Last Updated on January 26, 2026 by Samantha
If you are planning a trip to Banff, it will not be complete without driving through the Icefields Parkway. The Icefields Parkway is a 232 km stretch of highway that runs through the Canadian Rocky Mountains. There is an endless amount of photo opportunities of mountain views, waterfalls and iconic lakes to stop at. The drive takes about 3-4 hours but with all the stops you’ll want to do, you will want to set aside a full day. The Parkway has a reputation for being one of the world’s most beautiful drives and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
The best way to do the Icefields Parkway is by renting a car and going at your own pace. This way you can stop at all the spot you want to. It is possible to do a tour if you don’t want to rent a car but they limit the amount of time at each stop.
Herbert Lake
The very first or last stop depending on where you decide to start will be Herbert Lake. Herbert Lake is only a few short steps from the parking lot. This lake is so peaceful and a great spot to stop for a swim during the summer months.
Bow Lake
This beautiful blue lake lies at the base of Bow Summit and is fed by meltwater from the Bow Glacier. The gorgeous waters perfectly reflect the surrounding mountains on a calm sunny day. It is a great spot to stop for a picnic, canoe, stand-up paddleboard or hike to Bow Glacier Falls.
This is a very popular spot so expect lots of crowds. You can park in the pull off or drive further down to a small parking lot with washrooms and a different view of the lake.
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake was hands down the best stop on the parkway. After about a 15 minute uphill hike to the lookout, you will be met with stunning views of turquoise water, lush forests and mountains. It is considered one of the most popular lakes in Banff National Park to visit (after Moraine Lake and Lake Louise).
There is two different parking – a lower lot and an upper lot. The upper lot is reserved for anyone who requires assistance so they don’t have to do the hike to the viewpoint. This will be the busiest stop on the parkway so plan to stop early in the morning or towards the end of the day for less crowds.
Waterfowl Lakes
The Waterfowl Lakes are two glacial-fed lakes that are popular for canoers, kayakers and paddleboarders. The lakes are easily accessed and don’t require any hiking to get to.
There is a pull off on the side of the road for you to park at and enjoy the view or you can head straight to the water.
Mistaya Canyon
Located down a short rocky path is the beautiful Mistaya Canyon. Cross the bridge and watch the powerful water roaring through the rock canyon beneath you.
There is not tons of parking here so it can get quite busy at peak times but it is definitely worth a stop.
Athabasca Glacier
When visiting Athabasca Glacier you have two options – visiting the toe of the glacier or going on the actual glacier. Visiting the toe of the glacier will give you a closer glimpse and requires a short but entirely uphill rocky hike. If you want to actually go on the glacier, you can opt for an organized tour with Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure. This tour is quite expensive so if you don’t want to spend a ton of money you can also hike the glacier through a guided hike. The hike is approximately 5 km roundtrip and takes about 3.5 hours. If you are short on time, I recommend doing the toe of the glacier.
The Athabasca Glacier is half the size it was 125 years ago; receding at a rate of approximately 5 meters per year. At this rate, the glacier won’t last another 125 years.
Parking at the toe of the glacier is very limited and not well maintained so it is hard to find a spot when it’s busy. If you did decide to do a tour, there is tons of parking at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Center where the tour leaves from. Please make sure you stay within the roped off sections as it is very dangerous to go outside of them.
Tangle Creek Falls
On the side of the road, you will find Tangle Creek Falls. Make sure you are paying attention to your GPS as it is easy to miss this beautiful waterfall. It is not very grand but it is a beautiful waterfall and an easy stop along the way.
The is small parking area or you can pull over on the side of the road but be careful of other motorists.
Sunwapta Falls
The Sunwapta Falls consist of the upper and lower falls. Both are fed by the Athabasca Glacier so the water is a vibrant shade of blue. The upper falls are easily accessible from the parking lot. If you want to see the lower falls, you will have to hike 1.3 km to get there. The lower falls are much less busy than the upper falls.
There is plenty of parking here and the turn off is well marked so you shouldn’t miss it.
Athabasca Falls
The Athabasca Falls are one of the most popular stops on the Icefields Parkway. The trail to waterfall is easy and you get to walk alongside the river. After crossing the bridge and taking pictures of the falls, you can head down the gorge to hike alongside the opposite riverbank. The stairway down the gorge can be slippery so be careful going down it.
Although there is plenty of parking, this is a very busy stop. It is very popular so expect it to be busy. This was my first stop of the day as I chose to work my way back to Canmore and I wanted to beat the crowds.
Valley of Five Lakes
This 5 km loop winds past five beautiful alpine lakes with majestic views and emerald coloured lakes. Each lake is different and unique in colour. The fifth lake even has dock that is perfect for swimming if you are there in the summer. The hiking trail is about 4.5 km long but is easy and relatively flat. Depending on when you stop here, you may be losing daylight so keep that in mind when planning your stops.
