Best Stops on the Icefields Parkway

Our priorities

Peyto Lake

This is our must-stop lake view. The color and mountain setting were the best of the Parkway. Skip the packed viewing experience by continuing about five minutes to the left of the main platform.

Parker Ridge

Must do for hikers. The climb makes you work, but the payoff over Saskatchewan Glacier is enormous.

There are viewpoint offshoots from the main trail. We did the first viewpoint, returned to the main trail, then continued to the second viewpoint offshoot. Do both. The second gave us the view toward the foot of the glacier and the river below.

After that, we continued roughly another third of a mile and did not think the extra section added much. Our advice is to enjoy both viewpoint offshoots and then feel completely comfortable turning around.

Read our full Parker Ridge hike guide →

Wilcox Pass

We hiked Wilcox as an out-and-back rather than dealing with point-to-point logistics. It was an exceptional few-hour hike with views across toward the Athabasca Glacier for much of the route.

It is uphill and makes you work, but we did not find it especially difficult. We also saw bighorn sheep. If you have time for a real hike while driving the Parkway, this is one of the places I would spend it.

Read our full Wilcox Pass hike guide →

Mistaya Canyon

Do not skip this short stop. The walk down from the parking area is brief, but the water rushing through the narrow canyon was incredibly powerful. It gives you a completely different experience from another lake or mountain viewpoint.

Athabasca Falls

This was another strong short stop. The water was powerful, the rock gorge was impressive, and you can see a lot without committing much time. Do not stop at the first railing. Walk the short paths and see the gorge from multiple viewpoints.

Bow Lake

Bow Lake is beautiful and worth pulling over for if you have time. But if the schedule is tight, Peyto is the lake I would prioritize. Peyto stole the show for us.

Sunwapta Falls

Sunwapta was cool, but I would not sacrifice Parker Ridge or Wilcox for it. If you have time, it is still worthwhile, especially if you want a shorter active stop instead of another substantial hike.

We continued toward the Lower Falls, which made the stop more interesting than simply taking a quick photo at the upper falls.

Crowfoot Glacier

This is an easy roadside pullout with almost no time commitment. Stop if conditions are good and you have the time, but do not build the day around it.

How I would split the Parkway

If you are driving the Parkway in both directions, use that to your advantage. We did Wilcox Pass on the way toward Jasper and Parker Ridge on the return toward Banff.

That was much better than trying to cram every viewpoint, waterfall and substantial hike into one enormous drive.