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Looking for the best Icefields Parkway tours? Look no further!
Planning a trip along the Icefields Parkway can be overwhelming. With so many must-see lakes, glaciers, and viewpoints, it’s hard to know where to start (or how to actually get a parking spot). After exploring this area several times, I’ve learned that the easiest and most stress-free way to see the highlights is by joining a tour.
But not all tours are created equal. Below, I’ve rounded up five of the best Icefields Parkway tours based on my own experiences, each offering something a little different depending on your travel style, interests, and starting point. Let’s dive in!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE Icefields Parkway experience is this full-day Rockies tour! We hit Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Icefields Parkway without stress. Plus, every stop was absolutely incredible!
- Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- Best Icefield Parkway Tours
- 1. Drive the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield with Glacier Skywalk and Ice Explorer
- 2. Top-rated Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake full day tour
- 3. Full day, small group Icefields Parkway highlights tour
- 4. Small Group Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Icefields Parkway tour
- 5. Explore the Icefields Parkway, Peyto Lake, and Abraham Lake/Athabasca Falls
- Where to Stay on the Icefields Parkway
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Renting a Car in Alberta
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Best Icefield Parkway Tours
1. Drive the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield with Glacier Skywalk and Ice Explorer
- Duration: 10 to 11 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Small-group tour from Banff; visit Lake Louise, Crowfoot Glacier, and Peyto Lake; Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier; Glacier Skywalk experience
- Inclusions: Expert guide, ride in the Ice Explorer, Columbia Icefield Skywalk admission, pick-up and/or drop-off at multiple Banff locations, hot buffet lunch
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 570+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you’re staying in Banff and want to experience the Icefield Parkway without having to plan a thing, this all-inclusive day tour is a no-brainer. It covers all the major highlights, including an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, admission to the Glacier Skywalk, and even a hot buffet lunch—all wrapped into one well-organized day. No hidden costs or surprises here!
The drive alone is incredible, but the stops along the way make it even better. We visited Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, and Crowfoot Glacier before reaching the Icefields Centre, where the real adventure kicked off.
Riding in the massive Ice Explorer and stepping out onto the glacier was such a cool experience—definitely a moment I’ll never forget. After that, we headed to the Skywalk, a glass-floored platform hanging high above the Sunwapta Valley, with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and cliffs.
Everything about the day ran smoothly, and having round-trip transport from Banff meant we could just sit back and enjoy the scenery. It’s a hassle-free way to take in some of the best sights and attractions along the Icefields Parkway. No maps, no parking, no stress, just a lot of fun!
Read the hundreds of 5-star reviews and book your spot here!
2. Top-rated Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake full day tour
- Duration: 8 to 9 hours
- Time: 9 am
- Highlights: Tour from Banff or Canmore; visit Lake Minnewanka, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (summer only), Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, & Peyto Lake
- Inclusions: Pick-up/drop-off from Banff or Canmore accommodation, driver/tour guide
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 700+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Having visited Banff many times, I know how frustrating it can be trying to navigate and find parking at its most iconic spots. Lake Louise and Peyto Lake fill up fast, and you can’t even drive yourself to Moraine Lake anymore. Luckily, this highly-rated tour makes it easy to see all the must-visit lakes and viewpoints without the hassle.
We were picked up right from our hotel in Canmore (they also pick up in Banff), and from there, everything was taken care of. The route included Lake Minnewanka, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and Crowfoot Glacier—basically the greatest hits of Banff and the Icefields Parkway. Every stop was breathtaking, and not having to worry about parking made it that much better!
Our guide, Ron, was super knowledgeable and easygoing. He shared great stories along the way and made sure we had plenty of time at each spot. And the best part? We saw a grizzly bear from the van! It was one of those unforgettable moments that really made the day.
If you want to see Banff’s best without the logistics headache, this is the way to do it—and based on the 700+ five-star reviews, I’m clearly not the only one who thinks so!
Secure your spot on this full-day tour and experience the best of the Icefields Parkway!
3. Full day, small group Icefields Parkway highlights tour
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 8:30 am
- Highlights: Small-group tour from Banff; visit Peyto Lake and Bow Lake; walk up to the foot of the Athabasca Glacier
- Inclusions: Comfortable transportation, guide, onboard cooler to keep your lunch and drinks cold, water refills (bring your own bottle)
- Rating: 4.9 (check 90+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
One thing I’ve learned from exploring the Rockies is that the big bus tours can feel a bit… impersonal. That’s why I really appreciated this small-group tour—it’s capped at just 12 people, so the whole day felt more laid-back and flexible. No shouting over crowds, no getting shuffled around. Just stunning views and a guide who actually gets to know your name.
We were picked up in Banff and got to bring our own food and drinks (there’s a cooler onboard!), which helped keep the day affordable. And the stops were fantastic: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Mistaya Canyon, and finally the iconic Columbia Icefields.
Unlike other tours, this one skips the Ice Explorer ride and Skywalk. Instead, we went on a short walk right up to the base of the Athabasca Glacier, which offered a more peaceful, up-close experience without the big crowds.
Our local guide wasn’t just knowledgeable, he was funny and full of stories you’d never get from a guidebook. He took us to hidden viewpoints and quiet trails I’d never seen before. So if you’re after a slower-paced day with fewer crowds and real local insight, this is the one!
Check availability and secure your spot here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. Small Group Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Icefields Parkway tour
- Duration: 10 to 12 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Small group tour from Banff or Canmore; visit the most scenic areas of Banff and the Icefield Parkway, including Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (summer only), and Peyto Lake
- Inclusions: Pick-up from Banff or Canmore, guide, bottled water
- Rating: 5 stars (check 110+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Some tours try to pack in too much—rushing from place to place with barely enough time to grab a photo before you’re herded back on the bus. This Banff and Icefields Parkway tour was the complete opposite, and that’s what made it so memorable!
We had plenty of time at all the stops, especially Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. While most tours stop quickly to let you take photos, we actually got time to enjoy them. I got to take a short hike at each spot, linger at the shoreline, and soak in the views without feeling like I was on a countdown clock. And when the lakes are that beautiful, trust me, you’ll want the extra time!
Our guide, Rahul, was a huge part of what made the day special. He had that perfect mix of calm, funny, and wildly knowledgeable. It didn’t feel scripted—he clearly loves what he does, and it showed in the way he shared stories and pointed out things I’d have completely missed on my own.
The small group size made a big difference, too. It felt easy and relaxed—no elbows in your photos, no fighting for window seats. Just a full day of jaw-dropping scenery, great company, and one seriously good guide!
Secure your spot on this highly-rated tour here before it sells out!
5. Explore the Icefields Parkway, Peyto Lake, and Abraham Lake/Athabasca Falls
- Duration: 8 to 10 hours
- Time: 7 am, 8:30 am, or 9 am
- Highlights: Visit highlights along the Icefields Parkway, including Athabasca Glacier, Athabasca Falls, and Sunwapta Falls (summer only)
- Inclusions: Pick up from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff, guide, bottled water, hot drink,s and crampons (winter)
- Rating: 5 stars (check out the great reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you’re looking for an Icefields Parkway tour that goes beyond the usual stops, this one stands out — especially because it’s the only option that offers pickup from Calgary. That’s a huge perk if you’re flying in or staying in the city! But it also picks up from Canmore and Banff, which makes it easy to join no matter where you’re based.
Like most Parkway tours, it includes highlights like Peyto Lake and Bow Lake, but what makes this one different is the chance to visit spots like Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls — two stunning stops further north that most day tours skip. Athabasca Falls is powerful and dramatic, and Sunwapta has a more remote, peaceful feel that I really appreciated.
Instead of the waterfalls, this tour visits Abraham Lake in the winter. This lake is known for its frozen methane bubbles trapped under the ice. It’s one of the most unique natural sights I’ve seen in the Rockies. The ice was incredibly clear, and we had time to walk out, take photos, and explore without feeling rushed.
If you want to cover a lot of ground and see the highlights plus a few lesser-visited spots without needing to drive yourself, this tour is a great choice!
Book this unique Icefields Parkway tour here and explore waterfalls, frozen lakes, and more!
Where to Stay on the Icefields Parkway
While you can easily drive the Icefields Parkway in a day, spending a night or two along here means more time to take in a couple of tours or explore on your own. Plus, there are tons of awesome places to stay along the Icefields Parkway you can choose from.
For budget travelers, your best option is camping. Campsites generally book up months in advance, but sometimes cancellations will free up a spot for a night or two. There are a total of 11 campgrounds on the Icefields Parkway. Find out more about the ones in Banff National Park here, and the ones in Jasper National Park here.
If you’re not much of a camper, here are our top options to pick from!
Glacier View Lodge – $$$
The last option is called the Glacier View Lodge, and it’s located at the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre. This hotel is the most upscale along the Icefields Parkway and comes at a premium. However, with every room boasting a mountain or glacier view, how could you go wrong?!
Staying here makes it easy to do a glacier tour first thing in the morning or even the Skywalk (before they get busy around midday). A one-night stay here costs around $506 CAD per night, and you can check out their reviews here.
The Crossing – $$
Your next option is in the best location! The Crossing is a hotel located at Saskatchewan River Crossing, almost exactly at the halfway point along the Icefields Parkway. This hotel is modest, but the location is ideal, so convenience is what you’re paying for here.
Rooms here at the Crossing start from around $201 CAD per night, and you can book your stay online here.
HI Mosquito Creek Hostel – $
HI Mosquito Creek Hostel is a place we’ve stayed before! It offers dorm and private-style cabins that are heated. There is a communal kitchen and a traditional outdoor sauna. This place is perfect for those on a budget or looking for something a little nicer than camping while still being in nature.
It is really a unique place to stay, and I would stay there again in a heartbeat. A bed in a shared dorm here starts at around $40 CAD per person, which is a pretty great value! You can check availability and book your stay online here.
Parks Canada Pass Quick Info
If you plan on spending time in Canada’s national parks (including Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Kootenay, and more) then you’re going to have to pay for a Parks Pass.
Single Daily Admission:
This type of pass is valid for one person for one day. It is ONLY the best value if you are traveling alone and only plan to visit a national park for a couple of days.
- Adult (ages 18-64) is $11 CAD
- Senior (65+) is $9.50 CAD
- Youth/Child (17 or younger) is FREE
Group Daily Admission:
If you’re traveling in a group or with family, you can buy a single-day admission for your entire vehicle (up to 7 people in one vehicle.)
- $22.00 CAD gets your entire vehicle entry for one full day
Parks Canada Discovery Pass
The “Discovery Pass” is what Parks Canada calls their year-long (365 days from the purchase date), multi-park entry pass. This pass will give 365 days of access to all participating national parks in Canada. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke, and so much more.
- Adult (age 18-64) – $75.25 CAD
- Senior (65+) – $64.50 CAD
- Group/Family (up to 7 people in one vehicle) – $151.25 CAD
Hot Tip: Although more expensive up front, if you plan on spending more than 7 days in different parks in Canada within a 12-month period, then the Discovery Pass is actually the better deal!
Parks Canada Passes can be bought online here or at one of the Visitor Centers or booths at the entrance to many national parks.
Renting a Car in Alberta
If you’re arriving in Alberta via plane then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough! Canada is a large country and traveling between cities and even just getting out to some of the best places to visit in Alberta requires transport. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier.
Car rental in Canada isn’t super cheap, but it isn’t overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read our honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
Check availability and prices on Discover Cars here!
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Check out my review of Motorhome Republic here for tips before you book.
And if you’re planning to camp but don’t want to splurge on a huge RV, we highly recommend Smile Campervans. Based in Calgary, this local company provides compact campervans fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and affordable road trip adventure!
In fact, Smile Campervans has actually given us a special discount code for our readers! Use the code DESTINATIONLESSTRAVEL at checkout to get 5% off your campervan rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Hopefully, this guide to the best Icefields Parkway tours has helped make your planning a little easier! With so many iconic lakes, glaciers, and mountain viewpoints, this stretch of road is easily one of Canada’s most scenic—but also one of the trickiest to tackle solo. Joining a tour takes the guesswork (and parking stress) out of the equation, letting you sit back and soak it all in.
Want more tips and travel guides? Check out our other Canada blogs here for road trip routes, national park highlights, and hidden gems you won’t want to miss. Or here are a few of our favorites!
ULTIMATE Guide to the Icefields Parkway: 16 Tips Before You Go in 2025