This article may contain affiliate links. 2. Once youve arrived at the viewing platform, you can also walk the path to the less-frequented second viewing point. Hector Lake (pictured above) is a 5km (3 mi) one-way hike. So the real question is. link to 27 Unbeatable Views in Banff: Your Guide to Discovering the Park, link to Cougars in Banff National Park: All You Need to Know, Journey of a Lifetime: Bike the Icefields Parkway, 20 Things You Need to Know About Park Passes for Banff National Park, the gas station at the Saskatchewan River Crossing, The Ultimate Overview of Campgrounds in Banff National Park, How to Make Sure Mosquitoes Dont Ruin Your Stay in Banff, Plan Your Banff Itinerary Know the Distances, How Much Does a Banff Vacation Cost in 2022? Purchase a Discovery Pass Are There Gas Stations Along the Icefields Parkway? Also note that the gas station at the Saskatchewan River Crossing is closed from November through April, making filling up beforehand essential. Great page, thanks! This roadtrip enhances three of the crown jewels Canada: Banff National Park, Lake Louise and Jasper National Park. All support is much appreciated! Youll find lots of people at the highlights along the road. 6. You can make the return trip in one day, but this means that you dont have a lot of time to get out of the car to visit a lake or take a short stroll. Icefields Parkway is a scenic drive that stretches through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, connecting the towns of Lake Louise and Jasper in Alberta, Canada. This is no ordinary road, after all. Because the views were so incredible, we hung around for 30 minutes, just enjoying the sunshine, views, and taking photos. Fairly recent with an opening in 2014, the SkyWalk offers a unique experience. The falls provide an impressive sight, but theres more to see. Because most tourists dont want to put efforts to reach the lake, its usually tranquil around here, allowing you to take in the lakes beauty in silence. If you really want a big scramble day I have to suggest hiking The Onion, Helen Lake, Cirque Peak, or scrambling up Jimmy Simpson (if you are a capable scrambler). To access the Sunwapta Falls youll have to take the small access road by the Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge. The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) is a 232 km road through the finest landscapes of the Canadian Rockies stretching from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park. If you dont have a car because you are flying into Alberta, you can easily get a rental car at the airport. If you have plenty of time and aren't in a hurry to drive north to south (or vice versa), there are several great hikes, both short and long, that starts just off the parkway. C$823.51. The Icefields Parkway is open all year round, though I wouldnt advise driving it in the winter unless you have experience with winter driving. The Athabasca falls are easy to reach as theres a big parking lot close to the Icefields Parkway. 22 BEAUTIFUL Stops on the Icefields Parkway (2023 Guide) - The Banff Blog Theres a day-use area where you can park your car. You can buy a Day Pass or a Discovery Pass, valid for 12 months. With you are planning on a round trip drive along Highway # 93, make sure to keep some stops for the way back. The Icefields Parkway Driving Guide - Know Before You Go Learn more on our about us page! TheBanff Blog Facebook Groupis your headquarters for the Canadian Rockies travel advice and information. Hiking Routes Along the Icefields Parkway. Just under an hour from Jasper (and 30 minutes north of the Columbia Icefields) is Sunwapta Falls. Here you can get some history around the glacier and experience the fun without much physical effort. The Columbia Icefields is pretty much halfway through the drive. Though this is not a fully-fledged supermarket. In winter, avalanches may occasionally close part of the parkway, but usually not for very long before they're cleared. If youre not feeling a full-on mountaineering climb up Athabasca, you can still go see the Athabasca Glacier, and even walk on the glacier with the Ice Explorer. How far is the Icefields Parkway from Banff? This question is a bit difficult to answer. Famed for its rugged beauty with insanely blue alpine lakes and glacier views, the mountain road between Lake Louise to Jasper has it all. The Waterfowl Lakes are two relaxed lakes in the park that see a fraction of the visitors youll see the other lakes on this list. Post your questions in the comments. Guide to Canada's Icefields Parkway - Travanie Travels This is when the days are long, the wildflowers are blooming, and the lakes are in their prime. And its probably just as beautiful. One of the most spectacular stops on Canada's Icefields Parkway: The Columbia Icefields. We saw young couples, older people, and families with young children and dogs on this hike. Like so many other visitor sites in the area, its conveniently located in Jasper National Park, which will make filling up your day with enough scenery to satisfy even the most finicky nature lover pretty easy. Distance from Lake Louise Village:62.2 km (38.56 mi)Distance from Jasper:171 km (106 mi). The trailhead is right there. You can walk directly to see the upper falls from the viewpoint parking lot or do a longer hike (1.3 km) to reach the lower falls. 3 Stop 3 - Bow Lake. Also, since its a scenic drive, and not a main road, its not maintained 24/7. Full-day Tours. Peyto Lake was incredible that blue! The Valley of Five Lakes is a classic Jasper hike thats probably the most popular in the park. The volume of water that rushes over the edge is very high, making the upper Athabasca River positively roar especially during the height of the thaw in late spring. How Long Does It Take to Drive the Icefields Parkway? Try their steaks, spare ribs or hamburgers; you wont be disappointed. In fact, its rare to not see wildlife at least once during the drive. At that time of the day, the activity on the highway is minimal, making wildlife come out. What hotels are on the Icefields Parkway? There are among the most powerful falls in the Canadian Rockies and the overall view is simply breath-taking. As the name suggests, youll get a nice view of the impressive Crowfoot Glacier. The road is well-maintained by Parks Canada all year-round, but road closure is not uncommon when driving in the winter. This place also offers more simple food like burgers and pizza. This large campground offers a beautiful camping location along the Icefields Parkway. top things to see in Jasper National Park. Radventures runs a very fun Icefields Parkway tour! Baker Creek Mountain Resortoffers cozy log cabins or check out the affordablehostel optionin Lake Louise. We are in the area early July and wondered if we would have time me to add this to our trip. If you have time, make sure to plan for this and start your official Icefields Parkway drive at Herbert Lake if you only have 1 day to explore the Parkway. Theres a very rocky beach there, making for a nice place to spend some time and look along the river into the distance. For more information I suggest you contact Jasper Motorcycle Tours as they should be able to answer any questions you may have. If you head in the opposite direction, you can walk down a canyon that the Athabasca River abandoned centuries ago. Thank you so much for the great information. Distance from Lake Louise Village: 202 km (125.24 mi)Distance from Jasper:32.4 km (20.08 mi). As a mountainous area at a relatively high altitude (Banff sits at 4,537 feet), the climate along the Icefields Parkway is cool-to-warm in summer and very cold in winter. Especially in case theres a bear present. Connecting Banff and Jasper National Parks, two of the most spectacular and iconic areas of the Canadian Rockies, the Icefields Parkway is a dreamy roadway surrounded by evergreen forests, alpine lakes, and jagged mountain peaks. It can get really windy and cold around the glacier, so dress accordlingly (even in the summer). Job opportunities Guaranteed. . There's one gas station en route, at the Saskatchewan River Crossing Resort, roughly halfway between Jasper and Banff, but be warned that the prices are steep. Watch intensely as the powerful water churns through the rock beneath your feet. The Sunwapta Falls are a pair of waterfalls and a major highlight on your trip. This way you can easily determine how much further you need to go for your next intended stop. The Sunwapta Falls are very easy to reach. Getting to the lower falls takes a bit of a hike, but its well worth the (minimal) effort. Dead and sick trees were removed, and some facilities were updated in 2021. The trail is open year-round, but the warmer months are the best time to visit these lakes. Contents hide. The Icefields Parkway drive starts in Lake Louise in Banff National Park and ends in the town of Jasper in Jasper National Park. Distance from Lake Louise Village:121 km (75 mi)Distance from Jasper:113 km (70 mi). To be honest, the Skywalk is mainly about the experience of walking on a glass floor above a great depth. Icefields Parkway is considered one of the most scenic routes in the world. An affordable option is theHI Jasper. This slot canyon had distinctive curvy walls sculpted by the Mistaya River, rushing through at high speed. You can find her in the mountains or enjoying a coffee by the river. For a motel check outThe Crossing Resort (its also where youll find the only gas station between Lake Louise and Jasper). The Icefields Parkway is great no matter the season. What to see and do in Banff in August | Discover Banff Tours Though this is the most dangerous time to drive, as the Icefields Parkway and road conditions deteriorate in the winter. Because the Icefields Parkway is so long and scenic, you could easily camp out along the way for a week (or two) and enjoy the stunning nature and vistas from numerous outstanding locations. 1 Start/Stop 1 - Lake Louise. Outdoor enthusiasts like to use them for ice climbing. Ive yet to drive down a road as beautiful as the Icefields Parkway. Youll be going at your own pace, so youll have the time to take in the scenery, do a short hike, eat somewhere, et cetera. The pullout area for parking here is on the west side of the parkway; theres limited parking, so it may be busy peak summer. As with all viewpoints along the road, its easily accessible. See the incredible mountains towering above you and learn of the early explorers who first found . TheBow Riversprings from Bow Lake and runs through Banff and Calgary until it meets the Oldman River in the southeast of Alberta. In 1974 the name was changed to Icefields Parkway. This establishment is known for offering good food and excellent service. Whistlers CampgroundWith a whopping amount of 781 sites, this campground is vast. But make sure you book well in advance in the summertime as it gets full pretty quickly. The lake is one of the largest in the park and is fed by the Sunwapta Ice Fields Bow Glacier meltwater. Start at the parking lot area off the Icefields Parkway. Never feed or approach wildlife. You also get hints of fall color on the Icefields Parkway in late September. If you want to experience nature in full glory, youd like to drive the road in July or August. We aim to help you get the most out of your trip to Banff National Park and the surrounding areas. In 2018, we decided to settle down in one of the most beautiful places on earth, The Canadian Rockies. Its only 483 m (0.3 miles) out and back. This is also where you can meet one another when you need adventure buddies. Note: There are a few stairs, but it is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. These are affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and Booking.com. For more information on driving in the winter, check out our post on tips for winter road trips.