The short answer
The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North) runs 232 km between Lake Louise and Jasper, past glaciers, waterfalls, and turquoise lakes. It is an excellent RV drive if you come prepared: fill the tank, carry your own food, and plan for no cell signal.
Check conditions before you go. Weather, road closures, wildfire, and services change. Check 511 Alberta and Parks Canada the morning you leave. Jasper's townsite and some facilities in Jasper National Park were affected by the July 2024 wildfire, so confirm what is open before you plan a stop or an overnight there.
Passes and rules
- A Parks Canada pass is required to drive the Parkway. You can buy a day pass or a Discovery Pass at the park gates, the visitor centres, or online. If you will visit several national parks, a Discovery Pass often works out better. Check the current prices.
- Commercial trucks are not allowed. RVs and passenger vehicles are fine.
- Speed limit is generally 90 km/h, lower near Saskatchewan River Crossing and the Columbia Icefield.
- Winter tires or chains are required from November 1 to the end of March or early April, and the road can close without notice.
Fuel, food, and cell service
This is the biggest planning point. Parks Canada says there is one gas station in the 232 km. It is at Saskatchewan River Crossing, about halfway. Fill up in Lake Louise or Jasper before you start, and treat the station as a backup. Services on the Parkway run only from June through September, and from October through May there is no gasoline at all.
- There is no cell coverage. Download offline maps and tell someone your plan.
- Food options are few and seasonal, mostly at the lodges, Saskatchewan River Crossing, and the Columbia Icefield. Pack lunches and snacks.
- Most day-use areas have basic dry toilets only.
- Dump stations and other RV services are not spread along the route, so plan your dumping and water fills in Lake Louise or Jasper.
Where to stay
Parks Canada lists eleven seasonal campgrounds along the Parkway, though you should confirm which are open in the year you travel. The main lodges offer rooms if you want a break. Most Parkway campgrounds are basic, with limited or no hookups, so expect to run on batteries or a generator and to conserve water. Check each campground's RV length limits and whether it takes reservations or is first-come, first-served before you commit.
Full hookups are easier to find at the ends of the drive, in Lake Louise, the Banff area, and Jasper. Many RVers use a full-service campground at one end, do the Parkway as a long day, and finish at the other end. Book early in July and August.
Driving the Parkway in an RV
- Grades and curves. The road climbs and drops through mountain passes, with its highest point at Bow Summit, and there are long climbs and descents between the passes. Use a lower gear on descents rather than riding the brakes. Check your brakes before you start.
- Parking. Popular stops, such as Peyto Lake and the Columbia Icefield, fill quickly in summer. Arrive early or late in the day if you are in a large rig, and look at the parking signs for vehicle length.
- Pull over for faster traffic at the many viewpoints so that a line does not build up behind you.
- Weather changes fast. Rain can fall as snow in any month. Overnight temperatures near freezing are common all year.
Wildlife
Bears, elk, bighorn sheep, and other animals are common along the road. Parks Canada's guidance is to keep at least 30 metres from large animals such as elk and sheep and at least 100 metres from bears. Stay in your vehicle if an animal is close. Do not feed wildlife, and store food and garbage securely, especially at campgrounds.
Sample plans
One long day, south to north
Fill up in Lake Louise, stop at Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, have lunch at Saskatchewan River Crossing, see the Columbia Icefield, then Athabasca Falls on the way to Jasper. Expect eight to ten hours with stops.
Two days with a campground night
Split the drive at a Parkway campground near the middle. You can take the stops more slowly, hike a short trail, and be on the road at the quiet hours of the morning.
Practical checklist
- Park pass bought and displayed
- Full fuel tank, and a plan that does not depend on the one station
- Food, water, and a first-aid kit
- Offline maps downloaded
- Road report and weather checked that morning
- Brakes, tires, and hitch inspected
- Campground reservation or a backup plan
- Bear spray accessible, if you carry it
More route guides: Calgary to Banff and Jasper by RV, Edmonton to Jasper by RV, RV camping in Alberta, Vancouver to Calgary by RV, Calgary to Vancouver by RV and Trans-Canada RV route: west half.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive the Icefields Parkway in an RV?
Yes. RVs and trailers use it all summer. Commercial trucks are not allowed. Plan for mountain grades, limited services, and no cell coverage.
Do I need a park pass?
Yes. You need a Parks Canada pass to drive the Parkway, and there are entry points near Lake Louise and Jasper. You can buy a day pass or a Discovery Pass at the gates or online.
Where can I get gas?
Only at Saskatchewan River Crossing, about halfway. Parks Canada says there is one gas station in 232 km. From October through May there is no gasoline on the Parkway.
Is there cell service?
No. Parks Canada says there is no cell coverage on the Icefields Parkway. Download maps before you go.
Do I need winter tires?
From November 1 to April, winter tires or chains are required on the Parkway. The road can close without warning.
How long does it take?
The drive is 232 km and takes about three to four hours without stops. Many RVers take a full day or more, because of the stops and the pace.
Official sources
Rules, fees, and services change. Check these directly before you travel.