Just 31 kilometers south of Jasper, our first major stop along the Icefields Parkway was Athabasca Falls, and it didn’t take long to understand why this is one of the Parkway’s must-see stops. We could hear the river before we even reached the main viewpoint—the unmistakable roar of water rushing through the canyon growing louder with every step. Athabasca Falls isn’t particularly impressive because of its height; instead, it’s the sheer power of the Athabasca River that makes it so dramatic. The river is funneled through a narrow limestone gorge, forcing an enormous volume of turquoise water through a surprisingly small opening before it plunges into the canyon below. Parks Canada describes it as one of the area’s most powerful waterfalls, with several short paths leading to viewpoints along the gorge.

The best part is that you don’t have to hike for miles to experience it. A short network of paved pathways winds through the forest and along the canyon, with several places to stop and watch the water from different angles. One moment you’re standing above the rushing river, and the next you’re looking down into the deep canyon as the water twists and churns below. The main viewing area is only about 200 meters round trip, with minimal elevation gain, although there are stairs and some steep or uneven sections along portions of the route.

As we made our way closer to the falls, the roar of the water became almost deafening, and on a day when the river is running high, you can feel the cool mist rising from the canyon. It was the perfect first stop on our journey south—a dramatic introduction to the landscape that awaited us farther along the Parkway.

Our Take: Athabasca Falls is one of those rare stops where the payoff is enormous compared with the effort required. If you’re driving the Icefields Parkway and don’t have time to stop everywhere, this is one we wouldn’t skip. Give yourself at least 30 minutes to walk the viewpoints, listen to the river and take in the canyon—you’ll be glad you did.