Bow Lake
Bow Lake is one of the most picturesque stops along Alberta’s Icefields Parkway, nestled at the foot of the Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Glacier. Known for its striking turquoise waters and stunning mountain backdrop, it offers a peaceful retreat and incredible photo opportunities just off the highway.
A popular spot for picnics, short hikes, and canoeing in summer, Bow Lake is also the starting point for the scenic Bow Glacier Falls Trail. In winter, the area transforms into a serene snowy landscape. Whether you’re stopping for a quick view or exploring the trails, Bow Lake is a must-see highlight of the Canadian Rockies.
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is one of the most iconic and photographed lakes in the Canadian Rockies, renowned for its brilliant turquoise colour and unique wolf-head shape when viewed from above. Located just off the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, it’s an easy stop with a big reward.
A short walk from the car park leads you to the Bow Summit viewing platform the highest point on the Parkway offering breathtaking panoramic views of the lake and surrounding peaks. Best visited in summer when the glacial melt intensifies its vivid blue hue, Peyto Lake is a bucket-list destination for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Herbet Lake
Just a five-minute drive north of Lake Louise, this hidden gem is the largest natural lake in Banff National Park yet it remains wonderfully peaceful and often overlooked. Make sure not to drive past this lake, visiting in the early morning the lake is perfectly still creating mirror-like reflections which make for breathtaking photos.
Mistaya Canyon
Mistaya Canyon is a dramatic and easily accessible stop along the Icefields Parkway, just south of Saskatchewan Crossing in Banff National Park. A short, well-maintained trail leads to a stunning viewpoint where the Mistaya River has carved a deep, narrow gorge through the limestone, creating swirling turquoise waters and unique rock formations.
This lesser-known gem offers a peaceful yet powerful glimpse into the natural forces that shape the Rockies. It’s an ideal stop for a quick walk and impressive photos, with the thunder of rushing water echoing through the canyon. Mistaya Canyon is a must-see for those seeking raw beauty just minutes from the roadside.
Columbia Icefield
The largest icefield in the North American Rockies, the Columbia Icefield spans an impressive 325 square kilometres and reaches elevations of up to 3,000 metres. While much of the icefield is remote and inaccessible, the Athabasca Glacier its most visited outlet can be easily admired from the Icefields Parkway. For a truly unforgettable experience, you can step onto the glacier itself aboard a specially designed Ice Explorer vehicle.
Glacier Skywalk
The Glacier Skywalk is the perfect complement to a visit to the Columbia Icefield. This glass-bottomed walkway extends out over the edge of the Sunwapta Valley, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and dramatic drop below. Keep an eye out mountain goats are often seen navigating the cliffs in the distance.
Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls, located just off the Icefields Parkway near Jasper, is one of the most powerful and accessible waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies. Known for its force rather than height, the falls thunder through a narrow gorge, creating dramatic spray and stunning rock formations. With well-maintained trails and viewing platforms, it’s an easy and rewarding stop for travellers of all ages.
Weeping Wall
The Weeping Wall is a dramatic roadside cliff face located, just south of the Columbia Icefield. In spring and early summer, snowmelt causes countless streams of water to cascade down the rock, resembling tears hence its evocative name.
Easily visible from the highway, the Weeping Wall is especially striking after rainfall or during the spring thaw. In winter, it transforms into a popular ice climbing destination. With its sheer cliffs and flowing water, this natural spectacle is a quick but memorable stop that showcases the raw beauty of the Canadian Rockies.
Sunwapta Falls
Sunwapta Falls is a powerful and easily accessible waterfall located just off the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park. Fed by the Athabasca Glacier, the falls plunge dramatically into a narrow gorge, creating an impressive display of rushing water and mist.
A short walk from the car park leads to the main viewing platforms, where you can take in the upper falls and their dramatic drop. For those with more time, a scenic trail continues to the quieter lower falls. Surrounded by forest and rugged rock, Sunwapta Falls is a must-see stop that captures the wild energy of the Rockies.
