Welcome to the best stops on the Icefields Parkway!
This scenic drive connects Banff National Park and Jasper National Park.
It’s also one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
Along the way, you’ll be spoiled with non-stop views of towering mountains, glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls.
On today’s post, I’ve rounded up all of the must-see places on the Icefields Parkway.
Let’s dive in.
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Tips For Driving The Icefields Parkway
The first thing to know about the Icefields Parkway is that there’s no cell coverage anywhere on the parkway.
For that reason, it’s important to download offline Google maps before you go.
It’s also super helpful to have a physical Icefields Parkway map, which comes in your national park Visitors Guide.
You can also find the map on the Parks Canada website here.
Make sure to have some downloaded playlists before you head out too!
How Long Is The Icefields Parkway?
With no stops, driving the Icefields Parkway takes about 3.5 hours.
So while it’s possible to drive the Icefields Parkway as a day trip, considering time for stops and hikes, it makes one long day.
I recommend planning an entire day to drive it, then booking a night or two in either Jasper or Banff.
That way, you can make the most of your road trip!
Related: 15 Best Things To Do In Banff In The Summer
Related: 10 Best Things To Do In Jasper National Park
Where To Eat On The Icefields Parkway
There are only two places to buy food on the Icefields Parkway: Saskatchewan River Crossing and the Columbia Icefield Centre.
Both are overpriced and underwhelming.
So I recommend packing a lunch and snacks before you head out for the day.
Then, you can have a picnic at one of your favorite stops!
Saskatchewan River Crossing is also the only place to get gas on the Icefields Parkway.
It’s more expensive there, so make sure to fill up before you leave town.
Best Stops On The Icefields Parkway
In this guide, I’ll list the best stops on the Icefields Parkway starting in Banff after Lake Louise, heading towards Jasper.
Of course, just reverse the order if you’re driving the opposite direction!
Let’s get started.
1. Bow Lake
The first notable stop on the Icefields Parkway is Bow Lake.
This beautiful blue lake is nestled right under the Crowfoot Mountain, creating a spectacular scene to kick off your road trip.
You can simply park right in the pull-off, and take a relaxing stroll on the lakeshore trail.
Or, continue on to the Bow Glacier Falls Trail, a moderate 2-4 hour hike to a fantastic waterfall.
2. Peyto Lake
The next stop on the Icefields Parkway is Peyto Lake, one of the most iconic views in the Rockies.
Peyto Lake’s turquoise water is so stunning, it looks like something you’d have to hike for days to find.
Yet, it’s only a few minutes from the highway!
The turnoff for the parking lot isn’t clearly marked for Peyto Lake, so make sure to follow signs
for Bow Summit.
From there, you’ll park and set off on a quick hike.
Shortly, you’ll reach the Peyto Lake viewpoint.
To make the viewpoint more accessible, Parks Canada has recently installed a new deck with railing.
This does kind of obstruct the view, but you can fortunately just hike around the railing to get that perfect Instagram shot.
Related: 15 Best Things To Do In Banff In The Summer
3. Waterfowl Lakes
With no shortage of stunning lakes on your journey, Waterfowl Lakes is the next stop on your Icefields Parkway itinerary.
This is another lake where you can pull right off the road, and take in the epic vista.
I think the best view is from the rocks right off of Waterfowl Lakes Viewpoint.
4. Mistaya Canyon
Mistaya Canyon was actually my favorite canyon in Banff and Jasper.
It was the only canyon that wasn’t fenced off, and we could get as close to the edge of the canyon and river as we wanted.
Scrambling around on the rocks was so fun!
(Of course, please be careful when you visit!)
Mistaya Canyon’s distinctive curvy walls were carved by the Mistaya River, which rushes by powerfully as you gaze into the canyon.
I highly recommend adding this lesser-known stop to your Icefields Parkway itinerary.
Related: 155 Best Road Trip Instagram Captions For Your Next Post
5. Parker Ridge
Smack-dab in between Banff and Jasper, the Parker Ridge Trail is an awesome way to experience panoramic views without splurging on the Skywalk. (More on that later)
This moderate, 2-3 hour hike offers gorgeous views of Mount Athabasca, the Saskatchewan Glacier, and a vibrant blue glacial lake.
Expect some snow on the trail, but nothing unmanageable if you’re hiking it in the summer.
The Parker Ridge trail is both family and dog-friendly, making it one of the best stops on the Icefields Parkway.
6. Athabasca Glacier
One of the most famous stops on the Icefields Parkway is the Athabasca Glacier.
It’s the most prominent “toe” of the Columbia Icefield, and the most-visited glacier in North America.
Due to its accessibility, the Athabasca Glacier offers an easy way for visitors to get up close and personal with a 10,000-year-old natural wonder.
There are a few different ways to visit the Athabasca Glacier.
Visiting Athabasca Glacier On Your Own
First, you can drive yourself, park in one of the convenient parking lots, and walk to the base of the glacier on your own.
This is a totally free way to see Athabasca Glacier, and take in its sheer magnitude.
However, never try to walk on the glacier without a knowledgable guide.
It can be very dangerous, due to hidden crevasses and changing glacier conditions.
Athabasca Glacier Ice Walk
Another way to see the glacier is on a guided Ice Walk.
On this half-day tour, you’ll explore the crevasses, waterfalls, and ridges of the lower glacier.
(I didn’t take this tour, but I did a similar one in Iceland, and it was a once in a lifetime experience!)
Columbia Icefields Adventure
The third way to visit Athabasca Glacier is on a Columbia Icefields Adventure.
The Columbia Icefields Adventure combines two of the most popular attractions on the Icefields Parkway: the Athabasca Glacier Tour and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
On this incredible experience, you’ll travel on a huge, all-terrain Ice Explorer vehicle to the Athabasca Glacier.
Along the way, you’ll learn all about the history of the massive sheet of ice.
There, you can walk on, touch, and even drink from the glacier in a monitored area.
Afterwards, you’ll head to the Skywalk for breathtaking views.
This fully-accessible, glass-floored bridge is suspended directly above a 280-meter drop.
Not only is it an engineering marvel, it’s a total thrill to look down at your feet and see such a dizzying long way down!
This is one of the best activities for families, and those who require more accessibility.
After you’ve checked out the glacier, you can head to the Columbia Icefields Centre to grab a snack and explore the interesting exhibits.
7. Tangle Creek Falls
Tangle Creek Falls is an awesome multi-tiered waterfall, literally right off the side of the Icefields Parkway.
With no hiking required, you can admire it from the base and easily grab some stunning photos there.
Or, you can hike to the upper portion of the 100-foot cascade for an even more epic experience.
Make sure to be mindful of traffic, whether you’re in the car or out of it, because people tend to stand in the road here.
8. Sunwapta Falls
Your next stop is Sunwapta Falls, a beautiful pair of falls that can be accessed via a short hike.
The Upper Falls offers iconic views of the Sunwapta River rushing past a pretty island, before plunging 59 feet.
There are a few different viewpoints to enjoy here, including a nice bridge.
Very few people continue on to the Lower Falls, which lies at the end of an easy hike through the woods.
Honestly, the Lower Falls isn’t as impressive, and there isn’t much to see on the way.
I’d only continue to Lower Falls if you really love waterfalls, or just want a quiet, peaceful hike.
9. Athabasca Falls
Although 75 feet is impressive, Athabasca Falls isn’t the tallest waterfall in the Canadian Rockies.
It is, however, the most powerful.
A massive amount of water roars through this narrow gorge, fed by the Columbia Icefield.
Here, a series of easy pathways and bridges lead to different viewpoints along the impressive cascades.
Keep in mind that this is one of the most popular stops on the Icefields Parkway, so it can get pretty crowded.
However, the sheer force of this waterfall makes it a must-see!
10. Valley of Five Lakes
One of the best hikes on the Icefields Parkway (and in the Jasper area) is the Valley of Five Lakes.
Seriously, you don’t want to miss this one!
This 3-mile loop winds past five brilliantly-hued alpine lakes, with majestic views the entire way.
Each lake also boasts a unique color, because they’re all different depths!
The Fifth Lake even has a dock that’s perfect for swimming, if you’re feeling adventurous.
As the last stop on the Icefields Parkway, you’ll find the parking lot and trailhead just outside the Jasper townsite.
I recommend getting there early to beat the crowds, and wearing bug spray or long sleeves.
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