The Icefields Parkway in Canada is one of the most beautiful car drives in the world. This 233 km highway, also known as Highway 93, takes you from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park. During this drive you will pass breathtaking views such as glaciers, waterfalls, canyons and the many mountains of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Chances are you will also spot wildlife such as bears, deer or bighorn sheep during your drive. So boredom will not happen, because there is a lot to see! We went ahead and listed for you the 10 not-to-be-missed stops along the Icefields Parkway in Canada.
Before your drive starts at the Icefields Parkway
In this travel guide, we list the 10 most beautiful stops you can make along the Icefield Parkway in Canada. Of course, there are many more stops than that, and you can customize this ride however you like. We drove the Icefields Parkway from Banff National Park towards Jasper National Park, but the reverse is also possible. Allow at least one day for this route, starting the day early to get ahead of the big crowds. Along the way, you can also take numerous beautiful walks. If you prefer to spend a little more time here, you can also split the drive into two days and stay overnight along the way.
To visit national parks in Canada, you are required to have a Parks Canada Pass. The best option is to buy a Discovery Pass that is valid per vehicle. This costs CAD 151.25 and is valid for one year. Such a Parks Canada Pass can be purchased locally at one of the highway toll booths or online. Also keep in mind that there is no cell phone signal all along the Icefields Parkway. A good time to do some digital detox!
1) Bow Lake
The first stop you make along the Icefields Parkway is beautiful Bow Lake. Especially if you go early in the morning, as you can see surrounding mountain ranges reflected in the water. You can stop here and take some photos or take your first hike directly toward Bow Glacier Falls. There is also a small coffee shop here if you still need some energy for the remainder of the ride.
2) Peyto Lake
The second stop along the Icefields Parkway was our personal favorite! Peyto Lake is an iconic lake in Banff National Park and world famous thanks to its shape reminiscent of a wolf and intense azure color. From the parking lot, it is about a 10-minute walk to the viewpoint. Just before the viewing platform, turn right into the woods for an even better view of the lake. Also, try to do this stop early in the day and enjoy a beautiful sunrise.
3) Mistaya Canyon
A 20-minute drive from Peyto Lake you will find Mistaya Canyon. You can reach this impressive gorge after a short walk from the parking lot. A bridge suspended over the gorge gives you a good view of the swirling waters flowing through Mistaya Canyon. All around you overlook Canada’s vast forests and its many mountain peaks. You can hike to the edge of the gorge, but be careful where you step as there is no fence.
TRAVEL TIP: After Mistaya Canyon you’ll come to the Saskatchewan River Crossing which is the last chance to refuel along the Icefield Parkway.
4) Weeping Wall
The Weeping Wall is a large rock wall along which several waterfalls flow. Therefore, it almost seems as if this rock is “crying. The largest waterfall is aptly named Teardrop. You can park your car here and get out for a moment to get a better view of the Weeping Wall. The later in the summer you come, the less intense the falls will be. This is a particularly impressive stop in June, when all the snow is melting. Near the Weeping Wall, the Parker Ridge trail starts. This 5 km hike is one the most popular hikes to do along the Icefields Parkway in Canada and ideal if you only have one day.
5) Athabasca Glacier
About the middle of the Icefields Parkway, you’ll find the Columbia Icefield Center. Inside you will find a restaurant, an informative exhibit and even a short film about the nature around. But what makes this stop so impressive is the Athabasca Glacier. You can hike to the base of this glacier from the parking lot. But for the ultimate experience, book a Columbia Icefield Tour where you get the chance to hike on the glacier and learn more about glaciers.
TRAVEL TIP: Here you can split the route into two days. Spend the night at the Glacier View Lodge which completes the experience.
6) Columbia Icefield Skywalk
From the Columbia Icefield Center, you can also book a tour to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. We did this, and if you are not afraid of heights this is definitely an experience you must have done! This Skywalk is a glass-floored bridge that hangs along the edge of a cliff overlooking the Sunwapta Valley. When you look down, you look 275 meters down into the deep canyon below the Skywalk. Be sure to keep your eyes open because who knows, you might see mountain goats walking in the gorge.
7) Sunwapta Falls
A 35-minute drive from the Columbia Icefield Center finds the next stop along the Icefields Parkway in Canada. Sunwapta Falls consist of two waterfalls that you reach after a short walk from the parking lot. First you arrive at Upper Falls where the river splits briefly and then comes back together in an impressive waterfall. If you walk 1.3 km further, you will arrive at the Lower Falls. Both are impressive to behold!
8) Athabasca Falls
One of the most beautiful drives in the world is nearing its end, but not before you stop at Athabasca Falls. This waterfall is also easily accessible on foot and again offers breathtaking views of the rushing water flowing through a narrow gorge. Marvel at the immense power of the Athabasca River waters and the beautiful Canadian views.
9) Horseshoe Lake
This lake is a place where not many people stop when driving the Icefields Parkway, which makes it like a hidden gem. This alpine lake, shaped like a horseshoe, is a 20-minute drive from Jasper. The turquoise blue water surrounded by the many pine trees is the ideal place to stop and enjoy the beautiful Canadian nature. In summer, it is also an ideal place to take a refreshing dip. Those who want can jump into the water themselves from the surrounding cliffs.
10) Valley of the Five Lakes
We end this list with one the most beautiful hikes you can do in Jasper National Park. Just before you drive into Jasper you will find Valley of the Five Lakes. This 8-kilometer hike takes you, not surprisingly, past five beautiful lakes. The hike is relatively flat and easy to hike, even if you are traveling with children. After this long day of impressions, this can be exhausting to do. If you have the time, we recommend keeping this hike for the next day when you are more rested. That way you can enjoy this hike even more.
CAUTION: Due to the severe forest fires in Jasper in 2024, the Valley of the Five Lakes trail is temporarily closed for maintenance and restoration.
Where to stay along the Icefields Parkway
There are plenty of accommodations near and along the Icefields Parkway. Depending on whether you are traveling by car or RV, you can choose a lodge, hotel or campground. Here are some nice options:
Where to stay in Banff National Park:
- Banff Park Lodge or Canalta Lodge: cozy lodges in downtown Banff
- Fairmont Château Lake Louise or Lake Louise Inn: near Lake Louise and at the start of the Icefields Parkway
- Campsites: There are plenty of campgrounds in Canada but you have to book them online early! We ourselves stayed at the Lake Louise Campground and Silverhorn Campground and can only recommend it.
Where to stay in Jasper National Park:
- The Crimson Jasper: in the center of the town of Jasper and ideal for exploring the area
- Pyramid Lake Lodge: for when you want to pamper yourself after such a fantastic but tiring day
- Campgrounds: at the end of the Icefields Parkway you will pass Wapiti Campground and Whistlers Campground which are also close to the town of Jasper.
Best travel time Icefields Parkway, Canada
Open year-round, the Icefields Parkway is worth visiting in both summer and winter. The best travel time is considered from mid-June to late September. In summer, everything is in beautiful bloom, the animals are active and you can do some wonderful hiking. In winter, there is snow and some waterfalls are even frozen, giving it a completely different dimension. You’re in mountain terrain, so the weather can be unpredictable any time of year. Keep this in mind and stop by the visitor center to find out what hikes are possible at the time you visit the Icefields Parkway in Canada.
Still have questions about traveling to Canada? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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