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Note: The park is recovering from the wildfire in July 2024. Services and accommodations are limited during the re-entry and recovery period. See the Parks Canada website for information. |
| (Information last updated 23 Sep 2024) |
Jasper National Park is in the Alberta Rockies region of Alberta, Canada. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain Parks, spanning 10,878 km² (4200 square miles) of broad valleys, rugged mountains, glaciers, forests, alpine meadows and wild rivers along the eastern slopes of the Rockies in western Alberta. There are more than 1200 km (660 miles) of hiking trails (both overnight and day trips), and a number of spectacular mountain drives.
Towns
[edit]Other destinations
[edit]- 1 Columbia Icefield — continue south to Banff, the largest region of ice and snow in mainland North America south of the Arctic Circle.
Understand
[edit]
Comprising of delicate and carefully protected ecosystems, Jasper's scenery is nonetheless rugged and mountainous. In this special corner of Canada you can thrill to the thunder of Sunwapta Falls, enjoy the serene beauty of Mount Edith Cavell, connect with nature along more than 1,000 km of trails, experience Athabasca Glacier up close, or resign yourself to a relaxing soak in Miette Hot Springs.
The park starts in the south at 1 Sunwapta pass 
just north of Banff National Park near the Columbia Icefield with the 2 eastern park entrance 20 minutes southwest of Hinton. The town of Jasper is located within the park. The other park entrance is from the west at 3 Yellowhead Pass .
Visitor information
[edit]Get in
[edit]
By car
[edit]Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) bisects the park east-west. Hinton is 69 km (43 mi) and Edmonton is 350 km (220 mi) to the east. Valemount is 110 km (68 mi) to the west. The only other way into the park is from Lake Louise in the south via the Icefields Parkway.
By train
[edit]- See also: Rail travel in Canada
- VIA Rail Canada, toll-free: +1-888-842-7245. Operates train routes across Canada.
Two routes stop in Jasper:
- The Canadian between Vancouver and Toronto via Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg
- A route between Jasper and Prince Rupert via Prince George
- Rocky Mountaineer, toll-free: +1 877-460-3200, [email protected]. With two routes from Jasper to Vancouver: via Kamloops, or via Quesnel and Whistler.
By plane
[edit]The closest International Airports are in Edmonton (YEG IATA), 350 km (220 mi) east of the park (390 km (240 mi) from Jasper townsite) and Calgary (YYC IATA) 350 km (220 mi) southeast of the park (430 km (270 mi) from Jasper townsite). Edmonton is generally a quicker drive but Calgary is a more scenic route and has more international connections.
Fees and permits
[edit]All visitors stopping in the park (even just for gas) require a park permit. If you are driving through non-stop, the pass is not required. Day passes and annual passes are available.
All Canadian national parks require visitors to pay an entry fee. Canadian residents and international visitors pay the same fees. The national parks in Alberta and BC are fairly close to each other and it is possible to visit several of them in a single day. If you pay an entry fee in one mountain park (e.g. Banff National Park), and visit another on the same day (e.g. Yoho National Park), you will not have to pay a second time. Your paid entry fee is valid until 4PM the following day.
The fees that visitors pay do not go to general government revenues; they are used to enhance and maintain the parks and visitor services.
For 2022, the entry fees are:
- $10.50 per day for an adult (aged 17-64)
- $9.00 per day for a senior (aged 65+)
- free for children and youth (aged 0-16)
If you are entering the park as a group of 2-7 people travelling in a single vehicle, you can pay the group fee of $21.00 per day. (This is the same fee as paying for two adults.)
Parks Canada Passes
The Discovery Pass provides unlimited admission for a full year at over 80 Parks Canada places that charge a daily entrance fee. It provides faster entry and is valid for 12 months from date of purchase. Prices for 2024 (taxes included):
- Family/group (up to 7 people in a vehicle): $151.25
- Children and youth (0-17): free
- Adult (18-64): $75.25
- Senior (65+): $64.50
The Cultural Access Pass: people who have received their Canadian citizenship in the past year can qualify for free entry to some sites.
Additional variable fees are required for camping and backcountry exploration. See the official Parks Canada website for a complete current schedule.
A Park Pass is also required for anyone travelling the Icefields Parkway (#93) between Lake Louise and Jasper.
Get around
[edit]Car is the only way to really cover the distances involved, although you do see the odd intrepid cyclist. The only fuel stations in the park are in Jasper town.
The best way to see the area is by foot. Head a few hundred metres from a car park and you are in wilderness and does not take much longer to get away from the people.
See
[edit]
- 1 Whistler's Mountain (Just outside of Jasper). Take the Jasper Tramway half way up the mountain. From there it is a relatively short but very steep walk to the peak. On a clear day there are some superb views of the mountains ranges of the area and back into the valley below. May people get a false sense of security in the summer walking from the cable-car but be aware the weather can change quickly and you can find yourself in clouds or a small whirlwind.
- 2 Maligne Lake. Regular boat trips to see the wonder of a lake with water two different colours in different parts. Spirit Island, made famous by a photography competition, is in the middle of Maligne Lake. The only way to see the island is to take the boat cruise (1.5 hours round trip). Below the car park and gift shop area it can be crowded with visitors in the summer, just south past the buildings is a raised view point providing an excellent view of the lake. A little walk along the northern shore passed the boat house takes you to a trail with fewer people. It follows the lake shore for a while before heading inland and looping back to the car park. It provides a chance to experience the local flora and fauna as well as see a glacial kettle.
- 3 Maligne Canyon. Impressive deep cut canyon with waterfalls and interesting carved rock formations. Steep but good footpath along the top of the canyon, one side being fenced while the other is open. The river, up near Maligne Lake, flows in a mighty torrent. When it enters Medicine Lake (named in reference to bad medicine) it does so with great volumes. It does not, however, appear to flow out. Indeed, through the summer months Medicine Lake disappears until, in mid autumn all that is left is a thin channel that itself disappears into the shoreline. In winter, walk on the canyon bottom to see masses of blue ice where waterfalls flow in the summertime!
- 4 Medicine Lake (On the road to Maligne Lake). Not strictly speaking a lake but the point where water backups from the Maligne River before disappearing underground through sink holes. There is no river running out of the lake, the depth depending on the inflow rate from ice melt. A pull-off at western end of the lake provides a spectacular view of the valley and hills.
- 5 Beaver Lake (from Beaver Creek picnic area at the western end of Medicine Lake). A 1.5-km hike along a broad slightly climbing trail through bush and woodland brings you to a beautifully clear lake teaming with fish between the Colin and Queen Elizabeth Ranges. For the more intrepid continue along the Jaques Lake Trail South of Boundary Trail. Be aware that although you will not see many people along this trail, there is a good chance of meeting bears.
- 6 Athabasca Falls. An impressive waterfall. The Athabasca River thunders through a narrow gorge where the walls have been smoothed and potholes are created by the sheer force of the rushing water carrying sand and rock. There are parking and toilet facilities. Paved trail and picnic sites are available.
- 7 Angel Glacier. Glacier on the north face of Mount Edith Cavell. Easy hike along Cavell Meadow trail from the car park to see some spectacular colours of ice and rock.
- 8 Goat lick (near Mount Kerkeslin view parking). Chance of seeing mountain goats at the side of the road
- 9 Sunwapta Falls. Small waterfall but worth a brief visit. Only a short walk from the car park
- 10 Tangle Falls. Picturesque waterfall that is right on the side of the road.
- 11 Columbia Icefield. One of the largest and most accessible glaciers in the Rockies.
- 12 Lake Annette.
- 13 Pyramid Lake.
Do
[edit]- 1 Miette Hot Springs, Miette Road, Jasper National Park, ☏ +1 780-866-3939. A place to relax after a day of hiking, the hottest mineral springs in the Rockies flow from the mountain at 54ºC. The water is cooled to a comfortable 40ºC as it enters the pools. There are two hot pools and two cool pools, a café, a souvenir shop, a picnic ground and interpretive exhibits. Suits, towels and lockers are available for rent. It is open May to mid-October, and located between Jasper and Hinton.
Itineraries
[edit]Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]
- The town of Jasper has a good selection of places to eat.
- There is a cafeteria at Columbia Icefield
- 1 Maligne Lake. Basic cafeteria.
- 2 Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge (on the Icefields Parkway halfway between Jasper and the Columbia Icefield), ☏ +1 780-852-4852. Restaurant and cafeteria options.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]For lodging right in Jasper, please see the Jasper article.
Lodging
[edit]- 1 HI-Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake Rd (turn south off highway 16 just east of the townsite), ☏ +1 778-328-2220, toll-free: +1-866-762-4122. Check-in: 5-10PM, check-out: 10AM. Closed Wednesdays Oct-Apr, open all other times. This 24-bed hostel, is an excellent place to get away from things for a while. Though it lacks running water, you'll not miss anything else. There's a good sized kitchen, a supply of drinking water, and a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. $20-26/person for HI members, $24-30/person for non-members.
- 2 HI-Mount Edith Cavell, Mt Edith Cavell Rd (26 km south of Jasper townsite off highway 93A, 12 km up Cavell Rd), ☏ +1 778-328-2220. Check-in: 5-10PM, check-out: 10AM. The 3,363-metre peak of Mt. Edith Cavell towers over this little wilderness hostel set in a narrow valley. An ideal base from which to explore Angel Glacier, Cavell Meadows or the Tonquin Valley. The views are amazing! There is no running water and no electricity. Full kitchen facilities with propane gas. Wood heating in the dorms, so in winter be prepared to stoke the fire 2 or 3 times a night. Toilets are outside. In summer (May to Oct) a manager lives on-site. The road closes in winter, ski-in only, a key can be picked up from HI-Jasper or HI-Lake Louise. $20-26/person for HI members, $24-30/person for non-members. Bookings recommended in summer months.
- 3 HI-Athabasca Falls, Highway 93 (32 km south of Jasper townsite, 1 km south of Athabasca Waterfall), ☏ +1 778-328-2220. Check-in: 5-10PM, check-out: 10AM. Rustic hostel with no running water, there is power however. Boasting a fantastic large wood-paneled common room/kitchen with wood heater, this spacious hostel is ideal for groups. Located next to the powerful waterfalls of the same name. A great base for hikers: the Fryatt Valley, Geraldine Lakes, and Athabasca Pass are nearby. Chill out at the fire-pit any time of year. 'Cowboy' showers are available for those not willing to wash in the cold creek. Sleeping is in two dorms. Some private rooms are available. $20-26/person for HI members, $24-30/person for non-members. This place fills up quick, bookings recommended in summer months.
- 4 HI-Beauty Creek, Highway 93 (75 km south of Jasper townsite, 17 km north of Columbia Icefields), toll-free: +1-866-762-4122. Check-in: 5-10PM, check-out: 10AM. This small rustic hostel is a favourite stop for cyclists between Jasper and Banff. Located adjacent the gentle waters of the Sunwapta River, the location is spectacular! Sleeping is in two dorms, nestled either side of the small kitchen and semi-outside common room. There is no running water and no electricity. Full kitchen facilities and refrigerator with propane gas. Toilets are outside. In summer (May to Oct) a manager lives on-site. Closed in winter. Expect snow any time of year here. $20-26/person for HI members, $24-30/person for non-members. Bookings recommended in summer months.
- 5 Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, 1 Old Lodge Road (follow the signs on Highway 16; turn left (if coming from the east) or right (if coming from the west) onto the black steel bridge over Athabasca River and follow the road), ☏ +1 780-852-3301. Full-service hotel outside of Jasper Township. Has a world-class golf course on site, and a world-class restaurant. Expect to pay world-class prices.
- 6 Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge (on the Icefields Parkway halfway between Jasper and the Columbia Icefield), ☏ +1 780-852-4852. Quality lodges, restaurant.
Camping
[edit]The following are the only designated camping sites throughout the park. There are maps available online with information and fees. It is illegal to camp outside of designated areas without a special backcountry pass.
- 7 Whistlers (3.5 km south of Jasper). Reservable.
- 8 Wapiti (5.4 km south of Jasper). Can accommodate most sizes of motorhomes and trailers. This is the only campground open in winter. Summer: reservable. Winter: first come, first served.
- 9 Wabasso (16 km south of Jasper.). Can accommodate motorhomes and trailers under 35 feet long. Reservable.
- 10 Miette (formerly Pocahontas) (45 km east of Jasper). Can accommodate motorhomes and trailers under 27 feet long. Reservable.
- 11 Overflow (Snaring River Overflow) (13 km east of Jasper). Can accommodate most sizes of motorhomes and trailers. First come, first served.
- 12 Snaring (Snaring River) (13 km east of Jasper). Can accommodate motorhomes and trailers under 27 feet long. First come, first served.
- 13 Kerkeslin (Mount Kerkeslin) (36 km south of Jasper). Can accommodate motorhomes and trailers under 27 feet long. First come, first served.
- 14 Honeymoon Lake (52 km south of Jasper). Can accommodate motorhomes and trailers under 27 feet long. First come, first served.
- 15 Jonas (Jonas Creek) (78 km south of Jasper). First come, first served.
- 16 Icefield RV (Columbia Ice Field) (104 km south of Jasper). RV and trailers only. First come, first served.
- 17 Icefield Tent (Columbia Ice Field) (106 km south of Jasper). Tents only. First come, first served.
- 18 Wilcox Creek (107 km south of Jasper). Can accommodate motorhomes and trailers under 27 feet long. First come, first served.
Backcountry
[edit]Stay safe
[edit]- See also: Jasper#Stay safe
You should know that you are in bear country, and be alert of their presence. Bears become a common sight in the summer where they find food for their cubs, and food must be disposed in bear-proof containers.
Driving through the open wilderness can be a challenge, especially in the winter. You should drive carefully, and watch out for crossing wildlife. Drivers not used to winter driving should find another mode of transport to get around, or travel in the summer. Areas near mountain slopes are prone to avalanches, weather can change very quickly, and road closures may come without warning. Calling for help is nearly impossible in the middle of the wilderness, as cell coverage never reaches them, and it can take days for help to come, especially in adverse weather.
Slow down while driving the Icefields Parkway - be it for going downhill, other tourists, slow RVs and buses, the wildlife, the road conditions - or for the frequent speed reductions often with speed traps. Cellphone reception is spotty along the Icefields Parkway, so would be good to have downloaded your maps.
Go next
[edit]Travel south on the Icefields Parkway to Banff National Park. Travel west into British Columbia and Mount Robson Provincial Park. Travel southwest into Hamber Provincial Park.
| Routes through Jasper NP |
Prince George / Kamloops via  ← Mount Robson Prov. Park ←
|
W   E
|
→ Hinton → Edmonton |
| END ← | N  S
|
→ Lake Louise (in Banff NP) → Banff |