The Icefields Parkway is 230 kilometres between Lake Louise and Jasper — three hours of driving and a full day if you do it properly, because stopping is the purpose.
The stops, south to north
Herbert Lake, close to the start, with reflections in still morning conditions.
Bow Lake and Num-Ti-Jah Lodge — the classic view with Crowfoot Glacier above.
Peyto Lake — the most photographed, an intense blue from glacial silt, reached by a short walk from the car park to the viewpoint.
Mistaya Canyon — a short walk to a narrow slot carved by the river.
Saskatchewan River Crossing — the only services on the route.
The Weeping Wall and the Big Bend, climbing to Sunwapta Pass.
The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier — the visitor centre, ice explorer vehicles onto the glacier, and the Skywalk, a glass-floored platform over a drop. The glacier has retreated substantially and markers along the approach show how far.
Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls, both short walks.
Valley of the Five Lakes near Jasper, a good short hike.
Access changes
Moraine Lake private vehicle access has been restricted in favour of shuttles and authorised transport, which is a change from previous years and catches people out.
Lake Louise parking fills very early and has its own restrictions and shuttle system.
Check current arrangements before planning to drive to either. This is the most frequently outdated advice about the Rockies.
Fuel and services
Only Saskatchewan River Crossing, roughly midway, with limited seasonal hours.
Fill up in Lake Louise or Jasper before setting out. The gap is over 200 km of mountain road with no alternative.
No mobile signal for most of the route — download maps offline.
Wildlife on the road
Bighorn sheep and mountain goats on the roadside, elk, and black and grizzly bears.
Stay in the vehicle. Do not stop in the traffic lane. Roadside bear jams are dangerous for the animals and for drivers coming round a bend.
Never approach or feed anything. A bear that associates cars with food is a bear that gets destroyed.
Passes and permits
A Parks Canada pass is required for the entire route and covers the vehicle. An annual pass pays for itself in about a week of park visits.
Buy it in advance or at the park gates.
Season
| Period | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Jun–Sep | Everything open, busy, warm |
| May, Oct | Quieter; snow possible |
| Nov–Apr | Open but winter conditions; services closed |
The road stays open in winter and is genuinely spectacular, with the caveat that services close, avalanche control can shut it, and winter tyres are required in season.
Snow lingers on the passes into June, and the lakes do not thaw to their blue colour until early summer.
Practical
Start early — the parking areas at the popular stops fill by mid-morning in summer.
Book Banff and Jasper accommodation months ahead for summer.
Carry water and food, since there is nowhere to buy either for most of the route.