Need to stretch your legs?

About the Columbia Icefield More information

Try one of these short strolls: With a total area of 200 km2, the Columbia GLACIERS AND RIVERS

Summer on
Icefield is the largest mass of glacial ice in Check the road conditions and the
Water flows to three different oceans from this
ATHABASCA FALLS the Canadian Rockies. It feeds several large weather forecast before you leave town:
area, known as a hydrological apex. On the British
Feel the spray of the Athabasca River as it glaciers, including the Athabasca, the Columbia, Columbia side, meltwater flows into the Columbia ROAD CONDITIONS

the Icefields
Wilcox Pass A. ZierVogel Athabasca Falls A. ZierVogel Bow Lake P. Zizka
thunders into the canyon below. Stay behind and the Saskatchewan. River and the Pacific Ocean. On the Alberta side, Call 511
railings and on designated trails. The rock the North Saskatchewan and Athabasca rivers feed alberta511.ca
Explore! beyond is slippery and dangerous. WHAT’S A GLACIER?
into the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, respectively.

Parkway
Glaciers form where more snow falls in winter than WEATHER FORECAST
SUNWAPTA FALLS These rivers provide fresh drinking water for Banff National Park: 403-762-2088
Winding 232 glorious kilometres through the melts each summer. As the snow gets thicker and millions of people, and are crucial to agriculture and
Mount King
A torrent of plunging water not far from the Jasper National Park: 780-852-3185
heart of Jasper and Banff national parks, heavier, it compacts into dense glacial ice that countless
3453 Edward
ecosystems. That’s why their source is weather.gc.ca
highway, Sunwapta Falls is just one of the many slowly flows downhill, like a river of taffy.
I A

the Icefields Parkway has been called one

B

waterfalls in Jasper created by hanging valleys. protected

C
O
LU
M
A
in a national park. Visit an information centre
of the world’s most scenic drives.
T
B H R
R IS E
IT IT LB
IS R A
MISTAYA CANYON A
H B
Athaba
sca Legend
Information Centre: 780-852-6176
C

Around every corner, the route offers fresh

LB
E
O
LU
3741
Mount Jasper
Enjoy a short downhill walk and peer down into R M Hiker only trail
TA Columbia
B
IA R Lake Louise Visitor Centre: 403-522-3833
wonders – from waterfalls, pristine lakes, and
Hiker and horse only trail
iv
Mistaya Canyon from the bridge. Witness the er 93
Banff
Highway
Visitor Centre: 403-762-1550
broad sweeping valleys to ancient glaciers power of water sculpting the limestone gorge.
Restricted access road
parkscanada.gc.ca/jasper
Parking

flowing down from the rugged mountains. parkscanada.gc.ca/banff

Disabled access parking
BOW LAKE AND BOW GLACIER 3083
Castleguard
Mountain 3580
South
Hotel parking
Twin H

Take your time to experience the many Bow Lake, the source of the Bow River, is one of BACKCOUNTRY
Information INFORMATION
scenic stops, picnic spots, and hiking trails the more scenic and accessible lakes for fishing. Twins Research
Ice explorer
and plan overnight trips, including
North 3627 Exhibit
Tower potential trail restrictions and closures, avalanche
along the way.
3731
Twin
Columbia Icefield Trailhead
conditions, and mandatory backcountry permits.

er
Lookout

ci
parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperbackcountry

la
Washroom

G
parkscanada.gc.ca/banff-backcountry

an
Disabled access washroom

ew
Snow Dome Stutfield Commercial accommodation

Looking for a view from the edge? 3450

TRAIL REPORTS

ch
(3451 m) Peak Restaurant

Athaba sca
at
parkscanada.gc.ca/jaspertrails

r
sk
Hostel

ie
parkscanada.gc.ca/banfftrails

Sa
RV-tent camping

ac
Check out these roadside attractions: Mount 3505
Mount

Gl
Tents-only campground
Andromeda 3450 Kitchener
Dump station

ATHABASCA GLACIER 3450 Summit and elevation point

e
m
A magical area that can be seen from the road, Supporting parks
Contour intervals 50 metres

Do
Glacier
explored with a commercial guide or visited on Grizzly bear M. Bradley Bighorn sheep R. Gruys Coyote R. Gruys
Mount
Athabasca 3491
a special bus tour. Do not walk on the glacier;

Res cess
The Icefields Parkway was built by Parks Canada

Ac
crevasses and other hazards can be deadly.

trict
Sunwapta
as a scenic drive to showcase the powerful natural

er
Wildlife

Stutfie
Lake

ed
iv
R
ew
an Hilda Sunw landscape of Jasper and Banff national parks. A
CROWFOOT GLACIER Peak
3058 ap
ta d valid national parks pass is required to drive the

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Ri

l
Cr
Wildlife sightings are one of many reasons

k
When this glacier was named a century ago, it Icefield Centre ve

kat

ee
as (2000 m)
r Icefields Parkway. Revenues from pass sales support

eek
a Cr
looked like a three-toed crowsfoot. Since then, the Icefields Parkway is known as one of S
maintenance, plowing, sanding, and avalanche control.

orth
Icefield Wilcox Sunw

H il d
one toe has melted, and the middle toe is slowly the best drives in the world. ilc o Wilcox
2884
Peak Tangle ap
If you’re a frequent visitor to Canada’s national parks

N
W Falls I c e fi e l
disappearing. Pas Pass

ta
Parker Sunwapta s Tr a i l ds
and historic sites, consider purchasing a Parks Canada
(2375 m)
Ridge Wilcox
Bears, sheep, wolves, and even elusive Pass Discovery Pass for unlimited access to many of
HERBERT LAKE (2035 m)

caribou are often spotted on the roadsides – Canada’s extraordinary treasures.

Pa
ay
P a rk w Wilcox

Ri
A photographer’s favourite. The still waters

rkw
Icefi elds Lake
keep your eyes open and drive slowly, Nigel

ve
3211 3000
93
Également offert en français Peak
of Herbert Lake provide a perfect panoramic

r
ay
P. Zizka

Parker Ridge Trail reflection of the stunning Main Range peaks, especially early morning and evening. BANFF JASPER Cr
eek
1560
You are welcome to take this brochure home as a souvenir
ty Ja
Nigel Pass NATIONAL NATIONAL
au (8 spe but if you are finished with it, please drop it off at any park
including Mount Temple. The picnic area provides Never approach or feed wildlife. (1.6 km) PARK PARK Be 4
km r
Km  information centre where it can be used again.
an ideal place for a picnic stop. 0 1 2 3 4 5
) 93

© mmcartographics © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada Catalogue No: R64-442/2019E-PDF
ISBN: 978-0-660-29270-0
 THE ICEFIELDS PARKWAY DRIVING GUIDE

PYRAMID
2762 m

ON

VA
Pyramid

NT
Lake

PR NC
IN OU
JASPER 16

MO

CE V
D
16

1000 m
1200 m
1400 m
1600 m
1800 m
2000 m
2100 m
OR
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GE ER

0
GE

233
i ve r RCMP JASPER TOWNSITE 0 233
aR
sc

ba
Whistlers
ha Whistlers Closed for construction in 2019.

5
2

At
WHISTLERS M 231

228
parkscanada.gc.ca/jasper-construction

ali
2469 m

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Wapiti

ne
Jasper International Hostel

Ri

Whistlers
1

KM FROM JASPER
Wapiti
ve
Valley of the

r
ek

10
223
rtal C r e Five Lakes Jacques Jasper Skytram (April to Oct.)
Po Lake
2
KM FROM JASPER

KM FROM LAKE LOUISE

TEKARRA
AQUILA 2693 m Wapiti (Summer and Winter) 4 229

15
218

Junction with 93A

As t 2880 m
o

ri
KM FROM LAKE LOUISE

ELEVATION PROFILE
a R i ver
1

ICEFIELDS PARKWAY
Wabasso Beaver Junction with Highway 93A 6
Wabasso 227
Lake Lake

20
213
Medicine Access to Cavell Road.

Valley of Five Lakes

Lake
Wabasso (May to early Oct.)
EDITH CAVELL CURATOR

25
208
3367 m 2624 m Highway 93A rejoins the parkway at Athabasca Falls.
Moab
Lake
93
Whirlpool River A

30
2

203
HARDISTY Valley of the Five Lakes 9 224
Athabasca Falls 3 2715 m

Wabasso Lake 14 219

35
s

198

Athabasca Falls
ke
La Mount KERKESLIN
ne 2955 m
ldi Kerkeslin
Gera
Athabasca Pass Lookout 25 208

40
193
JASPER
Maligne

A tha ba s c
a
FRYATT NATIONAL Lake
3360 m 3 Athabasca Falls 30 203

Mount Kerkeslin
Ri
PARK

45
ve

188
Junction with Hwy 93A

r
er

Honeymoon
CHRISTIE
Riv

Lake SAMSON
BRUSSELS 3102 m
ne

3076 m Athabasca Falls Hostel 32 201

50
3160 m

183
lig

Lake
Ma

Osprey Lake
Buck Lake UNWIN Kerkeslin (mid-May to late Sept.)
3300 m 34 199
CHARLTON MAX 25 FT

55
178

Honeymoon
3260 m
Sunwapta Falls 4
MALIGNE Goats and Glaciers 196
37
ENDL

3200 m

60
173

Sunwapta Falls
ESS

MONKHEAD Mount Christie 192

CHA

3211 m 41
93
IN R

65
168
Honeymoon Lake (mid-May to late Sept.) 50 183
IDGE

a BRAZEAU MAX 25 FT
ab 3525 m
Ch iver

70
163
R 4 Sunwapta Falls 54 179
Gong Lake
Sunwapta Falls Resort (mid-May to mid-Oct.)
Pob

75
okta
158

Cre n Poboktan Creek 72 161

ek
R i ve r

Jonas
GONG
r e

sca

3121 m Jonas Jonas (mid-May to late Sept.) 77 156

80
153

NELSON MAX 25 FT
3150 m
pta R iv
Jo

Ath aba

GEC
na
s

3130 m
Mushroom and Diadem Peaks 84 149
85
Cr

148
S unwa

MUSHROOM
ee
k

3622 m
Beauty Creek Hostel 85 148
POBOKTAN
WOOLEY
90
143

ALBERTA SUNWAPTA
3622 m 3405 m
3317 m
Beauty Creek 87 146
JASPER
95

STUTFIELD
138

3453 m
Stutfield Glacier 139
Be a u

ty 94
THE TWINS Brazeau
Lake
Cr e

3561 m / 3686 m Tangle

ek

133

100
C re

COLUMBIA Tangle Falls. Watch for sheep! 96 137

KITCHENER
ek

3750 m
3505 m
SNOWDOME ICEFIELD CENTRE 5
128

ICEFIELD CENTRE (mid-April to mid-Oct.)

105
Icefield RV

3459 m 5 103 130

Icefield Centre

Icefield Parks Canada information (May-Sept.)

6 Wilcox Icefield RV Glacier View Inn
123

COLUMBIA
110

ICEFIELD
Wilcox Pass

SUNWAPTA PASS Icefield Tent (June to mid-Oct.) 104 129

2030 m
ek

ATHABASCA
el

BANFF
Cre

3493 m
Wilcox
Icefield Tent
Nig

118

115

6 Wilcox Pass
Parker Ridge

NATIONAL 7 106 127

PARK Parker Ridge MAX 25 FT
Wilcox (early June to late Sept.)
113

120

SUNWAPTA PASS (Banff and Jasper boundary) 108 125

CIRRUS
3270 m
Weeping Wall Hilda Creek Hostel 111 122
108

125

SASKATCHEWAN
3344 m
7 Parker Ridge 112 121
103

130

Alexandra Coleman
River Creek 8 COLEMAN Nigel Pass 116 117
3135 m
98

135

AMERY Pinto
3329 m
Coleman Creek

Lake
Bridal Veil Falls 117 120
93

140

Rampart a rt
R am p
Creek Weeping Wall 124 109
A rctomys Cre e k
Cree k

88

WILSON
145

ICEFIELD 8 Coleman Creek 131 102

Rampart Creek

ERASMUS
3265 m WILSON
83

3261 m
150

Sunset Pass and Sunset Lookout 137 96

Glacier Saskatchewan
Lake River Crossing
78

Rampart Creek Hostel (year-round) 142 91

155

er
Rampart Creek (early June to mid-Oct.)
Riv

FORBES North
Re

3612 m Sa MAX 25 FT
sk
dD

Glacier Lake 81
at

152
73

160
ee

Howse
r

SARBACH
ch e

3127 m
wa
n

KAUFMANN
i ver
Ri

3109 m
MURCHISON 11 Saskatchewan River Crossing 153 80
R
ve
r

3333 m
68

165

EPAULETTE Junction: David Thompson Highway (#11)

3095 m TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE
Mi s taya

NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE (175 km)

The Crossing Resort (mid-Mar. to mid-Nov.)
CHEPHREN TOTEM
63

3266 m 3155 m Howse Pass 154 79

170

Waterfowl Lakes
Waterfowl Lakes

Chephren Lake No Mistaya Canyon 159 74

ye
s

58

175

Cirque Lake LEGEND

Cr

ARIES Mistaya
2996 m Lake
Waterfowl Lakes

NOYES Major highway Waterfowl Lakes (mid-June to early Sept.) 173 60

MAX 25 FT
Silverhorn Creek
53

3084 m
S

180

i lve Chephren Lake, Cirque Lake

r DRUMMONDMinor highway
PATTERSON
horn

3197 m Mountain peak Silverhorn Creek (mid-June to late Sept.)

WEED
48

3080 m
185

Peyto OBSERVATION Glacier/Icefield

CALDRON 9 Bow Summit / Peyto Lake
2917 m
Lake 3174 m 190 43
2 Attraction As early as April 2019, Bow Summit/Peyto Lake will close for improvements to
43

190

Peyto Lake 9 BOW PASS the parking lot, restrooms, and signs. parkscanada.gc.ca/banff-construction
2067 m Viewpoint
Bow Glacier 10 10 Bow Glacier, Bow Glacier Falls
Bow Summit

WAPTA Trailhead 193 40

38

and Peyto Lake

195

ICEFIELD CIRQUE Num-Ti-Jah Lodge (May-Oct.)

Bow Lake11 2993 m Campground
McCONNELL
Crowfoot Glacier 12 Lake
Katherine
Bow Lake

Helen Lake 13 RV camping 11

33

Bow Lake
200

CROWFOOT
196 37
3050 m 93 DOLOMITE RV max 25 ft
2782 m MAX 25 FT
12
Crowfoot Glacier
BOW 197 36
28

Mosqui t
o

2868 m Picnic site

205
Cr

13 Helen Lake, Dolomite Pass

e

BALFOUR ek
Helen Lake

3272 m Mosquito Hostel

Creek
Crowfoot Glacier

Mosquito Creek (early June to mid-Oct.)

23

MAX 25 FT
210

WAPUTIK Hector Information Centre 206 27

ICEFIELD Lake Mosquito Creek Hostel (year-round)
Food
Mosquito Creek

Molar Pass
18

DALEY
215

Lodging
VA
R i ver

MOLAR
KA NC

3002 m
Hector Lake 212 21
M O

Fuel
S
LO UV
B ow

13

HECTOR
220
OP ER

3394 m Telephone
Herbert Hector Lake 214 19
Lake 14 Tramway
8

225

Toilets 14 Herbert Lake 227 6

CYCLONE
3042 m
Herbert Lake
3

230

Junction: Trans-Canada Highway and Icefields Parkway 230 3

Lake
VICTORIA Louise
3459 m PTARMIGAN
0

3059 m RCMP Lake Louise 233 0

233

LAKE
KM FROM JASPER
KM FROM LAKE LOUISE

LOUISE
REDOUBT Kilometres
2902 m BANFF 59 km
0 10 20 30 40 50
RCMP
TEMPLE
CALGARY
BANFF

3543 m
0 10 20 30
Miles
BOW LAKE
on the cliffs.
HELEN LAKE
WILCOX PASS
family favourite.

PARKER RIDGE

COLEMAN CREEK
Time for lunch?
VALLEY OF THE FIVE LAKES

alpine wildlife and grand vistas.

Looking for adventure?

Trailhead: 9 km south of the Icefield Centre

Visit one of our scenic picnic sites:

4.5 km loop; 66 m elevation gain/loss; 2 hours
Trailhead: 9 km south from Jasper on Highway 93

Trailhead: across from Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint

highlights of this outing, considered a local

meadows of this glacier-carved landscape.

5.4 km return; 250 m elevation gain/loss; 3 hr round trip

Rise quickly above treeline to the expansive
Five small, brilliantly blue-green lakes are the

6.0 km one way; 455 m elevation gain; 4 to 5 hr round trip

A breathtaking lake in a valley abounding with
After a series of switchbacks you’ll be rewarded

Sit next to the edge of the water and listen to the

Trailhead: 3 km south of Icefield Centre at Wilcox Campground

with dramatic views of the Saskatchewan Glacier.

in the rockies. The vibrant blue colour set against a

relaxing gurgle of the river. Look for mountain goats

magnificent mountain backdrop is sure to dazzle you.

Step into the wild with one of these classic day hikes:

2.4 km (1 hr) return to first viewpoint, 8 km (2-3 hrs) return to the pass

Enjoy your lunch at one of the most breathtaking lakes

P. Zizka