Icefields Parkway drive is one of the most scenic drives in the world winding through the Canadian Rockies with views of glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, and gorges. This drive begins just north of Lake Louise and crosses through two national parks: Banff and Jasper. You could spend days exploring this scenic roadway especially if you like long hikes. But if you only have a day to make the drive, read this blog to find my favorite stops. If you make all these stops and do all the hikes recommended, this is a completely packed day. You will need to pick and choose if you want a more leisurely drive.
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Icefields Parkway Drive in One Day
Best Time of Year for the Icefields Parkway Drive
Technically, the Icefields Parkway drive is open year-round, but it can close intermittently and unexpectedly due to avalanches during the winter months. The most popular time for the Icefields Parkway drive is during the July and August. The temperatures are warm, and the sun shining on the rivers and lakes really makes their blue hues shine. However, this time is also the most crowded and is also wildfire season, which could make the skies very hazy. Spring and fall are great times to visit to avoid crowds.
How to Get to the Icefields Parkway Drive
The Icefields Parkway, also known as Highway 93, connects the Trans-Canada Highway to Jasper, Alberta. The 230-km (143-mi) scenic drive would take nearly 3 hours to drive straight through. But it would be nearly impossible to make this drive without stopping and marveling at its beauty. To begin this journey, drive about 5 minutes north of Lake Louise and take Highway 93 North. You can also do this drive starting in Jasper, but you will need to do this plan in reverse.
Do You Need a Park Pass?
You are required to buy a Canadian National Park Pass when visiting the Canadian Rockies and will have to show your pass to access Icefields Parkway. You do not need to buy a separate pass for each park. Park passes can be purchased online prior to arrival or at the park entrance. If you buy your pass prior to arrival, allow ample time before you begin your Banff itinerary for the pass to be delivered to you. Make sure your pass is clearly displayed on the windshield of your vehicle to avoid being ticketed.
Important Things to Know Before Your Icefields Parkway Drive
- Do not try to squeeze a visit to Lake Louise at the beginning of this itinerary. There will not be enough time as a Lake Louise visit is at least a half-day activity.
- Make sure to start this journey with a full tank of gas. There is only one gas station along the route at Saskatchewan River Crossing Resort and is quite expensive.
- It may be a good idea to bring a packed lunch, snacks, and drinks for the drive. Options for food are very limited.
- Cell service is pretty much non-existent along the route, so make sure to have your maps and stops planned and printed before your journey.
- Most stops have outhouse facilities, so finding a bathroom should not be a problem.
- Get an early start! You will need to get going early to avoid crowds but also to get all these things done in one day.
- Don’t wait to make this trip. The glaciers are melting fast, and this incredible drive will look completely different as they begin to vanish.
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What to Pack for the Icefields Parkway Drive
- Water!! I recommend bringing a refillable water bottle or two.
- Bug Spray – Keep those pesky bugs away!
- Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun, and do not forget to reapply.
- Hat – More sun protection to block the sun from your face, but the hat can also keep rain off your face.
- Hiking shoes/boots – These are waterproof so walking in muddy areas will not be a problem. Here are the men‘s version of the hiking shoes I love.
- Hiking socks – The best way to prevent blisters is by keeping your feet dry. Moisture-wicking socks are the best way to do that.
- Backpack – A backpack is a necessity when hiking to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. that you may need on your longer hikes.
- RTIC Soft-Sided Cooler – Keep your drinks and food cool in this soft cooler.
- Packing Cubes – Keep your stuff organized in your luggage with these packing cubes.
- Rain Jacket – Rain can (and probably will) occur at some point, so make sure to pack your men’s or women’s rain jacket.
- Waterproof Pants – If visiting in the rainy season, waterproof pants will help keep your legs dry. Men’s Pants.
- Jacket – Even in warmer months, the temps can be cool so pack a light men’s or women’s jacket.
Best Stops on Icefields Parkway Drive
When you get to the entrance to Icefields Parkway, where you need to show your Park Pass, reset your odometer. The mileage (and kilometers) are noted for each stop, so you can check your odometer to see when you are approaching each destination.
1. Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 32.1 km
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 19.9 mi
Your first stop on the Icefields Parkway drive is the Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint, appropriately named for the glacier that resembles a crow’s foot. As the glacier melts, it runs into the Bow River. Spend just a few minutes here snapping photos of the uniquely shaped glacier before moving along to the next stop.
2. Bow Lake Viewpoint
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 33.5 km
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 20.8 mi
You only need to drive about a mile (or 1.4 km) to the next stop, Bow Lake Viewpoint. The turquoise blue water sits in front of a mountainous backdrop. You can also stop at the Lodge at Bow Lake which is easy to spot with its bright red roof.
3. Peyto Lake
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 39.6 km
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 24.6 mi
After another short drive, you will reach the Peyto Lake exit. This is the first stop where you will need to walk a bit to reach the viewpoint. The hike is 0.4 miles (0.7 km) each way, and parts of the walk are a little steep. If you struggle with this, just take your time and power through because the view is so worth it! To the left you will see Peyto Glacier, which is part of the Wapta Icefields. The glacier melts into Peyto Lake which has this beautiful tiffany blue hue.
4. Waterfowl Lakes Viewpoint
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 57.1 km
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 35.5 mi
As you continue to drive north, you will get to Waterfowl Lakes Viewpoint. There are actually two Waterfowl Lakes: an upper and a lower lake. The viewpoint is at the lower lake. The lakes are surrounded by mountains and glaciers. Mount Chephren is a uniquely-shaped peak (pictured above) that makes a neat reflection in the lake.
5. Mistaya Canyon
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 70.0 km
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 43.5 mi
Mistaya Canyon is another short hike, and it is 0.6 miles (1 km) each way. The trail leads to the Mistaya River which is fed from Peyto Lake. Here the river plunges into Mistaya Canyon and curves and carves through limestone rock. A bridge crosses the narrow gorge and you can get views from the other side. The hike takes around 30 minutes, and you should allow another 15-20 minutes for time at the canyon.
6. Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefields Discovery Center
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 125.2 km
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 77.7 mi
You can spend an entire day at the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefields Discovery Center. The center has different adventures you can participate in such as Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle that drives you on the massive glacier and Skywalk, which is a glass-floored walkway hanging off the canyon wall. But if you only have a day to travel the Icefields Parkway drive, then you will need to settle for a walk to the foot of the Athabasca Glacier, which is 0.9 miles (1.4 km) round trip walk. You should be here around lunch time. So either eat your packed lunch, or you can dine at the Discovery Center. Around this area is where you cross into Jasper National Park from Banff National Park.
7. Tangle Creek Falls
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 132.4 km
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 82.2 mi
Drive north until you reach the parking area for Tangle Creek Falls. You will have to cross the street to get good views of the waterfall. Traffic is going at high speeds and there is a curve in the road, so take extra precautions when crossing the street. Tangle Creek Falls is 115 feet (35 meters) tall. Plan to spend around 15 minutes here.
8. Sunwapta Falls
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 174.3 km
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 108.2 mi
Sunwapta Falls consists of an upper and lower falls that are fed from the Athabasca Glacier. The upper falls are a short distance from the parking area, and you can see the sea foam green waters plunge down from a bridge that crosses the canyon. For this one-day itinerary, I suggest settling for the upper falls view. However, if you also want to see the lower falls, you will have to walk 0.8 miles (1.3 km) down the Sunwapta River. At the highway turnoff, there is the Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge, which also has a nice gift shop and nice bathrooms.
9. Athabasca Falls
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 198.8 km
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 123.4 mi
Athabasca Falls is just a short walk on a pathway from the parking area along the Icefields Parkway drive. You will probably walk about 0.6 miles (1 km) when exploring this waterfall and canyon. Athabasca Falls is a 79 feet (24 m) tall on the upper Athabasca River. The powerful water plunges and churns carving a narrow gorge through quartzite and limestone.
10. Goats and Glacier Lookout
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 205.7 km
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 127.7 mi
Goats and Glaciers Viewpoint is a short walk from the parking lot with views of, you guessed it, glaciers and goats. Mountain goats frequent this area, so you are likely to see some during your visit. But even if you do not see these wildlife, this lookout is still worth the stop. The overlook has marvelous views of the Athabasca River and Fryatt Mountain Range.
11. Valley of the Five Lakes
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 233.7 km
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 145.1 mi
Valley of the Five Lakes is my favorite easy hike in Jasper. It is also the longest hike on the Icefields Parkway drive. Each of the five lakes are a gorgeous jewel-toned color, but the color of each lake is different from the other. The blue and green hues of the lakes is dependent on the glacial rock dust, special algae, depth of the lake, and other factors. Keep a lookout for the famous red chairs located between Third Lake and Fourth Lake.
12. Jasper
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 243.9 km
- Distance from Lake Louise park entrance – 151.4 mi
After an incredible and jam-packed day on the Icefields Parkway drive, it is time to relax and explore the town of Jasper. Grab dinner, do some souvenir shopping, and indulge with an ice dessert in the downtown area before calling it a night. Jasper is the perfect place to now spend a few days discovering the best of Jasper National Park. Make sure to hike Maligne Canyon, take a cruise on Maligne Lake, and drive Maligne Lake Road at sunrise or sunset to look for wildlife. See The 9 Best Easy Hikes in Jasper for more hiking recommendations in the area.
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