Why You Should Drive the Icefields Parkway + Trip Planning Tips

The Icefields Parkway is a breathtaking 144-mile drive situated between Banff and Jasper National Parks in Alberta, Canada.

The journey along Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway, is listed in National Geographic’s Drives of a Lifetime and with good reason.The wild beauty of the Canadian Rockies will blow you away!

I felt like a speck surrounded by perfectly chiseled giants on all sides.

You simply cannot miss the Icefields Parkway drive when you’re planning a Canadian Rockies itinerary.

So, I’ve put together this guide from my multiple drives up and down the Icefields Parkway to help you plan an incredible road trip.

Why You Should Drive the Icefields Parkway + Trip Planning Tips

This spectacular drive winds its way through the jagged mountain peaks of the Canadian Rockies. And past glaciers feeding brilliantly blue lakes that manage to look both shimmering and milky.

Luckily, the Icefields Parkway Canada was built with numerous pull-off points to stop and take in the beauty around you.

With a must-pull-over-to-take-a-photo moment every 10 feet and the possibility of spotting wildlife around every turn, it’s best to go all-out tourist and keep your camera ready.

Icefields Parkway Map

Before setting off on your Icefields Parkway road trip, pick up a map in the Banff Tourism office along Banff Avenue, the main street through town. You can also get one at the start of the drive in Lake Louise.

Parks Canada has a digital copy available online, too. The drive is straightforward, but it helps to see what’s coming up so that you know when to stop instead of driving past something you wanted to see.

You can also download an app like Icefields Parkway GPS Tour Lake Louise – Jasper by GyPSy Guide. It plays automatically and uses GPS to know where you are. Along the way, it narrates what you’re seeing as you drive. It’s worth a few dollars to have a “personal” tour guide in the car with you.

Lastly, if you haven’t paid the park entry fees in Banff, you’ll need to do so in Lake Louise at the start of the Icefields Parkway drive. You can purchase passes based on the number of days you plan to be in Banff and Jasper National Parks.

Icefields Parkway Points of Interest

You could literally stop every few feet on the Icefields Parkway. It’s that stunning.

I’ve highlighted a few of my favorite spots to get you started.

Crowfoot Glacier & Bow Lake

Early on in the drive, you’ll want to stop to see Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake. There’s also a trailhead at Bow Lake to see the Bow Glacier and Bow Glacier Falls. The hike is moderately easy and just about 5.5 miles round trip.

You’ll need to plan ahead for any of the Icefields Parkway hikes.

Obviously, you’ll want to be dressed appropriately and have the right hiking gear. But even more importantly, beware of your timing.

If you’re planning to spend just 1 day on the Icefields Parkway, make sure you have enough daylight for everything on your to-do list. Otherwise, spread out your visit over a few days.

Peyto Lake

Continuing on, you’ll arrive at a must-see along the Icefields Parkway, Peyto Lake. It comes early in the drive, with a well-marked parking lot. You can walk from your car in about 10 minutes along a paved path leading to the lake’s viewing platform.

No matter how many times I’ve seen it, I still can’t believe the creamy, turquoise color of this lake! Surrounded by evergreens, mountains, and glacier ice, you’ll seriously wonder if you’re looking at something real or painted.

Saskatchewan River Crossing

Back on the road and passing by several large mountain peaks, the Saskatchewan River Crossing is the next stop.

It’s here the North Saskatchewan River meets the Howse and Mistaya Rivers. The snaking flow of the riverbed along this shallow, gravely stretch, with the mountains and evergreens all around is pretty spectacular.

Whether you have time for just a quick stop, plan to hike the nearby trails, or want to stretch your legs for lunch in the picnic area, have your camera ready!

Parker Ridge Trail

Hiking along the Icefields Parkway is absolutely unforgettable. So, if you’re short on time and plan to do just 1 hike along the way, make it the Parker Ridge Trail.

The trailhead is past Coleman Creek but before the Columbia Icefields Centre.

Like Johnston Canyon in Banff, the trail is not long. But, it climbs a progressively steep, winding path. You don’t need any specific climbing gear, but I was glad I’d worn these shoes with great grip and long sleeves because it can be quite windy up there, even in summer!

I hiked it on my own and met plenty of fellow hikers, both ascending and descending, who were happy to chat and offer encouragement.

Once at the top, you’re rewarded with sweeping views of the Saskatchewan Glacier. I wouldn’t rush this spot. The alpine meadows make a perfect spot to find some grass and take in the vastness around you.

Plan on 2 hours for the round trip and more if you plan to picnic or explore. 

Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefields Centre

Pull back onto the Parkway from the Parker Ridge stop, head toward the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefields Centre, stopping as needed to take photos.

At the Icefields Centre, you can take a ride out onto the Athabasca glacier to walk around. It’s the only Icefields Parkway glacier tour. So for that reason, it’s a bit touristy.

But, it was a fun experience. And if you aren’t planning on ice climbing, this is your chance to get up close and personal with a glacier.

Glacier tours leave every 15-30 minutes from the Columbia Icefields Centre across the street and take 80 minutes. A specialized monster vehicle designed to handle the icy descent transports you to the glacier’s surface.

Not to worry! An informative, experienced (and witty) guide talks about glaciers and how Athabasca has and is changing to distract you.

On the glacier’s surface, icy water runs from small streams of meltwater. Be sure to fill up your water bottle with this glacier goodness and drink up! Legend has it the water makes you look younger.

Keep in mind the Columbia Icefields weather will feel considerably chillier than even just across the street so bring an extra layer or keep those winter hiking pants handy!

The experience finishes with the thrilling Icefields Parkway glacier walk.

Columbia Icefield Skywalk

 Stepping out onto this glass platform offers panoramic views of the Sunwapta Valley. This incredible bird’s eye view of the valley floor 918 feet below gives you the chance to see wildlife, waterfalls, and the surrounding natural beauty from a totally unique vantage point.

You can’t drive directly to the skywalk. Instead, you take a shuttle from the Columbia Icefields Centre mentioned above. If you want to do both experiences, it’s possible to buy a joint ticket.

Athabasca Falls

At this point, you’ll be nearing the end of the Icefields Parkway. Before reaching the town of Jasper, stop to see Athabasca Falls. The raging water carves its way through a rocky gorge, swirling into caves and crashing into crevices. The plants along the cliffs are lush and leafy because of the steady mist spray.

Icefields Parkway Weather

The Icefields Parkway drive is most popular in summer. However, the parkway remains open year-round except for sudden closures caused by things like heavy snow or avalanches making the road impassable.

Having visited Banff in winter and summer and driven the Icefields Parkway in both seasons as well, it’s important to understand the weather can change at a moment’s notice.

You’re in the mountains at higher elevations and even when you expect it to be a warm summer day, you could find yourself needing pants or long sleeves.

No matter which season you’re driving the Icefields Parkway, be prepared with the right gear and clothing.

• Always drive slowly and be careful of wildlife near the road.
• There’s only 1 main rest area along the Icefields Parkway with a gas station. As you can imagine, prices are high. Plan to gas up in the Lake Louise area or in Jasper before setting off. This 1 service area closes in the winter.
• There’s very little in the way of food along the Icefields Parkway and what is available tends to be fairly expensive. Buy prepared food and water in Banff, the Lake Louise area or in Jasper to take with you. Expect all lodging with food to be closed in the winter.
• The Icefields Parkway has little to no cell phone service. Plan to be disconnected while on your drive by downloading maps on Google Maps for offline use.

If you’re making the drive in winter, here are a couple of season-specific tips.

• In winter, you must have a vehicle with snow tires for an Icefields Parkway winter so be sure to ask for this if renting a car.
•  Check local road and weather reports before venturing out but understand Icefields Parkway road conditions can change in a moment.
• Dress for arctic temperatures, even if you plan to simply stay in your warm car. If you break down, you’ll be glad to be dressed in warm layers.
• Bring or rent gear like snowshoes. They’re great for winter hikes and, in the event of an emergency, getting through deep snow.
• Have a plan for a sudden Icefields Parkway closure. In all likelihood this means turning back the way you came. But if you’ve come from Banff and can’t get back, you’ll need to get to Jasper for lodging.

Icefields Parkway Camping and Icefields Parkway Hotels

Your journey on the Icefields Parkway shouldn’t be rushed. If you plan to hike a lot, it’s probably best to camp at one of the many camping areas for a night. Or, plan to stay at an Icefields Parkway accommodation.

The Icefields Parkway campgrounds are scattered along the drive. There are 11 sites in total, many of which are on a first come first serve basis. As mentioned above, you’ll need to stock up on food and supplies before getting on the Icefields Parkway so that you’re prepared for a night outdoors.

If you’re looking for Icefields Parkway lodging, the Glacier View Lodge, the Crossing Resort, and the Sunwapta Falls Resort are hotels along the way.

Icefields Parkway Itinerary Ideas

• Go as far as the Glacier View Lodge across from the Columbia Icefields Centre. It’s a perfect stopping point before waking up fresh for Jasper National Park the next morning.
• If you’re interested in hiking several of the trails closer to the start of the drive, stay in a Lake Louise hotel like the Post Hotel and Spa.
• Similarly, from a hotel like the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, you could get back on the Icefields Parkway to take advantage of the hikes closer to town.

Icefields Parkway Driving Guide

To plan your Icefields Parkway road trip, you need to know the distance and time between popular spots in the Canadian Rockies.

The Columbia Icefields Centre is a top spot for Icefields Parkway day-trippers and road-tripping so let’s use this as a point of reference. Driving times reflect the most direct route without stops.

• Banff to Columbia Icefields: 2 hours 20 minutes, 115 miles
• Jasper to Columbia Icefields: 1 hour 25 minutes, 64 miles (The Jasper Icefields Parkway proximity to one another makes this the quickest way to access the drive.)
• Lake Louise to Columbia Icefields: 1 hour 50 minutes, 80 miles
• Calgary to Columbia Icefields: 3 hours 35 minutes, 193 miles

Is it necessary to do an Icefields Parkway Tour?

The short and easy answer is no. In the warmer months, the Icefields Parkway is well-maintained, paved, and marked with plenty of informational signage. On your own, you can explore, hike, stop on a whim, and take photos at your own pace.

If you’d rather go with a group and/or have a local guide, there are day tours like this Jasper Icefields tour that’ll take you to several Icefields Parkway attractions without the hassle of driving your own car.

Driving the Icefields Parkway is a Bucket List Experience.

It wasn’t included on a “Drives of a Lifetime” list for no reason.

But truly, the entire area from Banff to Jasper (and west towards Yoho and Kootenay National Parks) is easily one of the most gorgeous places on the planet to see.

So, what questions do you have about planning an Icefields Parkway drive? 

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