Stretching 288 kilometres between Banff and Jasper, the Icefields Parkway is one of the most spectacular drives you can do in an RV. With abundant wildlife, stunning mountain scenery and lots of excellent stops, this drive is a must-do for any RVer.
When should you RV on the Icefields Parkway?
We recommend RVers plan to explore the Icefields Parkway between June and September. Some campgrounds may not be open outside of these months and there’s an increased chance of inclement weather.
Regardless of when you go, it’s important to check the weather forecast because severe weather can hit at any time in the mountains. Always be prepared with the right clothing and equipment, especially if you’re planning to hike.
If you’re thinking about taking a winter RV trip, keep in mind that this route is occasionally closed due to bad driving conditions and avalanche risk. There are limited services and even fewer available during the winter months.
Where should you camp along the Icefields Parkway?
There are quite a few places to camp along the Icefields Parkway. Keep a few things in mind:
- You’re not allowed to random camp or boondock anywhere with an RV.
- You won’t be able to just park and sleep on the side of a road or rest area – you will be asked to move along.
- Reservable campgrounds book up quickly, especially during the summer weekends. Book ahead!
- First-come, first-served campsites may not be available if you’re arriving on a Friday or Saturday.
- Most campgrounds are open between May and September of each year, some will stay open later in the season or even year-round.
- Be aware of check-in and check-out times. Check-in is usually between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and check-out is typically at 11 a.m.
- Most of these campgrounds have no cellphone service.
Luckily, there are many campgrounds along the route itself (or just off of it). The list below will go through your options.
Lake Louise Campground
- Open year-round and reservable.
- Two campgrounds: one for hard-sided units and one for soft-sided units (pop up trailers and hybrids).
- 189 serviced sites (15, 30 and 50 amps) and 206 unserviced sites.
- $29.25 to $34.50 per night plus a reservation fee of $11.50 (if booked online).
- A fire permit is $9.25 per day, firewood is included.
- Amenities include drinking water, flush washrooms, hot showers, cookhouses and picnic shelters, interpretive activities and a sanitation dump.
- There is also an overflow lot that offers unserviced camping for $11.50 per night.
Mosquito Creek Campground
- Open June to October and is first-come, first-served.
- 38 unserviced sites with firepits.
- $18.75 per night, will need to self-register and pay on arrival.
- Amenities include water, pit/vault toilets, and cooking and picnic shelters.
Silverhorn Creek Campground
- Open June to October, you can reserve a campsite here.
- 45 unserviced sites that can fit RVs up to 70 feet long.
- $16.75 per night plus a reservation fee of $11.50 (if booked online).
- Amenities include pit/vault toilets and fire pits.
- Access to potable water and the sanitation dump at Waterfowl Lakes Campground.
Waterfowl Lakes Campground
- Open June to September on a first-come, first-served basis.
- 110 unserviced sites that can fit RVs up to 31 feet.
- $23 per night.
- Amenities include interpretive activities, potable water, washrooms, cooking and picnic shelters, and a sanitation dump.
- Wooded campground with great hiking access.
Rampart Creek Campground
- Open June to September, you can reserve a campsite ahead of time.
- 51 unserviced sites that can fit RVs up to 35 feet (some campsites can only accommodate RVs up to 25 feet).
- $18.75 per night plus a reservation fee of $11.50 (if booked online).
- Amenities include water, pit/vault toilets, picnic shelters and firepits.
- You can access a sanitation dump and potable water at Waterfowl Lakes Campground.
- A secluded and rustic campground that backs onto the North Saskatchewan River with great views.
Thompson Creek Provincial Recreation Area
- Located just east of the Icefields Parkway on Highway 11.
- Open May to October on a first-come, first-served basis.
- 56 unserviced sites.
- $28 per night.
- Amenities include pit/vault toilets, water pumps and firepits.
- Firewood is available onsite for a fee.
- Well treed on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River
Two O Clock Creek Provincial Recreation Area
- Located just east of the Icefields Parkway on Highway 11 in the Kootenay Plains Provincial Recreation Area.
- Open May to October on a first-come, first-served basis.
- 20 unserviced sites.
- $28 per night.
- Amenities include pit/vault toilets, water pumps and firepits.
- Firewood is available for purchase onsite.
- The campground is in an open grassland next to a creek.
Wilcox Campground
- Open June to September on a first-come, first-served basis.
- 46 unserviced sites with a fire pit.
- $26 per night.
- Amenities include pit/vault toilets, cooking and picnic shelters, potable water, sanitation dump, interpretative activities and food storage.
- Best suited for RVs under 27 feet.
- Located near the Columbia Icefield with great hiking nearby.
Icefield Centre RV Campground
- Open from May to the end of the camping season on a first-come, first-served basis.
- 100 unserviced sites for RVs only.
- $16.75 per night.
- No water or fire is available on site.
Jonas Campground
- Open June to September on a first-come, first-served basis.
- 25 unserviced sites with fire pits.
- $26 per night.
- Amenities include pit/vault toilets, cooking and picnic shelters, water pumps and food storage.
- Best for RVs under 25 feet.
- The RV area is right next to the creek.
Honeymoon Lake Campground
- Open May to September on a first-come, first-served basis.
- 35 unserviced sites with fire pits.
- $26 per night.
- Amenities include pit/vault toilets, cooking and picnic shelters and food storage.
- Located on a lake.
- Best for RVs under 27 feet.
Kerkeslin Campground
- Open May to September on a first-come, first-served basis.
- 42 unserviced sites with fire pits.
- $26 per night
- Amenities include pit/vault toilets, food storage, cooking and picnic shelters and water pumps.
- Best suited for RVs under 27 feet.
- A quiet, shady campground near the Athabasca River.
Wabasso Campground
- Open May to September with reservable sites.
- 231 sites, both unserviced and with electrical hookups.
- $32.25 for unserviced and $38.50 for electrical sites, plus a reservation fee of $11.50 (if booked online)
- Amenities include washrooms, a sani-dump station, interpretive activities and a playground
- Best suited for RVs under 35 feet.
Wapiti Campground
- Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservable between May and October.
- 363 sites, both unserviced and sites with electrical are available.
- $38.50 for unserviced sites, $43.75 for electrical sites per night plus reservation fee of $11.50 (if booked online).
- Amenities include showers, washrooms, cooking and picnic shelters, sanitation dump, food lockers and potable water.
- Located on the shores of the Athabasca River.
Whistlers Campground
- Open May 4 to Oct. 10 and is reservable.
- 781 sites including full hookups, electrical only, and unserviced sites available.
- $29.25 to $50 per night depending on the campsite plus a reservation fee of $11.50 (if booked online).
- $9.25 fire permit per day, including free firewood.
- Amenities include washrooms, showers, playground, sanitation dump, cooking and picnic shelters and interpretive activities.
- Newly renovated as of 2021.
You can reserve applicable campsites online through Parks Canada.
There are also many excellent campgrounds past either end of the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Jasper National Park and other great provincial parks in Alberta.
What to Do Along the Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway is an incredible drive, but there’s also a lot to see and do along the way. There are many places to pull off the highway and picnic beside a gorgeous lake, view an incredible waterfall or do a spectacular hike.
Major highlights along the way include:
- Hector Lake
- Bow Lake
- Peyto Lake
- Waterfowl Lakes
- Weeping Wall
- Columbia Icefield
- Tangle Creek Falls
- Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint
- Sunwapta Falls
- Goats & Glacier Lookout
- Athabasca Falls
Most of these stops are accessible right off the highway or by a short walk. They will be well signed and have a rest area to pull off the highway.
Lake Louise
Located on the southern end of the Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise is a beautiful spot to visit. In fact, it is one of the most photographed places in Canada. The town itself is a great place to grab a meal (and fill up with gas before or after your Icefields Parkway journey). Keep in mind that parking by the actual lake is limited (and costs $11.70) — you’ll need to book a ride on a shuttle ($8 for adults) from the Lake Louise Park and Ride lot. With this, you can also see Moraine Lake — another breathtaking location — through a connector shuttle.
In addition to the lake itself, there are some great hikes in the area. A popular short hike is up to the Lake Agnes Tea House. You can also rent a canoe (or skate if you’re there when the lake is frozen).
Jasper
On the northern end of the Icefields Parkway is Jasper. There are a ton of activities to check out in the townsite and surrounding area, including white water rafting, canoeing/kayaking, mountain biking, road cycling, the Miette Hot Springs, horseback riding, climbing, hiking, a planetarium, art galleries and more.
Columbia Icefields & Skywalk
The largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies, Columbia Icefields can be seen all the way from the highway. You can visit the Discovery Centre and view the glaciers from afar, but you must go with a tour if you want to take a closer look. You can book ahead and there are combined tickets available to pair with other activities in the area.
The Skywalk gives you an exhilarating view of the mountains through a glass floor walkway. This attraction is also accessible to those with mobility impairments.
Hiking
There are many hikes of varying lengths and intensities. Some of the highest recommended hikes are:
- Herbet Lake – 1.6 kilometres round trip with 42 metres of elevation. Views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
- Hector Lake – 4.5 kilometres round trip with 107 metres of elevation. Great quick hike with mountain, lake and river views.
- Peyto Lake Panorama Lookout – 2.5 kilometres with 84 metres of elevation. This area has been redeveloped to make it a very easy hike to get great views of Peyto Lake. The parking area can be very busy. There are a few hikes from here to extend with if you’re up for it!
- Cirque Lake – 7.9 kilometres with 356 metres of elevation. Features hiking by a river, lake and good views.
- Mistaya Canyon – 1.8 kilometres with 79 metres of elevation gain. This quick hike has a nice waterfall.
- Glacier Lake – 16.9 kilometres with 870 metres of elevation. Hike through the forest to get incredible views of the mountain and glacier.
- Parker Ridge – 5.1 kilometres with 270 metres of elevation. A very popular hike with a waterfall and mountain views.
- Boundary Lake – 2.9 kilometres and 121 metres of elevation. A nice lake hike with mountain views.
- Beauty Creek to Stanley Falls – 3.9 kilometres with 139 metres of elevation. Features a waterfall and creek.
- Sunwapta Falls – 3.2 kilometres with 143 metres of elevation. Get up close to the upper and lower falls and walk along the river through a canyon.
- Wabasso Lake – 7.7 kilometres with 276 metres of elevation. An out and back trail with lake and mountain views.
- Valley of Five Lakes – 4.7 kilometres with 162 meters of elevation. A beautiful hike featuring mountain views and many different lakes. Hike through the woods at times and enjoy open spaces at other times.
There are hundreds more hikes for every skill level and length of time.
Fishing
You can fish in certain lakes in Banff and Jasper National Parks during the open season. However, you will need to obtain a fishing permit and follow the rules.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is a popular pastime in the area, with climbs suited for beginners to world-class peaks suited for experienced climbers. Unless you’re an experienced outdoor climber, you should book a guided climbing tour.
Horseback Riding
There are horseback riding tours available, mostly by Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper.
Cycling/Mountain Biking
The Icefields Parkway is a popular road cycling route itself. Mountain biking is permitted on certain trails. There’s also a dedicated mountain bike area in Jasper with maintained trails.
Canoeing/Kayaking
You are permitted to canoe or kayak in many lakes along the Icefield Parkways such as Herbert Lake, Hector Lake, Bow Lake and Waterfowl Lake. Make sure to check if you’re allowed access as some lakes do not allow any boats.
The rivers require more experience, but you may also be able to canoe or kayak certain sections. You can also book whitewater rafting tours.
Wildlife Viewing
The Icefields Parkway has incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. You can see beavers, porcupines, deer, elk, moose, caribou, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, coyotes, black bears, grizzly bears and more.
Make sure to stay in your vehicle if you spot wildlife on the road. Never feed animals or approach them. Give them space.
Photography
With incredible nature, wildlife and skies, this route is perfect for photographers. Mountains, lakes, forests, and a dark sky preserve can get you incredible images.
Driving the Icefields Parkway in an RV
Here are a few things to be aware of when driving the Icefields Parkway in an RV:
- There are often pedestrians, cyclists, parked vehicles and wildlife on the road – drive cautiously.
- There is only one fuel stop (Saskatchewan Crossings), and it is usually much more expensive. Fuel up in Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper!
- You must have a park pass (you can purchase a pass when you enter the park or buy online ahead of time).
- Check the weather conditions – the weather can change quickly in the mountains. Be sure you have gear for colder weather, even in the summer.
- There are lots of rest stops along the route. Most have garbage cans and bathrooms.
- The speed limit is 90 km/h for the safety of you, others and wildlife. Stick to it! There are passing lanes periodically along the route.
- There is no cellphone service for the majority of the Icefields Parkway.
- Bring your own food as the only stop for snacks is Saskatchewan Crossings.
- Make sure your RV or motorhome is insured if the worst should happen.
- Take your time and enjoy the drive!