Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park: The Quieter Rockies, Caveat Noted

Jasper National Park covers 11,000 square kilometres in the Alberta Rockies, about twice the size of Banff. They share the Icefields Parkway, a 230-kilometre road connecting the two towns and passing the Columbia Icefield midway. Most visitors to the Rockies do Banff. Jasper, two hours further north, has the same landscape quality with significantly fewer people – except in July and August when everyone has the same idea.

Important note: In July 2023, wildfires burned through the Jasper townsite and destroyed approximately one-third of the buildings. As of 2025 and 2026, rebuilding is ongoing. Some accommodation options and services may be limited relative to pre-fire capacity. Check current status at the Parks Canada website before planning accommodation and activities.

Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake is 22 kilometres long and sits at 1,690 metres elevation. The boat tour to Spirit Island, a small forested promontory about 14 kilometres from the dock, produces the photograph that appears on most Canadian Rockies tourism materials. Tours run June to mid-October and cost around CAD 80 per person return. The alternative is to canoe or kayak from the dock; rentals are available and the paddle to Spirit Island takes about 2.5 to 3 hours each way, which gives you the scene without the boat crowd.

The drive from Jasper town to Maligne Lake (48 kilometres, about 45 minutes) passes Medicine Lake, which drains underground through a karst system in autumn. The lake level drops by 15 metres or more and the river channel can partially empty. In October the effect is visible from the road.

Athabasca Falls and the Icefields Parkway

Athabasca Falls, 30 kilometres south of Jasper on Highway 93, is where the Athabasca River narrows to 18 metres and drops through a series of gorge formations. The force of the water has carved potholes and canyon walls at close range from the viewing platforms. Worth 30 to 45 minutes.

The Columbia Icefield, 103 kilometres south, is one of the largest non-polar ice masses in North America. The Athabasca Glacier descends from the icefield to within a kilometre of the road and has retreated more than 1.5 kilometres since 1844. The glacier and icefield are visible from the road and the Icefield Centre without paying anything. The Snowcoach drives onto the glacier surface (CAD 99 adults); it is expensive for what it provides but the icefield itself is extraordinary.

Hiking

The Skyline Trail runs 44 kilometres along a high ridgeline above treeline with backcountry camping at designated sites. Parks Canada permits are released in mid-January and go quickly. The full trail takes 2 to 3 days; the first section from Signal Mountain to Snowbowl (about 18 kilometres) is accessible as a demanding day hike.

Edith Cavell Meadows Trail, 30 kilometres from town, has a hanging glacier directly above an accessible alpine meadow. The trail is 8 kilometres return with modest elevation gain; the glacier calves ice into a small lake at the trail’s end.

Wildlife

The Athabasca Valley between Jasper and Maligne Lake is one of the most reliable places in Canada to see elk. Bulls with full antlers appear in roadside fields from September through October during the rut. Moose frequent wetland areas near Maligne Lake and the Miette River drainage. Wolves and grizzly bears are present; early morning hours on the parkway give the best odds.