The Icefields Parkway is a 145-mile stretch of double-lane freeway in Banff Nationwide Park that connects Lake Louise to Jasper, Alberta in Canada. All through this scenic drive, guests can soak up views of towering Rocky Mountain peaks, frozen ice fields, and delightful valley landscapes. Plus, there are tons of alternatives to get out of the automotive and expertise climbing trails, Rocky Mountain cities, nice tenting, and different adventures.
I’ve been fortunate sufficient to discover the Icefields Parkway on three completely different street journeys and I take into account this area a must-visit for any outside fanatic. With almost a dozen campgrounds alongside the route, the best solution to journey right here is by automotive or van. Tenting (vs staying at motels that are few and much between) will put you nearer to the paths and the entire different wonderful websites alongside the way in which.
On this put up, I share my two-week Icefields Parkway itinerary that options one of the best climbing trails, lakes, campgrounds, street journey stops, and extra.
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The place is the Icefields Parkway?
The Icefields Parkway stretches 145 miles between the Rocky Mountain Alberta cities of Lake Louise within the south and Jasper within the north. Whereas that is the ‘official’ route, there are many aspect journeys you may add to your travels together with Banff and Yoho Nationwide Park in British Columbia, which we added to our two-week Icefields Parkway itinerary beneath.
Getting there
- Driving from the US: The Icefields Parkway is definitely accessible by automotive when you’re coming from the northwestern US. You’ll be able to even make a protracted street journey out of it by visiting Glacier Nationwide Park as you make your manner towards Calgary.
>> Learn subsequent: Biking Going-to-the-Solar Highway in Glacier Nationwide Park
- Fly into Calgary: If you happen to’re flying, the most suitable choice is to fly into Calgary, Alberta the place you may hire a automotive. From Calgary, it’s a few two-hour drive to Lake Louise the place the Parkway begins.
Finest time of yr to go to
I’ve visited the Icefields Parkway in June, August, and February. Whereas I’ve but to go to in fall, which I hear is gorgeous, for one of the best possibilities for good climate, I like to recommend visiting in late summer time. Peak bug season is over, snow has melted at larger elevations, and the entire trails can be accessible. The draw back of this time of yr is the extra widespread websites will most actually be crowded.
Fall is understood for the attractive golden larches that mild up the mountainside, however the climate is unpredictable. You’ll should be ready for rain and even snow which has the potential to thwart your climbing plans.
If you happen to go to within the spring, you may catch the wildflowers blooming, but in addition remember that some trails and areas should still be coated in snowpack. Trails this time of yr even have potential to be closed as a consequence of grizzly exercise because the bears awake from their winter hibernation.
For individuals who can bear the chilly, winter alongside the Icefields Parkway provides solitude, snowboarding, snowshoeing, mountaineering and different winter recreation.
Parks Canada Discovery Go
It’s essential to pay to enter the Icefields Parkway (identical to you’d within the US Nationwide Parks). You should purchase a single-day move or you should buy an annual Parks Canada Discovery Go.
You should buy this nationwide park move on-line, however it’s tremendous simple to do in individual. You may get your move at information/guests facilities at park entrances or at campgrounds the place there may be an attendant.
Tip: If you happen to’re following this itinerary, you may choose up a Discovery Go on the entrance of Yoho Nationwide Park, the primary vacation spot. You’ll really be visiting three completely different nationwide parks: Banff Nationwide Park, Yoho Nationwide Park, and Jasper Nationwide Park so the annual move can pay for itself in simply this journey.
Route Navigation
There isn’t any cell service alongside the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper, so that you’ll must print out maps or obtain this itinerary to your telephone.
For navigating trails, I extremely advocate upgrading to an AllTrails Professional account, which lets you obtain maps to make use of offline.
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Icefields Parkway Map
The map beneath reveals the route of our two-week Icefields Parkway itinerary. We included Yoho Nationwide Park in British Columbia, which isn’t technically a part of the Icefields Parkway, however undoubtedly price a go to when you’ve got time.
Two-Week Icefields Parkway Itinerary
The 145-mile Icefields Parkway might be pushed in a day, however I like to recommend taking not less than just a few days to discover the various climbing trails, tenting spots, and outside recreation alternatives alongside the route. We took two weeks for our Icefields Parkway street journey and felt like that gave us simply sufficient time to see and do all the things on our record.
If you happen to don’t have two weeks, you may pare this Icefields Parkway itinerary right down to every week or perhaps a few days when you solely go to the southern half.
- Day 1: Drive to Monarch Campground in Yoho Nationwide Park
- Day 2: Hike the Iceline Path in Yoho Nationwide Park
- Day 3: Drive to Lake Louise and hike the Plain of Six Glaciers
- Day 4: Enter Icefields Parkway / Hike Bow Glacier Falls
- Day 5: Helen Lake hike
- Day 6: Go to Peyto Lake and hike Boundary Lake path
- Day 7: Hike Wilcox Go Path
- Day 8: Hike Magnificence Creek to Stanley Falls
- Day 9: Lake Annette and Pyramid Lake / Discover Jasper
- Day 10: Hike Valley of 5 Lakes or Edith Cavell Meadows
- Day 11: Go to Maligne Lake
- Day 12: Hike Parker Ridge Path
- Day 13: Drive to Banff
- Day 14: Return to Calgary
Day 1: Yoho Nationwide Park & Emerald Lake
Yoho Nationwide Park is situated in japanese British Columbia on the border of Alberta. It’s identified for its unimaginable Rocky Mountain panorama together with towering peaks, dashing rivers and waterfalls, and crystal-clear lakes.
For this street journey itinerary, I like to recommend staying not less than 2 nights in Yoho to expertise a few of its finest hikes and sights.
In case you have additional time and might plan prematurely, I additionally HIGHLY RECOMMEND including a few additional days and attempting to get a allow to camp at Yoho Nationwide Park’s Lake O’Hara. I’m not together with the main points of that space on this put up, however I’ve written all about climbing and tenting at Lake O’Hara right here.
Driving Distances
- Calgary to Monarch Campground in Yoho Nationwide Park (2 hours quarter-hour / 128 miles)
- Monarch Campground to Emerald Loop Hike (16 min / 10 miles)
Camp at Monarch Campground
Relying on the place you begin your journey, top off on groceries and provides in both Canmore (when you’re coming from Calgary) or Golden (when you’re coming from British Columbia).
After stocking up, drive to Monarch Campground in Yoho Nationwide Park and get a primary come first serve web site. This campground has pit bogs, water, firewood, and picnic tables. It’s finest suited to tents and automobiles beneath 27 toes.
I personally desire the websites in your proper after you enter. They provide extra privateness and are furthest from the street.
Tip: the primary come first serve campsites do replenish within the busy season so get there earlier within the day to safe your spot earlier than happening to hike and discover.
Hike the Emerald Lake Loop
After you’ve secured your campsite, drive to Emerald Lake (10 miles) and hike the three.2-mile Emerald Lake loop. The water was pretty heat right here in August so it’s an incredible place to swim. There have been good locations all alongside the path to get within the water.
>> Learn subsequent: The Final Information to Banff, Jasper, and Yoho Tenting
Day 2: Iceline Path & Takkawaw Falls
Driving Distances
- Monarch Campground to Iceline Path (12 minutes / 8 miles)
- Iceline Path to Lake Louise (45 minutes / 24 miles)
Hike the Iceline Path
You’ll need to pack up within the morning and get an early begin on the Iceline Path. This path begins from the Takakkaw Falls Parking space and makes its manner up by way of the forest till you come out above the treeline once you’re granted wonderful views throughout Yoho Valley and the Rocky Mountains.
You’ll be able to both do the Iceline Path as a 9.3-mile out-and-back (which is what I did) or make it an extended 10.3-mile loop by persevering with previous Celeste Lake and descending down Little Yoho Valley Path to Yoho Valley Path.
After you’re executed, head over to the Takkawaw Falls and take a look at the falls.
Notice: The street to the Iceline Path and Takkawaw Falls has a bit of steep switchbacks. Automobiles longer than 24′ usually are not beneficial to journey on the street.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a neater hike, take the 5.2-mile path to Laughing Falls. It is a a lot simpler route that we opted for throughout my most up-to-date go to once I was 16 weeks pregnant. It’s largely flat alongside the river with some sections within the forest and results in an attractive waterfall on the finish the place you could find a pleasant place to have lunch.
Camp on the Lake Louise overflow lot
After your hike, drive to the Lake Louise overflow lot outdoors of Banff the place there may be in a single day parking in an enormous gravel lot. You don’t want a reservation. The price for tenting is $11.50 an evening and there’s a porta potty obtainable.
Day 3: Lake Louise & Plain of Six Glaciers Path
Get up early (like 5:00 am) and instantly head as much as Lake Louise (the precise lake). Parking on the lake can replenish as early as 6, at which level your solely possibility is to take the free shuttle. Nonetheless, the shuttle requires a reservation and no pets are allowed.
Eat breakfast within the parking zone and attempt to be on the lake for dawn.
Hike
Observe the shoreline path to the tip of Lake Louise the place the Plain of Six Glaciers path heads up the valley. This 9.1-mile route is reasonably difficult, however the views are nicely well worth the effort. For perspective, I used to be 17 weeks pregnant once I did this hike. There’s additionally the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea Home close to the highest, so convey some money for a cup or tea and a bowl of soup.
This path can get very crowded, so the sooner you begin the higher. We had the path largely to ourselves on the way in which up, however the crowds have been fairly thick on the way in which down.
If you happen to’re not an early riser, you can begin this hike later within the day as soon as parking spots begin to open up within the late afternoon. Convey a headlamp when you do it this fashion.
Camp on the Lake Louise Overflow lot
Keep another evening in Lake Louise overflow.
Day 4: Bow Lake
Driving Distances
- Lake Louise to Mosquito Creek Campground (24 minutes / 18 miles)
Right now can be your first day on the Icefields Parkway. Drive north from Lake Louise onto Route 93, which is the beginning of the Parkway.
Tip: Replenish on gasoline at Lake Louise. The following gasoline station is at Saskatchewan Crossing which was very costly after which Jasper which is 232 km (144 miles) north.
Camp at Mosquito Creek Campground
You’ll need to head straight to Mosquito Creek campground to get a primary come first served campsite. If there are not any spots obtainable, they do enable for overflow in a single day parking right here.
There are some spots proper on the river however they’re uncovered and never very personal. The loop to the suitable is the place we stayed, and there have been some good websites which might be only a brief stroll to the river.
Hike the Bow Glacier Falls Path
A very nice average hike is the 5.5-mile Bow Glacier Falls Path, which begins at Bow Lake. You’ll be able to park within the lot the place the lodge is or anyplace alongside the filth street resulting in the parking zone.
This path has nice views the complete time and just one difficult part the place there’s a collection of steep stairs constructed into the path.
Afterward, seize a drink on the cafe and go chill out on the shores of Bow Lake.
Day 5: Helen Lake
Spend the day exploring Helen Lake, which is only a brief drive away from Mosquito Creek campground.
Hike
The Helen Lake Path is a difficult hike when you plan on summiting Cirque Peak (if we have been extra ready, and I wasn’t pregnant we would have thought-about it). At a minimal, it’s price climbing the 7.2 miles as much as Helen Lake. You get unimaginable views of Helen Lake and the encompassing peaks.
We heard the height was spectacular but in addition a bit sketchy with numerous unfastened scree. If you happen to select to go up there I’d advocate sturdy footwear, lengthy pants, climbing poles, layers, and plenty of water.
Whereas we didn’t hike to the height, we did proceed above the lake the place we had nice views throughout the valley.
>> Learn subsequent: What to Put on Mountaineering
Camp
Spend one other evening at Mosquito Creek Campground.
Day 6: Peyto Lake, Boundary Lake, & Athabasca Glacier
Driving Distances
- Mosquito Creek Campground to Wilcox Creek Campground (1 hour quarter-hour / 62 miles)
Stand up early to pack up camp and begin driving north on the Icefields Parkway.
Cease at Peyto Lake for a scenic overlook. You’ll be able to comply with the path beneath the lookout level for a non-public view and higher photograph alternatives.
Camp
Proceed driving north to Wilcox Campground and seize a first-come-first-serve campsite. The decrease websites have one of the best views.
After you’ve obtained your web site and arrange camp, drive 1.8 miles again south to the Boundary Lake Trailhead, which is correct on the border of Banff and Jasper Nationwide Park.
Hike
The path as much as Boundary Lake is a straightforward afternoon hike to a extremely fairly lake. We solely noticed two different individuals, which is uncommon to search out that a lot solitude on any of the better hikes within the area. You’ll be able to comply with the lake all the way in which round the suitable aspect to the glacier moraine.
After your hike, drive 3.2 miles north to Athabasca Glacier (when you’re too drained, simply skip the hike and go to the Glacier as a substitute). You’ll be able to take a tour from the Columbia Icefield Centre the place you journey on a tour bus out onto the glacier. Another choice is to do the Columbia Icefield Glacier Skywalk. This glass-bottom boardwalk sits 918 toes off the valley ground and provides uninterrupted views out over the glacier. Each the bus tour and skywalk must be booked prematurely.
We opted to only see the glacier from the point of view reached by a brief stroll uphill. It’s loopy to see how far the glacier has retreated during the last 100 years and particularly the final 30.
Day 7: Wilcox Go Path
Hike
The Wilcox Go Path is a very talked-about hike and you’ll stroll to the trailhead out of your campsite at Wilcox Creek Campground. Begin early to beat the crowds and the solar. Convey lunch to eat on the prime the place you’ll have wide-open views of Columbia Icefields.
Tip: If you happen to do the total 7.1-mile one-way size of the path, you’ll descend down the opposite aspect and meet up with the Icefields Parkway street. If you happen to don’t need to do 14 miles out-and-back, merely flip round once you really feel prepared to go again.
Camp
Keep one other evening at Wilcox Creek Campground.
Day 8: Stanley Falls & Sunwapta Falls
Pack up camp and proceed driving north.
Driving Distances
- Wilcox Creek Campground to Mount Kerkeslin Campground (50 minutes / 44.5 miles)
Hike
The primary cease alongside at the present time’s drive is Magnificence Creek Path to Stanley Falls. It is a 2.4-mile brief path with a average pitch proper off the Icefields Parkways that follows a gorge and results in a collection of gorgeous waterfalls. It’s quiet and a pleasant place to stretch your legs throughout the day’s drive.
After your hike, proceed driving north and cease at Sunwapta Falls the place you may benefit from the views of the higher falls. I didn’t suppose the decrease falls have been actually well worth the effort, however it’s a brief simple hike when you’re trying to get extra steps on this day.
Camp
Get a first-come-first-serve campsite at Mount Kerkeslin Campground (you’ll be right here for 4 nights). The websites close to the doorway are nearer to the Athabasca river, however manner much less personal and nearer to the freeway. Observe the street to the second loop for bigger and extra personal websites.
We discovered that this campsite had extra availability than among the others within the space. It’s about 20 minutes south of Jasper and far smaller than the websites like Wabasso and Wapiti, that are instantly south of city and take reservations.
Whereas it was an extra drive than different days, we loved the quiet nature of this campground. If you happen to want a bathe, the larger campgrounds nearer to Jasper have extra facilities.
Day 9: Lake Annette and Jasper
Driving Distances
- Mount Kerkeslin Campground to Lake Annette (40 minutes / 26.5 miles) and again
Hike/swim
Drive by way of the city of Jasper to Lake Annette, the place you are able to do a pleasant stroll across the lake. Lake Annette was one of many clearest lakes I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen a number of lakes!). Take a swim or when you’ve got a paddleboard, this may be an incredible place to bust it out.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for extra lake-time, you too can go to close by Pyramid Lake.
Discover Jasper
After you’re executed swimming and paddleboarding, spend a while exploring the city of Jasper. I extremely advocate consuming at Ravens Bistro. They’ve nice vegan choices and an exquisite patio that’s shaded within the mid-afternoon.
In your manner again to the campground, cease at Athabasca Falls simply earlier than the solar goes down. It’s much less crowded at this hour and the lighting is gorgeous. Search for attractive solar rays and a rainbow within the waterfall mist.
Camp
Night time 2 at Mount Kerkeslin Campground.
Day 10: Valley of 5 Lakes or Edith Cavell Meadows
Hike
You’ve two choices for hikes right now: Valley of 5 Lakes or Edith Cavell Meadows
Valley of 5 Lakes
The two.9-mile Valley of 5 Lakes loop is a pet-friendly hike that was extraordinarily busy after we visited as a consequence of its accessibility, fairly lakes, and simple terrain. This wasn’t my favourite path on our journey, however almost the entire alpine hikes close to the city of Jasper usually are not dog-friendly as a consequence of wildlife.
With that stated, when you get a really early begin it is a nice path. For swimming, there have been some good entry factors at First Lake in addition to Fourth Lake. If you wish to add some mileage, there are alternatives to make it an extended loop.
Edith Cavell Meadows
If we didn’t have our canines, that is the path we’d have executed. Examine the Nationwide Park web site for updates on which trails are dog-friendly round Jasper).
The Edith Cavell Meadows path is a 5.1-mile loop that provides breathtaking surroundings of wildflower meadows, glaciers, and mountains. Whereas the views are epic, the terrain is difficult with over 1,800 ft of climbing. Convey trekking poles, snacks, numerous water, and a layer or two because the temperatures get colder close to the highest.
Camp
Night time 3 at Mount Kerkeslin Campground.
Day 11: Malign Lake
Driving Distances
- Mount Kerkeslin Campground to Malign Lake (1 hour quarter-hour / 52 miles)
If it’s a sunny day, driving out to Maligne Lake is a should. The lake has among the prettiest water I’ve ever seen. I used to be there in 2017 and paddled the complete size of the lake, tenting on the finish at a backcountry campsite referred to as Coronet Creek Campground.
If you may get a allow and need to do an in a single day journey, it’s nicely well worth the effort. If that’s not doable, you may nonetheless hire a canoe or kayak for a few hours and go exploring. If the water and wind are calm, it is a nice solution to spend the morning.
If you happen to don’t need to paddle, there’s a tour boat that leaves roughly each half hour that takes you out to Spirit Island. The boat tour is dear, however if you wish to see the lake with minimal effort, it is a good possibility. I additionally suppose the lake will get prettier the additional down you go. Reservations are extremely beneficial for the Maligne Lake Cruise.
Opal Hills
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a hike to do after paddling, head out on the Opal Hills (additionally not dog-friendly). This 5-mile loop climbs up above Maligne Lake for nice views out over the water and valley. Be forewarned, although, it is a difficult ascent!
Maligne Canyon
For a neater afternoon, go discover Maligne Canyon. We began on the backside of the canyon from Sixth Bridge. We did the uphill first and adopted the river on the way in which up after which stayed excessive on the downhill portion, making a loop out of the path. The prettiest a part of the hike, in my view, was between the fifth and 4th bridges the place you will have a transparent view of the river and the way it’s carved by way of the canyon.
Camp
Night time 4 at Mount Kerkeslin Campground.
Day 12: Parker Ridge Path
Driving Distances
- Mount Kerkeslin Campground to Waterfowl Lakes Campground (1 hour 40 minutes / 86 miles)
Pack up camp and get an early begin driving again south. Right now you’ll drive about midway down with a pleasant hike and layover on the way in which.
Hike
The 4-mile Parker Ridge Path is a must-do that isn’t too exhausting and comes with massive rewards. On the prime, you’ll get views of the Saskatchewan Glacier which was much more spectacular than Athabasca in my view.
It is a busy path with no shade, so the sooner you can begin the higher.
Camp
Proceed driving south and get a primary come-first served campsite at Waterfowl Lakes. If that’s full, you may preserve driving to Mosquito Creek Campground.
Day 13: Banff
Driving Distances
- Waterfowl Lakes to Banff (1 hour quarter-hour / 71 miles)
From Waterfowl Lakes, exit the Icefield Parkway and head straight to Banff. There may be free parking together with for RVs on the way in which into city simply previous the prepare tracks. It’s a lot simpler to stroll from there as a consequence of site visitors and parking restrictions on the town.
If you wish to stretch your legs, do the fast 2.8-mile Tunnel Mountain Path to get an incredible overlook of the city of Banff. If you wish to paddle, Two Jack Lake is a good place to get out your paddleboards or kayaks.
If you happen to’ve had sufficient climbing, hop on the gondola as much as Sulphur Ridge the place you may take within the wonderful Rocky Mountain views from the highest. There’s additionally a path to the summit, so you may select to hike up and/or again down.
Camp
Camp at Banff overflow parking zone.
Day 14: Drive to Calgary
Driving Distances
- Banff to Calgary (1 hour half-hour / 80 miles)
If you happen to’re ending your journey in Calgary, the drive from Banff to Calgary is about an hour and a half.
Bonus Hike
when you’ve got time, one other nice hike in Banff is the Johnston Canyon to Higher Falls path, which is 3.2 miles and takes you alongside the very scenic Johnston Creek with elements of the path on a suspended boardwalk. The path ends at an attractive waterfall with a deep blue pool at its base. Nonetheless, remember that this is without doubt one of the hottest hikes in the entire Canadian Rockies, so get a really early begin to get parking and keep away from the crowds.
If you need a much less crowded hike, head to Coronary heart Creek Path, which begins from the small city of Lac de Arcs. This path is 3-miles and likewise follows a creek as much as a waterfall.
What to Pack on your Icefields Parkway Highway Journey
Take a look at our automotive tenting guidelines for an entire record of what to pack on your street journey. Listed below are just a few objects particularly necessary for the Icefields Parkway:
- Icefields Parkway Map – there is no such thing as a cell service between Lake Louise and Jasper
- Bug spray – mosquitos might be ferocious in the summertime!
- Layers – relying on what hikes you do, chances are you’ll come near ice fields and glaciers. Pack layers to remain heat
- AllTrails Professional App downloaded to your telephone – there is no such thing as a cellular phone service alongside the Icefields Parkway, so make sure to have the AllTrails Professional app downloaded to your telephone so you may navigate the paths offline
- Sunscreen
- Bathing go well with – for the various stunning lakes to swim
What questions do you will have about this Icefields Parkway itinerary? Have you ever been already? What would you add to this street journey itinerary? Depart a remark beneath!
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