Icefield Parkway: Day Trips and Tours from Banff

Home to a number of the most spectacular natural wonders in all of Canada, Icefield Parkway is often considered one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The perfect place for a road trip, this slice of highway is a paradise for nature lovers, bird watchers and hiking enthusiasts alike.

A day trip to Icefield Parkway from Banff covers a portion of this seemingly-endless road and is sure to be a highlight of any Canadian vacation.

Boasting attractions that include Peyto Lake and Columbia Icefield, everyone can find their own patch of heaven along the parkway.

Here's all you need to know about Icefield Parkway, one of the most exciting day trips from Banff.

How to get to Icefield Parkway from Banff?

Icefield Parkway stretches for 230 kilometers through the Banff and Jasper National Parks. Its starting point is located just over 90 kilometers from Banff town.

From Banff to Icefield Parkway by car

The easiest way to make the journey to Icefield Parkway from Banff is to drive. You'll follow the Trans-Canada Highway — also known as Highway 1 — out of the town in a northerly direction as far as Lake Louise.

You'll then merge onto the Icefield Parkway and can follow it as far as you choose. It takes approximately 45 minutes to reach Icefield Parkway from Banff.

Guided tour to Icefield Parkway from Banff

As there is no public transportation that connects Banff to Icefield Parkway, tourists without access to a car should consider opting for a guided excursion.

A tour provider arranges the jaunt to Icefield Parkway for you so that all you need to do is show up on the morning of your trip.

These day trips last between 8 and 11 hours, and begin between 8 AM and 10 AM. While some operators offer a convenient hotel pickup and drop-off service, others request you to meet at a starting point in the center of Banff town.

How much does the entrance ticket to Icefield Parkway cost?

There is no direct entry fee for Icefield Parkway. However, it is located in Banff National Park, which requires all travelers to have a valid pass.

These can be purchased on arrival and the cost goes into improving visitor facilities, and park maintenance.

• Adults: CA$10.50 (US$8)
• Children under 18: Free
• Seniors aged 65+: CA$9 (US$7)

You can also purchase a family/group pass, which costs CA$21 (US$15) and includes entrance for up to seven people traveling in the same vehicle.

What is the typical itinerary?

Each Icefield Parkway day tour differs in its itinerary, visiting separate sites along the 230-kilometer stretch of road. After meeting your guide in Banff, you’ll set off on your adventure, which typically includes a lot of driving.

Far from a boring few hours, the route along Icefield Parkway is mesmerizing with plenty of wildlife, mountains and lakes to spot.

As there is a fair distance between Banff and Icefield Parkway, you’ll pass by some of the most iconic spots in Banff National Park, which include Lake Louise, and Lake Minnewanka.

You may stop at these destinations to stretch your legs and snap a photo as a reminder of your excursion.

Upon reaching Icefield Parkway, you’ll continue driving, stopping off periodically at some of the most impressive sights that are popular with tourists. These include the Athabasca Glacier, Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake.

You can expect your Icefield Parkway excursion to be fairly fast-paced as there is usually an abundance of attractions on the agenda.

While you won’t spend long at any location, you’ll have time to admire the scenery, take a wander and breathe in the fresh Canadian air.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Icefield Parkway?

There are a couple of different options when it comes to selecting an Icefield Parkway day trip to suit your travel style.

Whether you prefer a shared group experience or the personalization of a private tour, you’ll find a day trip that fits your needs.

Day trip to Icefield Parkway plus Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield from Banff

On this group day tour to Icefield Parkway, you’ll depart Banff and head straight for the stretch of highway. You’ll have plenty of time to admire the scenery and keep a lookout for wildlife as you make your way to Columbia Icefield.

Here, you’ll hop aboard an explorer vehicle and drive directly onto the 13,000-year-old Athabasca Glacier.

From here, you’ll journey to the Glacier Skywalk where daredevils can stroll along a glass walkway with a 280-meter drop. From this vantage point, you can simply look down and see the Sunwapta Valley, which is home to three roaring waterfalls.

After pausing to enjoy a simple lunch, you’ll board your vehicle and continue along Icefield Parkway, stopping at several popular sites, including Bow Lake before returning to Banff.

Private tour to Icefield Parkway plus Lake Louise from Banff

You’ll begin this day trip to Icefield Parkway by visiting Bow Falls, just outside of the ski town.

You’ll then continue on to Two Jack Lake, which is known as one of Alberta’s hidden gems before hopping back on your bus and traveling to Lake Minnewanka.

This body of water is the largest in Banff National Park and a sunken village lies under its surface.

You’ll stop at two of Canada’s most iconic lakes — Moraine Lake and Lake Louise — both of which feature alarmingly blue waters, caused by rock flour deposits.

Along the way, you’ll stop at a renowned viewpoint to admire panoramic views over the mountainscape.

Witness the sheer magnitude of Crowfoot Glacier, which has been shrinking since the Little Ice Age, as well as the tranquility of Bow Lake, with your personal guide who is devoted to your enjoyment of this Icefield Parkway day tour.

Amble around the shores of the glacier-fed Lake Peyto before putting your feet up and relaxing as you are driven along a stretch of the spectacular Icefield Parkway.

You can choose between two different options on this excursion, depending on your group size.

How much does a day trip to Icefield Parkway from Banff cost?

Icefield Parkway day trips that take place as part of a group and visit several destinations including the Athabasca Glacier cost between US$230, and US$240 per person.

This price includes all entry tickets, as well as the services of a knowledgeable guide and a packed lunch.

Private day tours to Icefield Parkway vary in price, depending on the size of your group. For a party size of four to 11 guests, you’ll pay US$990.

Broken down per head with the maximum group size, you’ll each pay just US$90.

Alternatively, if your group is larger than this, you can opt for a private tour for up to 24 guests, which costs US$1,890. With 24 participants in your group, you’ll each pay just under US$80.

What will you see and do?

Icefield Parkway — also known as Highway 93 — meanders through the Canadian Rockies and replaces the older Glacier Trail, which dated back to 1855.

This is famed as one of the most picturesque expanses of road in the world and is home to some of the most iconic spots in Canada.

Along Icefield Parkway, you’ll find the Columbia Icefield, which was formed during the Illinoisan period beginning over 240,000 years ago. This ice field is formed of the largest glaciers outside the Arctic Circle and covers over 320,000 square kilometers.

Several lakes are also located along Icefield Parkway, including Bow Lake and Peyto Lake — the most photographed of all the lakes in Banff National Park.

Like many other bodies of water in the area, this lake is affected by rock flour deposits, which are carried into the water by the glacial melt that happens annually as the summer approaches and the icebergs thaw.

These deposits result in the water turning a vivid turquoise hue during the summer months.

You can also visit the Weeping Wall, located along Cirrus Mountain, so named for its numerous streaming waterfalls. Other points of interest include Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls, both of which are fed by the Athabasca Glacier, and are equally furious.

Alongside the spectacular landscapes that surround the highway, Icefield Parkway is home to a varied array of wildlife. Over 50 species of mammals roam this part of Canada, as well as 260 different species of birds.

Among the creatures most commonly seen are elk and bighorn sheep, although it is not out of the ordinary to see a black or grizzly bear wandering through the wilderness seeking out food.

Animals that are less commonly seen but still present along Icefield Parkway include bobcats, marmots and mountain goats.

While most tourists typically zoom along Icefield Parkway, hopping between scenic locations over the course of just a few short hours, others find it worth slowing down and taking a few days to fully explore the region.

When is the best time to visit Icefield Parkway?

While the road is open year-round, the best time to plan a day trip to Icefield Parkway is during the summer season — from June to September.

This is because the conditions are the most favorable and reliable during this time, making for an enjoyable, and panoramic drive.

Wildlife-watching opportunities are also abundant throughout the summer and you'll enjoy daytime temperatures that range from 12 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Visiting Icefield Parkway during the wintertime is not recommended for nervous or inexperienced drivers as the road can get slippery and icy, and the area is prone to snowstorms.

The highway does close occasionally in the winter when there is a high risk of avalanches, so check its status before you make your way there.

Travel tips

• While you can technically drive Icefield Parkway in around 3 hours, it’s advisable to set aside an entire day for your trip so that you can stop at several destinations along the road.
• This area of Banff National Park is known to be a wildlife-watching hot spot. If you see any creatures, such as elk, bobcats or bears during your Icefield Parkway day trip, maintain a sizeable distance and don’t make any sudden movements.
• Dining options are limited near Icefield Parkway, so consider preparing a packed lunch to take with you on your excursion.
• The conditions can change quickly along Icefield Parkway, no matter the time of year you visit. Wear easy-to-remove layers and ensure you are carrying extra clothes with you.