Icefields Parkway
Canada, north-america
232 km
2,069 m
easy
June-September (road open year-round but winter conditions can be severe)
# The Icefields Parkway: A Rocky Mountain Road Trip Like No Other
Buckle up for 232 kilometers of pure mountain magic. Highway 93 North is basically a highlight reel of everything the Canadian Rockies have to offer, stretching between Lake Louise and Jasper with jaw-dropping scenery at literally every turn. You're hugging the Continental Divide the whole way, so you know the views are going to be absolutely next-level.
The showstopper? The Columbia Icefield—and we're talking massive. This thing covers 325 square kilometers and is the largest ice field in the Rockies. You can hike right up to the Athabasca Glacier to feel genuinely tiny, or go all-in and hop on an Ice Explorer bus to actually walk across the ice itself. It's surreal.
But that's just the beginning. Peyto Lake will stop you in your tracks with its wolf-shaped outline and that impossibly turquoise water. Then there's Mistaya Canyon, where millennia of water has carved through limestone in the most dramatic way possible. And the Weeping Wall? Picture a cliff face with what feels like a thousand waterfalls just... cascading down. It's as beautiful as it sounds.
Fair warning: you're driving through prime wildlife territory here. Keep your eyes peeled for bears, elk, mountain goats, and even wolves. Encounters happen regularly, so bring binoculars and patience—and obviously, keep a safe distance. This drive is genuinely one of those bucket-list roads that lives up to the hype.
Where is it?
Icefields Parkway is located in Alberta, Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 51.9579, -116.8457
Driving Tips
# Road Trip Tips for the Drive
Plan to spend a full day on this drive—don't try to rush it! You'll want time to stop and actually enjoy the scenery instead of just whizzing through.
Gas up before you head out. Grab fuel in Lake Louise or Saskatchewan River Crossing, because once you're on this route, you won't find another gas station. Seriously, don't skip this step!
You'll need a Parks Canada pass to drive through here, so grab one before you go or get it at the entrance.
If you're planning to visit on a summer weekend, just know the popular viewpoints get absolutely packed. If you can swing it, go on a weekday or earlier in the day to beat the crowds.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife on the road, especially when you're driving around dawn and dusk. Animals are most active at these times, so stay alert and slow down if you spot any.
Road Surface
Paved, well-maintained two-lane highway
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Region
- Alberta
- Length
- 232 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,069 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Surface
- Paved, well-maintained two-lane highway
- Best Season
- June-September (road open year-round but winter conditions can be severe)
- Coordinates
- 51.9579, -116.8457
Related Roads in north-america
extremePotosi Mountain South
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, fellow adventurers, let's talk about Potosi Mountain South in Nevada's Spring Mountains! This ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking about a serious climb up to 8,172 feet! The road, Forest Road 509 (aka Potosi Mountain Road), is all gravel, all the time, and skinny enough to make you sweat. Seriously, 4x4 is a MUST. And hold on tight, because you'll be tackling some insane inclines – think 25-30%! You'll pass some old mines on your way up and maybe even spot some cool shelter caves. Up top, you'll find a bunch of communication towers (not exactly scenic, but hey, they gotta be somewhere). But the REAL reason to make this trek? The views! The summit lords over the whole Las Vegas skyline. Trust me, the photo ops are EPIC. Charge those batteries and clear some memory on your camera because you're gonna need it!
hardWhere is Trail Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in Idaho's Lemhi County, waiting to test your mettle, is Trail Peak. This bad boy climbs way up there, making it one of the highest drives in Idaho. Forget manicured highways—this is a rugged, unpaved mining road from a bygone era, about 7.8 miles of pure, unadulterated challenge. Think rocky terrain, and almost no smooth patches at all. We're talking steep drops, no maintenance, and zero cell service. A tow truck bill would probably bankrupt you. Seriously, a lapse in concentration could have serious consequences. But oh, the views! As you grind your way up 3,560 vertical feet (with an average gradient of 8.64%), you'll be following in the footsteps of prospectors. The summit area was a hive of mining activity from the 1880s to the 1920s, yielding gold, silver, copper and lead. You'll spot remnants of Idaho's mining history all around you. To conquer Trail Peak, you absolutely NEED a 4x4, beefy all-terrain tires, and skid plates are highly recommended. And one more thing: this road is totally snowed under in the winter, so plan your trip for the warmer months!
moderateWhere is Rim Butte OHV Jeep Trail?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, gearheads and adventure junkies, listen up! If you’re looking for a serious challenge with views that'll knock your socks off, Rim Butte OHV Jeep Trail in Oregon's Deschutes County is calling your name. Picture this: you’re about 26 miles east of La Pine, deep in the Deschutes National Forest, south of Newberry Crater. This isn't just a Sunday drive; it’s a 14-mile gauntlet of unpaved madness. We're talking relentless rocky climbs that demand respect (and a whole lot of skill). Think you've got what it takes? Expect large, sharp rocks that'll test your tire's mettle and require some serious tight maneuvering. Oh, and navigation? Let’s just say you’ll be grateful for a reliable GPS, because the trail is a complex web. This one’s definitely for the modified rigs and rock crawlers out there. This trail isn't playing around!
hardSmith Dorrien Trail is a dusty scenic drive of Canada
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the heart of Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada, on the legendary Smith Dorrien Trail! Highway 742, as it's also known, stretches for about 70 km (43 miles) from just south of Canmore all the way to the Kananaskis Trail (Highway 40). This isn't your average highway drive, though. It's a gravel road, so expect a bit of dust and washboards – part of the adventure, right? You don't need a fancy SUV or anything, it's generally pretty easy driving. Perched high in the Canadian Rockies, you'll climb to the Smith-Dorrien Pass, soaring to about 1,909 meters (6,263 feet) above sea level. Even in summer, be ready for some serious snow! Set aside about 1.5 to 2 hours to soak it all in. The route carves through the stunning Smith-Dorrien Valley. Seriously, the views are worth every second. Keep your eyes peeled for moose – they love hanging out here! The biggest thing to keep in mind? Dust! Since it's a gravel road, give other vehicles plenty of space so you don't end up with a cracked windshield. Watch for wildlife too. Some sections can be rough, and there's a narrow, steep, winding grade near Canmore. That 80 kph section can get pretty dicey in summer because of the dust. Also, heads up: there’s no cell service out there, so be prepared!