icefield parkway
 

Is it necessary to spend the night on the Icefield Parkway to do it justice. We love seeing beautiful sights and doing short hikes.

I don't think you need to spend the night. But I never have so I don't know what I am missing. You can easily see lots and do a few short hikes on a drive from one end to the other or as a day trip from either Banff or Jasper to the Athabasca Glacier.

I think it all depends on what you want to do along the parkway in terms of hikes and stops.

I could easily take all day and then some.

The first time we went we took about a day and a half. We stayed overnight at The Crossing, which is a motel with gas statiion, store, restaurant, and some other businesses.

The next morning we stopped and walked up Parker Ridge and then we took the Ice Buggy onto the glacier. Afterwards we had plenty of time for Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta.

If I made evey stop I wanted, and did each one at a moderate pace, I don't think I could make the trip from Banff to Jasper in daylight hours except possibly right about now when the hours of daylight at their peak.

Several short hikes are included in that list which can use up a couple of hours each.

I know most people drive the parkway and stop only at overlooks. I don't. I take advantage of numerous short hikes, like Panther Falls of which most people know nothing.

i would say no. head out early from banff or jasper and i think a full day dose the route justice.

It can be a wonderful experience to share the mountains and glaciers with nobody else. Also wildlife viewing during dawn and dusk can be much better in an isolated area.

It can be a good idea to spend a night on the Icefield Parkway (tent camping or isolated lodge), if you have the possibilty and if you do not travel under time pressure.

Like which isolated lodge?
I know of only 3 places other than a youth hostel: Num ti Jah, The Crossing, and the Icefields Chalet at the Icefields Center.

Two are expensive and one very average.

Was thinking about the following resorts:
SUNWAPTA FALLS RESORT
TONQUIN VALLEY BACKCOUNTRY LODGE
Skoki backcountry lodge