The Icefields Parkway is a bucket list worthy road trip. The road spans 143 miles from Banff to Jasper in Alberta, Canada. It’s filled with some of the most beautiful views you can imagine! Think towering mountains, scenic lakes, and massive glaciers at every turn. Although the drive itself is unbelievably beautiful, there are stops along the way that will leave you in awe. This post includes the best stops on the Icefields Parkway so you won’t miss a thing!
Exploring the Icefields Parkway is worth the travel to Alberta by itself, but it’s perfect to add to a trip to Banff and Jasper National Park! When I visited in the fall of 2023, we explored Banff, drove the Icefields Parkway, then adventured around Jasper National Park before enjoying the Icefields Parkway again on the way back!
How to Get to the Icefields Parkway
The closest airport is Calgary International Airport, around a 90-minute drive from the town of Banff. I recommend flying into Calgary then renting a car to explore!
When to Visit
The Icefields Parkway stays open year-round! Keep an eye out for avalanche closures during the winter, but barring any unforeseen circumstances, the road should be open! I can’t imagine there would be a bad time to visit as I’m sure it’s stunning year round, but I visited in the fall during larch season and am convinced that the area couldn’t get more beautiful!
The larches start to turn their golden color in mid-September and show off through early October. I visited the first week of October, and the larches were still a beautiful golden yellow, but many had started to drop their needles for the winter. I believe the optimal time to visit would be near the end of September, but definitely check the weather forecasts and fall color predictions as it does vary some each year! Not only will you get to experience the larches at their prime, but you’ll still be able to complete most hikes before the snow comes. It’s shoulder season, so you’ll miss the crowds that the summer brings.
Where to Stay
Like I mentioned above, I experienced the Icefields Parkway in the middle of a week-long road trip from Banff to Jasper. We stayed a few nights in each place and took a full day in each direction to enjoy the scenic drive!
During our time exploring Banff, we decided to stay in Canmore, a cute little town around 25 minutes south of Banff. The prices for accommodations and food were more affordable, and it isn’t nearly as crowded. If you’re like me, you aren’t looking to splurge on a room that you aren’t planning to spend a lot of time in. Knowing the amount of exploring we were planning to do, we chose to stay somewhere comfortable that wouldn’t bust the budget. We chose the Falcon Crest Lodge, and I would definitely recommend it! It’s not an overly luxurious place to stay like many of the hotels you see near Banff. It’s large and clean with a washer/dryer combo, kitchen, comfortable beds, and a gated underground parking garage, though! I would absolutely stay again!
While in Jasper, we stayed at Chateau Jasper. It was your typical hotel room but worked perfect for what we needed. The hotel was recently renovated, offered plenty of on-site parking, and had comfortable, clean rooms.
The Best Stops on the Icefields Parkway
I could drive this road over and over again without getting tired of it. If you’ve been around long, you know I love a good scenic drive. This might just be my favorite yet. The stops below are listed in order if you’re driving from Banff to Jasper! Oh, don’t forget to make a pit-stop to stock up on road-trip snacks, a packable lunch, and fill up the gas tank the night before. There aren’t a lot of options for food, gas, or bathrooms once you start your drive.
I created a Google Map with all of the places to stop along the Icefields Parkway to help you plan your trip! You can find more details and photos from each location below.
Bow Lake
Wow, this place is stunning. I would plan on getting up early and trying to be here for sunrise. It’s a photographer’s dream, so you’ll likely be accompanied by a couple, but there’s plenty of space to spread out and enjoy some serenity to start your day. The parking lot has restrooms, so I recommend taking advantage of that before getting back on the road.
Peyto Lake
This is without a doubt my favorite stop on the Icefields Parkway. My friend, Gracie, and I loved it so much that we went twice! We even hiked a pizza out and enjoyed the sunset here which was one of our better ideas for sure.
This wolf-shaped lake is incredible. What’s even better is that it’s extremely accessible. There’s a short paved walkway less than 10 minutes from the parking lot (a little up hill, but I saw people of all ages handling it just fine) to the overlook. The photos you see above are from a spot we found on one of the nearby trails, but the walk was again no longer than 10 minutes. Check out this post for detailed directions on how to get here!
Waterfowl Lake
Just a 15-minute drive up the road, you’ll find Waterfowl Lake. It’s a roadside gem and absolutely worth a stop. Hop out to grab a few photos and enjoy the towering mountain views before hopping back in the car to head to the next stop.
Mistaya Canyon
The Mistaya Canyon Trail is a 1.2 mile loop with less than 300 feet of elevation gain. It’s a short and sweet little trail that allows you to get out and stretch your legs while enjoying spectacular views of the bluest rushing water. Make sure to save and download it on AllTrails for easy access, especially since cell service isn’t great on the Parkway.
Big Bend
I almost didn’t include this stop because you’ll definitely stop without me telling you to, haha. You’ll begin to gain elevation and go around a sharp curve. Just after that, there’s a large pull out with a view to the Icefields Parkway down below. You’ll likely see lots of other people stopped as well. If it’s too crowded, just keep driving then catch this spot on your way back!
Bridal Veil and Panther Falls
The falls weren’t flowing much during the time of our visit. We did find a short trail near the pull out for the falls that we decided to explore. It led us to this insane view you see above! What you can’t see is the icy blue river running hundreds of feet below in the canyon.
Parker Ridge Trail
It’s time to get out of the car and move a little! This hike is a stunner. It takes you to incredible views of the Saskatchewan Glacier after an uphill 1,125 ft climb. The hike is 4 miles round trip and worth every step! You can find it on AllTrails here! Pack plenty of water to stay hydrated. If it’s later in the day, make sure you’re fueled up with some snacks or lunch to take with you!
Athabasca Glacier
Make a quick roadside stop to check out the Athabasca Glacier. Lots of people stop here and book excursions to be driven out onto the glacier or experience the glass-bottom skywalk over the Sunwapta Valley. We stopped for a quick peek and kept on moving. I personally think the view at the end of the Parker Ridge Hike is much more epic. I did want to mention this, though, since it’s such a popular spot.
Athabasca River
I’m not sure there’s even a name for this pullout, so I gave it one myself. 🙂 If you pass it, that’s okay because it’s not far until you reach the next stop and realize you skipped this one. It’s a large paved pullout on the left side of the road BEFORE you get to the Goats and Glaciers Lookout (coming up next). It was one of my favorite places to sit and just enjoy the pure beauty of this area, so it can’t be missed. You can walk down to the river from the parking area and enjoy the sound of the rushing water.
Goats and Glaciers Pullout
This is a beautiful lookout just a short walk from the road. You can enjoy the same view of the river but from above!
Athabasca Falls
Enjoy a half-mile, easy walk to a view of the waterfall. You’ve been in the car a while now, so it’s a good place to stretch your legs before finishing the drive to Jasper to enjoy some well deserved food!
Valley of Five Lakes
We didn’t have time to do this trail before the sun went down, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful. As the name suggests, it takes you by five different lakes. It’s 3 miles long with 500 feet of elevation gain. This is a spot to consider if you have extra time, or you could do it on your trip back to Banff!
Pin This Post for Later
I hope this list of places to stop along the Icefields Parkway was helpful! I can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself! It’s truly a place that photos cannot do justice. If you’re looking for more things to do in Banff or Jasper, check out my post outlining a week long itinerary to explore both areas! And as always, I have a trip recap saved as a highlight bubble on IG if you’re looking for more details!
exploring:
Leave a comment