Overview
Icefields Parkway is a 232km(144 miles) two-lane highway that lies between Lake Louise(Banff National Park) and Jasper, Alberta. It is considered one of the most scenic drives in Canada and rightfully so. The whole drive takes about 3 hours if you do not stop anywhere but there is so much to see along the ICP that I suggest you allot about 8-12 hours to truly explore everything and see all the remarkable views!
NOTE: Please remember there is no cell service in the entire stretch of Icefields Parkway so please prepare accordingly. There is only one gas station, near the Saskatchewan River Crossing and it is expensive. So please fill your tanks ahead of time.
Spots we visited and recommend
We spent a whole day exploring different spots and following trails off the highway. Here are some spots we visited and absolutely loved!
- Bow Lake
- Peyto Lake
- Sunwapta Falls
- Athabasca Falls
- Maligne Canyon
- Goats & Glaciers Viewpoint
- Columbia Glacier Adventure
- Skywalk
- Waterfowl Lake
- Herbert Lake
Other Spots
There are other spots on the Icefields Parkway that we missed but would have liked to visit. Some of them were closed when we visited and some we missed, because we were running late. Here is a list of some you might also want to explore.
Honeymoon Lake
Valley of the Five Lakes
Weeping Wall
Bridal Veil Falls
Mistaya Canyon
Bow Lake
Do not miss this breathtaking beauty. Head over to Bow Lake for sunrise and experience its ethereal beauty. There is plenty of parking space and clean washrooms for you. There is a small gift shop and a hotel as well if you need a souvenir or a quick bite. If you have time, I would also recommend the hike to Bow Glacier Falls . It is likely to cut into a lot of your time, which is why we gave it a miss but it is at the top of our list for our next trip out there.
TIP: Wear good hiking shoes and carry hiking poles with you.
Peyto Lake
The Peyto Lake viewpoint finally re-opened in 2022 after being closed for 2 years for infrastructure improvement. There is now a cute viewing deck here that boasts a spectacular view of the entire Peyto Lake. Parking here is easy and it is a quick hike up to see the lake.
Sunwapta Falls
The Sunwapta falls is another gem on the Icefields Parkway. Finding parking is easy and the first waterfall is a mere few steps away from the parking lot. To truly enjoy the beauty of this place, I would recommend you walk down to the 2 lower falls. The hike to the Sunwapta lower falls is easy with a great payoff.
Athabasca Falls
This is a very unique spot with a lot of spots to take some great pictures. Follow the path to see the beautiful Athabasca falls and stand in the mist and spray for a while. Then walk down to the Athabasca river to take some great pictures and have a little picnic. This spot is perfect for those that are not looking to hike or go off on trails.
Note: There are some stairs to climb here if you want to go down to the river and some small gaps to wiggle your way through for a proper look at the gorge.
Maligne Canyon
Do not miss the beautiful trail to the Sixth Bridge through Maligne Canyon! The whole hike is beautiful with stunning views at every bend.
If you are not too confident about doing the trail, you should still visit the canyon and go to the Maligne Canyon Viewpoint for some excellent pictures.
Goats & Glaciers Viewpoint
A small little viewpoint on the Icefields Parkway but if you stop here, you get a spectacular view of the ice-cold glacial Athabasca river snaking its way through the valley. If you are lucky, you might end up seeing some mountain goats as well!
Columbia Icefields Adventure
Columbia Icefields Adventure is a one-time experience in my opinion. It can be a bit pricey so do check the official website to get the right pricing. We did enjoy it thoroughly so, I would still recommend it if this is your first time on the Icefields Parkway.
This package tour takes you right to the Athabasca glacier on these specialized buses and then you are free to roam about on the glacier itself for some time and even drink the cold glacial water! Once you are done, you will be taken to the Skywalk(if you buy the package deal). These experiences can be bought together or you can pick and choose what you would like to see.
Waterfowl Lake
A quiet little spot with spectacular views. We took a short break here and had a bit of a picnic on the hood of our car while we watched the lake change colours as sun and clouds took turns stealing the show.
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