The drive from Lake Louise to Jasper is 231 km and will take around 3 hours to complete, without stops. But, we definitely don’t recommend doing this scenic drive without stopping. It’s recognized as one of the prettiest drives in North America and is renowned for its wildlife-spotting opportunities. Yep, in the summer – you’ll likely see black bears, grizzly bears, moose, and, elk on this stretch of road.
Yep, there are so many great places to stop between Lake Louise and Jasper. Some are quick stops like Athabasca Falls and others require a few hours like the Columbia Icefields. And I recommend allowing one full day for this road trip!
Keep an eye on the weather when driving this route, as conditions can get pretty snowy and icy during the winter months. Particularly when driving through Jasper National Park.
Travel Tip: The cost of renting a car in Canada can be expensive. However, there are some ways you can save money. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
About the Drive from Lake Louise to Jasper
The drive from Lake Louise to Jasper is listed as one of National Geographic’s best in the world for spotting wildlife. We did it on a bleak rainy day in the summer (not ideal). But, we still saw a grizzly gear, an elk, countless deer, various species of birds, squirrels, and raccoons. You MUST add this 231-km-long route to your Canadian road trip itinerary!
There’s also glacier-covered mountains, bright blue lakes, and huge waterfalls to be seen along the drive! Most drivers complete this drive between May and October (the warmer months in Canada) as during the winter the road can be snow-covered and you must drive more carefully. I personally love doing the drive in the Fall – because the colors are truly beautiful!
Below I’ve listed 5 epic stops you need to make in between Lake Louise and Jasper and you should easily get that done in one full day. As I said above, there are some stops you’ll spend longer at like the Columbia Icefields where we recommend spending around two hours. But, the Sunwapta Falls closer to Jasper will likely be just a quick stop.
I will add that I’ve only included my favorite stops on the drive between Lake Louise and Jasper so that you can easily accomplish it in one day. However, if you have more time i.e. two days you could easily squeeze in stops at Mistaya Canyon, Big Bend Lookout, Waterfowl Lakes, and the Weeping Wall.
Related Read: Check out my guide to driving from Whistler to Jasper here!
1. Lake Louise
Before you hit the road to drive to Jasper, ensure you spend a couple of hours exploring Lake Louise. Ideally, spend the night here!
Lake Louise is world famous for its gatorade-blue waters and it attracts millions of visitors every year. The Victoria Glacier, the luxurious Fairmont Lake Louise hotel, and the incredible hiking trail and skiing on offer all add to its appeal.
In the summer, rent a canoe from the boat dock and see the lake from a different perspective. Worth noting is that Lake Louise is frozen over half the year, so, ice skating is a popular activity during the winter. You can also enjoy sleigh rides, ice climbing, skiing, and snowshoeing during the colder months.
Pop into Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for lunch or spend the night here if you want to feel really fancy. Many of the rooms at this bucket-list-worthy property boast lake views. Just imagine waking up to that view in the morning!
In Lake Louise, you can book a full-day hiking tour through the Canadian Rockies taking in sights such as Victoria Glacier and hanging valleys. And of course some epic viewpoints of Lake Louise itself.
2. Bow Lake
Bow Lake is around a 30-minute drive from Lake Louise. It’s located off the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93). The lake sits at an elevation of 1,920 meters and spends most of the year locked away in ice. This makes it a popular spot for winter activities like snowshoeing and ski touring. During the summer, many tourists rent a canoe to go rowing on the lake.
The Bow Lakeshore trail is a great family-friendly hike. If you’re looking to stretch your legs and enjoy the sublime nature along the shoreline, it’s the perfect stop and one of the easiest hikes in the Banff area. The trail is a nice mellow grade and gains no elevation. It does move over some large sections of roots, so a stroller would not work on the lakeshore trail.
3. Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is famous for its turquoise-blue glacier-fed waters. The brilliant blue color is fed by the Peyto Glacier high above the lake which is part of the Wapta Icefield.
It is located 50 km from Lake Louise and is a super-popular stop on the drive from Lake Louise to Jasper!
The viewpoint here is one of the most wow-worthy in all of Banff National Park and a super popular spot for photographers. In my opinion, it’s as pretty as nearby Moraine Lake but without the crowds. The trail to the viewpoint starts at the far end of the car park. The hike up to Peyto Lake Lookout is short and sweet and takes around 10-15 minutes uphill.
4. Columbia Icefields
The Columbia Icefields is one of the most unique stops on the drive from Lake Louise to Jasper, and it’s the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies.
You can join a walking tour that takes you right onto the Athabasca Glacier! But because we were tight on time we chose to just visit the Icefield Skywalk. It’s a glass-floored lookout, which was a little scary, but it’s well worth it as, along the way, you learn about the story of the Icefields. You will also be treated to a breathtaking view of the Sunwapta Valley.
If you’re hungry you can grab a bite to eat here – there’s a casual restaurant and a fancier option. Just time it right as they can both get very busy with tour groups.
IMPORTANT INFO – To drive through the Icefields Parkway you need to purchase a daily pass which costs $10.50 per adult or $20 for a family of up to 7 people travelling in one vehicle. These daily passes expire at 4 pm the next day. To purchase your pass there are pass kiosks located at each end of the Icefields Parkway near Lake Louise and Jasper. They can also be purchased online at Banff/Lake Louise Tourism.
5. Sunwapta Falls
Fed by the Athabasca Glacier, the Sunwapta Falls is a stunning place to stop. The falls are 18 meters tall. This spot is ideal for a quick stop. The upper falls can be viewed from the car park if you’re short on time. You can go white-water rafting (imagine!), and there are many awesome hiking trails, two of the most popular being the hikes to the Lower and Upper Falls.
6. Athabasca Falls
The lovely Athabasca Waterfall stems from the Athabasca River and is 23-meters tall. There are a number of lookout points where you can see the power of the falls.
These falls are not very high compared to others in the Canadian Rockies, but it’s the sheer size of the Upper Athabasca River that flows into it that makes these falls one of the most powerful in Canada!
7. Jasper
Jasper is one of my favorite towns in Canada, when I visited I could really imagine myself living there. Not only is it incredibly scenic, it’s the right mix of small-town charm with lots of activities and great restaurants. Some of my favorite restaurants/Cafes in Jasper include Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria and Evil Dave’s Grill.
FYI, Jasper National Park requires a pass to enter, it costs $10.50 per adult and can be purchased from Parks Canada.
Jasper is home to the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve in the world. The annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival is held in October every year – it draws thousands of visitors and has had guest speakers from NASA as well as Hollywood celebrities in the past. Jasper has over 1,200 km of hiking trails, and some of the best in the area include Pyramid Lake and Maligne Canyon.
Another great thing to do in Jasper is to hop on the Jasper SkyTram – Canada’s highest and longest, guided aerial tramway up to the top of the 2,263-meter summit. Grab some food at the restaurant at the top, and enjoy views of Mount Robson (in the next state, B.C.).
If you’re visiting Jasper in the summer and you’re feeling adventurous then you must book onto the two hour white water rafting tour on the Athabasca River. This is grade 2 rafting so expect to get wet!
Related Read: You might also want to check out my super-popular blog post about the road trip from Whistler to Banff
Where to Stay in Jasper
- Fairmont Jasper Park is a collection of luxurious log cabins located on the emerald-green Lac Beauvert. This is the ultimate bucket-list-worthy hotel in Jasper!
- Chateau Jasper is a cozy hotel surrounded by the mountains of Jasper National Park and a 10 minute walk from the center of town.
- Jasper Inn and Suites just off Highway is a cozy inn-style property with a pool and a sauna.
- Bear Hill Lodge relaxed cabin-style accommodation (with fireplaces) surrounded by woodland.
Thanks for reading my blog…
Thanks so much for reading. I hope this guide has helped you plan the perfect road trip between Lake Louise and Jasper! If you found this blog helpful, be sure to browse around some more! I have guides on Canadian road trip tips, the road trip from Banff to Jasper as well as doing a ski season in Whistler and so much more!!
Last Updated on June 5, 2024 by snaphappytravel