An Ultimate Travel Guide to Jasper National Park [2026]

Jasper National Park is a large national park in the Canadian Rockies. It connects with Banff National Park via the Icefields Parkway, and the drive between the two parks usually takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on weather, road conditions, and stops.

Jasper National Park has many lakes and peaks, so you can enjoy a variety of beautiful mountain and water views while hiking or driving, as well as experiencing a variety of water sports, such as boating on the lakes and rafting in the fast-flowing rivers.

You can also take helicopter tours, horseback rides, or guided excursions to see Jasper from a different perspective. Wildlife such as elk, deer, bears, and marmots may be seen along the way; always keep a safe distance.

If you plan to visit in winter or shoulder season, confirm road, trail, and activity conditions before you go. Columbia Icefield tours, the Glacier Skywalk, and other experiences are seasonal and weather-dependent.

Jasper and Banff are both part of the Parks Canada system, so applicable Parks Canada passes can be used in both parks. Many travelers visit the two parks on the same Canadian Rockies itinerary.

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What to see in Jasper National Park What can you do?

There are three main scenic areas in Jasper National Park: Jasper Town, Maligne Canyon-Maligne Lake, and Icefields Parkway.

• In Jasper Town, you’ll find not only a sophisticated amenity center where you can experience local folklore, but also nearby lakes for biking, hiking, or water sports on the lakes, the Jasper SkyTram to reach the heights of the Whistlers and the surrounding mountains and lakes, or the Jasper Train Station for train tours. Take a train tour from the Jasper Train Station, and experience helicopter tours, horseback riding tours, and more in the town of Jasper.
• At Maligne Canyon-Maligne Lake, start by hiking through Maligne Canyon, crossing several bridges and enjoying the views along the way, then take in the sights of Medicine Lake on your way to Maligne Lake, the park’s most popular lake, and arrive at Maligne Lake for a picnic or walk or a variety of water activities, such as stand-up paddling or canoeing or taking a boat tour. Once at Maligne Lake, enjoy a picnic, take a walk, or do one of the many water activities, such as stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, or taking a boat tour.
• Then you can drive south along the Icefields Parkway (Icefields Parkway ), on the way will pass the Athabasca Falls (Athabasca Falls), you can stop to enjoy its magnificent scenery, you can also participate in the local rafting interactions, such as experiencing the exciting water sports, and finally arrived and Banff National Park (Banff National Park) bordering the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre (Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre), board the Glacier Skywalk (Glacier Skywalk), participate in ice adventure interactions. Finally, you can reach the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Center bordering Banff National Park, and climb the Glacier Skywalk to take part in the ice adventure interaction.

Before entering the park, you can purchase a day pass or an annual pass, and passes apply to national parks including:

• Banff National Park (Banff)
• Jasper National Park (Jasper)
• Yuzuru National Park (Yoho)
• Kootenay National Park (Kootenay )
• Waterton National Park
• Elk Island National Park
• Mount Revelstoke National Park
• Glacier National Park

Day passes are valid for a single person on a single day and are $10.50 for adults, $9 for seniors 65+, and free for youth and children 17 and under. [Purchase Link]

Annual passes are valid for one year and are $145.25 for a family pass with up to 7 people, $72.25 for a single adult pass, and $61.75 for a senior pass.

So if you visit these parks more than 7 times in a year, it is more appropriate to purchase an annual pass. [Purchase Link]

Best time to visit Jasper National Park?

Jasper National Park is open year-round, with different ways to visit the park throughout the year. Some roads or areas may be temporarily closed for special reasons such as weather, so check the park’s latest Important Announcements information page to determine access before traveling.

• Summer is ideal for activities such as cycling, rafting, and boating;
• Spring and fall are good for enjoying mountain lake views, hiking, and other activities;
• In winter, you can experience different winter activities such as ice walking, snowshoe walking, and dog sledding.

Which planes fly directly to Jasper National Park?

The closest airport to Jasper National Park is Edmonton International Airport, airport code YEG.

It takes approximately 4 hours of driving time to get to Jasper National Park in a rental car from the airport, or you can take the Sundog bus to the park (booking link ), or the Brewster Express bus.

Information about direct flights from the United States to YEG Airport is available:

If you are planning to visit Banff National Park at the same time, you can also go to Calgary International Airport, airport code: YYC, and rent a car from the airport. It takes about 5 hours to drive from the airport through Banff National Park to Jasper National Park, or you can take the Sundog bus from the airport to the park ( booking link ), or the Brewster Express buses.

Information about direct flights from the United States to YYC Airport is available:

What are the transportation and road conditions in Jasper National Park?

Jasper National Park is adjacent to Banff National Park and can be reached directly from Highway 93 through Banff National Park.

From the back, you can also take Highway 16 to Jasper Town before entering Jasper National Park.

Since there is no strict entrance to the park, after purchasing a pass, it needs to be placed in a visible location in front of the driver’s seat so that it can be readily checked by a ranger.

The main highway in the park is Highway 93, along with Highway 93A and Highway 16A, both paved and generally in good condition for driving, but some roads may be temporarily closed due to natural weather and other factors, and you should check the park’s road update page to determine road conditions before traveling.

How are accommodations in Jasper National Park organized?

When you visit Jasper National Park, we recommend Jasper Town, where the overall facilities are complete and it is more convenient to eat, stay and play.

There are also several good lodging options along the Icefields Parkway.

If you are flying into YYC Airport, you can also choose to stay 1 night at YYC Airport or Banff Town. If you are flying into YEG Airport, consider staying one night near YEG Airport.

Jasper Town

#1. Pyramid Lake Resort ⭐⭐⭐ 8.3/10.0 828条评价

#2. Pine Bungalows ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.5/10.0 1,468 reviews

#3. The White Brick Inn 9.5/10.0 124 reviews

#4. The Crimson Jasper ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.2/10.0 871 reviews

#5. Bon Homme View 8.4/10.0 114 reviews

#6. Whistler’s Inn ⭐⭐⭐ 8.1/10.0 1,198条评价

#7. Caruso’s Accommodation ⭐⭐⭐ 8.1/10.0 186 reviews

#8. Mount Robson Inn ⭐⭐⭐ 8.1/10.0 1,320条评价

#9. HI Jasper – Hostel ⭐⭐⭐ 8.1/10.0 1,179条评价

#10. Tekarra Lodge 8.2/10.0 336 reviews

#11. Patricia Lake Bungalows ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.0/10.0 194 reviews

Icefields Parkway

#12. Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge ⭐⭐ 8.1/10.0 986 reviews

#13. Glacier View Lodge ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.7/10.0 537 reviews

#14. HI Athabasca Falls – Hostel 8.6/10.0 151 reviews

Edmonton International Airport

#15. Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Edmonton International Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.0/10.0 684 reviews

#16. Wyndham Garden Edmonton Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.8/10.0 231 reviews

#17. Quality Inn & Suites Edmonton International Airport ⭐⭐⭐ 8.4/10.0 270 reviews

#18. Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton International Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.7/10.0 326 reviews

#19. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Edmonton Airport Conference Centre ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.7/10.0 339 reviews

#20. Stars Inn ⭐⭐⭐ 8.6/10.0 1,945条评价

#21. Fairfield by Marriott Edmonton International Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.8/10.0 686 reviews

Calgary International Airport

#22. Executive Residency by Best Western Calgary City View North ⭐⭐⭐ 8.7/10.0 1,275条评价

#23. Best Western Premier Freeport Inn Calgary Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.4/10.0 1,248 reviews

#24. Wyndham Garden Calgary Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.7/10.0 1,296 reviews

#25. Applause Hotel Calgary Airport by CLIQUE ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.0/10.0 1,369 reviews

#26. Hotel Clique Calgary Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.9/10.0 1,341 reviews

#27. Hampton Inn by Hilton Calgary Airport North ⭐⭐⭐ 8.6/10.0 1,165条评价

#28. Park Inn by Radisson, Calgary Airport North, AB ⭐⭐⭐ 8.8/10.0 3,390条评价

#29. Wingate by Wyndham Calgary Airport ⭐⭐⭐ 8.6/10.0 2,686条评价

#30. Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.0/10.0 846 reviews

What are some good restaurants in Jasper National Park?

Restaurants in Jasper National Park are mainly concentrated in the town of Jasper, and there are many categories to choose from, from coffee lite to exotic cuisine, with popular and well-reviewed restaurants:

#1. Patricia Street Deli 4.8/5.0 (397 reviews) map

#2. SnowDome Coffee Bar 4.7/5.0 (319 reviews) map

#3. The Other Paw Bakery Cafe 4.3/5.0 (665 reviews) map

#4. The Spice Joint Lounge 4.7/5.0 (532 reviews) map

#5. Bear’s Paw Bakery 4.3/5.0 (1,080 reviews) map

#6. Andaaz Jasper 4.5/5.0 (374 reviews) map

#7. Sunhouse Cafe 4.7/5.0 (531 reviews) map

#8. Jasper Pizza Place 4.2/5.0 (2,246 reviews) map

#9. Jasper Brewing Company 4.3/5.0 (1,441 reviews) map

#10. Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria – Jasper National Park 4.2/5.0 (908 reviews) map

#11. ALBA Restaurant 4.3/5.0 (511 reviews) map

#12. Something Else Restaurant 42./5.0 (825 reviews) Maps

#13. Syrahs Of Jasper 4.6/5.0 (525 reviews) map

#14. The Raven Bistro 4.7/5.0 (995 reviews) map

Tips

• Time Zone: There is a one hour time difference between Jasper National Park and Vancouver qua time zone;
• Wildlife: There is a large amount of wildlife living in the park, so control your speed when traveling or riding on the road, especially in areas with blind spots such as sharp curves, and be sure to move slowly, and carry bear spray with you;
• Calculate the cost of admission: single admission to Jasper National Park is calculated on a daily basis, visit a few days to buy a few days of admission, if you visit for a long time, it is more cost-effective to buy an annual pass to Canada’s national parks.
• Arrive early: many parking lots fill up in the morning if you visit the park during the heavier summer months, so if you need to drive, it is recommended that you arrive at your parking spot by 9 or 8 am.

Itinerary and Point of Interests

The scenic area of Jasper National Park is divided into three main areas.

Among them is Jasper Town, which has a variety of things to do, including hiking, cable cars, trains, helicopters, horseback tours, and swimming in water sports.

Visiting Maligne Canyon-Maligne Lake is relatively easy, and consists mainly of hiking and lake-viewing.

The Icefields Parkway area focuses on sightseeing and different experiences, including rafting and ice exploration.

So, please, depending on the activities you are participating in, Jasper National Park can be visited in as little as one day, or you can schedule a few days to experience different programs.

Take a two-day, one-night trip, for example:

First day

Take a morning ride on the Jasper SkyTram, hike up Whistlers and return down the mountain for a horseback riding tour or helicopter tour.

Take an afternoon hike into Maligne Canyon before returning to Jasper Town for overnight.

Second day

In the morning, drive to Maligne Lake and visit Medicine Lake, where you can take a boat ride or paddle on your own, and go for a short hike up to Spirit Island.

Return to Jasper Town for lunch.

In the afternoon, head south on the Icefields Parkway and, in summer, take a rafting trip to Athabasca Falls before heading to the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Center for a Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure. Then head to the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Center for a Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure.

If it’s winter, you can swap rafting activities for snow activities like dog sledding.

Jasper Town

The main attraction in Jasper Town is the Sky Tram, there are many lakes around the town to walk along and enjoy the views, and it offers many experiences including helicopters, trains and horseback riding.

Jasper SkyTram

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 / 5.0 (3,005 reviews)

ReservationLink｜Google Maps

The Sky Gondola operates annually from March through October.

Jasper Park’s aerial tramway is the highest in Canada, rising from the town all the way up to the Whistlers’ station at about 2,300 meters above sea level, from which you can get a good view of the landscape.

You can also follow The Whistlers Summit Trail from the gondola station to Whistlers Peak, where you’ll have the chance to encounter wildlife such as sage grouse and bighorn sheep.

Various lakes

The town of Jasper is surrounded by many lakes, all of which are worth exploring.

Some of the more popular lakes are:

• Lake Beauvert ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 / 5.0 (125 reviews) Google Mapss A variety of water sports can be experienced, including stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, and more. Web Link This company also offers bike rentals to experience a ride around the lake.
• Lake Annette Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 / 5.0 (293 reviews) Google Mapss One of the few beaches in Jasper National Park.
• Pyramid Lake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 / 5.0 (549 reviews) Google Mapss Pyramid Island is a miniature island in the middle of the lake, which can be accessed via a wooden bridge, and you can enjoy the view of Pyramid Mountain, Cairngorm and other peaks on the other side of the lake. On the shore of the lake, you can also find the “Red Chair”, a photo stop.
• Patricia Lake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 / 5.0 (154 reviews) Google Mapss Based on the location advantage, the view along the lake is very good a lake, and along the lake built a good reputation Patricia Lake Bungalows, if you stay you can get a lake and mountain view, if you visit more than one day you can choose to You can choose to stay here if you are traveling for many days.

The Red Chair is a tourism initiative of Canada’s National Parks System, which first began in Gros Morne National Park in 2011.

At that time, 18 red Adirondack chairs were placed at the best spots in the park for visitors to take photos, and also marked this location as the best spot in the park, after that, the scope of this activity continued to expand, and now there are more than 200 red chairs placed in all the parks in the Canadian National Parks System, the following is the map of the location of the red chairs in the Jasper National Park. Below is a map of where the red chairs are located in Jasper National Park, so if you’re interested, head on over and take a photo.

Lake Beauvert

Lake Annette Beach

Pyramid Lake

Patricia Lake

Red chairs in the park:

Various activities

The town of Jasper offers a wealth of tours, including:

• Take a horseback riding excursion;
• Take a helicopter ride and experience an aerial tour;
• The tour by train offers two routes:

The journey from Jasper Train Station to Dunster Station is by train and bus and takes about 6 hours. Booking Links

The trip from Jasper Train Station to McBride Train station is a round trip by train and takes about 7 hours. Booking Links

Horseback riding:

Helicopter:

Train:

Maligne Lake area

This is a scenic Maligne Lake Rd. drive from the town of Jasper, about 44 kilometers long, with Maligne Canyon at the entrance, then Medicine Lake, and Maligne Lake at the end of the road.

Maligne Canyon

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 / 5.0 (5,082 reviews)

ReservationLink｜Google Maps

Maligne Canyon is characterized by the Maligne Canyon Trail, which follows the Maligne River and features six bridges along which you can enjoy waterfalls, river and mountain views.

Of the six bridges, the first four are relatively close to each other, while the fifth and sixth are particularly far away, so most tourists choose to hike to the fourth bridge and then turn back, the distance from the starting point to the fourth bridge is about 2 kilometers, and if you enjoy the scenery while walking, you can usually turn back in 2 hours.

If you are visiting in winter, you can join a local ice hiking tour and enjoy the view of the canyon covered in snow and ice.

Medicine Lake

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 / 5.0 (161 reviews)

Google Mapss

Witch Medicine Lake is the name given to this lake by the local natives as they believe it to be a lake of witchcraft.

For nature, you can drive along and enjoy the view of the slender Medicine Lake with its surrounding mountains and trees, or get out of your car and head to the Medicine Lake Lookout, where you can see the trees reflected in the lake from the top of the lake.

Maligne Lake

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 / 5.0 (608 reviews)

Google Mapss

Lake Marlene is the largest lake in the Rocky Mountains by area and is surrounded by numerous snow-capped mountain peaks.

Spirit Island, a popular island in the lake, is surrounded by a wooded area and a variety of wildlife can be encountered while hiking along the lake.

Visit Lake Marlene, where you can walk around the lake, look for red chairs for photos, rent a boat for a paddling trip, or join a local lake cruise.

Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Highway is a highway that runs through Jasper and Banff National Parks, with the Jasper National Park section following the Athabasca River, so you can enjoy views of the rushing river along the way.

There are also a number of rafting experience points near Athabasca Falls, and along the Icefield Drive to the Banff National Park border is the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Center, which focuses on the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure. Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure.)

Athabasca Falls

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 / 5.0 (815 reviews)

Google Mapss

Athabasca Falls is located on the Athabasca River, which is the largest river in Jasper National Park, and the rushing waters create the spectacular Athabasca Falls, which was listed as a Canadian Heritage Site in 1989 and is one of the top attractions on the Icefields Drive.

There is a parking lot next to the waterfall, so you can get out of your car and head to the observation deck to see this waterfall up close.

Or you can go below the waterfall and take part in a rafting activity. Booking Connection

The Athabasca River splits in front of Sunwapta Falls to form the Sunwapta River, which also has spectacular waterfall scenery, and downstream you can find rafting activities as well. Booking Links

In addition to these two rafting operators, there are many rafting activities to choose from throughout Jasper National Park, so you can refer to the Rafting Activities website to choose the right trip for you to participate in.

Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Center

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 / 5.0 (779 reviews)

Google Mapss

The Columbia Icefield Discovery Center is adjacent to the Jasper National Park Icefield Information Centre and Glacier Gallery.

The Columbia Icefield is the world’s largest geologic ice sheet outside of the Arctic Circle, and the center offers the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure, which takes you on a large Ice Explorer ATV to the Athabasca Glacier, where more than 10,000 years of ice remain. You can get out and walk, take photos or touch the glaciers.

Then you’ll head to the Skywalk, a curved glass walkway suspended 280 meters in the air overlooking Sunwapta Canyon at your feet.

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