Our Thoughts
Jasper National Park is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. My research was limited upon arrival, but I was told to expect beauty. What I saw blew me away. Right off the bat I was greeted with gorgeous jagged mountains just beyond a river to the right and scattered lakes to the left. My jaw continued to lower as I gazed over the wheel of my car at these mountains but full-fledge dropped when I saw a herd of 50+ migrating caribou running through the water. This sort of thing would continue to happen during my experience in this park – I saw numerous bears along the road, caribou at my camp site, glacier blue lakes every few miles, powerful waterfalls and tens of glaciers. While I did Jasper in just over a day, this is the type of park I could call home. Next time we journey here we will either make roots or spend at least a week.
TL;DR
- See the wildlife…safely! The wildlife is plentiful!! I Saw 3 bears, tons of caribou, and plenty of other birds and mammals. Stay in your car if it is on the side of the road. If it is in the distance, be sure your extended thumb can cover the animal. If it cannot, step back!
- Get wet! I stopped and jumped into 4 lakes (Lake Edith, Lake Annette, Peyto Lake, and Bow Lake)… there are some that are uber popular..but in all fairness, they are all awesome. Take advantage of the gorgeous, clear, and clean waters and take a dip. The cold only lasts for a second!
- Waterfalls! Athabasca and Sunwapta waterfalls are worth the stop! While they aren’t super tall, they are so powerful. The canyons they form are amazing. Also, they are quick stops – no more than 10 minutes each!
- Glaciers! You’ll see plenty of glaciers from the road, but if you haven’t walked to their toe or on the glaciers themselves..you haven’t seen a glacier. I loved Mount Edith Cavell and Angel Glacier. I had the place to myself and it was breath-taking.
- Leave It Better! Pack out what you pack in on every hike. Use the trash bins, they are plentiful. Take it one level further and pick up some trash. It’s not hard and if everyone does it, the cumulative benefit would be incredible!
Facts about Jasper National Park
📜 Established in 1930 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984
🗻 Largest national park within the Canadian Rocky Mountains
🚶♂️The park is named after Jasper Hawes, an individual who operated a trading post in the region for the North West Company
🏔️ Mount Columbia stands 12,293 feet above sea level and is the highest peek in Alberta.
🧊 The Columbia Icefield is the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains of North America (125 sq miles. It receives 280 inches of snowfall each year, feeding 8 major glaciers; the Athabasca Glacier being the most well-known
🐻 The park is home to 53 species of mammals including elk, reindeer, moose, black and brown bear and many more
📈 The park receives 2 million visitors per year
Sections of the National Park
Jasper National Park is comprised of 5 diverse and gorgeous sections. The rule of thumb is to spend a full day in each section to make the most of the experience.
🛖 Around Town
🧊 Icefields Parkway
🗻 Mount Edith Cavell
🔥 Jasper East and Miette Hot Springs
⛰️ Maligne Valley
Around Town
Jasper is a cute little town with numerous cafes, restaurants, and hotels. Just minutes from the town are crystal clear alpine lakes, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, and endless opportunities for you to have fun while your vehicle takes a rest
Hiking
🥾 Jasper Discovery Trail: 5.2-mile, moderately difficult loop
🥾 Lake Annette & Trail: 1.5-mile gorgeous and easy loop around Lake Annette
🥾 Lake Edith: There is a trail around this lake, but all you really need to do is walk straight in!
🥾 Bighorn Trail: Easy 2.9-mile trail from the town of Jasper to Lakes Annette and Edith
🥾 Lac Beauvert Trail: 2.2-Mile trail around lake Beauvert
🥾 Wapiti Trail: 9.2-mile out-and-back trail connecting Whistlers and Wapiti campgrounds
🥾 Red Squirrel Trail: 2.7-mile out-and-back trail connecting Jasper Park lodge and Old Fort Point
🥾 Old Fort Point Trail: 2.4-mile loop providing excellent views of the town and value
🥾 Pyramid Lake Trail: 6.6-mile out-and back trail to Pyramid lake. This is a steady uphill on the way to the lake.
🥾 Valley of the Five Lakes Trail: 2.9-mile trail providing view of all 5 colorful mountain lakes
Camping
🏕️ Whistlers: Open 5/4-10/10, reservable online with 781 spots and electrical hookups for RVers and Walk-Ins for the tenters🏕️ Wapiti (Summer): Open 5/4-10/10, reservable online with 363 spots and electrical hookups
Icefields Parkway
One of the most scenic drives in the world, Icefields Parkway blazes through the heart of Jasper and Banff National Parks. This drive will take you on 149 miles of jaw dropping glaciers, waterfalls, picnic spots, and hikes.
Hiking
🥾 Athabasca Falls: Short, easy walk along a paved trail to the powerful falls
🥾 Sunwapta Falls: Short, easy walk along a paved trail to the powerful falls
🥾 Lower Sunwapta Falls Trail: 1.7-mile moderate trail to 3 lovely waterfalls
🥾 Forefield Trail: 2.2-mile flat and rocky trail crossing moraine and glacial debris
🥾 Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trail: 1-mile steady climb to the base of the glacier
🥾 Wilcox Pass Trail: 4.2-mile difficult out-and-back trail through alpine meadows with breathtaking views
🥾 Parker Ridge Trail: 3.5-mile out-and-back trail with striking views of the Saskatchewan Glacier
Camping
🏕️ Wilcox: Open 6/15-9/19, First Come First Served with 46 spots
🏕️ Jonas: Open 6/8-9/5, First Come First Served with 25 spots
🏕️ Honeymoon Lake: Open 5/25-9/19, First Come First Served with 35 spots
🏕️ Kerkeslin: Open 5/18-9/5, First Come First Served with 42 spots
🏕️ Icefield (Tents Only): Open 6/22-TBA, First Come First Served with 33 spots
🏕️ Icefield Centre RV: Open 5/18-TBA, First Come First Served with 100 spots
🏕️ Wapiti (Winter Only): 10/10 – 5/3, First Come First Served with 75 spots
Mount Edith Cavell
If you’re feeling adventurous, the drive to Mount Edith Cavell will get your heart pumping. This narrow, winding, and steep mountain road takes you to 3 trailheads – Glacier Trail, Cavell Meadows, and Tonquin Valley
Hiking
🥾 Path of the Glacier Trail: 1-mile trail short and paved takes you to the Angel glacier and down to a gorgeous glacier lake
🥾 Cavell Meadows Trail: 5-mile difficult trail takes you high up to an alpine meadow. Stay on trail and tread lightly as wildflowers are fragile!
Camping
🏕️ Wabasso: Open 5/18-9/19, reservable online with 231 spots and electrical hookups
Jasper East and Miette Hot Springs
Soak in the hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies. Water flows from the mountain at 129 degrees F. The commercial pols cool the water down to a comfortable 104.
Hiking
🥾 Upper Mine Trail: 1-mile easy loop trail providing grand views of the valley below
🥾 Source of Springs Trail: 3/4-mile loop trail taking you to, as the title states, the source of the springs
🥾 Sulphur Skyline Trail: 5.5-mile difficult, loop providing stunning views of Utopia Mountain, Fiddle Valley, and Ashlar Ridge
Camping
🏕️ Snaring: Open 5/18-9/26, First Come First Served with 62 spots
🏕️ Snaring Overflow: Open 5/18-9/11, First Come First Served with 280 spots
🏕️ Miette: Open 6/22-9/5, reservable online with 140 spots
Maligne Valley
The Maligne scenic road is 20 mile of winding narrow pavement through stunning scenery – it takes you right up to Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon
Hiking
🥾 Maligne Canyon Trail: 2.7-mile moderate loop trail exploring the deep and dramatic gorge between footbridges 1-4
🥾 Mary Schaffer Trail: 1.9-mile easy stroll along Maligne Lake
🥾 Moose Lake Trail: 1.6 mile-trail along Moose Lake (keep a safe distance from the moose!)
🥾 Bald Hills Trail: 5.9-mile difficult loop trail into an alpine meadow with spectacular views of Maligne lake
Camping (these are all back country campgrounds)
🏕️ Hidden Cove Campground: 4 spots, 2.5 miles from the boat launch
🏕️ Fisherman’s Bay Campground: 8 spots, 8.5 miles from the boat launch
🏕️ Coronet Creek Campground: 8 spots, 13.5 miles from the boat launch
There are plenty of gorgeous lodges, restaurants, and cafes throughout Jasper National Park. If camping isn’t your thing, I encourage you to check out the various lodging options here.
