The Icefields Parkways is a stretch of highway in Alberta, Canada that connects Banff & Jasper National Park. The drive itself (without stops) takes around 3 hours to complete, but with some of the most stunning views & tourist stops along the way, you will want to plan for a full day (if not more).
Last summer I began planning our first full-length drive of the Icefields Parkway & quickly found myself overwhelmed with lists of hiking opportunities, lakes & waterfalls, and countless “Instagram worthy” photo spots.
Knowing that I would never make it if I stopped at each location, I took to the travel community to compile a list of the best of the best, and now I will share that list with you.
Please Note: Stops below are listed in order from South to North (Banff to Jasper National Park).
BOW LAKE
Located just 20 minutes north from Lake Louise, this beautiful lake is known for its reflective blue surface & views of Crowfoot Glacier. If you are traveling in the warm weather & feel like enjoying another great view, the Bow Lake stop also offers an easy hiking trail to Bow Glacier Falls.
BIG HILL + BIG BEND
Appropriately named, this viewpoint comes after one fairly intense twist & turn of the Parkway. I imagine it would be just as beautiful in the summer, but something about the snow-capped treetops & mist rolling in made this stop even more magical.
Travel Tip: There is a small parking lot here where you can stop to enjoy this view. This parking lot also makes for a great place to enjoy lunch mid-way through your journey.
ATHABASCA GLACIER
Pull over for stunning views of the Athabasca Glacier (there is a well-marked parking lot at this location) or enjoy a short hike up from the parking lot (less than 10 minutes) to get an even better view!
If you have no shortage of time or money, another activity available here is a tour & walk up on the glacier itself.
ATHABASCA FALLS
Equipped with walking trails & various viewing platforms, Athabasca Falls is quite possibly my favorite stop along the Parkway. While many stop here for just the falls, there is also a series of canyons & a beautiful lakeside lookout here that are perfect for photos (or just to sit and relax) as you near the end of your drive.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU GO
Now, while this is one of the most beautiful (and popular) drives that you can make in North America, there are a few important things to note before you go.
Purchase your pass. Even if you plan to drive straight through the Icefields Parkway without making any stops, you are still required to obtain a National Park Pass. Passes can be purchased online in advance or in person at the visitor center in either Banff or Jasper.
Get Gas. Before you leave Banff or Jasper be sure to fill your tank up! In such an isolated & untouched region there is only one gas station available along the parkway (at the Saskatchewan Crossing) & gas there does not come cheap!
Check the Road Conditions. Unlike other highways in Alberta, the Icefields Parkway is not cleared & salted as quickly or regularly & driving conditions in the winter can get treacherous quickly. If you are not comfortable driving in icy conditions then I advise avoiding this drive between October & March.
Ensuring that your vehicle has proper winter tires is also a must for this drive. Although we planned our trip in September, we were met in the mountains with a freak snowstorm (nicknamed “Snowtember” by Albertans) & would certainly have had to turn around were we driving with summer tires.
Watch videos from our snowy experience below!
Have you driven the Icefields Parkway yourself? Leave us a comment below & let us know what your favorite stop was. We also welcome questions & will always do our best to answer quickly with as much detail as possible - so don’t be shy!
Worried about timing or not so confident in the drive, consider a tour of the Icefield Parkway with Discover Banff Tours or contact an adventure architect at reservations@tltravel.ca to help you plan you trip.