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The Icefields Parkway in Canada connects Lake Louise in Banff National Park to Jasper. The drive is incredibly scenic. If you drive straight through without stopping, it would take approximately 3 hours. But unless you drive this route regularly, there is no way you won’t want to pull over at some of the scenic viewpoints. In fact, it is so beautiful that you might get worn out with all the stops, so it is best to prioritize where to stop on the Icefields Parkway to make sure you get the most out of the drive.

Note: Check out this post for a complete guide to planning your epic Banff and Jasper Itinerary.

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Icefields Parkway Itinerary

Before you begin the drive along the Icefields Parkway, you will likely be given a map by one of the park rangers when you pay your entrance fee. For more information on park entrance fees, check here. The map nicely outlines your stops and can be used in conjunction with this guide. There is limited cell service, food, and gasoline along the Icefields Parkway drive so make sure to plan ahead. If you are visiting in the winter, snow tires or chains are required.

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The stops highlighted in this guide are points of interest, overlooks, and short walks. We did not have time to do each of the longer hikes along the route.

One last thing to mention before we dig into where to stop on the Icefields Parkway, is to remember to be respectful of nature. If you see wildlife, give them plenty of room and never feed or approach it. Don’t leave your trash behing and be an overall good human.

Best Stops on the Icefields Parkway

The drive becomes incredibly scenic immediately after leaving Lake Louise. These stops are rated on a 10-point scale so you can plan where to stop on the Icefields Parkway.

Herbert Lake – Rating 6/10

Right off the bat, the drive is impressive. Herbert Lake is the first of many lakes you will see along the drive. If the water is still, you can get a great reflection off of the lake with the mountains in the backdrop. However the color of the lake is not as unique as other lakes you will see later on your drive.

Bow Lake – Rating 7/10

Bow Lake was my favorite of the first few lakes you will see along the Icefields Parkway. It is also a great place to stop for a picnic as there are picnic tables and a larger parking lot. When we arrived, it started sleeting so we ended up eating our picnic in the car.

Bow Summit/Peyto Lake – Rating 10/10

Peyto Lake is hands down the best stop on the Icefields Parkway. If you are short on time and have to prioritize where to stop on the Icefields Parkway, make sure to allocate time for this lake. The bright, deep blue made this a favorite of the entire trip.

As a side note, the hike to Bow Summit was still incredibly snow covered at the end of June. While we did summit, I would not recommend this hike until it has completely thawed. Even then, the views are of Bow Lake and not of Peyto Lake. However with this map, find the other viewpoint of Peyto Lake that is different from the overlook by the parking lot “Peyto Lake Panorama View” which is not well-marked.

Waterfowl Lakes – Rating 9/10

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Waterfowl Lakes were one of my favorite spots along the Icefields Parkway. The lake is right next to the road so even if you do not stop, you will get a great view.

Mistaya Canyon – Rating 8/10

Mistaya Canyon is very beautiful and not too difficult of a walk to get to the bridge. It reminds me of Johnston Canyon but probably how Johnston Canyon looked several thousand years ago. We visited Johnston Canyon on a different part of our trip. Learn more about it in this post about planning a Banff and Jasper trip.

Howse Pass – Rating 5/10

This stop would be a good one for a picnic lunch if you are looking for one, however there are picnic tables at your next location, along with cell service and restrooms so you may want to save the stop. The view is quite expansive although not much different from what you were seeing from the car.

Icefield Centre – Rating 9.5/10

The Icefield Centre is a welcome center, rest stop, hotel, and restaurant combination in the middle of your drive from Banff to Jasper. There is also cell service right by the Icefield Centre. We broke up our drive into two parts and stayed the night at the Icefield Centre. While we were there, we did both the Columbia Icefield Adventure Glacier Tour and the Columbia Icefield Adventure Skywalk. Both of these are rather time consuming and require you to board a shuttle from the Icefield Centre. However the main photo from this blog post was taken right at a pulloff acrosss from the Icefield Centre itself if you are looking for something less time consuming and free. To learn more about these stops, check out this post on a review of my Banff and Jasper Itinerary.

Tangle Falls – Rating 6/10

If you drive slow enough, you don’t need to get out of the car to see Tangle Falls. In fact, since you have to cross the main road in order to get close to the falls after parking, it is also probably safer to see them from the car. However the falls are quite beautiful and worth the stop if you have time.

Sunwapta Falls – Rating 5/10

If you are trying to pick between the two remaining waterfall stops due to limited time, skip this one in favor of Athabasca Falls. If you do have time, the upper falls is still beautiful and worth a stop.

Honeymoon Lake – Rating 3/10

This lake has very limited parking and a stop here is not necessarily worth the effort. However there is a campground here which looked like a nice place to stay.

Goats and Glaciers – Rating 6/10

Goats and Glaciers is an excellent viewpoint that has it all – river, glaciers, mountains, and apparently sometimes goats. This would have probably been a 9/10 if we actually saw mountain goats here, although not sure how often they are actually spotted at this viewpoint. Regardless, it is a great stop along the Icefields Parkway.

Athabasca Falls – Rating 8/10

This waterfall was very beautiful and it is the highest ranking waterfall on the Icefields Parkway itinerary. To get close to the waterfall itself was a 0.6 mile hike so keep this in mind if you are prioritizing accessibility.

Athabasca Pass Lookout – Rating 2/10

This viewpoint had the potential to be great, however the trees were very lush and the leaves were blocking the view. Perhaps in the winter when the leaves have fallen, or if the trees are ever trimmed, this would be a view worth stopping for.

Valley of the Five Lakes – Rating 7/10

While this is not a casual stop and its certainly more of a hike, Valley of the Five Lakes is included because it is easy and because it is very close to Jasper so this hike does not have to be done while you are on the Icefields Parkway drive itself. This hike was completed at 6:30 am which made the ranking closer to 9/10 and we even saw bears! However, both times we drove by the trail head during the day, it was packed and I bet it would not be nearly as nice. Since not everyone will start this trail at very off-peak times, I lowered the ranking.

Additional Picks for the Best Stops on the Icefields Parkway

Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint

This viewpoint along the road sits around 20.3 miles away from Lake Louise and is a great place to stop to get some cool photos of the glacier.

However, you’ll really only need around ten minutes here so that you can enjoy the sweeping views of the mountains and Crowfoot Glacier sitting above Bow Lake.

And while Crowfoot Glacier originally derived its name from its shape, warmer temperatures have led to melting and a change in the overall shape of this amazing place.

It’s still a special spot though and a great first stop on the Icefields Parkway – at least if you’re coming from Lake Louise.

Saskatchewan River Crossing Café, Hotel, and Gas Station

Because of the remote location of the Icefields Parkway, there are limited roadside services and facilities available to you during your trip.

Therefore, if you start to get hungry or need a bit of fuel, it’s best to stop if you see a gas station.

And, since Saskatchewan River Crossing is the only gas station on this highway, it’s easily one of the best stops on the Icefields Parkway.

Just be aware that the gas station is closed during the winter and that gas is a bit more expensive than in nearby Banff.

Additionally, there is a nice little gift shop, bathroom, and cafe on-site. So, you can grab a coffee, some souvenirs, go to the bathroom, and get a sandwich while you’re here.

Plus, if you want to spend a few nights in the area then you can always book a room at The Crossing Resort for around $170.00 USD per night. And, trust me, the views are exceptional.

Pro Tip: The only other place to get food on the Icefields Parkway is the Columbia Icefield Discovery Center. It’s expensive though and better to get food here.

Weeping Wall

Another quick stop on the Icefields Parkway, the Weeping Wall is a roadside viewpoint that you’ll only need about 10 minutes to enjoy.

This is also one of the best stops on the Icefields Parkway which is just 17 miles away from the Saskatchewan River Crossing.

So, be sure to stop to see where a multitude of tiny waterfalls come down the side of a mountain. Look closely and it may even appear as though the wall of rock is crying – hence the name.

Pro Tip: You can see the Weeping Wall from your car and may not even need to stop. This place is also best enjoyed in the winter when all the water is frozen.

Tips for Driving the Icefields Parkway

• Know the Driving Time for Icefields Parkway – This mountain pass (aka Highway 93 N) is a 232-kilometer road between Lake Louise and Jasper. Without stops the drive will take around three hours. However, it’s more likely that you will spend between five and eight hours

• Go the Speed Limit – The Icefields Parkway is not a place you want to try speeding. There are many animals in the area and need to be on the lookout for them as you drive along this road. Generally, the speed limit is 90 km/hr but it can go down to 50 km/hr in some places where the road is very curvy.

• Know the Best Time to Drive the Parkway – The best time to visit Icefields Parkway is between May and October. In particular, June through September is peak season due to great weather, excellent road conditions, and ample wildlife spotting opportunities. This is also when you can marvel at the vibrant blue waters of the area’s famous glacier lakes. If you can, avoid visiting in July and August since the road is packed with people.

• Know the Weather and Pack Layers – The weather is very unpredictable and can change many times throughout the day. So, it’s important to always have the latest weather forecast and to pack plenty of layers. This way you can stay comfortable as the weather changes, especially at high elevations.

• Make the Trip in Both Directions – Doing the trip in both directions allows you to see the area’s incredible natural landscape in an entirely new way. It also allows you to stop in places that you missed along the way. So, spend the day driving the parkway before enjoying a few nights at Lake Louise and then coming back the way you came.

• Know Where the Gas Stations Are – There is one gas station along Icefields Parkway. It is at Saskatchewan Crossing and is a great place to get some gas since you are about 150 km away from the nearest gas station if you are traveling to Jasper. If you’re traveling to Lake Louise then you’re only about 80 km away from the next gas station.

• Bring Your Own Food – Many of the restaurants along the Icefields Parkway are expensive, have long lines, and not very good. It’s a much better idea to bring a picnic lunch/dinner and eat at one of the stunning viewpoints that the highway is known for. However, if you are in desperate need of food then you can stop at Sunwapta Falls Resort, Columbia Icefields Visitor Center, Saskatchewan Crossing, and the Lodge On Bow Lake.

• Arrive Early If You Want to Go Camping – Many of the campsites in the area operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. In the summer, these sites fill up quickly. So, it’s best to arrive before noon. This way you can setup camp at places like Rampart Creek, Mosquito Creek, Waterfowl Lakes, and Wilcox Creek (in Banff National Park).

• Don’t Forget Your National Park Pass – You will need a park pass to drive along the Icefields Parkway, even if you don’t make any stops. That’s because this road runs through Jasper and Banff National Park. It is considered a non-essential road and park rangers will check for passes at either end of the parkway.

• Don’t Expert To Have Cell Phone Service – You’ll have no cellphone service as soon as you start driving on this highway. The exception is Saskatchewan Crossing since they have wifi that you can use when they are open. The road is pretty easy to follow, but I would bring a paper map just in case. You can also download an offline map if needed.

• Don’t Drive in Winter – Unless you are REALLY good at driving in heavy ice and snow, I would not recommend driving here in the winter. It’s also worth noting that winter conditions can start very early, like in October. They then continue until May, sometimes even June. So, do your research and make sure this road is passable before you visit.

Best Stops on the Icefields Parkway FAQs

Where is the Best View on the Icefield Parkway?

The best view on the Icefield Parkway is of the Athabasca Glacier, which can be seen from the Columbia Icefield Centre.

However, for an up close and personal view of the glacier go to the Toe of the Glacier Trail and Forefield Trail.

How Long Does it Take to Do the Icefields Parkway?

If you start in Lake Louise and use the Icefields Parkway to go all the way to Jasper then it takes around three hours to do the Icefields Parkway.

But, be sure to allow extra time to explore and enjoy some of the best stops on the Icefields Parkway.

Which is the Best Direction to Drive the Icefields Parkway?

The reality is that there is no best direction to drive the Icefields Parkway in. In fact, the views from both sides of the parkway are equally stunning and well worth your time.

What Time of Year is Best for Icefields Parkway?

The best time of year to drive the Icefields Parkway is between mid-June and early September. This is when the days are long, lakes are stunning, and when local wildflowers are in full bloom.

Plus, if you can time your visit for early September then you’ll be able to catch the very start of fall foliage too.

Best Stops on the Icefields Parkway

Hopefully, this post has helped you figure out where to stop on the Icefields Parkway to make the most of your drive from Banff to Jasper. Have you done this drive yourself? Which stop was your favorite?

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