Icefields Parkway
About 230 km of glaciers, waterfalls and peaks between Lake Louise and Jasper.
About Icefields Parkway
Highway 93 North, the Icefields Parkway, is one of the world's great drives. It passes Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, the Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Falls and many more stops, with almost no towns along the way.
A brief history
In 1931, during the Great Depression, the federal government began building a single-track road between Lake Louise and Jasper as a relief project. It was completed in 1940, and a modern paved highway opened in 1961. The road is maintained by Parks Canada.
RV tips
- A Parks Canada pass is required.
- Services are very limited and cell coverage is mostly absent. Fill fuel and water before you start.
- Snow is possible in any month at the high passes. Check 511 Alberta and Parks Canada first.
- Plan a full day or more. Pull-outs are frequent, so use them carefully with a long rig.
Before you go: Hours, road conditions, campground availability, passes and fire bans change. Check the official source below, 511 Alberta and Alberta Fire Bans before you travel. National parks need a Parks Canada pass, and Kananaskis needs a Conservation Pass.
Campgrounds nearby
- Silverhorn Creek Campground (Parks Canada, typical about $22/night)
- Wilcox Campground (Parks Canada, typical about $36/night)
Costs are approximate (checked October 2026). All Alberta campgrounds →
Sources & more information
Related trip planning: Alberta RV routes · Pre-trip checklist · Crown land camping