Icefields Parkway — Jasper to Lake Louise via Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier (Full North-to-South Traverse)
The Rockies' greatest highway, glacier to glacier.
The Icefields Parkway — Highway 93 North — is the benchmark for alpine road travel in North America. Running south from Jasper to Lake Louise through Banff and Jasper National Parks, it passes the Athabasca Glacier toe, one of the few places on earth you can walk to an active icefield from a paved pullout. Key stops include Sunwapta Falls, the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, Peyto Lake lookout, and Bow Lake. Wildlife crossings are constant — elk, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, and mountain goats all show up in the first hour. This is a paved scenic highway, not a technical route, but length, weather, and altitude demand respect.
Any vehicle handles the pavement itself, but avalanche closures and whiteout blizzards can shut it down with almost no warning from September through May. Fuel at Jasper, Saskatchewan Crossing (limited hours), and Lake Louise — nothing in between. Cell service vanishes for long stretches. Parks Canada requires a Banff or Jasper National Park pass. Summer is peak season; late September gives you fall colour and a fraction of the crowd. This road will rearrange your idea of what a drive can be.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 144 mi / 232 km |
| Duration | 1-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6785 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle (AWD recommended in shoulder seasons) |
| Nearest town | Jasper, Alberta |
| Land manager | Parks Canada — Banff and Jasper National Parks |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Parks Canada Icefields Parkway page Jasper NP road info |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a 4x4 or high clearance to drive the Icefields Parkway?
No — this is a paved highway, so any stock vehicle handles it fine in summer. AWD or 4WD becomes relevant in shoulder seasons when snow and ice hit the road, sometimes as early as September or as late as June.
When does the Icefields Parkway close for winter?
It doesn't fully close, but sections can shut temporarily after heavy snowfall or avalanche control. June through September is the reliable window — outside that, check Parks Canada road conditions before you leave because closures happen with little warning.
Do I need a permit to drive the Icefields Parkway?
Yes — you need a Parks Canada national park pass, covering both Jasper and Banff since the route crosses both parks. Buy it at the park gates or online at the Parks Canada site before you arrive. Day passes and annual Discovery Passes are both valid.
What's the hardest or sketchiest section of the drive?
The road itself is not technically difficult, but the Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls pulloffs get heavily congested and the narrow shoulders near the Columbia Icefield can get icy fast. The real hazard is wildlife — elk, bears, and bighorn sheep on the road, especially at dawn and dusk.
How far apart are gas stations, and is there cell service along the route?
Gas is available in Jasper at the north end and Lake Louise at the south — that's 144 miles apart with nothing in between, so fill up before you leave either town. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent for most of the route; download offline maps and don't count on data.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.