Looking to experience one of the world’s most scenic drives? You’ve come to the right place!
Stretching 230 km (143 miles), the Icefields Parkway is a gorgeous stretch of highway that connects Banff National Park to Jasper National Park. Having lived in the Canadian Rockies for quite some time, you can trust us when we say that visiting the Icefields Parkway is something that can’t be missed while on a trip to Western Canada!
Not only is the drive itself phenomenal, but there are so many fantastic stops along the way, making this the ultimate road trip route. You can see majestic waterfalls, epic glaciers, crystal clear lakes, and even some wildlife if you’re lucky!
Whether you’re visiting the Icefields Parkway for the day, or are planning to drive from one end to the other, make sure to look at all of our detailed guides below so you can plan the best visit to this beautiful stretch of Canadian wilderness!
Planning Essentials
Icefields Parkway Tours
Sometimes driving in the Canadian Rockies can be tricky (especially during the winter on snowy roads!), which is why a tour is a great option! Why not let someone else do the planning and driving so you can just enjoy the experience? We’ve got you covered with some of our favorite tours below!
Highlights Along the Icefields Parkway
There are so many amazing things to see along the Icefields Parkway, that you’ll need at least a full day or two to visit them all. But if you have limited time, make sure to at least check out these top spots!
Icefields Parkway Road Trips
As we said earlier, the Icefields Parkway is a road-tripping dream! We highly recommend renting a car and driving through the Parkway at your own pace to truly discover everything it has to offer. In the guides below, you’ll find road trip itineraries along with the best stops to make along the way. They can be used in reverse as well!
Where to Next?
Since the Icefields Parkway connects Banff to Jasper National Park, we highly recommend spending some time in both of these areas. There is so much to do and see in the Canadian Rockies, so we’ve outlined the best nearby attractions and places to go to help you out!
Top Nearby Attractions
Jasper
At one end of the Icefields Parkway, you’ll find Jasper National Park. Jasper town is full of quaint local businesses surrounded by endless natural wonders. Here are a couple of essential blogs to plan your time there!
Banff
At the other end of the Icefields Parkway, you’ll find Banff National Park. This area is home to the popular resort town of Banff, full of great shopping, restaurants, and scenery. Have a look at these top blog posts to help plan your time there!
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a charming area of Banff National Park located right at the start (or end) of the Icefields Parkway. It is home to one of the world’s most stunning lakes and we think it is a must-visit location while you’re in the Rockies!
Moraine Lake
Just past Lake Louise, you’ll find Moraine Lake – our favorite lake in Canada! We think everyone on a summer trip to Western Canada should go see the bright turquoise water for themselves. But, getting to Moraine Lake can be quite difficult, so make sure to read our top guides below for everything you need to know about visiting!
Other Nearby Places
Did you know that the Icefields Parkway is right in the heart of the Canadian Rockies? There is so much to see in this area of Canada that we highly encourage you to check out some of these other awesome places!
