Drive the Icefields Parkway on a private day tour from Canmore or Banff to see Bow and Peyto Lakes, step onto Athabasca Glacier, and walk the glass-floored Columbia Icefield Skywalk. This nine-hour trip combines accessible glacier access with panoramic viewpoints and guided context.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A morning on the Icefields Parkway begins with the crunch of gravel under SUV tires and a horizon that keeps unfolding—peaks sharpen, glaciers reappear like ancient rivers frozen in time. Your private tour moves steadily north from Canmore or Banff, stopping first where Bow Lake mirrors the high ridges and then at the Peyto Lake lookout, where glacier-fed waters glow an impossible turquoise and the shoreline curves like a wolf’s silhouette.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
9 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness for short walks, standing at view platforms, and climbing stairs; not strenuous but requires mobility.
Wildlife
History
The Icefields Parkway follows a route shaped by glacial retreat; Indigenous peoples and later prospectors traveled these valleys long before it became a scenic highway.
Conservation
Banff and Jasper National Parks manage high visitor volumes with designated trails, boardwalks and permits; keep to marked areas to protect fragile alpine vegetation and glacial runoff sources.
Reserve your spot on the From Canmore/Banff: Columbia Icefield Skywalk Peyto Private Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Pack layered clothing
Temperatures vary quickly at altitude—bring a windproof layer and a warm midlayer even in summer.
Bring cash or card for admissions
Skywalk and Glacier Walk tickets are often not included and cost roughly $30 and $95 respectively; confirm before you go.
Wear sturdy shoes
Trails around viewpoints and the glacier are rocky and can be slippery—hiking shoes with good traction help.
Start early for light and wildlife
Departing in the morning reduces crowds at Peyto and increases chances of spotting elk or bighorn sheep along the Parkway.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Protects ankles and provides traction on rocky viewpoints and glacial moraine.
Layered jacket (windproof)
Keeps you warm on exposed overlooks and on the glacier where winds intensify.
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Glare from snow and water increases UV exposure—protect eyes and skin.
summer
Camera with extra battery
Long scenic drives and dramatic vistas reward photographers; cold drains batteries faster.