Jasper, measuring 11,000 square kilometers, is the largest of the four national parks located in the Canadian Rockies. It’s known for its vast wilderness, majestic mountain peaks, abundant wildlife, and luxuriant forests. In this travel guide, we’ll be sharing travel tips, places to visit, and more! This is the final part of our Canadian Rockies travel guide, so get excited! You can also check out our other travel guides on Banff and Yoho + Kootenay.
Top 10 Destinations in Jasper National Park
1. Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake, the second largest glacier-fed lake in the world, is one of the most picturesque lakes in the Canadian Rocky National Parks. It’s famous for its azure waters, splendid mountains, and abundance of trees. You can also visit Spirit Island, a small island in the middle of the lake, by boat.
2. Maligne Canyon
Maligne Canyon is a limestone canyon complete with stunning waterfalls. During the winter, the SunDog Tours takes you through an icewalk tour, where you’ll be able to explore the Maligne Canyon when it’s frozen. They’ll provide you with boots and helmets. The tickets are $99 for adults and $59 for kids. Even when it isn’t winter, Maligne Canyon is a must-see attraction of Jasper National Park.
3. Athabasca Glacier
My absolute favorite attraction in Jasper is the Athabasca Glacier! The Athabasca Glacier is gigantic, measuring 2.317 square miles. It’s part of the largest glacier in Canada, the Columbia Icefield, which measures 125.5 square miles. Being the most popular site in Jasper National Park, make sure you reserve your tickets well in advance. If you are lucky enough to score the tour tickets, a giant Ice Explorer bus (see below) will take you onto the Athabasca Glacier, and let you step right on to the glacier itself.
The ride up to the glacier was a fun experience in itself! The driver was very knowledgeable and pointed out many interesting features, such as Cryoconite holes, along the drive and how they were formed. He also explained how carefully the path up was constructed as to not harm the glacier and also keep tourists safe. I particularly remember there was a large rollercoaster-like hill on one part of the drive that we had to cross over, which added a bit of thrill to the ride.
There are signs showing the parts of the glacier that have water holes. Be careful! In my time there, I accidentally sank my foot into one of the small holes and ended up getting my whole foot wet! Altogether, the Athabasca Glacier is absolutely the coolest experience I have ever had!
4. Columbia Icefield Skywalk
The Columbia Icefield Skywalk was also one of my favorite attractions in Jasper! After visiting the glacier, you can make a short stop at the skywalk! The view from the skywalk was amazing. You can also take pictures of what’s below because part of the structure is made of glass! An adult ticket is $24.95 and for a child is $12.50.
5. Athabasca Falls
The Athabasca Falls is a rocky waterfall located on the upper Athabasca River. The falls also has a trail, which is not too long or too short. The waterfall is one of the most powerful waterfalls in Canada, probably the most beautiful too!
6. Town of Jasper
Founded in 1813, the Town of Jasper is a charming, laid-back town that’s located in the middle of Jasper National Park. Even though it’s small compared to the Town of Banff, the Town of Jasper has many attractions, including going to the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives and eating at Evil Dave’s Grill. The iconic Jasper Train Station, served by VIA Rail and the Rocky Mountaineer, is one of the oldest and attractive establishments in the center of the town.
7. Jasper Skytram
The Jasper Skytram is the longest and highest skytram in Canada! With the endless forests and the majestic mountain range as the backdrop, the Jasper Skytram gives you have a panoramic view of all the awe-inspiring alpine scenery. Don’t forget to bring your camera! An adult costs $52, a youth $27.50, and a child is free.
8. Medicine Lake
Medicine Lake is a shallow lake named by Native Americans because its water magically disappears in fall and winter, and refills in spring and summer. In May, the lake is still frozen, but the view is breathtaking nonetheless. In summer, you can observe the magnificent mountain peaks reflected in the lake’s water, making it one of the most memorable scenic stops!
9. Lake Edith
One of the warmer lakes in Jasper, Lake Edith is a fantastic place to spend a summer day. It’s great for kids, especially because it’s not too deep. There’s a public dock, which makes it great for boating. You can get to Lake Edith by a hike, which is 4.5 km.
10. Miette Hot Springs
The Miette Hot Springs is the hottest mineral springs in all of the Canadian Rockies. The water is about 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Soaking in the hot springs surrounded by fantastic Rocky Mountain peaks and forests is an amazing experience in itself.
Where to Eat
The Syrahs of Jasper is an amazing restaurant that features high-quality Canadian cuisine, including salmon and elk.
The Fiddle River Restaurant serves steaks, pasta, and seafood dishes. But the food isn’t why most people come to this restaurant. The beautiful scenic mountains and landscape make your dinner even more enjoyable!
Loulou’s Pizzeria serves poutine and pizza, as well as other Canadian dishes. It’s not too expensive, and you can order takeout or have a delivery.
Where to Stay
In our prior trip to Jasper, we stayed at Alpine Village Jasper, and had a great experience! Alpine Village Jasper is a group of cabins with modern amenities, nestled in the woods. Most cabins have amazing mountain views right from the windows and porches.
Plus Athabasca River runs in front of the cabins! The price during the summer season is around $280 a night. Check out this link for more details.
The other lodging options in Jasper National Park include Maligne Lodge and The Chateau Jasper Hotel. Maligne Lodge is only $72 a night. It includes an indoor pool, an exercise place, as well as free wi-fi. The Chateau Jasper Hotel is $88 a night and comes with a British pub-style restaurant, along with an indoor pool and spa.
What to Bring
- Hiking gear: Unless you’re planning on taking one of the more challenging and strenuous hikes in Banff National Park, all you really need for hiking is some good hiking boots, thick socks, and a backpack!
- Sneakers: In Banff, you’ll definitely need a pair of sneakers. There’ll be lots of walking involved. Be prepared!
- Cold-weather clothing: You’ll need jackets, coats, hats, sweaters, and anything else to keep you warm! It can get super cold in the Canadian Rockies during the winter, and even in the summer, so you definitely need your cold-weather clothing!
- Bathing suit: If you’re planning on visiting the hot springs, you’ll need one.
- Snacks: If you’re skipping out on lunch, you have to remember to bring a bunch of snacks with you!
- Camera: The scenery in Banff is something you must have a memory of. Here’s a link for the camera we used to take our photos!
If you’re visiting the Canadian Rockies, Jasper is definitely a must-see. From its turquoise blue lakes to the glacier capped mountains, the wild and breathtaking Jasper is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will take your breath away!
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