The Best Stops of the Icefields Parkway - 2023
Trying to figure out where to stop on the Icefields Parkway? Wondering which stops are worth it for the short amount of time you have? Look no further.
After much research and tips from Canada Parks staff, we developed an amazing itinerary. Below I list all of our stops, and give a short blurb about each so you can decide what you want to include!
The Icefields Parkway connects Banff and Jasper National Parks. For this trip we started in Banff, drove the Icefields Parkway, stayed in Jasper a few nights, then drove back along the Icefields Parkway and ended in Lake Louise. For this itinerary, most of the short stops are done on the way to Jasper National Park, a few short stops on the Jasper end of Icefields Parkway during one of the days in Jasper if you don’t finish on day 1, and then a couple stops are done on the way back to Lake Louise.
Keep in mind that I’ve listed the stops in the order they appear on the way to Jasper. Although it’s the same route in each direction, the views and wildlife each way are different. It was exciting because we had many bear sightings and even a big horn sheep.
Be aware that lots of stops don’t have signs, so you may want to pull off at each viewpoint and read the trailhead to see what the stop is. Ideally your passenger has a map out to follow along. **Note: If you see cars stopped on side of the road with their lights on, there is likely an animal sighting, so slow down and consider stopping.
Where to Stop on the Icefields Parkway:
1) Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint
This is a nice quick stop to see Crowfoot Glacier. I recommend stopping here on the way to Jasper.
2) Bow Lake Viewpoint
Another quick stop to get out and enjoy the view. It’s the perfect snowy mountain backdrop with crystal clear water. I recommend stopping here on the way to Jasper.
3) Num-Ti-Jah Lodge / The Lodge at Bow Lake/Bow Glacier Falls Hike
This is a longer stop because there’s a beautiful hike behind the lodge, which is under construction. This hike is the Bow Glacier Falls hike, a relatively flat ~9km/5.6mi out and back. We only hiked part of this trail because of a time crunch but we loved it!
The beginning of the trail is along Bow Lake, then you go through the woods for a short time before the trail opens back up to a wide area where you can get a view of the waterfall! This is where we turned around. Next time I go back I’d like to do the entire hike, but this short version was lovely.
As for when to do this hike, we didn’t know about it until the way back to Lake Louise, so we did it on the way back, but it almost worked out better because we had more time on the drive back, whereas we were making a bunch of stops on the way to Jasper. So if I had to recommend when, I would say to hike this on the way back to Lake Louise.
Note: There was no sign for this trail on the road, so be sure not to miss it! You have to park by the long line of bathrooms and then walk past the lodge to get to the trailhead. These bathrooms were very clean if you want to stop there first.
4) Bow Summit/Peyto Lake
This was a great stop! Although there is a short hike (to and from the lake in about 30 minutes for us), the view of the lake is well worth it. The hike is a little hilly, so make sure you are wearing good walking or hiking shoes.
We only did an out and back to the lake, but the trail continues if you want to explore more. This stop was short enough that we did it on the way to Jasper.
5) Waterfowl Lakes Viewpoint
A nice quick stop to view the lake mountains. I recommend stopping here on the way to Jasper because it’s so quick.
6) Mistaya Canyon
Another short hike to see this little canyon. I say little because once you go to Jasper you’ll see the big sister to this canyon (Maligne Canyon). We would recommend doing this on the way to Jasper because otherwise it may be less impressive after seeing some of the deeper canyons in Jasper.
7) Howse Pass
This is a short stop where you can get out and enjoy interesting history from the informative signs. We recommend this stop on the way to Jasper, because it’s quick.
8) Weeping Wall
Another quick stop to gaze upon the wall that weeps. Pretty much what it sounds like, but is shockingly tall. We recommend this stop on the way to Jasper.
9) Bridal Veil Falls
Seems like there is a “bridal veil falls” in every National Park. This Bridal Veil Falls is reached via a short hike which involves some uphill hiking through a small patch of woods.
There are multiple unmarked trails to reach the waterfall. You can follow the people already there or move a little further away from the river to get a less steep path. We recommend this stop on the way to Jasper, because although it’s a hike, it’s short.
10) Icefields Center + Toe of the Glacier Athabasca
This is one of the longer stops on the Icefields Parkway journey and home to the Athabasca Glacier. There is a whole complex including different eateries and the highest elevation Starbucks in Canada! There’s also a nice museum in the basement of the center that is interesting for kids and adults.
There are certain excursions you can pay for that take you up to walk on the glacier, but from what we researched this seemed overpriced and overrated. We did however do the free hike to the toe of the glacier.
The view was not too different from the parking lot or the complex across the street, but it was neat (and a bit sad) to walk around and see signs from years prior marking where the glacier had been. Definitely a good visual reminder of how important it is to take care of our planet.
If you choose to do this short loop there is a bit of steep terrain so wear proper shoes and bring a winter coat, hat, and gloves, because the temperature drops the closer you get to the glacier. We recommend this stop on the way to Jasper and honestly stopped both ways because it’s a nice spot for food and bathrooms.
11) Tangle Falls
Quick waterfall view from the pull-off! We recommend this stop on the way to Jasper.
12) Sunwapta Falls
Quick waterfall view after a short two-minute walk. The hike goes further if you want to walk and stretch the legs, but we only did the first viewpoint.
We recommend this stop on the way to Jasper if you are just viewing the waterfall. Otherwise, maybe save it for the return trip, but again we didn’t do the longer hike, so can’t speak on whether it’s worth it!
13) Goats and Glaciers Overlook
Short stop, nice view.
14) Athabasca Falls
I recommend this stop on the way back to Lake Louise. The walk from the parking lot to the falls is short, but there are some paths around the area that add some time. However it’s a neat area so I would walk around the paths. In total we only spent about 30 – 45 minutes here.
Note: It’s a dangerous area, so be sure to stay on the trail.
For more tips for Banff and Jasper National Parks visit my Canada travel page!