Top Activities on the World-Famous Icefields Parkway, Canada

I dream of the Canadian Rockies as we shelter-in-place while the whole world joins forces to combat COVID-19. This article is an opportunity for me to re-live our great Canadian Rockies’ road trip. We visited the Canadian Rockies during the summer of 2019. At that time the Icefields Parkway drive between Jasper and Banff was drop-dead gorgeous. I’m sure it’s just as iconic now without any tourists.

Following is an interactive map of top things to do along the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North).

The Iceland Parkway in Alberta has earned its place as one of the top scenic drives in the world. It’s no wonder, this drive from Banff to Jasper is a destination on its own right. There are many attractions along the way so plan to pause and enjoy the activities and views.

Drive from Banff to Jasper

For our 7-day road trip of Canadian Rockies, we rented a car in Calgary and drove up to Jasper. Along the way, we made a few stops at vista points, and yet the drive took us 6 1/2 hours. So essentially it was an entire day of being completely surrounded by mindblowing beauty.

On the drive, we only made a quick stop at Banff downtown for lunch and another one at Bow Lake for pictures. We saved the many things to do in Banff, Yoho and Lake Louise areas for later and minimized our stops because we wanted to arrive in Jasper before sunset. As we drove from Banff towards Jasper, we saw several unusual bridges over the freeway and red forests covering Jasper NP. Later we learned all about the ingenious wildlife crossings and the deadly beetles.

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Read about our drive from Jasper to Banff.

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Bow Lake on Ice Fields Parkway

by Daniel from Spottico

When I learned the Icefields Parkway was one of National Geographic’s most beautiful drives in the world, it instantly became my personal rite of passage when exploring the majestic Canadian Rockies.

With my girlfriend in the passenger seat and heavy metal blasting on the stereo, my heart skipped a beat when gazing at the sparkling shores of Bow Lake from the highway.

“We’re stopping!” I shouted as I veered sharply into the parking lot.

Bow Lake was our first stop along this legendary drive from Banff to Jasper and I was mesmerized by its turquoise waters, glorious backdrop of Crowfoot Mountain, and the serenity of the crystalline water gently crashing against the rocky shore. Photographers will be in paradise with the ability to shoot incredible alpine vistas from numerous angles right from the parking lot.

This is the perfect family-friendly stop along your drive and I would highly recommend packing a lunch. There are plenty of spots to have a peaceful picnic and you’ll find a bathroom nearby. Plus, the walking route that hugs the lake and evergreen forest will be easy for the youngsters to handle.

However, make sure your shoes have traction and don’t make the mistake my girlfriend did. There is a slightly graveled hill from the parking lot to the lake and she took a stumble walking down it. And I nearly plunged face-first into a tree sprinting to her rescue!

Later on, I kicked off my shoes and wanted to feel just how icy this glacial lake would be. The beating mid-August sun was brutal but standing knee-high in the water chilled me instantly.

I would personally suggest kayaking here during the summer (July-September) due to the sensational views of craggy peaks, verdant forests, blooming wildflowers, and a beautiful glacier.

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Peyto Lake Hiking and Photography

by Noah and Ann from While We Were Wandering

During our road trip through the Canadian Rockies, one of the things we were most excited about was witnessing the beauty of the nearby lakes. We had seen so many stunning pictures online and we couldn’t wait to experience these views first hand. Found between Jasper and Banff National Park is one of our favorites, Peyto Lake. Its vivid blue waters, staggering mountain ridge, and easy accessibility make this glacier-fed lake a must for any Canadian adventure.

The trailhead for Peyto Lake starts from the parking lot of Bow Summit off of the Icefield Parkway. It is easy to find and is clearly marked. Parking is free but it can be tight, so we suggest not taking any trailers or large RVs. From the parking lot, a nice and easy uphill trail will take you to a wooden overlook. It is here that most visitors stop, but please take our advice and continue onward. By going up an additional mile, you will not only get better views but you will also be able to enjoy these views without the crowds. If you are anything like us, once you reach the top your jaws will drop. Seriously, the views are incredible!

In order for you to best enjoy your time, here are our top tips for visiting Peyto Lake:

• To avoid crowds try coming early in the morning or during late spring/ early fall. Summer is by far the busiest time of year and during the winter the trail is often closed due to ice.
• Preserve the integrity of the area by staying on marked trails.
• While we didn’t see any wildlife during our visit, there are animals in the area. If you see any do not feed them and make sure to keep a safe distance away.
• While the trail is short and easy, make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray.
  Bring your camera and take as many pictures as your heart desires, but make sure to put it down long enough to soak in the moment.

Find Ann and Noah on Instagram

The Parker Ridge Trail

By Helen Holidays from Hels

The Parker Ridge Trail makes a perfect stopping off point on the Icefields Highway, halfway between Banff and Jasper, just south of the Athabasca visitor center. We hadn’t known about the hike but pulled over when we spotted several cars parked by some signs next to the highway. Reading that this was the starting point for a 1.5 mile “easy to moderate hike” which would take you to a ridge overlooking a glacier, we were sold.

The walk takes you through a surprising variety of scenery, from green meadows, past small trees, then, even in July, above the snowline through rocky scree to the ridge itself. It gets pretty steep in parts as you climb the 900 feet, but the views at the top are remarkable.

The twisty white Saskatchewan Glacier glistens in the valley just below you, towered over by snow-capped mountains. We took our 10 and 12-year-olds who were particularly excited to be able to have a summer snowball fight. Due to the snowy conditions, the path is only accessible from late June to October, so go in summer for flowers and family-friendly hiking conditions.

Heading left at the top provides spectacular viewpoints and photo opportunities. (Beware the huge horseflies – whose bites may make you drop the camera. Wear trousers.) Going back down the trail, and taking the fork to the left takes you further along the ridge. The wind rushes straight down the glacial valley and, even in summer, is chilly and strong. Fortunately, respite is available in the form of several stony den-like shelters, again popular with the pre-teens. The whole hike took 3 hours and was a real surprise highlight of our Canadian trip. 

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Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier

by Joanna from Backpack and Bushcraft

The Athabasca Glacier is a fantastic place to visit during a trip to the Canadian Rockies. Situated along the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper, it is the perfect way to break up a long drive.

During our tour of the Athabasca Glacier in June 2018, we traveled in a huge truck that drives up over the moraines and descends almost vertically onto the glacier itself.

We stepped outside of the vehicle and hesitantly tiptoed onto the huge mass of ice which is as thick as the Eiffel Tower is tall!

During the tour, we drank water directly from the glacier itself which, trust me, is delicious!

The Glacier tour is open between April and October and the best times to beat the crowds are early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

The weather can be very changeable but we were pleased to find that tickets can be transferred to another day if the weather is less than desirable when you arrive,

I absolutely recommend that you visit the Athabasca Glacier to see if is all its glory as this and other glaciers are sadly retreating further and further each year.

Find Joanna on Instagram

Columbia Icefields Skywalk

Built-in 2014, the skywalk experience is an absolute must for any road trip in the Canadian Rockies. As the name suggests, the skywalk literally feels like walking in the sky. It can certainly feel scary for those with extreme fear for heights.

The Columbia Icefields Skywalk may seem small in pictures but it’s very large and sticks out of the cliff so far that it seems like you’re walking right above the valley, the river, and the waterfalls. Plan to carry a nice camera to get a birdseye view of the valley.

A visit the Icefields Skywalk starts at the visitor center, and not the Skywalk. We bought tickets ahead of time, but one should be able to get tickets at the center too. The tickets are assigned for a certain timeslot. At the allocated time you board a luxury bus that drives up to the Skyway entrance. From the entrance, you’ll walk about 1/2 mile on a ramp which is an outdoor museum/nature center with interesting information about the flora, fauna, and geology of the region. The skywalk is at the end of the walkway.

During middays in summer, the skywalk is packed with enthusiastic visitors. So, best to times to visit during the peak season is early mornings or evenings.

Chasing Waterfalls on the Icefields Parkway

by Josy from A Walk and a Lark

Driving along the Icefields Parkway has to be one of the most iconic things you can do on your trip to the Canadian Rockies. This is the 143 mile-long roadway that links Jasper to Banff, and it must be one of the most beautiful road trips on the planet! The thing is, you won’t get to experience much if you *just* drive along the Icefields Parkway. You’ll have far more fun if you park the car, get out and search for spectacular waterfalls along the way.

Most people visit the Rockies in the summertime when the waterfalls will be gushing and cascading down the mountains. However, my favorite time to visit is in the springtime when some of the waterfalls will still be frozen. The huge sparkling natural ice-sculptures are truly beautiful to behold.

Here are some of my favorite waterfalls along the way (from Jasper to Banff):
– Athabasca Falls
– Sunwapta Falls (bonus points if you hike down to the lower Sunwapta Falls)
– Tangle Creek Falls
– Bridal Veil Falls
– Johnston Canyon (walking through the Canyon will take you to 7 waterfalls)

I normally like to plan my adventures around hikes, but last time we visited the Rockies I was with my brother and his pregnant wife. All of these waterfalls are pretty easy to visit (even in the snow with a baby bump) so I feel safe to recommend them, even if you are not used to walking far.

If you can, save the waterfalls into your phone or satnav, as some of them are right next to the road, so you need to be ready to stop! Don’t worry, there are safe parking spots close to all of these waterfalls. For exact locations and further information, please see my post about the Icefields Parkway.

So get your camera ready and enjoy your adventure in the Rockies!

You can find Josy on Twitter

Drive from Jasper to Banff

After spending 3 nights in Jasper, we were sad to leave the beautiful National Park and the cottages we called home in heavenly Jasper. But there was so much to look forward to. On our drive back from Jasper to Banff, we were looking forward to seeing the familiar sights but also the incredible Columbia Icefields Skywalk and walk on the Athabasca glacier.

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Check out our photo diary of the drive from Jasper to Banff

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Related Articles

• 7-Day Itinerary of Canadian Rockies
• 3-Day Itinerary of Banff in Winter
• Itineraries of the Canadian Rockies
• Places to stay in Jasper and Banff
• Rafting in Jasper National Park
• Banff’s wildlife crossing
• Red forests in Jasper National Park
• Calgary to Banff to Jasper Drive
• Jasper to Banff Drive
• Things to do in Banff and Canmore
• Things to do in Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
• Things to do in Yoho National Park
• Things to do in Jasper National Park

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