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Looking to explore the Icefields Parkway, but don’t want to worry about organizing the itinerary yourself? I feel you!
There are a lot of things to think about when traveling, which makes organized tours a great option for lifting a large part of that burden. Better yet, they often come with transport included, and you’ll be joined by an expert local guide who can give you a real inside perspective on your destination.
Dan and I have visited the iconic Icefields Parkway many times now, both with and without a tour. We’ve sifted through the best tours that we’ve been on, so you can rest assured that every tour on this list is vetted and an excellent choice.
So, let’s get stuck into the best tours on the Icefields Parkway!
Our TOP Icefields Parkway Tour
Hiking on top of a glacier is such a memorable and downright cool experience, that I couldn’t help but put this guided hike on the Athabasca Glacier at the top of the list! For adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts like us, you will absolutely love this tour.
We learned a ton of cool facts about the history of the glacier and got some really epic shots of the Rocky Mountains too. Tickets for this 3-hour tour cost $133 CAD per person – but you really can’t put a price tag on the memories to be made!
Book our favorite Icefields Parkway tour with FREE cancellation online here!
The BEST Tours on the Icefields Parkway (Self-Drive)
When you’re thinking about tours of the Canadian Rockies, the Columbia Icefield is one of those can’t-miss places.
These first four tours are ones that take place at the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier, which is 104 kilometers (65 miles) from the Jasper townsite and 192 kilometers (120 miles) from Banff. For more info before you take off, read our guide to visiting the icefield and glacier here.
There are some amazing experiences to be had here, and the following tours do not include transport to or from the Icefield, so they’re more suited to people who already have their own wheels or are happy to rent a car. This way, you get to experience the amazing views and glaciers, and then you can spend the rest of the day exploring the Icefields Parkway independently.
1. Half-day guided glacier hike on Athabasca Glacier
There are lots of amazing experiences to be found along the Icefields Parkway, but for us, hiking on the majestic Athabasca Glacier has to be at the top of the list. This half-day guided hike took us right across the surface of the glacier, and we learned all about and admired its different ice formations as we went.
Plus, we had amazing views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains throughout, which made the experience even more special.
The tour costs around $133 CAD per person, and the route takes about 3 hours in total. Micro-spikes for our shoes were included in the price of the tour to give us extra traction on the snow and ice. Once we had these, the hike was actually pretty easy, so most travelers should be able to complete it without any problems.
We also really like the fact that there’s a maximum of 12 travelers per group, making it a more personal and close-knit experience.
Walking on the glacier is most definitely one of our favorite experiences along the Icefields Parkway, so if you’re up for an adventure, then we highly recommend booking this super unique experience!
This tour has hundreds of 5-star reviews – read them all and book your spot here!
2. Full-day guided glacier hike on Athabasca Glacier
What’s better than a half-day hike on the Athabasca Glacier? A full-day hike on the Athabasca Glacier!
Well, this actually depends on your budget, fitness levels, itinerary, and personal preferences, but if you want to tackle a longer version of the hike that we talked about above, then this guided hiking tour is perfect.
On this tour, we hiked 10 kilometers (6 miles) across the Athabasca Glacier, which took approximately 6 hours, including a stop for lunch along the way. This gave us a ton of opportunities to admire all of the unique features of the glacier, learn loads about it from our experienced guide, and take in the stunning views all around us.
The tour costs $208 CAD per person, including crampons for our shoes, and we also borrowed rain gear, hiking boots, and gloves. There was a picnic stop along the way, but we decided to bring our own packed lunch with us, as this isn’t provided.
We think that this is the ultimate way to experience the Athabasca Glacier and is definitely worth considering if you have the time, energy, and budget to do it!
Book this tour with FREE cancellation 24 hours before departure!
3. Glacier Skywalk
The Glacier Skywalk is part of the Columbia Icefield, and it’s one of the most popular attractions along the Icefields Parkway. It’s a glass walkway attached to a cliff that looks over the Sunwapta Valley, which separates Banff and Jasper National Parks.
When we walked along this 400-meter (1,312-foot) long platform, we had the most incredible views of the Rockies, the valley below, and the surrounding glaciers, so we highly recommend going for a stroll!
This is a very popular experience, so we purchased our tickets in advance. We also got an audio guide free with our admission ticket and there are lots of information boards around, so in addition to soaking in the panoramic views, we also got to learn a lot about the geology of the Columbia Icefield, and the area’s Aboriginal history, which was super interesting!
Since the skywalk is totally transparent and hovers 280 meters (918 feet) above the valley below, we did find that it got our hearts beating a little extra fast, but it’s super well constructed and totally safe.
Admission for the Skywalk is $46 CAD, and honestly, it’s worth every penny!
Check available dates and book your Skywalk experience here.
4. Ice Explorer and Glacier Skywalk combined tour
If you want to combine both the incredible panoramic vistas of the Skywalk and the magical experience of walking on the surface of a glacier (and why wouldn’t you?!) then this 3-hour combo tour is just the thing for you.
On our experience on this tour, we started off with an Ice Explorer tour, during which we were driven across the surface of the Athabasca Glacier in a giant vehicle, with commentary along the way. Along the way, we also had a chance to get out and walk on the surface of the glacier for ourselves, which is a super cool experience, and perfect for those who want to do this without having to join a guided hike.
After that, we were driven back to the Skywalk to enjoy a stroll along the glass-bottomed walkway and countless photo opportunities. Say cheese!
The tour costs $115 CAD per person, and I highly recommend booking tickets in advance. It’s a great way to skip the HUGE queues of people who haven’t booked in advance!
You can book this amazing combo tour here!
The BEST Tours of the Icefields Parkway from Banff
The tours listed in this section leave from the town of Banff and include transport along the Icefields Parkway. These make great day trips if you don’t have your own transportation, don’t feel comfortable driving in snow and ice during the winter, or just want to relax and not worry about navigating.
They’re both full-day tours that will show you some of the most stunning spots along the Icefields Parkway, so they’re perfect additions to any Banff itinerary for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of this scenic road without doing the driving.
Attention: Want to travel from Banff to Jasper? Below (number 7), we talk about the one-way tour from Jasper to Banff and vice versa. You can check out the Banff to Jasper option here. Or if you’re interested in getting here from Calgary, these are the best Banff tours from Calgary including day trip and multi-day options!
5. Lake Louise and Icefields Parkway tour
This full-day tour took us to some of the most beautiful and far-flung places in the Canadian Rockies. We love this tour because we got to see some of the highlights along the Icefields Parkway along with some neat extras!
First off, we had an hour to spend at the incredible Lake Louise. This spot is beautiful in all seasons, but Lake Louise during the summer is a breathtaking shade of turquoise set against the backdrop of a picturesque mountain valley – worthy of a photo or two!
We also visited Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, and Bow Lake and headed to a viewpoint above the Crowfoot Glacier. There was plenty of wildlife to see around Banff along the way, such as elk, deer, mountain goats, and we even got to see a bear too!
We think this tour is really worth doing because a lot of these places can be tricky to reach on your own, and almost impossible to find parking at. A tour takes all of the stress out of the equation, so you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
What really stood out to us about this tour is that it’s operated by a family-run company, all of whom have spent their lives exploring the Rockies and sharing it with visitors. The guides are really friendly and knowledgeable, and their passion for the region is contagious!
The tour includes pickup and drop-off from Banff and Canmore, whether you’re staying at a campground, a hotel, or an Airbnb. However, if you’re staying in Canmore you will need to organize a Parks Pass to enter Banff National Park because it’s actually outside the park boundaries. You can see all the details and book your Parks Pass here.
There’s a maximum group size of 15, which is perfect. We really don’t enjoy overcrowded tours, but this one feels really personal. It’s great for literally anyone who wants to experience the stunning scenery of the Canadian Rockies and one of the most scenic drives in the world.
The tour costs $195 CAD per person and lasts for the whole day. It really allowed us to experience the natural beauty that the area has to offer, and it feels a million miles away from a super commercialized tourist experience.
This is one of the highest-rated tours in Banff, with nearly 500 positive reviews!
Don’t miss out – book this Icefields Parkway tour in advance here.
6. Athabasca Glacier tour with pick up in Banff
Walking on the Athabasca Glacier is one of the most incredible experiences we’ve had anywhere in the world! It’s truly a must-do tour on the Icefields Parkway. Plus, you can do this during summer in Banff, so it’s a fun way to cool off.
This glacier tour took us along the gorgeous Icefields Parkway, where we boarded a huge Ice Explorer vehicle and headed right onto the Athabasca Glacier. We not only walked on the glacier but also had the chance to drink fresh water from its streams!
It’s honestly a surreal experience that you can only have in very few parts of the world, so we highly recommend taking advantage of your proximity to the glacier while you’re in Banff! This tour was easily one of our favorite experiences along the Icefields Parkway.
After exploring the glacier, we got to walk along the Columbia Icefield Skywalk high above the Sunwapta Valley. There was also a tasty mountain picnic lunch and the tour stopped at the Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake, so we got to take in the views there too.
The pickup and drop-off point for this tour is the Mount Royal Hotel in Banff, and it’s a small group experience with a maximum of 24 participants, so it doesn’t feel overcrowded. It starts at $339 CAD, so while it isn’t cheap, we really do think it’s worth paying a bit extra to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Check availability and book your spot on this tour online!
The BEST Tours of the Icefields Parkway from Jasper
Important Update: Jasper National Park and the town of Jasper experienced severe wildfire damage. Limited services and attractions are available around Jasper and in Jasper town. Please refer to Jasper National Park’s page as well as this list of what’s open in the town of Jasper for updates before planning your trip.
7. Jasper to Banff one-way tour (Banff to Jasper)
If you’re heading from Jasper to Banff, then this full-day tour will not only get you there, but it will also take you to the top highlights along the Icefields Parkway on the way.
Our guide taught us all about the history of the region, and we got to see amazing sights like Athabasca Falls, Bow Lake, the Crowfoot Glacier, and the Weeping Wall.
Plus, this tour includes a visit to the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre to walk along the famous Skywalk and enjoy a ride on an Ice Explorer across the surface of the Athabasca Glacier, which we guarantee is the kind of experience that you’ll remember forever.
We love this tour because it really does turn the journey from Jasper to Banff into an incredible road trip, and it also means that you don’t need to worry about renting a car to travel between the two! So not only is it a fantastic day out, but it’s also really convenient.
This tour costs $299 CAD including hotel pick up and drop off, a picnic along the way, and your tour of the Columbia Icefield. So given that it also gets you from Jasper to Banff on top of all of this, we think it’s pretty good value for money!
For an epic road trip in the Rockies, book this Jasper to Banff tour online now!
Why Book a Tour on the Icefields Parkway?
The Icefields Parkway is a very remote area. This is part of what makes it so awesome, but its length and remoteness also make it a bit tricky to get around, so you’ll either need to join a tour or bring your own vehicle to see it.
The problem with the latter option is that renting a car is expensive in Canada, and even if you do have your own vehicle, the Icefields Parkway isn’t always the easiest road to drive along.
Unless you’re visiting during the summer, you can expect ice and snow on the road, so you should be confident driving in these conditions. Obviously, joining a tour means that you don’t need to worry about driving yourself and allows you to sit back and allow an experienced professional to do it for you instead, so this is an appealing option for many visitors.
Some of the experiences along the Icefields Parkway – like the Athabasca Glacier, which is one of our favorite stops – require a tour anyway, so joining an organized full-day tour just makes sense! Or, if you already have your own wheels and are keen to drive, then there are also self-drive tours available.
My biggest tip is to make sure you book these tours in advance! Daniel and I once waited at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre for THREE hours because we hadn’t booked a glacier tour ahead of time. These tours book up quickly for dates in the peak summer travel season, so if you find a tour you like, book now!
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 the 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 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!
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 tours on the Icefields Parkway has been helpful as you plan your trip! This scenic stretch of road between Lake Louise and Jasper is truly beautiful, with SO many amazing places to stop. A tour takes all the hassle out of the trip as your transportation, itinerary, and even tickets for incredible experiences (like walking on a glacier!) are already taken care of.
If you’re looking for even more travel tips and tricks, check out our other Canada blogs! Whether you’re looking for road trip ideas, hiking routes, or hidden gems, we’ve got you covered. Or, check out some related blogs below:
Where to Stay in Banff National Park – Pros and Cons of 5 Different Areas
11 Things to KNOW Before Visiting Mount Edith Cavell, Jasper
How to Get from the Calgary Airport to Banff
15 Things to KNOW Before Visiting Pyramid Lake in Jasper National Park