Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Jasper National Park is the largest of the Canadian Rocky Mountain parks, a broad expanse of glaciated peaks, wide river valleys and lakes along the Athabasca River. It forms part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site and is also a designated dark sky preserve. The small town of Jasper serves as its base, and a large wildfire in 2024 burned through parts of the townsite and surrounding forest.
The Jasper Skytram lifts visitors up Whistlers Mountain for views across the valley, and Pyramid Lake, just above town, is popular for paddling and picnics. To the south, a winding road leads toward Mount Edith Cavell and its hanging glacier. East of town, the deep limestone slot of Maligne Canyon leads to the Maligne Valley, where Medicine Lake drains away through underground channels and Maligne Lake stretches toward a ring of mountains. Along the Icefields Parkway, Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls are easy stops before the road reaches the Columbia Icefield. Miette Hot Springs offers a soak at the end of a long day.
Jasper appeals to hikers, wildlife watchers and road-trippers who want more space than Banff. Elk, bighorn sheep and bears are frequent roadside sights. Summer is busiest, while winter brings skiing at Marmot Basin and quiet, frozen canyons.
WiserMap travel guideJasper Alberta Maligne Lake and the Columbia IcefieldPlan a trip to Jasper National Park in Alberta with Maligne Lake, the Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Falls, Pyramid Lake, Miette Hot Springs and where to stay.Read the guide
Canada's longest and highest guided aerial tramway carries visitors up Whistlers Mountain to an upper station at about 2,263 metres, with views of the Athabasca Valley and, on clear days, Mount Robson. A steep trail continues to the summit. It operates seasonally; check current status and bring a warm layer.
Just a few minutes' drive from Jasper townsite, Pyramid Lake sits below the reddish slopes of Pyramid Mountain. A footbridge leads to small Pyramid Island, a lovely spot at sunrise and sunset. There are canoe and paddleboard rentals in summer and skating in winter. Watch for elk and deer on the road in.
Medicine Lake on the Maligne Lake Road is known as the disappearing lake, because it drains through underground sinkholes and shrinks dramatically in late summer and fall. Its water re-emerges downstream in Maligne Canyon. Pullouts give fine views, and the road is a good place to look for bears, moose and caribou.
The largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies stretches about 22 km between high peaks. Boat cruises run to Spirit Island, one of the most photographed spots in Canada, and canoes and kayaks are available to rent. The road from Jasper takes about an hour. Book cruises ahead in summer and bring warm clothing.
A narrow, winding road climbs to the base of Mount Edith Cavell, where short trails lead to the Angel Glacier hanging on the peak's face and a small meltwater pond with floating ice. The Cavell Meadows trail climbs higher for wildflowers in summer. The road is seasonal and trailers are not allowed.
The hottest natural springs in the Canadian Rockies feed several pools at the end of a scenic road about an hour east of Jasper. The water is cooled to a comfortable temperature, with cold plunge pools alongside. Short trails lead to the original spring source and old bathhouse ruins. Open seasonally.
Maligne Canyon is a narrow limestone gorge up to about 50 metres deep, crossed by a series of footbridges with views down to rushing water. In winter, guided icewalks explore the frozen canyon floor. Parts of the area were affected by the 2024 wildfire, so check which trails and bridges are open before going.
Just off the Icefields Parkway about 30 km south of Jasper, the Athabasca River squeezes through a narrow channel and drops into a deep, carved gorge. Paved paths and bridges give several viewpoints, and a stairway leads down an old channel. It is short and accessible, so it gets crowded at midday.
Sunwapta Falls drops into a narrow limestone canyon beside the Icefields Parkway, about 55 km south of Jasper. The upper falls are a short walk from the parking lot, while a trail of about 2 km leads to quieter lower falls. There is a lodge and restaurant nearby, making it a handy stop on the drive.
Straddling the Continental Divide along the Icefields Parkway, the Columbia Icefield feeds the Athabasca Glacier, which you can walk toward on the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier trail. Tours from the Glacier Discovery Centre drive onto the ice and include the Skywalk glass platform. Never walk onto the glacier unguided.
A popular loop of about 4.5 km south of Jasper townsite passes five small lakes in shades of green and blue, each a little different in colour. The trail is mostly easy with a few short climbs, and there are red Adirondack chairs at a lookout. Go in the morning for calm reflections, and carry bear spray.
Jasper is one of the world's largest dark sky preserves, with little light pollution and excellent views of the Milky Way, meteor showers and sometimes the northern lights. The Jasper Dark Sky Festival is held each October. Good spots include Pyramid Lake and Maligne Lake Road pullouts; dress warmly and watch for wildlife.
No reviews yet. Been to Jasper National Park? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Jasper National Park? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Serge Cousineau, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Hansueli Krapf, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Florian Fuchs, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Balcer~commonswiki, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5
Photo: Jon Eeuwes, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: CV1958 (Colin Viney), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joli Rumi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Migueldalugdugan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bitan Banerjee, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ethan Sahagun, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Neil, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Christian Abend from Laufen /, Bayern / Deutschland, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ryan Schroeder, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Royalbroil, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Marmot.basin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Dwayne Reilander, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mike from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Guavila, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ethan Sahagun, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Ethan Sahagun, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Joli Rumi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joli Rumi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Takaraashley, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: KMW2700 from Edmonton, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Khoshhat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Khoshhat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Khoshhat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Khoshhat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jon Eeuwes, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jon Eeuwes, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Jon Eeuwes, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: CV1958 (Colin Viney), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: CV1958 (Colin Viney), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: eileenmak, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: CV1958 (Colin Viney), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joli Rumi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joli Rumi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joli Rumi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joli Rumi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Sergey Pesterev, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Christianabend, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joli Rumi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joli Rumi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joli Rumi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jakub Fryš, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Thomas Fuhrmann, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Thomas Fuhrmann, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Thomas Fuhrmann, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Shruti Tophkhane, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Martin Kraft, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ovedc, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ovedc, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Preeteesh, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ron Cogswell from Arlington, Virginia, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ron Cogswell from Arlington, Virginia, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Okaylib, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: NaCl58, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
