Must-See Places From Lake Louise To Jasper Alberta Via Icefield Parkway

Traci Grossi | August 28, 2020 | Hiking, Lifestyle, Travel | 1 Comment

The Icefield Parkway (HWY 93) is a 233 km scenic drive from Lake Louise to Jasper which has some jaw-dropping must-see points of interest.

What is there to see between Lake Louise and Jasper?

Glacier topped mountains adorn this route with many colorful lakes from jade, turquoise, and crystal blue waters below, and many waterfalls throughout the drive,

Watch for signs, although many attractions have signs some do not. The mileage marked on each post below may help guide you.

Make sure to pick up a visitors guide book and flip to pg 18-19 for the list of attractions.

Wildlife

Wildlife such as black bear, grizzly bear, moose, squirrels, marmots, deer, elk, sheep, coyote, wolf, and mountain goats are prevalent in the area. Due care and attention is necessary for your safety and theirs.

Park safety:

Keep dogs on leash
Carry bear spray
Do Not feed wildlife
Keep children nearby
Dispose of garbage in the bins and put out fires.
Pullover carefully, turn on hazard lights, and stay in your vehicle while snapping photos of wildlife and do not cause a traffic jam.

Water features

Lakes and rivers are prominent features throughout the scenic park drive. The must-see places are easy to moderate hikes leading to lakes of many colors, canyons with the most unique rock formations, and roaring waterfalls splashing down from the river or rocky mountain peaks above.

#1 Bow Lake

37 km from Lake Louise. Marked

Bow lake is a 30 min, north of Lake Louise which sits below some spectacular glacier topped mountains. A fantastic opportunity for some stunning photos, fish or visit the red-roofed unique shaped Simpson’s Num-Ti-Jah Lodge and trading post.

#2 Mistaya Canyon

74 km from Lake Louise. Marked

Mistaya Canyon is a 1.0 km hike just off the Icefield Hwy, 5 km south of the Saskatchewan Crossing, a great place for lodging, food, and drinks.

See video here

#3 Weeping Wall

109 km from Lake Louise. Marked.

If you blink you could miss it. Falls streaming down from the top of this rocky slope.

#4 Panther Falls

120 km from Lake Louise. Unmarked

Panther Falls is a short hike, often overlooked falls down from the Bridal Veil Falls lookout lot.

#5 Bridal Veil Falls

200 km from Lake Louise. Marked.

Bridal Veil falls is the white long streaming falls that can be viewed from the Icefield parkway hwy.

#6 Glacier Icefields

130 km from Lake Louise. Marked.

The Columbia Glacier Icefield is the largest glacier field in the Canadian Rockies. A spectacular viewing area surrounded by many glacier-filled peaks. Take a bus tour (temporarily closed) or hike up to the glacier and view the frozen field of ice formed over many years.

Visit the discovery center for some glacier history or some eats at the scenic restaurant.

#7 Tangle Falls

137 km from lake Louise. Marked.

Tangle Falls sits roadside on the Icefields parkway. Parking is across the hwy which can be a bit dangerous however, there is a crosswalk line that should allow drivers to be cautious. A short rocky path will take you up close to the cascading waterfall.

#8 Stanely Falls

148 km from Lake Louise. Unmarked.

Stanley Falls is a 3.4 km hike up Beauty Creek to the roaring waterfall. This hidden gem is a moderate hike with some challenges but for the most part an easy hike. The roaring creek meanders through some deep crevasses of the canyon where a series of waterfalls add to its beauty along the trail.

Swimming and cliff jumping at the top waterfall are common, please use caution but not recommended.

#9 Sunwapta Falls

179 km from Lake Louise. Marked.

Sunwapta Falls is on the left of the Hwy with parking as well as lodging, a restaurant, and a gift store. The hike to the main falls is a short path to a bridge over the gorge where the roaring Sunwapta river divides around a little island at the top on the canyon. (picture famous)

If you wish to continue on, a 3 km less-trafficked hike will take you down to the lower falls that are may not be as big but just as beautiful.

See video

#10 Athabasca Falls

201 km from Lake Louise. Marked.

Athabasca Falls is just off the Hwy 93 to 93A. Look for signs.

This very popular tourist attraction here can be very busy. The trail to the falls is 0.8 km which also leads down a pathway of stairs carved out of the canyon walls. The rock formations are incredible and exciting to explore.

Once at the bottom you can find rafters beginning their journey down the raging river.

See video here

#11 Horseshoe Lake

Approx 119 km from Lake Louise. Unmarked

Horseshoe lake is also a hidden gem. There is parking on the right before the lake.

Located between Athabasca Falls and Athabasca Lookout.

Keep to the right over a fallen log. It is a bit of a bushwhacked path that meanders through the forest of marsh and trees. once you hit a T you can go left but it is not as pretty and shallow cliffs. Go right and it will take you over a couple of cool wooden bridges to the greenest lake I have seen on the drive.

Rocky cliff formation surrounds the lake. Find your spot and take in the beauty as well as watch cliff jumpers plunge into the frigid water or take a dip yourself if you dare. Watch video here

#12 Pyramid Lake

Pyramid Lake rests above Jasper town-site within the Pyramid Mountain range. It is a popular lake with a cabin-like lodge, fishing, boating, and hiking.

#13 Pyramid Island

Pyramid Island is an island on the main lake with a wooden bridge leading to a nice picnic area. Home to one of the largest unique tree stumps I have ever seen. A great place to take a photo or just take in the view.

#14 Maligne Lake

Malign Lake is a lake full of history and has one of the most photographed islands within called Spirit Island. The best way to view the island is by taking a scenic 1.5 boat tour or hike one of the trails.

Unfortunately, we were not prepared and were unable to view Spirit Island. Next time.

#15 Maligne Canyon

Maligne Canyon was by far the best scenic trail of our trip to Jasper. The canyon was stunning and had numerous water features as well the 4.3 km hike was an easy one. We went to bridge 5 out of 6 and looped back up the trail above the creek which connected back into the canyon.

See video here

Where to eat between Lake Louise and Jasper?

Unfortunately there are not a lot of places to eat as well as very expensive. A packed picnic lunch and plenty of drinks is highly recommended.

The main stop along the way is at Saskatchewan River Crossing at the 80 km mark. I must admit, they have some tasty poutine and the banana bread wasn’t too bad either.