A Guide to Driving the Icefields Parkway, Alberta

One of my favourite days during my trip to Alberta was spent driving the infamous Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper. With no stops the drive takes around three hours, but plan on spending almost the whole day on the highway if you want to visit my stops listed below. Most of the stops are very clearly marked on the road, but I hope this guide will help you determine which stops are must-sees.

We departed from Banff around 9:30 am and reached Jasper around 5:00 pm. We stayed in Jasper for two days (blog post on Jasper to come!), but even if you aren’t staying in Jasper, I still highly recommend driving at least part of the Icefields Parkway if you can. You will see so much beauty and wildlife on this road trip. I hope you enjoy my guide to driving the Icefields Parkway, Alberta!

Herbert Lake – 3.3 km

From the Trans Canada Highway/AB-1 just past the Lake Louise exit, you’ll see an exit for Icefields Parkway/AB-93. Just 3.3 km from the start of the Icefields Parkway, you’ll reach your first stop – Herbert Lake. This green-blue lake is stunning in the morning light.

Hector Lake Viewpoint – 17 km

Next stop is Hector Lake Viewpoint.

Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint – 33 km

Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint has a stunning view of Crowfoot Mountain with Bow Lake below.

Bow Lake – 36 km

Stopping at the Bow Lake Viewpoint and the Bow Lake Car Lot at the base of the lake is a must. This stunning lake is the headwaters of the Bow River, which runs through Banff.

Bow Summit and Peyto Lake Viewpoint – 41 km

I was most excited to stop at the Bow Summit and Peyto Lake Viewpoint, but unfortunately it was closed for rehabilitation.

Waterfowl Lakes Viewpoint – 58.4 km

Waterfowel Lakes Viewpoint looks out at another beautiful lake and the impressive White Pyramid mountain.

Mistaya Canyon – 71.5 km

Mistaya Canyon is my favourite stop on the Icefields Parkway. A short 300 m hike will bring you to an amazing limestone-slot canyon.

Howse Pass Viewpoint – 76.5 km

Howse Pass Viewpoint overlooks a historic pass through the Rocky Mountains that was used by First Nations people and fur traders.

The Crossing Resort – 77 km

Just a minute from Howse Pass Viewpoint is The Crossing Resort, a good place (and basically the only place) to stop for gas and lunch. I recommend the fish and chips!

Weeping Wall – 105.6 km

The Weeping Wall wasn’t too impressive but we did see a grizzly bear near here so keep your eye out and obviously, keep a safe distance.

Bridal Veil Falls – 114.5 km

Here you’ll see Bridal Veil Falls in the distance.

Athabasca Glacier – 126.6 km

The most well-known and popular stop on the Icefields Parkway is the stunning Athabasca Glacier. You can hike up to the start of the glacier but walking on the glacier is dangerous unless fully equipped. The Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre offers a bus ride on specially designed snow coaches onto the glacier! 

Tangle Creek Falls – 134.5 km

Tangle Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall right on the side of the road.

Sunwapta Falls – 176.5 km

Sunwapta Falls is a more dramatic waterfall with an island in the middle. Stunning!

Goats and Glaciers Viewpoint  – 194 km

The Goats and Glaciers Viewpoint lives up to its name. We saw tons of mountain goats there!

Athabasca Falls – 201 km

Finish your road trip at the beautiful Athabasca Falls. There are several walking paths to different waterfalls and viewpoints.

BONUS: Morant’s Curve – Bow Valley Parkway

If you’re driving the Icefields Parkway from Banff like I did, I highly recommend detouring off the Trans Canada Highway onto the Bow Valley Parkway and stopping at Morant’s Curve. This was our first stop of the day and I absolutely loved it. Morant’s Curve is an infamous photography spot, especially when a red Canadian Pacific Railway train comes by. 

We also saw a black bear on the Bow Valley Parkway!

I hope you enjoyed my guide to driving the Icefields Parkway in Alberta!

To read my blog post, “A Guide to Visiting Banff National Park,” click here.

To read my blog post, “A Guide to Visiting Jasper National Park,” click here.

To read my blog post, “A Perfect Day Trip to Lake Louise,” click here.