Columbia Icefield & Athabasca Glacier
The largest ice field in the Rockies, and a glacier you can walk to the edge of.
About Columbia Icefield & Athabasca Glacier
The Columbia Icefield covers about 325 km² along the Continental Divide. Its Athabasca Glacier reaches down close to the Icefields Parkway, where a short trail leads toward the glacier's toe, past markers showing how far the ice has retreated.
A brief history
The icefield was first reported in 1898 by British mountaineer J. Norman Collie and his companions, who climbed Mount Athabasca and saw ice stretching nearly to every horizon. The Athabasca Glacier has receded more than 1.5 km and lost over half its volume in about 125 years.
RV tips
- Don't walk onto the glacier without a guide. Hidden crevasses have killed unprepared visitors.
- The visitor centre across the road is seasonal (roughly mid-April to mid-October).
- It's cold and windy here even in summer. Bring layers.
Before you go: Hours, road conditions, campground availability, passes and fire bans change. Check the official source below, 511 Alberta and Alberta Fire Bans before you travel. National parks need a Parks Canada pass, and Kananaskis needs a Conservation Pass.
Campgrounds nearby
- Wilcox Campground (Parks Canada, typical about $36/night)
Costs are approximate (checked October 2026). All Alberta campgrounds →
Sources & more information
Related trip planning: Alberta RV routes · Pre-trip checklist · Crown land camping