Plan a Visit to Jasper National Park
This Jasper National Park travel guide helps you plan a first trip without spending hours figuring out what is actually worth your vacation time. Jasper feels wilder and more spread out than many mountain destinations, with elk wandering near town, glaciers beside the Icefields Parkway, waterfalls thundering through narrow canyons, and turquoise lakes surrounded by the Canadian Rockies.
You will find what not to miss, where to stay, when to visit, and the practical details you need before you arrive. I’ve also included the experiences that make Jasper memorable, from driving the Icefields Parkway and seeing Athabasca Glacier to cruising Maligne Lake, looking for wildlife, soaking in Miette Hot Springs, and stopping at Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls.
NOTE: Jasper continues to recover from the 2024 wildfire. Some roads, trails, campgrounds, and popular areas remain closed or have limited access, so check current Parks Canada conditions shortly before your trip.
Jasper National Park at a Glance
Location: Alberta, Canada, north of Banff National Park
How much time: 2–3 days for a first visit
Best time to visit: June through September for hiking and the greatest access
Don’t miss: Icefields Parkway, Athabasca Glacier, Maligne Lake, Athabasca Falls, and Sunwapta Falls
Best scenic drive: Icefields Parkway
Best lake experience: Maligne Lake
Best easy hike: Valley of the Five Lakes
Best glacier view: Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield
Best wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening along quieter park roads
Best soak: Miette Hot Springs
Where to stay: Jasper townsite, inside the park, or Hinton
Good to know: Jasper is huge, so group attractions by area instead of driving back and forth
Before you go: Check current Parks Canada road, trail, wildfire recovery, and closure information
Jasper National Park Travel Guide
Top 10 Things to Do in Jasper National Park
1. Drive the Icefields Parkway
2. See Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield
3. Cruise Maligne Lake to Spirit Island
4. See Athabasca Falls
5. Stop at Sunwapta Falls
6. Hike the Valley of the Five Lakes
7. Photograph Medicine Lake
8. Ride the Jasper SkyTram and hike toward Whistlers Summit
9. Soak in Miette Hot Springs
10. Look for elk, bighorn sheep, bears, and other wildlife from a safe distance
Where is Jasper National Park
Guided tours are available but the best way to experience Jasper National Park is by self-drive. Jasper is located north of Banff National Park and west of Edmonton. The closest international airports to Jasper are in Edmonton and Calgary Canada. Rent a car upon arrival. The drive from Edmonton to Jasper is 4 hours and 5 hours from Calgary to Jasper.
Facts About Jasper National Park
- Jasper National Park was established in 1907, it is the second most visited national park in Canada (2 million per year)
- It is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies (4,200 square miles) and the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world
- Maligne Lake is the largest glacially-fed lake in the Canadian Rockies
- Medicine Lake is famous for its “disappearing water” due to the water draining into a cave system in the winter causing the lake to become a mudflat
- The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world
- There are approximately 2,000 lakes in Jasper National Park
- Athabasca Glacier is around 3.7 miles in length and slowly receding each year
- Jasper Brewing Company is Canada’s first National Park Brewery
- Jasper National Park is sectioned into five sections. Icefields Parkway, Edith Cavell, Maligne Canyon, Miette Hot Springs, and the Jasper Area.
Best Time of Year to Visit Jasper National Park
July and August are the busiest times and peak seasons. Summer temperatures range from 60-75 degrees F. Early June and late September are shoulder seasons. Most of the trails are dry from June to September. Leaves begin to change color in September and October is a great time for viewing the night sky. Skiing and snowboarding at Marmot Basin is usually possible from mid-November to the end of April. The best conditions are from December to March. Other popular winter activities include ice skating, snowshoeing, and dog sledding. April and May are great for spotting wildlife, wildflowers are in bloom and waterfalls are full of rushing water.
Accommodation in Jasper National Park
Hotels, lodges, B&Bs, and hostels are available in Jasper and Hinton. Book early, this is a popular destination and moderately priced accommodations fill fast. There are 11 campgrounds within the park with over 1,800 sites in and around Jasper National Park. Some are first come first served, reservations are recommended during July and August. Backcountry campgrounds are available on the Skyline Trail and Tonquin Valley, get your permit here.
Where to eat at Jasper National Park
There are often long waits to obtain a table at Jasper restaurants. Consider booking accommodations with a small kitchen and purchasing groceries.
One Day in Jasper National Park
Early Morning: Maligne Lake
Start early and drive to Maligne Lake before the day gets busy. Walk along the lakeshore or take a morning boat cruise to Spirit Island if you have booked one.
Late Morning: Medicine Lake
Stop at Medicine Lake on the drive back toward Jasper. Keep an eye out for wildlife along Maligne Road and give animals plenty of space.
Lunch: Jasper
Return to Jasper for lunch and a quick walk through town.
Early Afternoon: Athabasca Falls
Drive south on the Icefields Parkway to Athabasca Falls and follow the short paths around the canyon.
Midafternoon: Sunwapta Falls
Continue south to Sunwapta Falls before turning back toward Jasper.
Late Afternoon: Valley of the Five Lakes
If you still have time and energy, hike the Valley of the Five Lakes for colorful mountain lakes and a different view of Jasper’s landscape.
Evening: Jasper
Have dinner in town, then take a short drive around dusk to look for wildlife from a safe distance.
If glaciers are your priority: Skip Valley of the Five Lakes and continue farther south along the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier. This adds significant driving, so don’t try to squeeze both into a relaxed one-day visit.
Hikes in Jasper National Park
- Stroll the Discovery Trail around Jasper
- Walk the 2.3-mile loop around Maligne Canyon
- Hike the 2.8 miles RT Valley of the Five Lakes loop
- Old Fort Point loop trail
- Hike the Mount Edith Cavell to Angel Glacier
- Wilcox Viewpoint has amazing views of the Athabasca Glacier, a 5.4-mile loop trail
- Hike Sulphur Skyline 4.8 miles RT for views of Utopia Mountain, Ashlar Ridge, and Fiddle Valley
Things to Do in and Around Jasper National Park
- Drive the 144-mile Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper stopping at the scenic overlooks on the way
- Walk on the Athabasca Glacier
- See the Sunwapta Valley from above on the Columbia Icefield Skywalk
- Take a Boat Cruise on Maligne Lake and photograph Spirit Island
- Bike to Snake Indian Falls
- Photograph Medicine Lake
- Swim or paddleboard in Lake Annette or Edith Lake
- Enjoy a horseback ride through the mountains
- Cliff jump at Horseshoe Lake
- Check out the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge resort and Lac Beauvert
- Soak in the Miette Hot Springs
- See Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls
- Enjoy a picnic on Pyramid Island
- Canoe around Patricia Lake
- Rappel down a waterfall at Two Valley Canyon
- Ride the Jasper Skytram up Whistlers Mountain and enjoy the view
- White water raft on the Athabasca or Sunwapta River
- Go mountain biking on the trails at Water Tower, Mina Lake, or Loni’s
- Learn about Jasper’s history at the historic Train Station
- Shop for souvenirs in downtown Jasper, see Jasper the Bear sculpture and the Two Brothers totem pole
- Take an evening wildlife tour
- Scuba dive Horseshoe lake
- Check the Jasper National Park Service for current events
Tips for Visiting Jasper National Park
- Be sure to bring plenty of snacks and water
- Check for trail closures at the visitor center and grab a map
- Dress in layers and be prepared for rain
- Purchase or rent bear spray and learn bear safety before you visit
- The mosquitos are relentless, purchase bug spray and After Bite
- Cell service is inconsistent, download offline maps
- Practice Leave No Trace Principles
- Fill the gas tank before driving the Icefields Parkway, the only gas station on the parkway is Saskatchewan River Crossing and is expensive
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