The Icefields Parkway runs 232 km from Lake Louise to Jasper, and with a family group it is best treated as a full sightseeing day, not a transfer. Pick five or six short stops with paved paths, build the day around the Columbia Icefield at the halfway point, and give yourself two or three nights in Jasper for the SkyTram, Maligne Lake and easy lake walks.
This plan covers the stops that suit young children and grandparents, what to sort out before you leave Lake Louise, and the easiest highlights around Jasper town.
Before you leave Lake Louise
Parks Canada's Icefields Parkway trip planner describes it as a remote roadway with limited services and no cell coverage. For a group travelling in several vehicles, that changes how you plan:
- Park pass. A valid national park pass is required on the parkway. Buy it before you go.
- Fuel and food. Saskatchewan River Crossing, 80 km from Lake Louise, has visitor services in summer only. Fill up and pack lunches, snacks and plenty of water before you start.
- Download everything. Maps, the Parks Canada map PDF and any tickets need to be on phones before you lose signal.
- Road and weather. Check 511 Alberta and the forecast the morning you drive. Conditions can change by the hour, even in summer.
- Meeting points. Without cell service, agree on named pullouts where all cars regroup, such as Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield Centre and Athabasca Falls.
Family-friendly stops from south to north
Distances are from Lake Louise, from the Parks Canada planner. You will not have time for all of them with a group; choose the ones that fit your walkers.
| Stop | km | Why it works for families |
|---|---|---|
| Bow Lake | 39 | Short gravel path to the shore; parking fills in summer, so come early |
| Peyto Lake Viewpoint | 43 | Short walk to a viewing platform; a 0.3 km barrier-free trail from the upper lot is open to accessible vehicles and buses |
| Mistaya Canyon | Near Saskatchewan Crossing | Short downhill walk to a bridge over the gorge; the walk back is uphill |
| Weeping Wall | 109 | Roadside view of cliff waterfalls in spring and early summer |
| Columbia Icefield Centre | 128 | Washrooms, food, exhibits and glacier tours |
| Tangle Falls | 137 | Multi-tiered waterfall seen from the roadside |
| Sunwapta Falls | 179 | Mostly paved paths with some steep sections |
| Goats and Glaciers | 196 | 50 m paved trail; bring binoculars for mountain goats |
| Athabasca Falls | 203 | Short paved paths, several viewpoints and a bridge beside the falls |
For grandparents with limited mobility, Peyto Lake, Weeping Wall, Tangle Falls and Goats and Glaciers can all be enjoyed with very little walking. At canyons and falls, keep children behind railings and off wet rocks.
The Columbia Icefield with kids and grandparents
The Icefield is the natural lunch stop and the highlight for most families. The Parks Canada Columbia Icefield Discovery and Information Centre opens May to September, and its Glacier Gallery runs mid-April to mid-October with an exhibit on the icefield's role in Rocky Mountain ecosystems.
Two ways to experience the glacier:
- On your own. The Toe of the Athabasca Glacier trail is short and mostly flat before a steeper section near the ice. Parks Canada warns the glacier itself is unstable and dangerous, so stay on the marked gravel paths and keep children close.
- On a tour. Pursuit's Columbia Icefield Adventure takes you onto the Athabasca Glacier in a large Ice Explorer vehicle, where you step onto the ice, and then to the glass-floored Skywalk above the Sunwapta Valley. It runs seasonally and is weather dependent, so book ahead and check whether every member of your group can manage the steps on and off the vehicle.
Bring warm layers for everyone. It is noticeably colder at the ice than in the valley.
Split the drive with a night on the parkway
With toddlers or older relatives, a night midway turns a long day into two easy ones. Options listed on the Parks Canada planner include Glacier View Inn at the Icefield Centre, Sunwapta Falls Resort (mid-May to mid-October), The Crossing Resort at Saskatchewan River Crossing (summer only) and several rustic hostels.
Families travelling by motorhome can use the summer-only parkway campgrounds, but check length limits: Waterfowl Lakes suits units up to 9 m and Silverhorn Creek up to 20 m, while Jonas is best for units under 7.6 m. Many parkway campgrounds are first-come, first-served, so arrive early in the day.
What to do in Jasper
Parts of Jasper National Park were affected by the July 2024 wildfire, and Parks Canada's park recovery page explains how the park is managing those areas. Check trail and road conditions there before you plan specific walks.
- Jasper SkyTram. A seven-minute ride up Whistlers Mountain to 2,263 m, about 10 minutes' drive from town. The SkyTram describes it as accessible for all ages and fitness levels and notes the upper station is typically 12°C cooler than town. Book at least a day ahead in summer.
- Maligne Lake Cruise. A boat trip to a viewpoint over Spirit Island. The operator advises allowing at least 90 minutes for the drive from Jasper and arriving an hour before your cruise; missed cruises are not refunded. Children 5 and under ride free.
- Valley of the Five Lakes. Several route options, from gentle to rolling, past five differently coloured lakes. Choose the shortest loop for small children.
- Lake Annette and Lake Edith. Day-use areas close to town for picnics, shoreline walks and an easy afternoon.
A sample three-day plan
- Day 1, Lake Louise to the Icefield. Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Mistaya Canyon, lunch and a glacier tour at the Columbia Icefield. Overnight at the Icefield or continue to Jasper if everyone is still fresh.
- Day 2, Icefield to Jasper. Tangle Falls, Sunwapta Falls, Goats and Glaciers, Athabasca Falls. Settle in and eat early.
- Day 3, Jasper. Morning Maligne Lake cruise, afternoon rest, then the SkyTram for evening views if the weather is clear.
If you are combining this with Banff, our scenic reunion trips in Canada's great outdoors article covers other Rocky Mountain bases.
Planning notes
Book SkyTram, glacier and cruise times first, then build each driving day around them, and check trail and road conditions on Parks Canada's site the week you travel. For lodges, cabins and larger group stays across the Rockies, see our Canada and Alaska family reunion trips page; Far & Away Adventures can hold rooms in Jasper and along the parkway for your whole family.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to drive the Icefields Parkway with family?
Summer and early fall, when parkway services, campgrounds, glacier tours and the Icefield Centre are open. Winter driving is possible but requires careful preparation and self-reliance.
Can we see the 2024 wildfire area?
Yes. Parks Canada notes that Highway 93A, open seasonally, lets visitors see the impact of the wildfire. Respect posted signs and stay on marked routes.
Is there cell service anywhere on the parkway?
Parks Canada says there is no cell coverage on the route, so plan meeting points and download maps before leaving Lake Louise or Jasper.