Icefields Parkway South — Lake Louise to Saskatchewan Crossing via Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier
Glaciers, turquoise lakes, and zero bad views.
The southern stretch of the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North) runs 77 kilometres from Lake Louise north to Saskatchewan Crossing, delivering a relentless succession of hanging glaciers, glacier-fed lakes, and alpine meadows that embarrass every mountain drive on the continent. Bow Lake — fed by the Bow Glacier tumbling off the Wapta Icefield — hits you first, and it’s the kind of turquoise that looks photoshopped until you’re standing at its edge at 6 a.m. with no one around. Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint follows, then Parker Ridge trailhead with its front-row views of the Saskatchewan Glacier. This is a paved scenic corridor, but the layered overland experience comes from the gravel pull-offs, backcountry campgrounds, and fire roads threading east into Banff’s less-trafficked interior.
This segment is accessible to any vehicle but rewards those who stop properly — get off the pavement at Icefields Centre approach roads and the gravel tracks near Rampart Creek. Parks Canada requires a Banff National Park pass; no separate trail permit needed. Campgrounds at Bow Lake, Rampart Creek, and Waterfowl Lakes fill fast in July and August — reserve early through the Parks Canada reservation system. Best window is mid-June through September before early snowfall closes higher elevation pull-offs. Shoulder season (late September) trades crowds for larch gold and frost on the glaciers.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 48 mi / 77 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6675 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle (2WD passable) |
| Nearest town | Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada |
| Land manager | Parks Canada – Banff National Park |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Parks Canada – Icefields Parkway 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
Do you need a 4x4 or high clearance to drive this route?
No. The Icefields Parkway is paved the entire way — any stock 2WD vehicle handles it fine. This is a scenic overland route, not a rock crawl.
When does the parkway open for the season and is it ever closed in summer?
The road is generally open year-round, but June through September is the sweet spot — snow can hit any month at this elevation, and late spring often brings ice and closures on the higher sections near Bow Pass. Check Alberta 511 before you roll.
Do you need a park pass or permit to drive through?
Yes — you need a Parks Canada day pass or an annual Discovery Pass to enter Banff National Park. Campsite reservations are separate and book out fast; use reservation.pc.gc.ca well in advance.
What's the hardest or most technical part of the route?
There's nothing technical — this is a paved mountain highway. The only real challenge is Bow Pass at roughly 6,785 ft, which can throw weather at you fast; have layers and don't count on clear skies holding all day.
How's cell service along the route and are there fuel stops between Lake Louise and Saskatchewan Crossing?
Cell service is spotty to nonexistent for most of the 48 miles — don't count on navigation or communication once you leave Lake Louise. Saskatchewan Crossing has the only gas station on this stretch, so top off in Lake Louise before you leave.
Trail track
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