Jasper National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the Canadian Rocky Mountains! With its snow-capped mountain peaks, beautiful glacial lakes and plenty of wildlife, this is the ultimate place for any nature lover. Admire the world-famous Spirit Island, kayak across Pyramid Lake or explore one of the many hiking trails in the national park. Therefore, a visit to Jasper cannot be missed during a tour of Canada! Discover the 12 best sights to do in Jasper National Park here.
12 best things to do in Jasper National Park, Canada
Located in the state of Alberta in Canada, Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains at 11,000 square miles. Like Banff National Park it is also a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. So there is a lot to see and do in this beautiful area! We therefore recommend staying here for at least 3 nights. The ideal base for this is the small town of Jasper where you will find numerous accommodations and campsites.
Like all national parks in Canada, Jasper National Park requires you to have a Parks Canada Pass. If you plan to visit multiple national parks in Canada, it’s best to buy the Discovery Pass. It can be purchased per vehicle, costs $151.25 CAD and is valid for one year after purchase. Such a pass you buy online or at one of the toll booths along the highway toward Jasper. Once you have such a pass you are ready to explore Jasper National Park!
1) Canoeing across Maligne Lake
One of the best things to do in Jasper National Park is canoe across Maligne Lake. At 22 km, this lake is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. Furthermore, it is world famous for the magical Spirit Island located in the middle of the lake that you can only reach by boat. On the shore of Maligne Lake, you can rent red canoes for the day. Grab your lunch and explore this beautiful area from the water. The trip to Spirit Island by canoe takes about 3 hours, but along the way you have views of the beautiful mountain peaks surrounding the lake. Like being in a postcard!
Maligne Lake is a 75 km drive from the town of Jasper, but the road to it is an experience in itself. The whole drive to Maligne Lake is one of the best places to spot wildlife, especially if you go early in the morning! Elk, bear and deer are some of the inhabitants in this vast area. In addition to canoeing, you can take numerous hikes around Maligne Lake such as the Moose Lake Loop or the Bald Hills Loop. Again, there is a chance that you will encounter wildlife, so be sure not to forget to bring bear spray when you go hiking!
2) Visit Spirit Island
The world-famous Spirit Island is located in the middle of Maligne Lake and is something you absolutely should not miss while visiting Jasper National Park! Despite its name, Spirit Island is actually connected to the mainland, but the only way to get there is by boat or canoe. For centuries this has been a spiritual place for the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, and entering the island itself is impossible. With the Maligne Lake Cruise you will be dropped off at the shore from where you will have fantastic views of Spirit Island. There is only one organization that organizes boat trips to Spirit Island so reserving a spot on time is recommended!
If you prefer to enjoy Spirit Island a little longer, you can rent a canoe as described above. Keep in mind that the trip to Spirit Island only takes 3 hours. Renting a canoe for one day costs $125 CAD, but you have the whole day to enjoy the beautiful Canadian landscapes!
3) Hiking through Maligne Canyon
As you drive along Maligne Lake Road from Jasper you will encounter Maligne Canyon. This is the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park and is up to 50 meters deep at some points! You can hike through the canyon crossing 5 bridges. From these bridges you have a good view of the swirling waters making their way through the slate rocks below. Park at Bridge 1 and from there hike the full 6.4-mile loop that takes you deep into the canyon. If you have less time you can always do part of the hike too, and take in the best views at bridges 1 and 2!
4) Hike the Sulphur Sky Trail.
Another great hike to do in Jasper National Park is the Sulphur Sky Trail. This hike starts at the Miette Hot Springs, a 40-minute drive from the town of Jasper. Even though the hike is only 8 km round trip, you climb 600 altimeters which makes it a very tough hike. The first part you climb slowly but steadily through the forests where you won’t see much yet. The best awaits at the end of the hike, where, after a tough climb, you reach the summit with a fantastic 360° view of the surrounding mountain ranges!
5) Relaxing in the Miette Hot Springs
After the beautiful but exhausting Sulphur Sky Trail, you can make a stop at the Miette Hot Springs. What could be better for your muscles than relaxing in natural thermal baths? The hot water bubbles out of the earth with a temperature of 55°C, making it the hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies. The water is then cooled to a pleasant 37°C before entering the pool. Relaxing with a view of the mountains, who wouldn’t want that?
Miette Hot Springs hours: from May through September daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; July & August daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. | price per person: $17.50 CAD
6) Sunrise at Pyramid Lake
Visiting Pyramid Lake at dawn is another highlight to do in Jasper. This lake is a 10-minute drive from the town of Jasper. During sunrise or sunset you will undoubtedly have the best view, where you can see Pyramid Mountain in the reflection of the lake. Be sure to take a look at Pyramid Island , which is connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge. Or rent a canoe or paddleboard and skim the shores in search of wildlife.
7) Stroll through the town of Jasper
Those visiting Jasper National Park will undoubtedly pass by the pleasant village of Jasper. There, take the Jasper Skytram to the top of Mount Whistler. This cable car is the highest and longest in all of Canada, with fantastic views of the surrounding area at the top. Afterwards, you can look for cool souvenirs in Jasper or sample a local beer at the Jasper Brewing Company. For fine dining, we recommend Earls Kitchen+Bar!
TRAVEL TIP : Within walking distance of Jasper you will find several free parking lots from where you can explore the town on foot.
8) Hike through Valley of the Five Lakes
The hike through Valley of the Five Lakes is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hikes to do in Jasper National Park. This 4.7 km hike is very accessible to young and old and takes you past five pristine lakes. The lakes each have an intense jade or azure color which makes the hike so beautiful. Given the popularity of this hike, the trail can be very crowded. Therefore, try to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
9) Swimming in Lake Anette or Lake Edith
Lake Anette and Lake Edith are right next to each other in Jasper. During the hot summer months, it is well worth making a stop here. In fact, you’ll find a small sandy beach and you can swim, kayak or rent a SUP and take to the water. Those who wish can also hike around both lakes. Chances are you will encounter a wapiti here, as these deer like to graze around the lake!
10) Admire Mount Edith Cavell
You may have seen it from afar, as Mount Edith Cavell is one of the highest peaks in Jasper National Park. Still, it is definitely worth taking a closer look as well. At the base of Mount Edith Cavell, you will find several hiking trails. The most popular is the Cavell Meadows hike of 8.5 km. This hike first takes you past meadows full of wildflowers and then up to a viewpoint over Angel Glacier. Meanwhile, you have a fantastic view of Mount Edith Cavell. Definitely don’t forget to bring your camera!
11) Drive along the Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway in Canada, also known as the Highway 93, is one of the most beautiful road trips in the world! This 233 km highway will take you from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park or vice versa. Along the way you can make several stops as there is a lot to see and do! The Athabasca Glaicer, Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls are some of the highlights near Jasper that are definitely worth a visit.
12) Stargazing in Jasper National Park
Since 2011, Jasper National Park has been an official dark sky reserve. In fact, because of the limited light pollution, here you will find one of the darkest places in the world to look at the stars. So be sure to head out a few hours after sunset to take a look at the brilliant starry skies over Jasper. Those who wish can also visit the Jasper Planetarium, where you can take guided tours can do with telescopes for the ultimate experience.
Where to stay in Jasper, Canada
Those who travel across Canada can do so in two ways: by car from lodge to lodge or by tent or motorhome where you stay at campsites. The latter is definitely recommended, as the campsites in the national parks are beautiful! Our favorite campgrounds near Jasper were the Whistler Campground and Wapiti Campground. It is recommended to book this on time, though! Here you can read everything you need to know about camping in Canada!
If you travel by car, there are also plenty of wonderful accommodations to be found in Jasper:
- Hi Jasper : a cozy hostel that is affordable and in downtown Jasper
- Pyramid Lake Lodge : staying here is an experience in itself! This cozy lodge has cozy rooms and you can explore Pyramid Lake first thing in the morning.
- Pine Bungalows : cozy, wooden chalets in the middle of Canadian nature where you can make your own campfire at night.
How to get to Jasper
Jasper National Park is located in the state of Alberta in Canada. If you are traveling to Western Canada, you will probably land at Vancouver or Calgary International Airport. A visit to Jasper National Park is best combined with a roundtrip through Western Canada. In fact, from Vancouver it is still a 9-hour drive and from Calgary 5 hours . Along the way, however, you will encounter numerous other beautiful places such as Whistler, Clearwater and Banff National Park.
Best travel time Jasper in Canada
The best time to visit Jasper National Park is from early June through September. In the summer months of July and August, you are most likely to have good weather but are also busier. If you go in the shoulder seasons then the weather is milder, it is less crowded and it is often cheaper to stay! We ourselves went in early September and this was ideal.
Still have questions about traveling to Canada? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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