A Guide to Athabasca Falls on the Icefields Parkway
Athabasca Falls is one of the best stops along the Icefields Parkway you must include in your Canadian Rockies itinerary. Learn more about Athabasca Falls in this travel guide, including why this stunning natural sight in Jasper National Park is worth a visit, what to expect, how to get there, and when to go.
Athabasca Falls is a top natural attraction in Jasper National Park and one of the most popular places a traveler can visit along the iconic Icefields Parkway.
Planning the Icefields Parkway road trip will leave you with a lot of decisions to make. Hopefully, we will make your planning a little bit easier. Athabasca Falls is one of the must-see places along this famous road trip that you simply can't miss out on, even when you are short on time.
The first time we drove along the Icefields Parkway, we skipped Sunwapta Falls and visited only the more popular and famous Athabasca Falls.
However, on our second road trip across the Canadian Rockies, we visited both waterfalls, and thanks to it, you will find a comparison between these two points of interest later in this blog post.
If you are still planning your Canadian Rockies itinerary and cannot decide which place is worth visiting and what is better to skip, we have quick advice. Do not leave out Athabasca Falls from your plans.
But first things first. We arrived in Jasper, where we spent a few days and explored Jasper National Park on several hikes such as Sulphur Trail or Mount Edith Cavell. Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, with everything you would expect from this wilderness area.
From crystal clear blue lakes to abundant wildlife, deep forests, and incredible mountains to roaring waterfalls, Jasper National Park is not short of unique places.
After several incredible days in the park, we left our base, aka the town of Jasper, behind us and traveled south towards Lake Louise and Banff.
We started early in the morning, and on our way from Jasper, we pulled over at a couple of stops to take in the breathtaking views, and Athabasca Falls was one of those super-important stops.
In this Athabasca Falls travel guide, we aspire to show you the beauty of this place and share practical information on when to visit, how to find Athabasca Falls, and what to expect from your visit.
Hopefully, you will learn more about this beautiful place in the Rockies through our photos and storytelling.
Simply put, your Canadian Rockies road trip wouldn't be complete without visiting Athabasca Falls. Let's find out why.
ATHABASCA FALLS FACTS
Located in Jasper National Park, Athabasca Falls is 23 meters tall and 18 meters wide, a very powerful waterfall about 30 kilometers south of Jasper town.
The mighty Athabasca River narrows down at this particular place.
The previously seemingly calm river bursts out over Athabasca Falls and roars at great speed along the limestone canyon until the wide valley at the bottom of the cascade turns it into a sleeping giant once again.
Athabasca River is 1231 kilometers long river that originates in Jasper National Park at the end of Columbia Glacier and runs across the province of Alberta into enormous Lake Athabasca, spreading across the borders between Alberta and Saskatchewan.
In general, Athabasca Falls is accessible year-round, and there is no entrance fee. However, you need to buy the Canada Parks pass to get to Jasper National Park.
If you plan to walk around this area more thoroughly, allow yourself at least 30 minutes or more to enjoy vistas from the viewing platforms, explore the trail, and read the interpretative signs.
Speaking of which, it comes without saying that you should stay on the trail. Even from the trail, you will get great views, and it's not worth the risk to get closer to the falls than it is allowed.
ATHABASCA FALLS TRAIL
In the text above, we've established that Athabasca Falls is not the tallest waterfall we have ever seen (that was probably Catarata de Gocta in Peru).
Athabasca Falls is all about the sheer volume of water passing through the narrow gorge. On top of that, the mountainous scenery in the background adds to the overall experience.
This combination of still mountains and roaring falls is just mind-blowing.
Add a great short walk along the beautiful canyon that is formed and shaped by extreme weather conditions and the mighty Athabasca River, and you have one of the best stops on the Icefields Parkway.
Yet, the first impression was not the best.
As we've mentioned already, we visited Sunwapta Falls as well, so we had a lot to compare to. Both waterfalls are stunning. However, Athabasca Falls is arguably even more impressive.
The big difference between these two waterfalls was the crowds. Athabasca Falls is even more accessible than Sunwapta Falls, and all bus tours include visiting this major natural sight in their itinerary.
These full-day bus tours bring every day hundreds of tourists who are battling with selfie sticks, and the viewing platforms at the Athabasca Falls get really crowded at peak times.
As elbowing our way to the viewpoint is not our all-time favorite activity, we had to wait for our turn peacefully.
Meanwhile, another bus tour arrived, and at least forty newcomers dashed to the viewpoint and made the situation even more ridiculous.
As it turned out, patience was the best approach for getting to the viewpoint area. We walked around a bit, and eventually, our strategy worked out, and we were able to enjoy the views from the central viewing platform as well.
There is something very calming in listening to the thundering sound of rushing water hitting the stones and rocks with the majestic mountains in the background.
On top of that, there is more than just one viewpoint, so make sure to visit them all, so you can see the full potential of this place.
We crossed the bridge at the junction, turned left, and walked to another viewpoint above the falls.
Then slowly returned to the junction (didn't cross the bridge yet) and followed the trail along the canyon all the way down from where we could see the rushing falls turning back into majestic Athabasca River.
The steps can be slippery, but it's a very easy walk and a great exercise to stretch your legs. From the end of the trail at the end of the canyon, we returned to the parking lot and enjoyed the views along the way one more time.
The scenery is wonderful here, and after the initial disappointment, Athabasca Falls showed us why it is often rated among the best attractions along Icefields Parkway.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
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ATHABASCA FALLS OR SUNWAPTA FALLS
So now we can finally answer your question. Athabasca Falls or Sunwapta Falls?
For first-timers, Athabasca Falls is probably a better place to go. However, expect the crowds. For a more intimate way to explore Icefields Parkway, you can't go wrong with hiking along Sunwapta Falls.
As Sunwapta Upper Falls is way more impressive (and accessible) than Lower Falls, it's actually possible to visit both waterfalls on the same day.
Skipping the hike to Lower Falls will save you some time, which you can use for other attractions along this epic road, such as Athabasca Glacier, Peyto Lake, Parker Ridge Trail, or Wilcox Pass.
WHEN TO VISIT ATHABASCA FALLS
As with many waterfalls fed by the glacier river, the best time to visit Athabasca Falls is during the spring, when the mountains' glaciers are melting. Spring must be truly magical at Athabasca Falls we hopefully come back soon.
Summer is always a safe bet when it comes to Rockies road trips, though it gets really crowded.
As we visited Athabasca Falls in summer and autumn, we can't say a lot about the falls in wintertime from our personal experience.
But just looking at the winter pictures, when the river is frozen, falls still, and snow-covered trees and mountains stand quietly around, it must be a very special trip to this part of Jasper National Park.
However, wintertime brings a lot of drawbacks. Many attractions, roads, and hikes are closed in winter in the Canadian Rockies in general.
And even though you can still enjoy places such as Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Maligne Lake or Maligne Canyon, many must-visit places will be inaccessible, for example, the super beautiful Moraine Lake.
We would recommend to international visitors to arrive in the Canadian Rockies any time of the year except winter. In summer, you have the best chance for warm temperatures and good weather.
Said that, arriving in the Rockies between December and February will allow you to enjoy the true Canadian winter. We had the opportunity to enjoy the winter in Calgary, and it was an experience we will never forget.
Just make sure you pack enough warm layers and drive carefully, as the roads can be icy and slippery.
WHAT TO PACK
Although Athabasca Falls are just a short walk from the parking lot, we never left the car without proper gear packed in our daypack, just in case.
You can always return to your car to change clothes, but we think it is always a waste of time, so do your best to be ready for the ever-changing weather.
Don't underestimate the weather, even during the summer, as it can be quite treacherous.
Always pack a good rain jacket, rain poncho, and wear proper hiking boots.
We also never leave without our trusty travel camera and an extra pack of batteries. And yes, a modern smartphone will make great pictures too.
We created this useful guide full of packing tips for the Canadian Rockies, which you should also read.
HOW TO GET TO ATHABASCA FALLS
Athabasca Falls is located on Highway 93A, right off the Icefields Parkway. Drive south of Jasper and down the Icefields Parkway, and you will arrive at the destination in less than thirty minutes (without stopping along the way, of course).
In fact, Athabasca Falls will be one of the first stops along the Icefields Parkway when starting the journey in Jasper.
To get from Athabasca Falls to Sunwapta Falls, drive south along the Icefields Parkway for about twenty minutes.
The distance between Lake Louise and Athabasca Falls is more than 200 kilometers if you travel from south to north.
Athabasca Falls parking lot is very large, and we didn't have a problem getting a spot. When traveling around the Canadian Rockies, consider renting a car.
A car is a real time-saver and the best way to get around the Rockies, as it will allow you to visit as many locations as possible in one day without worrying about getting there.
TOURS
For those who don't want to drive, you can always take the Icefields Parkway One-Way Tour that shows you the best places along the Icefields Parkway, with Athabasca Falls being one of them.
When feeling more adventurous, you can consider Athabasca Falls Rafting on grade 2 whitewater.
Class 2 rapids are relatively safe and easy, making it a perfect activity even for families with kids.
WHERE TO STAY
The nearest town to Athabasca Falls is the small town of Jasper, and you will find there a wide range of hotels.
However, the accommodation is quite limited in the high season, and you might want to book your stay well in advance (many visitors book hotels even more than six months ahead of time).
There is a large campground in Jasper that requires a reservation, and yes, the situation is very similar to the hotel's booking.
Jasper | Jasper Inn and Suites - When traveling north, Jasper is the best place to end your Icefields Parkway road trip. Jasper Inn & Suites offers good value for money. The hotel has a convenient location, indoor pool, onsite restaurant, and clean and tidy rooms that should convince you to stay here.
Icefields Parkway | The Crossing - Located in Saskatchewan River Crossing on the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff, The Crossing is one of the few hotels along this stunning road. The hotel offers an excellent location, basic rooms, and facilities. Rooms are adequate; however, this is one of the finest examples of paying extra for the location. Is it worth it? Only you can answer this question.
Lake Louise | Lake Louise Inn - Newly renovated rooms, onsite restaurants, fitness center, and a heated indoor pool, this hotel is a perfect place to stay either during the summer and in the winter as well (they even provide a free shuttle service to the Lake Louise Ski Resort). Free WiFi is provided.
CAMPGROUNDS
There are quite a few campgrounds along the Icefields Parkway; however, don't get excited too soon.
These campgrounds are all first-come, first-served, pretty basic (some have washrooms, some only pit toilets), and fill up pretty fast too.
You need to make a reservation for the big campgrounds in Banff or Jasper well in advance or arrive there around check-out time and hope that they will have availability.
If you plan on camping, read our guide on Camping in the Canadian Rockies.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
