The Icefields Parkway is notably one of the most scenic drives in the world. From Lake Louise it will take you approximately 3-3.5 hours one way to Jasper without any stopping. Here are a few things to know about this road!
1. Get gas before you go. There are basically no places to stop for gas on this drive, so definitely fill up the tank before you start driving!
2. Beware of avalanches. Avalanche danger is high in this area, and weather can move in very quickly here. Be cautious and make sure to adhere to all no stopping zones.
3. Make sure you have a Canada park pass. The Icefields Parkway goes into Jasper National Park and begins in Banff National Park, so having the pass will make your life simple! You will want this for other areas you explore on your trip anyways, trust me.
There are so many magnificent places along the way to stop. You could easily spend days exploring this area, but here are a few of my absolute favorites! And to see how this drive fits into the perfect itinerary for Banff, click here.
You can enter the stops before in order into Google maps and it will route you into them sequentially (which means no stopping on the way back to Lake Louise), or you can decide to stop at a few on the way up and a few on the way back! Up to you!
1. Herbert Lake
Both Herbert and Bow Lake are incredible places to catch a sunrise. I recommend choosing one and packing breakfast so you can get on the road early!
2. Bow Lake
There is a pull off right along the highway or you can drive towards the red cabin at the far side of the lake. There you will find a small parking lot and a short walk leads you to this view and cute little bridge!
3. Big Bend
One of the most beautiful pull offs is Big Bend. It is also one of the busier stops, but there is plenty of room for multiple cars here! However, some of the charm of this road lies in the unnamed areas as well. If you see a place you want to pull off and stop, take advantage of it!
4. Athabasca Glacier
This glacier will give you a glimpse back in time, complete with signs that will show you just how much the glacier has receded over the years. You can follow the trail to the base of the glacier or even walk onto it with a guided tour. Be prepared! This area is cold and very windy (aka I was not prepared).
*Pro Tip: skip the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. It is overpriced and you get the same exact views from the road itself!
5. Tangle Falls
This waterfall is one that you can climb right up onto. Such a fun place to explore and easy to climb with no hike needed! This pull off comes up quickly on the right side of the road around a curve, so as your maps say you are nearing it, slow down so you don’t have to back track for it!
6. Sunwapta Falls
Compared to Tangle Falls, the next two on this list are HUGE! Coming from a place as dry as Colorado I could not believe how big these falls can be. They carve intricate designs in the rocks around the falls and the water is the clearest blue. Just be careful as this area is often muddy and slippery.
7. Athabasca Falls
This area has a lot of walking paths to explore, so plan a bit more time for this stop. Such a beautiful waterfall and amazing spots to explore among the rocks. A perfect place to stretch your legs before the final stretch of the drive.
8. Jasper
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve made it to the town of Jasper! This town is adorable and has a lot of shops and restaurants to explore. For delicious seafood, we really liked The Raven! And it had ice cream right next door, so I was sold. Definitely the perfect spot for lunch or dinner before you drive back, or you can stay the night in Jasper if you need a break from driving.
Bonus Stop: Pyramid Lake
Finish the day with sunset at Pyramid Lake. This lake is approximately a 10 minute drive north of Jasper and a bridge connects the main road to a small island on the lake. Such an incredible place to catch a sunset if you can!
If you all are like me you love a good road trip, and this drive is certainly no exception. I hope someday you all get the chance to do it. Once again, click here for my other Canada blogs and drop any questions below! Happy adventures, fam!