Calgary → Banff → Jasper
The Icefields Parkway — the most scenic drive in the world.
The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North) is the marquee drive in Canada — 230 km of glacier-fed lakes, hanging valleys and roadside wildlife between Lake Louise and Jasper. There is no gas between the two ends, so fill up in Lake Louise and budget a full day for the stops alone.
Flying in? This route starts in Calgary — pick up wheels at the airport.
Rent a Car in CalgaryBest Time to Drive
June–September; the parkway closes intermittently in winter.
How Many Days
2–3 days with an overnight in Jasper.
Where to Stay
Banff town, Lake Louise, then Jasper town.
Drive this route
A rental car, stops to sleep and roadside cover.
The route, stop by stop
- 1
Banff town & Sulphur Mountain
130 kmStart in Banff — soak in the Upper Hot Springs and ride the gondola to the Sulphur Mountain summit boardwalk before you leave town.
Stock up in Banff — there is no gas or food on the parkway itself.
- 2
Lake Louise & Moraine Lake
200 kmTwo of the most photographed glacial lakes on earth. Arrive before 8am or book the Parks Canada shuttle — Moraine Lake parking is reservation-only and fills months ahead.
Moraine Lake parking is reservation-only; book the shuttle or a sunrise tour months ahead.
- 3
Bow & Peyto Lakes
230 kmBow Lake sits at the base of the Wapta Icefield with a short walk to Num-Ti-Jah Lodge. Peyto is the wolf-head overlook a few minutes further — best in morning light.
- 4
Columbia Icefield & Athabasca Glacier
300 kmThe largest icefield in the Rockies. Ride the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier or walk the Glacier Skywalk — a glass ledge over the Sunwapta Valley.
Ice Explorer and Skywalk tickets sell out in July–August — book the first departure.
- 5
Sunwapta & Athabasca Falls
380 kmTwo roadside waterfalls — Sunwapta's chutes and the thunderous Athabasca Falls canyon — mark the final stretch into Jasper.
- 6
Jasper townsite
410 kmFinish in the relaxed railway town of Jasper — quieter than Banff, with the SkyTram, Maligne Canyon and the Dark Sky Preserve to explore on a second day.
Jasper books quieter than Banff but still fills — reserve the SkyTram and Maligne Canyon ice walks ahead.
