Drive one of Canada’s most scenic roads on a private full-day tour from Banff or Canmore. Visit big-bend viewpoints, Peyto and other iconic lakes, and spend time at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre (book the Icefield Adventure separately).
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Fog lifts off the Bow Valley as your private vehicle slips onto the Icefields Parkway — a ribbon of highway cutting through ancient rock and glacial runoff. Pines lean toward the road; peaks reel off in a jagged succession. The day is a sequence of short stops: a wide big-bend viewpoint for photos, roadside lakes that flash like glass, and the vast, blue-white edge of the Columbia Icefield where ice peels away into the valley below.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
10–11 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; able to manage short paved or rocky viewpoint walks up to 1.4 km round trip.
Wildlife
History
The Icefields Parkway was developed mid-20th century to link Banff and Jasper; the Columbia Icefield is a remnant of the last glaciation and has shaped regional waterways and transport routes for millennia.
Conservation
Glaciers here are retreating due to climate change; stick to marked paths, avoid disturbing fragile alpine vegetation, and pack out all waste to reduce impact.
Reserve your spot on the Banff Icefield Parkway Private Full Day Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Book Icefield Adventure separately
The tour does not include Columbia Icefield Adventure tickets — reserve them on Pursuit’s site before your trip to guarantee availability.
Carry bear spray in summer
Although the operator provides bear spray in summer, bring a daypack with easy access and follow your guide’s instructions around wildlife.
Prepare for long vehicle time
Expect roughly 4 hours of round-trip driving along the Parkway; bring snacks and motion-sickness remedies if needed.
Wear grippy shoes
Short viewpoint walks can be icy or wet — sturdy, grippy footwear makes 1.4 km viewpoint hikes safe and comfortable.
Layered outerwear
Spring temperatures swing quickly near glaciers — pack a warm, windproof layer.
spring
Sturdy hiking shoes or boots
Trails to viewpoints are short but uneven and can be slippery near meltwater.
summer
Reusable water bottle
Hydration on a long day prevents fatigue; refill at Discovery Centre sites.
summer
Sunglasses & SPF
Glare from ice and high-alpine sun increases UV exposure—protect eyes and skin.
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