The Ultimate Guide to the Icefields Parkway

Are you looking for a way to see beautiful scenery, large glaciers, and icy mountains? Then the Icefields Parkway in Canada is exactly what you are looking for! This scenic drive is the perfect connection between Banff and Jasper National Park that you have to add to your Canada itinerary. 

To make this trip epic as ever, I would definitely start in Yoho National Park and spend a couple days in Banff National Park before adventuring onto the Icefields Parkway!

What is the Icefields Parkway?

The Icefields Parkway is a scenic highway in Alberta, Canada, that stretches for 232 kilometers (144 miles) through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. It connects Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, offering stunning views of glaciers, icefields, turquoise lakes, and towering mountain peaks. The route is named after the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest icefields in North America. The parkway offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography, making it a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts.

What is the History of Icefields Parkway?

The Icefields Parkway has a rich history rooted in the development of the Canadian Rockies and the national parks in the region. The construction of the parkway began in the 1930s as part of a national effort to create jobs during the Great Depression. The road was originally conceived to connect Banff and Jasper National Parks, making these stunning wilderness areas more accessible to the public.

The parkway was constructed in stages, with a significant push for completion after World War II. It officially opened to the public in 1940, but it was still a rugged and less-traveled road at the time. Over the decades, the Icefields Parkway has been modernized and transformed into a world-class scenic highway. The road was built with a vision to showcase the majestic beauty of the Canadian Rockies, including the vast Columbia Icefield, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers.

Today, the Icefields Parkway is not only a critical infrastructure connecting Banff and Jasper National Parks but also a key tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors each year. The parkway allows visitors to experience one of the most stunning drives in the world, with carefully placed viewpoints and trails designed to showcase the region’s natural wonders.

How Long does it Take to Complete the Icefields Parkway? 

Driving straight through the parkway with no stops can take 3 to 3.5 hours. However, the parkway is famous for its scenic beauty and numerous attractions. So with stopping along the way with the recommended attractions below, the journey can take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours or even longer.

You can easily spend one full day exploring the icefields! Usually this is biased answer on our end since our travel style is unlike others. We are usually up at sunrise and not setting up camp until late in the night to take advantage of daylight with exploring as much as possible. But driving the parkway really will only take you one full day. 

When to Visit the Icefields Parkway?

In my opinion, there is no wrong time to visit the parkway! But if you could only choose one season, I think fall is perfect! We visited the area the second week of October and the leaves were peak foliage! I honestly have never seen falls colors like the ones you will see while on the parkway. The colors of yellow, orange, and red are so vibrant against the white snow on the mountains making it a picture perfect scenery. 

The Icefields Parkway generally remains open during the winter, but it can be subject to temporary closures due to heavy snowfall, avalanches, or poor road conditions. The parkway is a mountain route that experiences harsh winter conditions, so it’s important that you check road reports and weather forecasts before driving!

How to Get to the Parkway?

My husband and I are travel therapist completing an assignment in Kalispell Montana. We have crossed the Canadian border in the past to visit Banff and Waterton National Park. But this time, we have crossed the border to begin our journey of a 1 month- long road trip. So with this being said, consider starting in Kalispell, Montana! You can fly in to Kalispell and spend a few days in Montana exploring the beautiful Glacier NP- trust me you will not be disappointed. But if you are just looking for the quickest way to Yoho, here are a couple of options: 

1. Glacier International Airport:
   • Fly into Kalispell, MT and rent a car for a ~5.5 hour drive
2. Calgary International Airport: 
   • Fly into Calgary, Canada and rent a car for a ~2 hour drive 

Where to Stay on the Parkway? 

Depending on your style of lodging, there is something for everyone! We are car campers and will more than likely choose a cheap campground over anything else. However, during our trip to Jasper via the Icefields, all campgrounds (once crossed over in Jasper) were closed due to the forest fires. The campgrounds at beginning (or end depending on where you are coming from) in Banff are open wit the exception of a few. 

I would say check Canada’s National Park website to see which campgrounds are open/ closed, but it is not accurate unfortunately. We found this out the hard way. When we took our initial trip to Banff a few weeks prior to this trip, we banked on camping at one of the first come first served campgrounds. We drove quite a way to get to the campground just to find a locked gate with a CLOSED sign. The website did not say anything about this campground being open! So if I were you in this situation, I would call ahead of time instead just to make sure before planning your trip around a campground. 

Campgrounds on Icefield Parkway

1. Lake Louise Campground
2. Lake Louise Overflow Campground
3. Mosquito Campground
4. Protection Mountain Campground
5. Waterfowl Lakes Campground
6. Silverhorn Creek Campground
7. And many more!

Hotels/ Lodges on Icefield Parkway: 

1. Tonquin Inn
   • We were coming from Banff to Jasper, so campgrounds were out of the question for us unfortunately. Thus, we booked a hotel room at Tonquin Inn in Jasper. This was right in the heart of downtown giving us quick and easy access to the many shops and restaurants.

Airbnb/ VRBO: 

Here are some options for Airbnb!

Here are some options for VRBO!

What to Pack for Icefields Parkway? 

This is going to depend on what season you are traveling to the parkway. The temperatures are ever changing as you drive, hike, and explore! I would definitely recommend packing layers. But here are some essentials you will want to pack!

1. Hiking Shoes: Wearing appropriate shoes is imperative to having a good experience while hiking. These are my favorite hiking boots that I have owned for over 6 years- and they have had a lot of wear and tear from many hiking trips.
2. Jacket: Since you will be traveling north in comparison to America, you will want to make sure you pack layers to prepare for changes in weather.
3. Camera: With all the beauty you will be seeing, you will want to bring your camera! I have recently purchased this camera and I LOVE it. I am still learning how to use it, but it is a fun hobby to get in to with so much beauty surrounding you!
4. Water Bottle: Whether you are biking, hiking, or driving the scenic route, you will want to make sure to stay hydrated!
5. Portable Phone Charger: You will be using your phone a lot to take pictures, navigate, and send many texts to your family/ friends telling them how much of a great time you are having 😉 Make sure you have these battery packs so your phone does not die!
6. Hydration Backpack: There will be hikes you will want to take part in while you are visiting here. So make sure you are prepared with this hydration pack that is also a backpack!
7. Tent: This will definitely depend on how you choose to lodge for your trip. In case you are planning to tent camp, you will need to make sure you have your camping necessities. This is the exact tent we use. It is quick, easy, and literally takes 2- seconds to pop up!
8. Sleeping Bag: Whether you are car camping or tent camping, you will want to bring your sleeping bag! We car camped here in mid- September and this sleeping bag kept us nice and toasty!
9. Sleeping Mat: This is the best sleeping mat on the market! No electric pump required, just your foot! AND it rolls/ stores very compact saving room with packing.
10. Camping Equipment: I may be biased, but I think everyone should camp while in WLNP to experience the pure beauty of the Lord’s creation of this park. Need to know what equipment you need? Here’s your resource of products!

Where to Stop on Icefields Parkway? 

As you start this drive, you will not be sitting in the car the entire time. You will be able to see amazing views while in the car, but the journey is on foot. 

This itinerary runs from Banff to Jasper. So if you are coming from Jasper, just start at the bottom of this list!

1. Bow Lake
   • Stop here for a stunning view of this lake with the towering peaks forming around it. This lake has been a mirror lake both times we have been to it. Jump out of the car for pictures and enjoy this beautiful lake!

2. Crowfoot Glacier
   • You will be able to see this glacier from the highway! There is a pull off spot to get pictures and read more information about this glacier. 
3. Peyto Lake
   • Strap on your hiking boots for this summit! This quick hike leads you to an overview of Peyto Lake. The point of view at the top of the summit reveals the lake to be in the shape of a wolf. The lake is a beautiful blue color. 
4. Mistaya Canyon
   • A short walk with big rewards! From the parking lot, there is a quick access to the canyons via a paved path and bridge. The gushing waters of Mistaya River cuts through the canyon shaping the canyons. You can walk onto the top of the canyons to get a different point of views. 

5. Parker Ridge Trail
   • Parker Ridge Trail is a popular hiking trail along the Icefields Parkway, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and mountains. The trail is located near the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park and provides a relatively short but rewarding hike, often considered one of the best hikes in the Canadian Rockies. The hike is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) round trip with an elevation gain of around 250 meters (820 feet), making it moderate in difficulty.
6. Columbia Icefield
   • You have made it to Columbia! Here you will find some large glacier and opportunities to closely experience the glaciers. This stretch is one of the largest Icefields in North America. 
   • Here, you can choose to purchase different excursions. This includes guided glacier tours, Icefield sky walk, and a Columbia Icefield Adventure. 

7. Toe of Athabasca Glacier
   • Grab your jacket and make the short uphill trek to this glacier. You can make your way close to the glacier without being on a tour but not up to it. 
   • On your way up, notice the different signs that are posted to show you how big the glacier used to be. It is very neat to see how much the glacier has shrunk over the years. 
   • Be aware, it is very windy on the way up and at the top!

8. Icefield Parkway Center
   • Stop in the center for a quick bite to eat, coffee break, start/ purchase your guided tours, and visit the gift shop!
9. Tangle Falls
   • Jump back in the car for this next quick pull off. This waterfall is visible on the highway. This is usually less crowded than the other falls!
10. Sunwapta Falls
    • Another quick and easy walk will lead you to more beautiful waterfalls. Just follow the paved path down to the falls to stretch your legs and take some pictures!

11. Athabasca Falls
    • Take a short detour to find another set of amazing waterfalls. This is another quick and easy walk to powerful falls. There are many different viewpoints along the trail to see gain different perspectives of the falls against the Rocky Mountains. 

12. End in Jasper
    • Congrats! You made it!! From here, you can turn around to head back toward Banff, or explore Jasper. Like I stated above, Jasper recently had a forest fire when we visited causing almost every hiking trail that we planned to do was closed. Even a lot of the downtown shops were damaged from the fire making the experience a let down.  
    • We were able to cook and eat dinner by Pyramid Lake before hitting the bed after a full day!

We hope that this post has encouraged you to plan for a trip to the Icefields Parkway! We promise you will not regret it! 

Leave a comment below with any questions you have about planning your trip to Canada’s National Parks!