Canadian Rockies Driving Tour: Banff to Saskatchewan River Crossing via Icefields Parkway
Places: 23 POIs
Distance: 97.62 mi
Duration: 2h:20m
GPS-guided narration through
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Tour #2719
About this English self-guided 2h:20m driving tour in Banff
Welcome to your journey through one of the most breathtaking drives on Earth—the Icefields Parkway, stretching from Banff all the way to the Saskatchewan River Crossing.
Over the course of this tour, you’ll travel deep into the heart of the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by towering peaks, ancient glaciers, turquoise lakes, and vast, untouched wilderness. This isn’t just a drive—it’s a constantly changing landscape, where every turn reveals something new.
Along the way, your phone becomes your personal guide. As you approach each point of interest, stories and insights will automatically play—bringing the scenery around you to life. You’re free to go at your own pace, stop when you like, and explore the places that draw your attention.
We’ll visit some of the most iconic sights in Canada, including Lake Louise, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and the Columbia Icefield region, along with hidden viewpoints and quieter stops that many travelers miss.
This land also carries deep history. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples traveled through these mountains, using natural routes like Howse Pass. Later, explorers, fur traders, and railway builders pushed through these rugged landscapes, helping shape the Canada we know today.
As you drive, keep your eyes open for wildlife—elk, deer, mountain goats, and even bears are often seen in this region.
Most importantly, take your time. This is not a road to rush—it’s a journey to experience.
So settle in, enjoy the ride, and let’s explore one of the most remarkable drives in the world—through the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
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This tour is available in 1 more language:
Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
405 Spray Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1J4, Canada
Bow Falls Viewpoint
Turn left here into the parking area—this is where we begin our journey at the Bow Falls viewpoint, a perfect starting point for your drive through the Canadian Rockies.
Right here, the Bow River rushes over a wide, powerful set of falls, fed by glacial waters that give it that signature blue-green color. It’s not the tallest waterfall, but the strength and breadth of the flow make it especially impressive.
Surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Rockies, this spot gives you a first taste of what’s ahead—dramatic landscapes, pristine water, and that unmistakable sense of scale.
It’s a long road ahead, so take a moment, enjoy the view, snap a few photos—and when you’re ready, let’s hit the road and explore some of the most incredible scenery on the planet.
Right here, the Bow River rushes over a wide, powerful set of falls, fed by glacial waters that give it that signature blue-green color. It’s not the tallest waterfall, but the strength and breadth of the flow make it especially impressive.
Surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Rockies, this spot gives you a first taste of what’s ahead—dramatic landscapes, pristine water, and that unmistakable sense of scale.
It’s a long road ahead, so take a moment, enjoy the view, snap a few photos—and when you’re ready, let’s hit the road and explore some of the most incredible scenery on the planet.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.12mi
90 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A4, Canada
Bow River Bridge
Turn right to get on the Bow River Bridge. This rive is one of the most important rivers in this region and a lifeline of Banff National Park.
Flowing from glaciers in the Rockies, the Bow winds its way through valleys and towns before eventually joining larger river systems across Alberta.
We’ll be following this river for parts of the journey, so you’ll be seeing more of it along the way.
Flowing from glaciers in the Rockies, the Bow winds its way through valleys and towns before eventually joining larger river systems across Alberta.
We’ll be following this river for parts of the journey, so you’ll be seeing more of it along the way.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Bow Falls Viewpoint
Place 2
Bow River Bridge
Place 3
Banff Park Museum
Place 4
Vermilion Lakes
Place 5
Backswamp Viewpoint
Place 6
Johnston Canyon
Place 7
Bow River Viewpoint
Place 8
Heart of the Canadian Rockies
Place 9
Morant’s Curve Viewpoint
Place 10
Lake Louise Parking
Place 11
Herbert Lake
Place 12
Princess Louise Caroline Alberta
Place 13
Hector Lake Viewpoint
Place 14
Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint
Place 15
Bow Lake Viewpoint
Place 16
Peyto Lake Upper Viewpoint
Place 17
Stories Behind the Mountain Names
Place 18
Alberta & British Columbia – What’s the Difference?
Place 19
Waterfowl Lake Viewpoint
Place 20
A Road Through Canadian History
Place 21
North Saskatchewan River
Place 22
Howse Pass Viewpoint
Place 23
Saskatchewan River Crossing – Tour End
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 23 stops, covering top attractions such as Bow Falls Viewpoint, Bow River Bridge, Banff Park Museum, Vermilion Lakes, Backswamp Viewpoint.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Bow Falls Viewpoint (Address: 405 Spray Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1J4, Canada). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!