Some years back I rode with another triker on the Icefield Parkway. We tented but we would ride to the next camp site then ride back to our truck and transport everything to the site we selected. Have others here cycled that route recently, I'd like to go back, the scenery was amazing, I remember that big trucks weren't allowed and if it wasn't for the rumble strips....What might be the best time to visit up there ?? The trip we took was in late August and the nights and mornings got quite cool

I haven't ridden on the Icefield Parkway (or even driven much of it for that matter), but the Jasper/Banff areas of the rockies tend to be warmest in July from my experience. It gets surprisingly cool at night most times of the year though. I've been there in mid May and it dipped below freezing at night, and it starts to do the same even by September sometimes.

I could be wrong though, and all my trips out that way may have been weather anomalies.

You can get snow in any month up there, but June to August is your best bet. Cold mornings are just part of the appeal.

I've ridden it in June before (many years ago) and yes the mornings are cool, but the views are even cooler!
This past year we rode a small portion of the south end of it in on May long weekend riding from Radium to Golden to Lake Louise to Radium over 3 days. Again cold mornings but worth it. Dress in layers and have fun!

NICE SHOTS...Mercator, one morning i woke up to frozen condensation on the inside of my tent fly and that was the end of August..........

I was there toward the end of June and remember the weather being extremely changeable. It would go from warm sunshine to blowing snow in just a few hours - especially when crossing over a pass. Beautiful area and incredible wildlife.

One way to stay warm at night is to stay at a hostel. Much more civilized, and with the cost of camping in the parks, not much more money.

I've done the trip a number of times as I live in Calgary. Although, not recently. From what I hear, the shoulders have not been kept up so while paved, they can be a bit rough.

Best bet is to park your transportation in either Banff or Jasper, ride to the other location and then back again.

You do have to carry enough food for how ever many days you plan to ride between the two major towns. There are a couple of spots you can stop and get food but they are are expensive.

Weather can be anywhere from the high 20s (and even into the 30s), made "worse" by the high elevation (you'll burn if you aren't protected) to the freezing mark. You can hit beautiful blue days or days where the clouds are so low you can't tell there are mountains. I've hit snow on the August long weekend - big fluffy flakes that hurt as you descent down a 8 to 10% grade, taking the full traffic lane and passing vehicles.

No trucks to speak of but you will find tour buses and "monsterbagos" driven by people who normally drive a tiny compact car. But, the shoulders are very wide so generally no problems.

As someone else said, later in June through August are the best times with the best chance of hitting nicer weather. But, it WILL be cool in the evening (cold for some people).

There are enough Youth Hostels along the IFP (Ice Fields Parkway) that you can easily stay in one every night. They are warmer, have cooking facilities and fireplaces. Plus, the one at Mosquito Creek has a SAUNA and a freshwater (glacial fed) stream within running distanc to the sauna. You can do the "heat up and quickly cool down" thing.

Be aware that you are in a nature preserve and take necessary precautions (ensure that whatever you have in your tent has NEVER come in contact with food, cosmetics or anything else that might smell appealing) and store all such items in the bear lockers provided at every campsite. Staying in hostels mitigates this as they are all wood so critters, even large ones, can't really get in.

It is more than worth the trip though.

The only bicycle tour with panniers I ever did was the IFP back in summer 1974. We took the train from Vanouver to Jasper, then rode to Banff/Radium/Golden, then took the train back to Vancouver from Golden. Not sure if the trains run so extensively now, though.

The big challenge then was keeping the bears from ripping up the panniers. Even with the panniers hung between two trees, we'd still get rips from bear claws in the nylon. I wasn't aware they had bear lockers, must be pretty recent. At that time we were the only ones in a tent. Everybody else in the parks where we stayed slept in their vans or trailers.

Now my preference is to drive somewhere with the bike and then do a bunch of rides with a totally unloaded bike. I just hate how the bike handles with panniers!

L.