (not touching) the pictographs in Grotto Canyon. Could you please tell me specifically where they are, as I've heard they're easily missed.
Thanks!!
Written September 11, 2017
Hi, Yes you can indeed easly miss them so did we in the first instance as we were busy putting our spikes on. Not sure how it looks currently compared to the winter tim.
If you walk into the first part ofthe canyon its a wider part as you approach the section where it gets smaller they are on the left hand sight. Good luck and I hope you find them.
Kind regards
Written September 12, 2017
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