Icefields Parkway — Lake Louise to Jasper via the Columbia Icefield
232 km of glaciers, grizzlies, and granite.
The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) runs 232 km between Lake Louise and Jasper through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, and calling it a ‘scenic drive’ undersells what it actually is: a sustained wilderness overland corridor through Banff and Jasper National Parks where grizzly bears cross the road, Columbia Glacier calves into meltwater pools visible from the shoulder, and the Weeping Wall freezes into a vertical ice climbing venue each winter. The Athabasca Glacier — a lobe of the Columbia Icefield — comes within walking distance of the road near the Icefields Centre at roughly the halfway point. Most travellers blow it in four hours. The ones who stop at Parker Ridge, Wilcox Pass, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls understand what it’s actually about.
Any vehicle handles the paved surface, but winter driving here is a serious undertaking — blizzards close sections without warning from October through April and Parks Canada requires winter tires from November 1. The corridor offers frontcountry campgrounds at Mosquito Creek, Rampart Creek, Columbia Icefield, and Honeymoon Lake — book through the Parks Canada reservation system, especially for July and August. Fuel at Lake Louise or Jasper; no services between. Cell service is essentially absent for 150 km through the middle. Permits required for Banff and Jasper entry — buy them at the park gates.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 144 mi / 232 km |
| Duration | 2-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6675 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle — AWD with winter tires for shoulder seasons |
| Nearest town | Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada |
| Land manager | Parks Canada — Banff and Jasper National Parks |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Parks Canada Icefields Parkway page Parks Canada campground reservations |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can I drive the Icefields Parkway in a 2WD car or do I need a 4x4?
Any vehicle handles this route in summer — it's a paved highway. For shoulder season (May or October), AWD with winter tires is smart due to sudden snowfall and icy patches. A lifted 4x4 gains you nothing here except bragging rights.
When does the Icefields Parkway open and close for the season?
The highway is open year-round but Parks Canada can close it temporarily in winter due to avalanche control or severe weather. Prime season is June through September — snowpack typically clears by late May and first hard snows hit in October.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on the Icefields Parkway?
Yes — a Parks Canada national park pass is required for entry into both Banff and Jasper. Campgrounds along the route require separate reservations through Parks Canada's reservation system at reservation.pc.gc.ca, especially in July and August when sites book out weeks in advance.
What's the hardest or most committing part of this route?
There are no technical sections — this is a scenic highway, not a trail. The commitment factor is remoteness: there is no cell service for most of the 232 km, services are extremely limited between Lake Louise and Jasper, and weather can turn fast at elevation. Mechanical breakdowns here mean a long wait.
How much gas do I need and where can I fuel up along the route?
The only fuel stop along the corridor is at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk complex, roughly midway at Saskatchewan River Crossing — and hours and availability vary seasonally. Fill up completely in Lake Louise before you start and don't count on anything until Jasper. Carry a jerry can if your rig drinks fuel.
Trail track
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