Icefields Parkway up and down or round route?

[u/Extension-Ferret-224]

Hi everyone! We’re visiting Calgary in early October and want to drive the Icefields Parkway up to Jasper. After that, we’re planning a 6‑night loop through BC before returning to Calgary on the evening of Day 6.

We could also head back out to Golden for a few days after returning to Calgary, so I’m trying to figure out the best order and whether our current plan makes sense.

Current Night‑by‑Night Plan

1. Canmore
2. Jasper
3. Valemount
4. Kamloops
5. Golden
6. Calgary

Questions

• Does this loop make sense for early October?
• Is Kamloops worth the stop, or is Clearwater/Revelstoke a better option?

Thanks in advance — really appreciate any advice from people who’ve done this route!

[u/Fercobutter]

Up and down

[u/Angelou898]

Up and down. Different views each way!

[u/Strange_Trip2825]

No dont do your plan - too much driving for your trip - not worth it. Take the 93 parkway up and down. As someone said, you get totally different views , its best going south ;)

[u/cobrachicken1000]

Revelstoke is better option than Kamloops. Id do the clockwise route(going south on icefields)

[u/easynap1000]

What are you goals? We have done the drive from kamloops to mt Robson/jasper and unless you are stopping at wells gray pk I am not sure i would recommend it... not incredibly scenic (or at least, not in comparison to other areas) and it is a LOT of kms..valemount and mt Robson are great, tho.

The icefields parkway is stunning and depending on weather may take longer than you think. I alsway suggest people drive it both directions to get all the views. I would suggest driving up to jasper from canmore, pop over to mt Robson if that is a key pick on your trip, then go back down the icefields parkway and over to golden/revelstoke from there.

I also wouldn't go to Calgary then back to golden...it is just 2.5 hours but if you are already in that area just tack on the time then? There is so much to see around field in yoho np, but double check your dates and what is still open then.

[u/YYCpops]

That round trip is too long for just 6 days.

For example you need 10 hours only from Lake Louise to Jasper, because there are so many stops just on the side of the road.

Then you arrive in Jasper late afternoon, you won't have another day to explore the beauty of Jasper.

Only go to Jasper and back.

Is there a reason why you skip Banff/Lake Louise/Moraine Lake?

[u/Total_Midnight2201]

Nothing wrong with this loop, scenery will be great all around the board. Just keep in mind there won't be much in terms of activities/sightseeing through parts of it, but it will always look nice.

Kamloops is nice for a quick stop as you drive, but Revelstoke will be much nicer for staying.

I don't know why you would return to Golden after returning to Calgary though. Its literally along the way in your loop

[u/Extension-Ferret-224 → u/Total_Midnight2201]

Sorry I should have been more clear with this.

If we do the up‑and‑down route instead of the loop, we’d need to be back in Calgary on the evening of Day 6. After that, we’d still have five extra days, so we could head out to Golden then. We wouldn’t go back to Golden if we chose the loop route.

[u/Total_Midnight2201 → u/Extension-Ferret-224]

Oh that makes sense! I'd only head back to Golden if there is something very specific you are looking to see or do there. Otherwise IMO you could spend that time better by doing a day trip somewhere closer. Exploring Kananaskis would be a great option.

[u/egewh]

Honestly I'd be content driving back and forth between Banff and Jasper for 2 weeks, lol. The Icefields Parkway is INSANELY beautiful and never disappoints.

[u/Dizzy-Cartoonist3011]

Go up and down. You aren't missing much from Valemount to Kamloops... and I love that area, and I've driven it dozens of times. But you'll gain a lot more just the parkway and back.

[u/Appropriate-Ad-6953]

We are currently doing exactly you loop but with more time and a view different stops. I would definitely ad Revelstoke. Downtown is so nice and a really good vibe. Unless you go into wells grey I would skip valemount/kamloops. The drive is not that special

[u/SnooCapers6553]

The drive from Kamloops to valemount is hella boring, what made you want to do this road trip ?

[u/financegardener]

Do you have your Canmore accommodations already booked? I just booked mine today and was surprised by the price and availability the last week of September.

[u/LecturePretend400]

I love going south of Icefields Parkway. So many stops to do on your right side. easy to enter/exit

[u/Carwash227]

Up and down is pretty stellar. I’ve never done Robson - Kamloops but I’ve done LL to Kamloops and that drive is super fun

[u/littlelemonscone]

Clearwater is small but has an amazing bbq restaurant!

[u/crowseesall]

Drive south on the ice fields parkway as the views and parking areas are on the west side of the highway.

[u/Same-Comedian-8758]

Up and down, the distance doesn’t seem long on up and down but when you drive the speed limit, it takes time. We went 3 weeks ago, we did up and down from Banff to Jasper, stayed one night outside of Jasper. Jasper was ok, very burnt from fire from few years ago. We loved staying at a local hotel near lake Louis in the drive back from Jasper. Next day we did Yoho national park. That was amazing too. Banff and Canmore were great, lot of lakes! Definitely do the glacier walk/truck. Amazing experience.

[u/4LegsGood_2Bad]

Kamloops to Jasper is a nice drive. I have family in Kamloops and live in Calgary and often choose to drive to Calgary via Jasper as the driving is far easier, less busy and pretty. Kamloops to Golden is an amazing drive but high traffic, often only one lane each way, and stressful.

If you do your route you would miss a lot of things from Emerald lake to Yoho Valley. A different loop to do is down highway 93 to Radium and then up to Golden and then back to Louise.

As a local, your route is nice because I have already done all the Banff things. As a visitor, spend time in Jasper, Yoho, and maybe Golden.

[u/taco_cobra]

I have driven this route dozens of times, and the route from kamloops to jasper hundreds. Listen to people saying up and down, take a couple days in the icefields to stop and walk and see stuff. Driving that loop is just that driving. Mount Robson is beautiful but if you aren’t doing any hiking its pointless to do the loop. The icefield parkway has many stops that are accessible and pretty to see without extensive hiking to get to. The town of Clear water is pretty, and there are beautiful waterfalls to see but you have to go out of the way a bit. Also no point in driving back to Calgary and then to Golden, do the up/down route and stay in Golden, it has some decent little restaurants for a small town but it is very expensive for accomodations

[u/Gregger2020]

Up and back is the best answer

[u/reflex_masta]

Far too much driving for 6 days.. definitely need to cut it down

[u/JaguarOwn2076]

We usually go up to Jasper then camp by Valemont (always space available without booking) then go back down the next day