Yes, the Icefields Parkway is absolutely wonderful with kids, and we say that after more than 50 years of watching families arrive in Jasper wide-eyed from this drive. The 233 km route between Lake Louise and Jasper runs through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on earth, and almost every major stop along it is short, accessible, and genuinely exciting for children of all ages. The key is planning your day properly so you are not rushing, not running out of snacks at kilometre 140, and not arriving at the Columbia Icefield at 3 pm only to find the tours are sold out. This guide covers everything you need.
Quick answer: The Icefields Parkway takes a minimum of 3.5 hours to drive without stops, but plan a full day (or two) with kids. The top family stops are Bow Lake, Peyto Lake viewpoint, the Columbia Icefield, Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls, and Jasper townsite. Fuel up in Lake Louise or Jasper before you go. There is no cell service along most of the route. A Parks Canada pass is required.
Icefields Parkway Overview: Distance, Drive Time, and Which Direction to Go
The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) runs 233 km between Lake Louise in the south and Jasper in the north. Without stops, the drive takes around 3.5 hours. With a family doing it properly, including the Columbia Icefield, two or three waterfall stops, and a few viewpoints, you are looking at 8 to 10 hours minimum. Most families with younger kids spread the drive over two days.
There is only one gas station on the Parkway itself, at Saskatchewan River Crossing (open seasonally, roughly 88 km north of Lake Louise). Fill your tank before you leave and you will have nothing to worry about. There is also no cell service for the full length of the drive between Lake Louise and Jasper. Download your offline maps before you leave the hotel.
Which direction should you drive it? We recommend driving north: Lake Louise to Jasper. Here is why this works better for families. You tackle the biggest paid attraction (the Columbia Icefield) while energy levels are high in the morning, and you arrive in Jasper in the afternoon with time to explore the townsite, grab food on Patricia Street, and let the kids burn energy. The mountain light is also better for photography in the morning on the northbound drive.
A Parks Canada Discovery Pass is required to access both Banff and Jasper National Parks. If you do not already have one, purchase it at the park gate when you enter. You will use it for the full drive and all stops along the way.
Top Stops on the Icefields Parkway with Kids
We have broken each stop down by time required, kid-friendliness, and what children actually respond to. Every stop below is accessible to families with strollers or young walkers, unless noted otherwise.
1. Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint
Kid-friendliness: 4/5 | Time required: 20 to 30 minutes | Distance from Lake Louise: 40 km
Bow Lake is the first truly dramatic stop heading north and a good place to stretch everyone's legs after the first 40 minutes of driving. The turquoise water comes from glacial melt and the colour is real, not a filter. There is a flat gravel shoreline where younger kids can throw rocks into the water while you take photos, and the Crowfoot Glacier hangs on the cliffs above the far shore. There is parking directly beside the lake, a short flat walk to the water's edge, and basic facilities nearby. Arrive early to avoid the crowds that build through mid-morning.
Just a few kilometres south of Bow Lake, there is a quick roadside pullout for the Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint. You can see the glacier clearly from the car or step out for a two-minute stop. It is a good moment to explain to kids what a glacier actually is before you reach the Columbia Icefield, where the concept becomes much more tangible.
2. Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit)
Kid-friendliness: 5/5 | Time required: 30 to 45 minutes | Distance from Lake Louise: 43 km
Peyto Lake is one of the most photographed lakes in Canada, and it earns it. The colour of the water, a vivid turquoise-blue caused by glacial rock flour suspended in the lake, genuinely stops kids in their tracks. The viewpoint sits at Bow Summit, the highest point on the Icefields Parkway at 2,069 metres above sea level.
From the main parking lot, the walk to the lower viewpoint is about 750 metres on a paved path and takes roughly 10 minutes. It is uphill but manageable for most kids who can walk. For families with strollers or children who need closer access, there is a separate upper parking lot near the viewpoint platform. Washrooms are available at the trailhead. Parking is free. This is one of the most rewarding 30-minute stops on the entire drive.
3. Columbia Icefield
Kid-friendliness: 5/5 | Time required: 2 to 3 hours | Distance from Lake Louise: 127 km
This is the marquee stop on the Parkway and the one most kids remember for years. The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains of North America, and the Athabasca Glacier flows directly toward the highway in a way that makes it feel enormous and immediate. You can walk to the glacier toe independently from the viewing area at no charge; stay behind the posted markers and let the scale of it sink in for a few minutes.
If you want to turn the glacier into a full Rocky Mountain day for your family, our Ice to Water package is the best way to do it. You spend the morning on the ice, then head to Jasper in the afternoon for whitewater rafting on the Athabasca River. Glaciers and whitewater back to back — two completely different sides of the Rockies in one day. It is one of the most memorable things families do in Jasper, and we have been running the rafting half of that equation since 1971. Call us at (780) 852-7238 or book online to put it together.
There is a Discovery Centre at the icefield with food service, washrooms, and a gift shop. Bring your own snacks too — it is a good place to stop for lunch before continuing north toward Jasper.
4. Sunwapta Falls
Kid-friendliness: 5/5 | Time required: 20 to 45 minutes | Distance from Jasper: 55 km south
Sunwapta Falls is one of the most accessible and visually dramatic waterfall stops on the Parkway. The upper falls thunder through a narrow canyon in a powerful double cascade, and the short paved path from the parking lot means you are standing at the railing in under five minutes. There is no significant uphill involved, which matters when kids are getting tired later in the day.
For families who want a bit more, a 1.3 km trail leads down through a lodgepole pine forest to the lower falls, which are quieter and more serene. The whole out-and-back takes about 30 to 40 minutes at a kid's pace. There are picnic tables and outhouses near the parking area, making this a natural lunch or snack break stop. Water flow peaks in summer when the glaciers are melting, so the falls are at their most impressive in July and August.
5. Athabasca Falls
Kid-friendliness: 5/5 | Time required: 30 to 60 minutes | Distance from Jasper: 30 km south
Athabasca Falls is consistently one of the most popular stops in Jasper National Park, and it earns every visitor it gets. The Athabasca River drops about 23 metres through a narrow quartzite canyon in a roar that you feel before you see. What makes it exceptional for families is the infrastructure around it. Six bridges connect different sections of the canyon, the trail is paved and fully flat, and railings are in place throughout. Almost any age child can do this walk safely.
The main trail is 1 km out-and-back and takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes at a relaxed pace. The parking area has proper washrooms and picnic tables. The falls are 30 km south of Jasper, so if you are making a day trip from town, this is the natural last major stop before heading back in. It is also the closest major attraction to our rafting put-in on the Athabasca River, which we mention in the next section.
For a deeper look at this waterfall, see our dedicated guide to Jasper attractions.
6. Jasper Townsite: Rafting, Food, and Wildlife
Kid-friendliness: 5/5 | Time required: Half a day to a full day
Jasper townsite is the northern endpoint of the Parkway drive and a genuinely excellent base for families. Patricia Street has good restaurants, ice cream, and casual food that kids actually want to eat. The townsite is small enough to walk, and elk wander through neighbourhoods at dusk with enough regularity that it feels like a natural part of the experience rather than a lucky sighting.
The activity we recommend above everything else in Jasper for families is getting on the river. We have been running rafting trips out of Jasper since 1971, and our Athabasca Mile 5 trip is the right starting point for families. It runs on calm Class II water on the Athabasca River, kids as young as five are welcome, and the two-hour float takes you through scenery that most visitors never see from the road. No experience is required. We provide all equipment including wetsuits and helmets.
For older kids and teenagers who want more excitement, our Sunwapta River trip runs Class III whitewater through a canyon that feels genuinely wild.
To book or ask questions, call us at (780) 852-7238 or book online here.
For more ideas on what to do in town, see our guide to the best things to do in Jasper with kids.
Practical Tips for Driving the Icefields Parkway with Kids
These are the practical lessons we share with families who ask us how to make the most of this drive. Most of them come from watching thousands of visitors come through Jasper over the past five decades.
Leave Early
Start the drive by 7 or 8 am. Parking at Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and the Columbia Icefield fills up fast. Arriving at major stops before 10 am means shorter lines, better light for photos, and a calmer experience for kids. It also means you are not rushing the afternoon sections when fatigue sets in.
Fuel and Food Before You Go
There is no gas between Lake Louise and Saskatchewan River Crossing (about 88 km into the drive from the south). Fuel up before you leave. Similarly, the only food on the route is at Saskatchewan River Crossing and the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, both of which are expensive and busy in peak season. Pack a proper lunch, snacks, and more water than you think you need. An insulated bag with sandwiches, fruit, and enough drinks for everyone will make the trip significantly more relaxed.
Download Offline Maps
There is no cell service for the vast majority of the Icefields Parkway. Download your Google Maps or Maps.me route before you leave your starting point. This is one of those trips where being without navigation can genuinely cause problems, especially if you want to find less obvious pullouts or backtrack to a stop you missed.
Plan Rest Stops Intentionally
The best stops for a proper rest, with washrooms, picnic tables, and room to run around, are Bow Lake, Saskatchewan River Crossing, the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls. If you plan snack and lunch breaks around these facilities, you will not be pulling over on the highway shoulder with a grumpy four-year-old and no bathroom in sight.
Build in Wildlife Time
Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears, and elk all appear along the Icefields Parkway regularly. Wildlife is most active in the early morning and evening. If you see animals near the road, pull into a designated pullout safely, turn off your engine, and watch quietly. Teach kids the park rule: stay at least 30 metres from elk and deer, and at least 100 metres from bears and wolves. This is a genuine encounter with wild animals, not a zoo, and kids who understand that tend to be far more engaged by it.
Use a Drive Audio Tour
A smartphone audio tour of the Icefields Parkway, available for around $9 CAD from various providers, gives kids trivia, facts, and stories tied to specific kilometre markers along the route. It is a genuinely good way to keep older children engaged during the stretches between major stops and turns the drive itself into part of the activity rather than just transit time between viewpoints.
What to Pack for Kids on the Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway passes through high alpine terrain where the weather can change quickly even in summer. A sunny morning in Lake Louise can become a cold, windy afternoon by the time you reach the Columbia Icefield at 1,900 metres elevation. Here is what we suggest packing for a family day on the Parkway.
- Layers for everyone: A light waterproof jacket, a fleece or mid-layer, and a base layer. The temperature at the Columbia Icefield can be 10 to 15 degrees Celsius cooler than in the valley, even in July.
- Snacks and a packed lunch: Enough for the full day. Peanut butter sandwiches, trail mix, fruit, crackers, and plenty of water. A small insulated cooler bag is worth bringing.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses: High elevation means stronger UV exposure even on overcast days.
- Small backpack for each child: Letting kids carry their own snacks and a water bottle gives them ownership of the day and reduces how often they ask if you are there yet.
- Binoculars: Even a cheap pair transforms wildlife spotting from "there might be something over there" to a genuine shared activity that holds kids' attention for a long time.
- A small journal or activity book: For the longer stretches between stops. Some kids also love keeping a "wildlife list" of everything they spot.
- Bear spray: If you plan any short trail walks beyond the main viewpoints. Available to rent or purchase in Jasper or Lake Louise.
- Cash or card: Parks Canada fees, the Columbia Icefield experience, and any food purchases along the route. Some vendors are card-only; some older facilities at smaller stops may be cash-only.
Best Time of Year to Drive the Icefields Parkway with a Family
The best window for families is mid-June through mid-September. During this period, all major stops are open and accessible, the weather is the most reliable, daylight runs from roughly 5 am to 10 pm, and the landscape is at its peak: wildflowers on the meadows, glaciers in full melt, and the lakes at their most vivid turquoise colour.
July and August are peak season. Crowds are heavier, parking at major stops fills by mid-morning, and accommodation books out weeks in advance. The upside is the warmest temperatures, the highest water volume at the falls, and the longest days. If you are coming in peak summer, book the Columbia Icefield experience and any rafting trips well ahead of time.
Late June and September offer a better balance for families. Crowds are lighter, accommodation is more available, and the weather is still reliably good. September is particularly beautiful: the larches above treeline turn gold, wildlife is active as animals prepare for winter, and the crowds thin out noticeably after Labour Day. Kids who can hike a little further are rewarded by scenery that relatively few visitors see.
Early June can be wonderful but requires flexibility. Some higher-elevation stops and trails may still have snow or limited access. The Columbia Icefield typically opens in May. Check Parks Canada trail and road conditions before you leave.
October through May is not recommended for most families with young children. The Parkway remains technically open in winter (with preparation and proper tires), but many services are closed, road conditions can be dangerous, and most of the family-oriented stops lose a significant portion of their appeal under snow and ice. The exception is winter photography, but that is a very different kind of trip.
For more on the best lakes to visit during your Icefields Parkway trip, see our guide to the most beautiful lakes in Jasper.
Frequently Asked Questions: Icefields Parkway with Kids
How long does it take to drive the Icefields Parkway with kids?
The Icefields Parkway is 233 km long and takes a minimum of 3.5 hours to drive without stops. With kids, plan on a full day of 8 to 10 hours. Most families drive it over two days, staying one night in Jasper or at the Columbia Icefield area. This gives you time to actually enjoy the stops instead of rushing through them.
Is the Columbia Icefield worth it with young kids?
Yes, especially for kids aged 6 and up who will appreciate the scale of the glacier. Children 5 and under are free on the Ice Explorer bus tour. The ride onto the glacier takes about 90 minutes total. The Glacier Skywalk is a separate ticket and is stroller-accessible. Both experiences are genuinely awe-inspiring for children old enough to understand what a glacier is.
Which direction should we drive the Icefields Parkway with kids?
We recommend driving from Lake Louise north to Jasper. This puts the most dramatic scenery, including the Columbia Icefield, in the morning when kids are fresh and the light is better for photography. You arrive in Jasper in the afternoon with time to explore the townsite, spot wildlife, and get settled before dark.
Can toddlers and stroller-age kids enjoy the Icefields Parkway?
Absolutely. The best stops for toddlers are Bow Lake (flat gravel shoreline, great for exploring), Athabasca Falls (fully paved 1 km loop with railings), Sunwapta Falls (paved path to the upper falls viewpoint in minutes), and the Peyto Lake viewpoint (paved trail with an accessible upper parking lot). You can do this entire drive with a stroller and have a fantastic time.
Is rafting in Jasper suitable for kids?
Yes. We have been running family-friendly trips on the Athabasca River since 1971. Our Athabasca Mile 5 trip runs calm Class II water and welcomes kids as young as five years old. It is the most popular choice for families visiting Jasper. Call (780) 852-7238 or book online to reserve your spot.
Plan Your Icefields Parkway Family Trip Now
The Icefields Parkway is the kind of drive that families talk about for years afterward. Kids who see their first glacier, hear their first waterfall up close, or spot their first wild bear from a safe pullout carry those moments with them. We have watched it happen thousands of times since 1971, and it never gets old.
When you get to Jasper, come see us on the river. Our Athabasca Mile 5 family rafting trip is the best two hours you will spend in this park, and we have been perfecting it for over five decades. Call us at (780) 852-7238 or book your spot online.
