The Icefields Parkway

Canada’s Most Epic Drive

Set amongst glaciers, sparkling lakes, untouched wilderness, and staggering peaks, the Icefields Parkway is a drive that is tough to match in scenic beauty. Almost every visitor to Banff or Jasper drives along a section of the road. The hiking, lakes, scenic viewpoints, and mountain summits ample opportunity for exploration. It’s a route that has never soured on us and every moment we’ve spent along the parkway offers something new.

Of all the incredible sites along the Parkway, the most notable is the Athabasca Glacier, which marks the border between Banff and Jasper National Park. Other route highlights include Bow Lake, Athabasca Falls, Peyto Lake, and Sunwapta Falls. The Icefields Parkway is a must-visit for any summer traveler when the lakes are thawed and driving conditions reliable.

Where Is The Icefields Parkway?

The Icefields Parkway connects Lake Louise and Jasper along the 93N in Alberta, Canada. It’s renowned as one of the most scenic drives in the world. The 232 km drive crosses the northern stretches of Banff National Park to Jasper National Park. It takes around three hours to drive the full-length one-way, but many spend a full day driving the road as there are many natural sights and activities.

The Best Points On The Icefields Parkway

We break down all the best stops along the Icefields Parkway with photos. The post also shares a plethora of helpful tips for making the most of a scenic highway drive. Most of the highlights can be visited in one full day along the parkway.

The highlights include Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Waterfowl Lakes, Athabasca Glacier, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls. There’s a lot more than these scenic spots, though! Once you start exploring it can take multiple days, weeks, months, if not years.

Read the article

Map Of The Icefields Parkway

The route has some notable stops outlined on the following map to help you get a better understanding of the route. The most notable points for planning your route are Jasper, Lake Louise, and the Columbia Icefield Discovery Center as they mark the start, midway, and end of the route. There is no best direction drive the route as it’s incredible either direction.

More Stops Along The Parkway

The Athabasca Glacier

It may be the most accessible glacier in the world, providing visitors a chance to learn about these earth-shaping natural wonders vital to our climate.

Parker Ridge

This is one of our favorite hikes in Banff National Park! It’s a short hike to sweeping views over the Saskatchewan Glacier. Incredible wildflowers can often be found at its top, too.

Peyto Lake

The highest point along the Icefields Parkway offers an iconic view over Peyto Lake. It’s one of the best sights in the Canadian Rockies and a popular stop.

The Best Hikes Along The Parkway

Some of the Canadian Rocky’s most towering and dramatic peaks lie along the Icefields Parkway which makes for an incredible road trip. All of those dramatic scenes mean the hikes along the parkway offer some of the most astounding views. Thanks to the their isolated locations some of the hikes offer a chance to escape the crowds in town and find yourself in true wilderness settings. If we were to pick our favorite region to hike in Banff or Jasper it would have to the Icefields Parkway.

Great Hikes Along The Parkway

Where To Stay Along The Parkway

We love staying along the parkway, as it’s a very relaxed experience no matter where you stay. Although the scenic road is incredibly popular during the day, it enjoys quiet mornings and evenings. The lodging here also provides tremendous access for those after an adventure in either Jasper or Banff.

It should be noted that many of the hotels along the Parkway close for the winter. The accommodation options along the Icefields Parkway that are open in the winter are Alpine Village Cabin Resort Jasper, The Lodge At Bow Lake, and a few hostels.

Glacier View Lodge

Perched on the edge of the stunning Athabasca Glacier, guests are treated to panoramic views of ice-capped peaks, sprawling glaciers, and the serene wilderness that defines the region.