The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North) is a 232 km road connecting Lake Louise to Jasper through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. It's regularly called one of the most scenic drives in the world, and it earns that title at every turn.
Planning Your Drive
The drive takes about 3 hours without stops, but you'll want a full day to properly enjoy it. Start from Lake Louise and drive north toward Jasper, or do it as a long day trip from Banff (returning the same way).
Gas up before you leave -- there's only one gas station on the entire route (Saskatchewan River Crossing, roughly the midpoint). Cell service is nonexistent for most of the drive.
Must-Stop Viewpoints (South to North)
1. Herbert Lake
Just 3 km from the Highway 1 junction. A calm lake with perfect mountain reflections, especially in early morning. Easy roadside stop.
2. Bow Lake
A stunning turquoise lake beneath Bow Glacier at km 36. Walk to the lakeshore for incredible reflections. The historic Num-Ti-Jah Lodge sits at its edge.
3. Peyto Lake Viewpoint
The most famous stop on the Parkway. A short walk from the parking area leads to a viewpoint overlooking a wolf-head-shaped lake in an impossible shade of blue. Arrive early -- the parking lot fills fast in summer.
4. Mistaya Canyon
A short 0.5 km walk to a narrow canyon where the Mistaya River has carved dramatic potholes and channels through the limestone. Easy and impressive.
5. Saskatchewan River Crossing
The only services on the route -- gas, food, and restrooms. Fill up here.
6. Columbia Icefield & Glacier Skywalk
The highlight of the drive. The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies. You can walk to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier (free), take an Ice Explorer bus onto the glacier, or walk the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk suspended 280m above the valley.
7. Tangle Falls
A roadside waterfall that cascades right next to the highway. Easy photo stop with no hiking required.
8. Sunwapta Falls
A powerful waterfall where the Sunwapta River plunges through a narrow gorge. Short walk from the parking area.
Tips for the Drive
- Fill your gas tank before starting
- Bring food and water -- services are minimal
- Watch for wildlife on the road, especially at dawn and dusk
- Check road conditions before departing (the road can close in winter due to avalanche risk)
- A Parks Canada pass covers the entire route