How to Visit: Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is located in the province of Alberta, Canada, and is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. It is situated north of Banff National Park and is connected to it via the scenic Icefields Parkway. Established in 1907, it is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park boasts diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes, including rugged mountains, glaciers, deep valleys, dense forests, and pristine lakes. The Columbia Icefield, one of the largest accumulations of ice and snow in the Rocky Mountains, is a notable feature within the park.

Valley of the Five Lakes + First Lake: 5.1 miles (moderate) This is a fantastic, must-do hike when in Jasper National Park. This trail is very popular, so recommend hiking early to secure a parking spot. Given away by the name, you will hike around five lakes, with great views of the mountains. Sections of the trail go through pine forests with soft earth underfoot,

Old Fort Point Trail: 2.3 miles (moderate) The terrain is mostly flat in the beginning of the trail, with some uphill climbing involved around the corner and up to the lookout point. The trail then continues through the forest and opens up again to climb a giant rock where there is the scenic viewpoint, which is what everyone comes here looking for. The views are beautiful and overlook the town and surrounding mountains and valleys.

Maligne Canyon Loop: 2.3 miles (moderate) The Maligne Canyon Loop is a spectacularly beautiful route to go for a hike and marvel at this incredible Albertan natural wonder. With six bridges along the hike, you can visit as many as you like. The narrow canyon is so deep and beautiful, and the surrounding scenery is gorgeous. For the best view, once passing the Sixth bridge, walk down the Seven Path and make a right into the mini beach by the water - it is kind of hidden so pay attention.

Balf Hills Loop: 9.3 miles (hard) The Bald Hills Loop starts off following a gravel road all the way up, which then opens up once you clear the treeline. This is where the awesome views begin. With a bit of scramble, climbing peaks 2 and 3 is the absolute highlight of the hike. The overall stunning views at the top make this all worth doing. The last lookout is at 7,900 ft. elevation and you have a 360-degree view of the area, including Maligne Lake.

Edith Cavell Meadows Trail: 4.6 miles (hard) The Edith Cavell Meadows Trail is a spectacular hike with breathtaking scenery and beautiful flowery meadows, glaciers and mountains. The trail begins gently climbing a partially-paved path along the Path of the Glacier Trail. It leads to a viewing area overlooking the Angel Glacier and Cavell Pond, where the views are amazing and you feel so close to the scenery. But the views just keep getting better along the rest of the trail.

Sulphur Skyline Trail: 4.9 miles (hard) The Sulphur Skyline Trail hike starts out at a steady pace that never stops. There is a gradual uphill pace and not many views until you can see across the valleys to the opposite ridges. Once at the tree line, there is a brief break before the last push to the summit, the grade increases too. However, once at the summit the views are expansive, 360 degrees all around. Utopia Mountain dominates the skyline and there are great views down the Fiddle Valley with Ashlar Ridge.

Whether you are visiting Jasper and Banff or just one or the other, this highway is worth the drive. The Icefields Parkway is a scenic highway that stretches for approximately 232 kilometers (144 miles) through the heart of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada. Designated as Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway connects Jasper National Park in the north to Banff National Park in the south. It is renowned for its stunning mountain landscapes, glaciers, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. Here are some key features and highlights of the Icefields Parkway: Breathtaking Scenery: The drive along the Icefields Parkway offers panoramic views of towering mountain peaks, including some of the highest in the Canadian Rockies. The scenery is characterized by rugged cliffs, dense forests, and alpine meadows. Glaciers and Icefields: The parkway passes through the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest accumulations of ice and snow in the Rocky Mountains. Visitors can take guided tours onto the Athabasca Glacier, which is easily accessible from the highway. Lakes: Several stunning lakes dot the landscape along the Icefields Parkway, including the iconic Peyto Lake, renowned for its brilliant turquoise color. Other notable lakes include Bow Lake and Hector Lake. Waterfalls: Numerous waterfalls cascade down the mountains along the route. Athabasca Falls is one of the most popular stops, offering impressive views of the waterfall and surrounding canyon. Hiking Trails: There are several hiking trails accessible from the Icefields Parkway, ranging from easy walks to more challenging backcountry hikes. These trails allow visitors to explore the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Explore the charming town of Jasper, with its shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Visit the Jasper Yellowhead Museum to learn about the history of the area.

Great spot to celebrate all the hiking and adventuring you have been doing! I highly recommend their Blueberry Vanilla ale.

Whether you want to hike one of the many trails in the area, or hang out by a picturesque lake, Maligne Lake is a beautiful spot to experience for a few hours. Maligne Lake is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies and offers boat cruises to Spirit Island, a renowned and picturesque location surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.

Located in the heart of Jasper National Park, this hotel offers a seasonal ski shuttle service. Free Wi-Fi is provided in all guest rooms. Jasper city center is 2 minutes’ drive away. A cable TV is provided in each room at Mount Robson Inn. A refrigerator, a coffee maker, and a work desk are also offered. An private bathroom includes free toiletries. Guests can enjoy mountain views from all rooms. A 24-hour reception greets guests of Jasper Mount Robson Inn. A tour desk is on site and ski storage is offered. Guests can relax in 1 of 2 outdoor hot tubs.

Located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies, this resort offers canoeing, fishing, and hiking. It features a private beach, on-site dining, and rooms with gas fireplaces. Complimentary WiFi is available in all areas. The Jasper tramway is 8.7 mi away. The accommodations at Pyramid Lake Lodge are equipped with cable TV. A refrigerator and coffee maker are provided in all rooms. A gym and a hot tub are offered at Jasper Pyramid Lake Lodge. Free parking is also offered.

Located 37 mi from the Town of Jasper, Jasper Gates Resort offers rustic log cabins and motel accommodations. All rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Certain units feature a seating area where you can relax. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom equipped with a shower. Movie rentals are available. The property is located at the base of a mountain and does not have internet, however guests can drive 10 minutes' to the town of Hinton for WiFi.

Offering free recreational amenities and an on-site restaurant, Jasper East Cabins is only 14 minutes’ walk from Athabasca River and overlooks the mountains. A kitchenette and free WiFi are available. A fireplace and a seating area allow guests to relax in each spacious chalet. An available patio terrace overlooks the gardens and surrounding mountains. A private bathroom includes a shower, towels, hairdryer, and free toiletries. Overlander Stone Peak Restaurant and Lounge is located across highway 16 and offers a local dining experience. Guests and families can play in the gardens and enjoy the communal picnic area. Maps of hiking and biking trails that depart from the property are available. Ski and luggage storage is provided.

All sites (34 sites) available on a First Come, First Served basis. No reservations possible. Best suited for tents as well as motorhomes and trailers under 27 feet Vault toilets and each site has a fire pit Campsite #24 is designated for bike camping only. This is a shared site for unsupported bike touring and can accommodate 6 tents.

On the shore of the Athabasca River, Wapiti Campground has sites for tenting and electrical hook-up spots for RVs. Offering 363 reservable sites with amenities like hot showers, electricity and fire pits. Can accommodate most sizes of motorhomes and trailers. This is one of the most popular campsites because of its proximity to town.

Also called "Overflow Campground," this first come, first served campground has 280 sites. Overflow is a primitive campground that has a nice mix of campsites, ranging from private and well-treed to wide open and sunny. Dry toilets (no showers). Campfires are not permitted. Can accommodate most sizes of motorhomes and trailers.