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Alberta · Canada
The largest national park in the Canadian Rockies: the Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia Icefield, Maligne Lake, the Jasper SkyTram, and a dark-sky reserve.
In the photo: Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Jasper National Park is the largest in the Canadian Rockies and, together with Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay, is part of the group of parks recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town of Jasper sits in the middle of the park in the Athabasca River valley, about 230 km from Lake Louise via the Icefields Parkway.
To the south, the road crosses the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice mass in the Rockies, from which the Athabasca Glacier descends and comes close to the pavement. Along the route are Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls. East of the town, a road leads to Maligne Lake, the park’s largest lake, with the small Spirit Island.
The park is quieter than Banff and has more wilderness. Moose, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and bears often appear at the roadside. The Jasper SkyTram climbs Whistlers Mountain, and the Miette hot springs sit at the bottom of a valley to the north.
Jasper is a dark-sky reserve, with nights free of artificial lighting that favour stargazing and, part of the year, the aurora borealis. The town is also a stop for VIA Rail’s transcontinental train.
This destination brings together 1 city: Jasper.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: Statistics Canada (Statistics Canada Open Licence) / geoBoundaries. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Edmonton International Airport (YEG), in Nisku · 380 km to Jasper
Jasper is about 365 km from Edmonton and about 410 km from Calgary. From Banff and Lake Louise you reach it via the Icefields Parkway. VIA Rail trains stop at Jasper station. A parks pass is required.
The local experience
The most visited glacier in North America, which descends from the Columbia Icefield nearly to the Icefields Parkway, with a trail to the glacier front and tours on special vehicles onto the ice.
The largest lake in Jasper National Park, about 22 km long between mountains and glaciers, roughly 48 km from town, with a boat trip to tiny Spirit Island.
A tram that ascends Whistlers Mountain to about 2,263 metres, with views over the Athabasca valley, lakes and mountains, and a trail to the summit.
A roughly 23-metre drop of the Athabasca River through a narrow quartzite canyon, about 30 km south of Jasper, with walkways and viewpoints facing the water.
A lake about 7 km from the town of Jasper, at the foot of Pyramid Mountain, with a small island connected to shore by a wooden bridge, canoeing in summer and skating in winter.
The hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies, in a valley north of Jasper, with outdoor pools surrounded by mountains and a trail to the springs.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From mid-June to September, when the lakes are ice-free, boat tours operate and the roads are open. September has moose mating season and fewer visitors. Winter, from December to March, is cold, with skiing at Marmot Basin and dark skies for stargazing; some attractions are closed.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Three or four days: one for the Icefields Parkway and the glacier, one for Maligne Lake, one for the SkyTram, the lakes near town and the hot springs.
The town of Jasper concentrates park accommodations, restaurants and services. Around it, cabins and lodges sit a few kilometres away, on the shores of lakes and rivers. Along the Icefields Parkway there are few places to stay, and they sell out early in summer.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Three to four days for the glacier, Maligne Lake, the SkyTram and the lakes near town.
Via the Icefields Parkway: about 230 km from Lake Louise and about 290 km from Banff. Without stops it takes about 3 to 4 hours; with viewpoints, it’s a full day.
Yes, for most attractions, which are far from town. There are organized tours for those who don’t drive.
It can appear on dark, clear nights, especially from late summer through spring, but it depends on solar activity and weather.
From mid-June to September, when lakes are ice-free and tours operate. In winter, for skiing and stargazing.
The same as Alberta: UTC−6 year-round, with no clock changes.
