RoadAtlas
Icefields Parkway — Canada — Mountain
North America

Icefields Parkway

Canada

Point-to-point
Banff pre-trip extension Jasper

In short: Icefields Parkway is a 232 km mountain road trip in Canada, typically driven over 2 days, plus optional Banff/Moraine pre-day, best in Jun–Sep. Highlights: Banff pre-trip extension, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake shuttle pre-trip.

Distance
232 km
Duration
2 days, plus optional Banff/Moraine pre-day
Best Season
Jun–Sep
LegendaryEasyMountainEV-friendly

One of the most spectacular mountain drives on Earth. Highway 93 runs from Lake Louise to Jasper through the Canadian Rockies, with glaciers, turquoise lakes, and peaks over 3,000 m at every turn. Banff and shuttle-only Moraine Lake work best as a separate pre-trip extension.

Practical notes
The classic Icefields Parkway drive begins at Lake Louise. Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round; visit only on a separately reserved Parks Canada or approved shuttle before the drive. Highway 93 has long service gaps, sudden weather, and wildlife on the road, so check Parks Canada road reports, carry fuel, water, and layers, and do not rely on mobile service.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Lake Louise to Saskatchewan River Crossing

Bow Lake shoreline · Lake Louise lakeshore · Lakeview Lounge

Day 2Saskatchewan River Crossing to Jasper

Athabasca Glacier Tour · Athabasca Falls Walk · Fiddle River Restaurant

Stops along the route

Banff pre-trip extension — City — Icefields Parkway — Canada
City
Banff pre-trip extension
An optional pre-trip base rather than part of the Icefields Parkway driving geometry.
Hotels
Jasper — Arrival — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Arrival
Jasper
A laid-back mountain town with the darkest skies of any national park in Canada. Best stargazing on the continent.
Hotels

Things to Do

Lake Louise — Nature — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Nature
Lake Louise
Impossibly turquoise glacial water backed by the Victoria Glacier, the most-photographed lake in Canada.
Moraine Lake shuttle pre-trip — Nature — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Nature
Moraine Lake shuttle pre-trip
A shuttle-only pre-trip excursion from the Lake Louise area; personal vehicles cannot use Moraine Lake Road at any time of year.
Bow Lake — Nature — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Nature
Bow Lake
The headwaters of the Bow River, fed by the Bow Glacier above. One of the most serene spots in the Rockies.
Peyto Lake Viewpoint — Nature — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Nature
Peyto Lake Viewpoint
A wolf-shaped lake of blinding turquoise carved by the Mistaya Glacier. Best viewpoint on the entire parkway.
Saskatchewan River Crossing — Landmark — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Landmark
Saskatchewan River Crossing
The only services between Lake Louise and Jasper, set where three glacial rivers meet in a sweeping valley.
Columbia Icefield — Landmark — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Landmark
Columbia Icefield
The largest icefield in the Rockies. Walk onto the Athabasca Glacier, one of the world's most accessible glaciers.
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Sunwapta Falls — Nature — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Nature
Sunwapta Falls
The Sunwapta River plunges into a narrow limestone canyon. Upper and lower falls, both extraordinary.
Athabasca Falls — Nature — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Nature
Athabasca Falls
The most powerful waterfall in the Canadian Rockies. Not the tallest, but the raw force is humbling.
Banff Gondola — Scenic Viewpoint — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Scenic Viewpoint
Banff Gondola
Ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views of Banff and the Rockies.
Athabasca Glacier Tour — Guided Tour — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Guided Tour
Athabasca Glacier Tour
Explore the Athabasca Glacier on a guided tour, walking on ancient ice and learning about glaciology.
Johnston Canyon Icewalk — Hike — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Hike
Johnston Canyon Icewalk
A winter hike through Johnston Canyon to see frozen waterfalls and ice formations along the trail.

Where to Eat

The Bison Restaurant — Canadian — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Canadian
The Bison Restaurant
Offers farm-to-table Canadian cuisine with panoramic mountain views in a rustic-chic setting.
Lakeview Lounge — International — Icefields Parkway — Canada
International
Lakeview Lounge
Serves a diverse menu with stunning views of Lake Louise and the surrounding mountains.
Fiddle River Restaurant — Seafood — Icefields Parkway — Canada
Seafood
Fiddle River Restaurant
Specializes in fresh seafood dishes with a cozy atmosphere overlooking the Athabasca River.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Icefields Parkway drive?

The Icefields Parkway covers 232 km from start to finish.

How long does the Icefields Parkway take to drive?

Most travellers spend 2 days, plus optional Banff/Moraine pre-day on the Icefields Parkway, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Icefields Parkway?

The recommended season for the Icefields Parkway is Jun–Sep.

Where does the Icefields Parkway start and end?

The Icefields Parkway runs from Banff pre-trip extension to Jasper.

What are the main stops on the Icefields Parkway?

The Icefields Parkway passes through Banff pre-trip extension, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake shuttle pre-trip.

How difficult is the Icefields Parkway to drive?

The Icefields Parkway is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Icefields Parkway in a regular car?

Yes — the Icefields Parkway is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Icefields Parkway EV friendly?

Yes — the Icefields Parkway has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Icefields Parkway safe to drive?

The classic Icefields Parkway drive begins at Lake Louise. Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round; visit only on a separately reserved Parks Canada or approved shuttle before the drive. Highway 93 has long service gaps, sudden weather, and wildlife on the road, so check Parks Canada road reports, carry fuel, water, and layers, and do not rely on mobile service.

What scenic tier is the Icefields Parkway?

The Icefields Parkway is a legendary drive — The world's most extraordinary drives — once-in-a-lifetime road trips with cinematic scenery, legendary roads, and unmatched cultural depth.