The drive from Banff to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway is often called one of the most beautiful road trips in the world… and for good reason! Around every bend there’s a turquoise lake, towering mountain peak, rushing waterfall, or glacier that makes you want to pull over for another photo.
The distance from Banff to Jasper is about 180 miles, with the majority of the route following the famous Icefields Parkway. If you drive the entire route without stopping at all (don’t do that!) it would take you about 3.5 hours to go one way.
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Stopover in Jasper
Since there are dozens of places you could stop during your Banff to Jasper drive, we highly recommend spending at least one night in Jasper before returning to Banff. That way you have a whole day to explore while driving north on the Icefields Parkway, and then another whole day driving back south.
To find out our exact Banff to Jasper itinerary, click here: Best Banff and Jasper Itinerary (plus Yoho!)
Driving the Icefields Parkway in both directions gives you a completely different perspective on the mountains and lets you experience different lighting throughout the day. Plus, it allows you to slow down and truly soak in the scenery.
However, if you only have one day available, don’t let that stop you. Even as a day trip, the drive from Banff to Jasper is an unforgettable experience totally worth your time.
Either way you will have to make some tough choices as to what to see and what to skip. Below we list ten favorite places to visit in the order you’ll encounter them as you travel from Banff toward Jasper. Two places we actually didn’t fit into our itinerary, but wish we had. And one popular attraction we purposefully skipped – and why you may want to skip it, too.
Most of these Icefields Parkway stops are right on the main route, but we included a couple that are just a short ways away because we believe they are totally worth your time.
Keep in mind, the best time to visit this area for clear roads and vibrantly blue lakes is late June through September, and a valid Parks Canada pass is required.
Click here to find out why we think September is the ideal time to visit the Canadian Rockies!
10 Scenic Stops on the Drive From Banff to Jasper
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Johnston Canyon
Location: About 30 minutes west of Banff on the Bow Valley Parkway
Recommended Time: 1.5–3 hours
Johnston Canyon is one of the Canadian Rockies’ most popular hikes and makes a great first stop on your way from Banff to Jasper before you connect to the main Icefields Parkway. We didn’t get to experience this one, but know others who have and they highly recommend it.
The paved trail follows Johnston Creek through a narrow limestone canyon, crossing a series of catwalks suspended above rushing water before reaching the impressive Lower and Upper Falls. At the Lower Falls, you walk through a short tunnel that brings you up close to the cascading water.
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Lake Louise
Location: Icefields Parkway KM 0 (right at the beginning of the Icefields Parkway)
Recommended Time: 1–2 hours (longer if hiking)
We watched the sunrise at Lake Louise and it ended up being one of our favorite moments of the entire trip. We definitely weren’t alone – there were already plenty of photographers and early risers gathered along the shoreline – but it was absolutely worth the early morning alarm. Watching the first rays of sunlight illuminate Victoria Glacier while the lake gradually transformed into its famous turquoise color was unforgettable.
If you have extra time, we highly recommend hiking the Big Beehive Trail. The hike is moderately strenuous and took us about 4 hours roundtrip, but the panoramic views looking down over Lake Louise from high above are among the best in Banff National Park.
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Moraine Lake
Location: About 20 minutes from Lake Louise via the Parks Canada Shuttle
Recommended Time: 1–2 hours (longer if hiking)
Note: Private vehicles are not permitted on Moraine Lake Road unless you’re staying at Moraine Lake Lodge. Everyone else must reserve a Parks Canada shuttle from Lake Louise (about 20 minutes each way) or book a guided tour.
Moraine Lake is often called the crown jewel of Banff National Park and you won’t want to miss this stop.
From the Moraine Lake Lodge parking area, it’s only about a 10-minute walk up the famous Rockpile Trail to the iconic postcard view overlooking Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Don’t let the crowds discourage you, as there is plenty of room among the rocks to find your own viewpoint. A Moraine Lake sunrise is a breathtaking option, but it’s beautiful at any time of day.
With additional time, check out the nearby Larch Valley Trail (especially if you visit in late September when the larches turn brilliant shades of gold). We completed this moderate hike in about 3 hours roundtrip and loved it.
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Worth the Detour: Emerald Lake
Location: About 30 minutes from the Icefields Parkway in Yoho National Park (west of Lake Louise)
Recommended Time: 30 minutes to view the lake or 2 hours to walk around it
Although Emerald Lake isn’t actually on the Icefields Parkway, it’s absolutely worth the detour before heading north towards Jasper. If you’ve already visited Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, you may be tempted to skip Emerald Lake (we almost did!), but you’d definitely be missing out. Located in Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake offers a unique emerald-green color and quieter atmosphere that makes it feel completely different. We walked the easy shoreline trail around the lake in about 2 hours and saw views like this:
Canoe rentals are also available if you’d like to spend more time on the water.
If you have another 1½ to 2 hours, consider stopping at Takakkaw Falls on your drive back toward Lake Louise. Standing at over 1,200 feet tall, Takakkaw Falls is one of Canada’s highest waterfalls with a viewing area that’s an easy 20-minute walk from the parking lot.
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Peyto Lake
Location: Icefields Parkway KM 40
Recommended Time: 45–60 minutes
A short, paved walk from the parking lot leads to one of the most spectacular overlooks anywhere in Banff National Park.
Peyto Lake’s famous wolf-head shape and incredible blue water make this one of the most photographed locations along the Icefields Parkway. We were blown away by its beauty, which is saying a lot considering we had just visited Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The overlook is just a short walk from the parking lot, so it’s an easy way to experience an incredible panoramic view without committing to a long hike.
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Waterfowl Lakes
Location: Icefields Parkway KM 58
Recommended Time: 15 minutes
Waterfowl Lakes weren’t even on our original itinerary, we discovered them completely by accident. We just pulled off the highway to stretch our legs, wandered over to the shoreline, and snapped this amazing photo of the surrounding mountain peaks perfectly reflecting in the calm water:
It isn’t as famous a stop as some of the other Banff lakes along the Icefields Parkway, so it’s a bit more peaceful and quieter.
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Athabasca Glacier
Location: Icefields Parkway KM 127
Recommended Time: 30 minutes – 3 hours (depending on activities)
The Athabasca Glacier is the most visited glacier in North America. It’s a convenient stop, easily accessed just off the Icefields Parkway, and can be quick if you’re short on time. We just parked in a pull out, snapped a few pictures and were on our way.
If you have more time, you can take the short Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trail, which leads to a viewpoint near the glacier’s edge. For an even longer experience, you can book an Ice Explorer tour that takes visitors directly onto the glacier, but that takes about 2.5-3 hours and includes the Columbia Icefield Skywalk which we chose to skip (more on that below).
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Tangle Falls
Location: Icefields Parkway KM 187
Recommended Time: 10 minutes
Unlike many waterfalls that require a hike, Tangle Falls is located right beside the highway, making it one of the easiest Icefields Parkway stops. You can just pull over and explore, snapping beautiful pictures of the water tumbling down multiple rocky tiers with dramatic mountains rising behind it.
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Athabasca Falls
Location: Icefields Parkway KM 199
Recommended Time: 30 minutes
Athabasca Falls isn’t the tallest waterfall in the Canadian Rockies, but it may be the most powerful. The sheer volume of water squeezing through the narrow canyon is impressive! The network of paved trails and viewing platforms lets you experience the incredible force of the rushing water from up close, and the short, easy trails don’t require much time.
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Sunwapta Falls
Location: Icefields Parkway KM 223
Recommended Time: 20-30 minutes
Fed by the Athabasca Glacier, the powerful Sunwapta River crashes through a narrow gorge before plunging nearly 60 feet into the canyon below. We wish we could have fit this one into our itinerary – the pictures are impressive – but we weren’t able to make it here. Friends who have visited say it’s a short, easy walk from the parking lot to several viewpoints overlooking the main falls, making it another high-reward Icefields Parkway stop that doesn’t require much time. You can continue along the trail to the Lower Falls if you have more time.
Worth Visiting When It Reopens: Mount Edith Cavell
(As of 2026, Mount Edith Cavell – including Cavell Road – is closed due to wildfire damage. An official reopening date is pending the completion of major repair work.)
Location: About 40 minutes west of the Icefields Parkway, between Athabasca Falls and Jasper
Recommended Time: 1 hour (for the Path of the Glacier Trail) or 3-4 hours (including the Cavell Meadows Trail)
Located in Jasper National Park, Mount Edith Cavell requires a little extra driving but was one of the best hiking experiences of our trip.
The relatively easy Path of the Glacier Trail offers fantastic views of Angel Glacier and Cavell Pond, while the longer Cavell Meadows Trail takes you higher up through alpine meadows for even more stunning scenery.
We completed both hikes in about 3½ hours round trip from the parking lot. By getting an early start, we encountered far fewer people than we had at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, making the experience that much more enjoyable.
Additional Stops
Even after spending several days exploring from Banff to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway, we still didn’t see everything. Next time we’ll also include:
Parker Ridge – This is one of the Icefield Parkway’s best alpine hikes – moderately challenging – with incredible glacier views.
Wilcox Pass – This hike is often recommended by locals. It provides beautiful alpine scenery with an excellent chance of seeing bighorn sheep.
Bow Glacier Falls – This moderate out-and-back trail begins at Bow Lake and takes you to the base of the falls. It has a steep incline at the end, but it looks totally worth it for the views.
Something We Skipped
One decision you’ll have to make while driving from Banff to Jasper is whether to visit the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. The glass-floored platform extending over the Sunwapta Valley looks impressive and many people pay to experience it, but we chose to skip it.
We had a hard time justifying both the admission cost and the extra time it requires, especially since there are so many jaw-dropping viewpoints, lakes, waterfalls, and hikes along the Icefields Parkway that are completely free.
That said, if you’ve always wanted to stand on a glass platform suspended high above a canyon, or if you’re traveling with someone who isn’t able to do much walking, the Skywalk could still be worth considering. It’s a unique experience and you’ll need to decide whether it’s the best use of your time and budget.
Don’t Rush the Icefields Parkway
Looking back, what really amazed us most about driving the Icefields Parkway was the scenery never got old. You’d think with so much natural beauty we’d experience sensory overload, but that wasn’t the case. Just when we thought we saw the highlight for the day, we’d come upon another turquoise lake, rushing waterfall, or scenic glacier just as impressive as the last.
We’re especially glad we spread the experience over several days, giving ourselves time to enjoy the drive to Jasper and the return trip to Banff. But even if you only have one day, the Icefields Parkway is absolutely worth experiencing. Many of its most spectacular viewpoints require very little walking, making this one of the most accessible scenic drives anywhere in the world.
And don’t forget to leave room in your schedule for the unexpected. Waterfowl Lakes weren’t even on our itinerary and we still talk about the beauty to this day.
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