If you only do one trip through the Rockies this is it! Unfortunately due to a memory card failure I have few pictures to show. Those pic's that survived are displayed below, with a link to the site map for the area. The next time I am through the area i will again take pictures and provide a narrative of all of the breathtaking attractions along the Icefields Parkway. In the meantime, let me try and wet your appetite for a visit with my words.

 The Icefields parkway is a majestic hwy traveling between Lake louise in the south and Jasper in the north along the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. This stretch of road encompasses  230km of the most scenic beauty that can be seen by car in Canada.

It is 180km from Calgary to the start of the hwy 93 the Icefields parkway. From there it is a nice drive to your first way-point  Saskatchewan Crossing. Before you get that far though make sure you stop at Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, and take a look at the Bow Glacier. Once you make it to Saskatchewan Crossing, you can take a break from your travels and gas up , and take on some food at the cafeteria. You can also shop at their extensive souvenir shop. Saskatchewan Crossing is a major bus stop for bus tours so be aware that during high season this pit stop in the middle of the mountains is pretty busy and parking is limited.

Next on the list is Sunwapta Pass and the Icefields. Once you climb the pass you are presented with the Columbia Icefields and the icefield interpretive center. Here you can take a break and visit the center and learn about the icefield and its surroundings.  Guided Tours are available on big Ice busses that drive up the icefield to a designated spot on the glacier. Here tourists can get out and take pictures. It is not cheap but it is something that must be on the bucket list. Also there are tours for a new attraction called the Glacier Walk. Where tourists are taken to a glass floor walk out over a glacier. Again expensive but maybe a bucket list item. 

  Once you leave the Icefields center your now on your way to SunWapta Falls and onward to Jasper. As you can see this trip has so many attractions to partake in, and i've only listed a few. 

 

Happy Trails

The Glampurs

 

 

Nuts & Bolts

Camping in the area is rich with campgrounds, but most have size restrictions of 25'ft. Though I have squeezed a 26'ft RV in. Those campgrounds that can accomodate larger rigs typically don't go much bigger than 38'ft. All of the busses we saw pushed onward to Jasper and did not stop to often along the parkway. The campgrounds themselves are fair, and the roads into them are ok with some care having to be taken on some of them to ensure you do not damage your rig. Also there are tight corners in all the campgrounds to beware of. None of the campgrounds in the area have any services. All are rustic and only provide a fire pit and picnic table. Firewood is free with a permit. All the campgrounds are self-registration, so first come, first serve.  Cell service is non-existent in the parkway. From Lake louise till Jasper all you'll get is No Service. In fact the only services available in the area are at Saskatchewan Crossing. there you will find fresh water, a sani-dump, and fuel and propane. Fuels are expensive and dumping without a fill-up will cost you $20, but water is free. As the Icefields is within a National park you will require a park pass beyond your campground fees. 

Parks Canada - Discovery Pass

Campground fees are $17.60 / night and a fire permit will set you back $8.80/night. All campgrounds on the Icefields parkway are self-registration sites.