Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway is one of the most breathtakingly scenic highways in the world, stretching 230 kilometers between Lake Louise in Banff National Park and the town of Jasper in Jasper National Park. Officially known as Highway 93 North, it winds through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, following ancient glacial valleys, turquoise rivers, and dense pine forests while passing beneath towering peaks, rugged cliffs, and massive icefields. Along its route, the parkway offers constant views of snow-capped summits, cascading waterfalls, and glassy alpine lakes, including iconic stops such as Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Sunwapta Falls, and the Columbia Icefield.Built in the 1930s as a Depression-era public works project, the parkway remains a marvel of both engineering and environmental integration. There are no towns along the road-only wilderness, wildlife, and a few lodges and interpretive stops-which preserves the pristine feel of the landscape. Pullouts and viewpoints invite travelers to stop and take in the grandeur, with high chances of seeing wildlife like bears, mountain goats, elk, and bighorn sheep. Driving the Icefields Parkway is not just a means of getting from Banff to Jasper-it's a continuous journey through the glacially-carved backbone of the Rockies, offering an ever-changing tapestry of natural wonder that unfolds around every bend.
The Icefields Parkway is a legendary stretch of mountain highway that offers one of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring road trips on the planet. Extending 230 kilometers (143 miles) from Lake Louise to Jasper, this alpine corridor runs along the eastern spine of the Continental Divide, crossing two national parks-Banff and Jasper-and linking together some of the most iconic landscapes in the Canadian Rockies.
Constructed during the 1930s and officially opened in 1940, the Icefields Parkway was designed not just as a transportation route but as a scenic showcase of Canada's mountain wilderness. It was built without the intrusion of towns or commercial development along its length, a feature that continues to define its wild and immersive atmosphere. Instead of billboards or gas stations, the parkway offers uninterrupted views of glaciers, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, canyons, and jagged peaks, all visible directly from the roadside or within short walks of it.
The Icefields Parkway Scenic Drive
Iconic Stops Along the Icefields Parkway
Herbert Lake: A tranquil and often-overlooked lake near the southern end, perfect for mirror-like reflections of Mount Temple on calm mornings.Bow Lake: Fed by the Bow Glacier, this striking lake is overlooked by the historic Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, with trail access to Bow Glacier Falls.
Peyto Lake: Famous for its wolf-head shape, best seen from the Bow Summit viewing platform-the highest point on the parkway.
Mistaya Canyon: A short walk leads to a deep, swirling canyon where water carves powerfully through ancient rock.
Saskatchewan River Crossing: A junction point and service stop, with panoramic views where three rivers meet beneath massive mountain backdrops.
Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier: The crown jewel of the parkway, where visitors can take guided snowcoach tours onto the glacier or walk the Glacier Skywalk, a glass-floored cliff-side experience.
Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls: Two of Jasper's most powerful and scenic waterfalls, both easily accessible and showcasing the force of glacial meltwater.
Mount Edith Cavell and Tangle Creek Falls: Natural wonders just off the main road or visible from the parkway's edge.
Icefields Parkway Landscape and Geology
The Icefields Parkway follows a route carved by massive glaciers during the last ice age. The valleys are U-shaped-classic signs of glacial erosion-while surrounding peaks reach above 3,000 meters and hold onto snow and ice year-round. The Columbia Icefield, straddling the divide between Alberta and British Columbia, is one of the largest icefields in North America and feeds several major rivers that flow to three oceans: the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Arctic.The region is geologically diverse, with layers of ancient seabed limestone and shale uplifted into rugged ridges and folded peaks. Many of the mountains are named for early explorers, geologists, and climbers who first charted these remote areas.
Icefields Parkway Wildlife and Wilderness
Wildlife sightings are common and often a highlight of the drive. Travelers may encounter black bears, grizzly bears, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, and even wolves along or near the highway, especially in early morning or late evening. The parkway passes through critical wildlife corridors, and reduced speed zones help protect both animals and drivers.The forests lining the road are rich with lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, and subalpine fir, giving way to alpine meadows at higher elevations. In summer, wildflowers bloom in vibrant color, while in autumn the landscape shifts to golden hues as larches and aspen change color.
Seasonal Experiences along the Icefields Parkway
Summer (June–September): Best for access to all attractions, hiking trails, and glacier tours. Wildflowers, clear skies, and wildlife are at their peak.Fall (September–October): Crisp air, fewer crowds, and brilliant golden larches in higher elevations.
Winter (November–April): The parkway remains open but is less traveled, offering a stark, snow-covered beauty with limited services. Avalanche areas and road conditions must be considered.
Practical Note: There are no gas stations between Lake Louise and Jasper, except at Saskatchewan River Crossing (open seasonally). Travelers should fuel up and carry food, water, and supplies. Cell coverage is limited. A valid Parks Canada pass is required to drive the parkway.
The Icefields Parkway is not just a road-it's a journey through some of the most majestic and untouched wilderness in North America. The Icefields Parkway is a bucket-list experience for travelers, photographers, hikers, and anyone drawn to the grandeur of the high Canadian Rockies.
Tours and Attractions in Alberta
Best Tours in Banff National Park »Best Tours in Jasper National Park »
Best Tours in Lake Louise »
Hikes in Banff National Park »
Hikes in Jasper National Park »
Best Hikes in Lake Louise »
Bow Falls »
Lake Louise »
Moraine Lake »
Peyto Lake »
Bridal Veil Falls »
Cascade Ponds & Bow Valley Parkway »
Lake Minnewanka »
Sulphur Mountain & Banff Gondola »
Tunnel Mountain »
Banff Park Museum »
Banff Upper Hot Springs »
Cave & Basin National Historic Site »
Johnston Canyon »
Mt. Norquay »
Sunshine Village »
Icefields Parkway »
Bow Valley Parkway »
Bankhead Ghost Town »
Cascade Ponds »
Cave and Basin Marsh Loop »
Fenland Trail »
Healy Pass »
Hoodoos Trail »
Johnston Lake »
Silverton Falls »
Upper Stoney Lookout »
Vermilion Lakes Drive »
Lake Minnewanka Viewpoints »
Norquay Green Spot Viewpoint »
Sulphur Mountain Summit Boardwalk »
Tunnel Mountain Summit »
Vermilion Lakes Scenic Drive »
Bow Falls Viewpoint »
Cascade Gardens Mountain Viewpoint »
Hoodoos Viewpoint »
Johnston Canyon Upper Falls »
Mount Edith Pass »
Surprise Corner Viewpoint »
Upper Stoney Lookout »
Athabasca Falls & Sunwapta Falls »
Athabasca Glacier & Jasper Columbia Icefield »
Athabasca Falls »
Dark Sky Preserve & Northern Lights »
Jasper SkyTram Up Whistlers Mountain »
Maligne Canyon »
Maligne Lake & Spirit Island »
Medicine Lake »
Miette Hot Springs »
Mount Edith Cavell & Cavell Meadows »
Pyramid Lake »
Skyline Trail »
Whitewater Rafting on the Athabasca River »
Hike Jasper | Tour Canadian Rockies | Jasper Columbia Icefield | Maligne Lake Boat Cruise | Jasper Wildlife | Book Banff National Park | Book Jasper National Park | Banff Gondola | Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise | Athabasca River Rafting | Jasper Wildlife Tours| Rocky Mountain Train Tickets | Maligne Ice Walk | Shopping Jasper | Columbia Icefields Glacier Skywalk | Jasper SkyTram | Jasper Maligne Lake Cruise | Johnston Canyon | Golden Skybridge | Banff Boat Cruise | Tour Moraine Lake