Jasper National Park is an incredible place: full of colour, fascinating animals, incredible views, and the darkest skies outside of the arctic! I can still hear my co-worker’s gleeful whoops the first time they ever saw a bear, or the first time they saw snow! I remember standing at the top of Cinqfoil Mountain wondering how a valley could be such a vibrant green, and the lake such an electric blue. I remember standing on the banks of Maligne lake during that infamous heat-dome in 2021 and taking one step into the freezing glacial waters, relief sweeping over me, me thanking the universe that this was where I lived in that. exact. moment.
Banff gets a lot of free press, but this summer you should skip it and instead take the two hour drive north, up the stunning Icefields Parkway, to Jasper National Park. She boasts the same boundless peaks, cerulean lakes, and crazy wildlife, but the smaller town of Jasper just gets you a little bit closer to it all.
How to Get There
Car
The easiest way to get to Jasper is by car. The beautiful Yellowhead Highway bisects the park from east to west with cities like Kamloops, Vancouver, and Edmonton along the way. The Icefields Parkway connects Jasper to Lake Louise and the Trans Canada Highway, and begins a mere two hours from Calgary International Airport. If you’re looking for the most dramatic and beautiful way to entre the park, as well as the opportunity to explore some of Banff’s most beautiful sights on the way up, than the Parkway is a win-win. Car is also the best way to get around within the park, so I would say it’s well worth the rental.
Train
If travelling by car isn’t really an option, then you can also take the Via Rail from Vancouver or Edmonton to Jasper Train Sation. Be warned! Canada’s rail system is cargo-first and therefor can be slow for passenger trains, but taking the train is often one of the easier ways to travel without a car in provinces that are not known for their bus services.
If you’ve got a bit of extra money to spend and want a luxury train experience, consider the famous Rocky Mountaineer, which offers connections from Vancouver and Calgary. Your train journey in a glass-domed car will include: five star meal service, a knowledgeable host, overnight accommodation in hotels at your locations, the opportunity to book tours in your destinations, and more depending on your package. The three day Rainforest to Goldrush package brings you from Vancouver to Jasper through the beautiful villages of Whistler and Quesnel, but the company offers many packages offering different levels of luxury and a variety of destinations, depending on your tastes.
Bus
Bus travel also offers routes to Jasper from Banff, Calgary, and Edmonton and tend to offer the most direct routes for the budget, car-free traveller.
What To Do
Maligne Lake
Ready to compete with Lake Louise any day of the week, the beautiful Maligne Lake is bigger, less crowded, and offers more stunning views. A beautiful fourty-five minute drive from the town of Jasper, the lake boasts opportunities to rent canoes, a beautiful cruise to Spirit Island (one of the most photographed sites in Canada) and some great opportunities to go hiking. Besides which, if you’re trying to catch a glimpse of the iconic Canadian moose, this is where you’re most likely to find one. Maligne Lake is definitely a must-see if you find yourself in Jasper.
Columbia Icefields
The Columbia Icefields experience is not for everyone, but for those struggling with mobility or those who do not want to commit to a long hike, the centre offers the best tours to learn out the glacial history and landscape of the Canadian Rockies. Setting out from the Columbia Icefield centre, visitors are invited to take a tour directly onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier in an ice explorer vehicle. A walk along the skywalk a few short kilometres away is included with your ticket.
For those who don’t feel strongly about the vehicle tour and want to avoid the crowds, the Athabaca Glacier is visible from the road. There are also tons of other glaciers visible from the parkway as well! Just keep your eyes on the mountains and look for that electric blue glow along the ridge lines amongst the snow!
Pyramid Lake and the Pyramid Lake Viewpoint
A mere ten minute drive from Jasper townsite, Pyramid lake is a wonderful spot to relax on the beach, freeze your toes in Jasper’s beautiful glacial lakes, and enjoy getting out of the water in a canoe or kayak. With tons of trails all around the lake there is a hike for any skill level, but I recommend Pyramid Lake and Athabasca Overlook hike. With a wonderful payoff-to-effort ratio, the overlook is a mere 2km (1.25mi) hike with 70m (230ft) of elevation gain. Suitable for kids as well as those who just don’t want to walk, and the views at the top will not disappoint!
The Spa at Jasper Park Lodge
Every time I visit Jasper, I look forwards to buying the facilities pass as the Jasper Park Lodge Spa. Lake Louise may have the Chateau, but Jasper has the Jasper Park Lodge, a historic cabin-style luxury hotel on the banks of the Athabasca River. Their spa facilites are some of the most beautiful in the Rockies. Their heated pool and hot tub look out onto the beautiful Lac Beauvert and Mount Edith Cavell, and with an on-site bar as well as the luxurious steam room and sauna, swimming here is the closest I have ever felt to an influencer. If you have a bit of extra money to spend ,why not opt for a spa treatment like a facial or a massage too!?
Edith Cavell Meadows
When you come to the Rockies, you have to go hiking. Whether it’s a quick stroll around Pyramid lake, or an epic hike the the top of the Old Man, there is so much to see once you get away from the highway and into the hills. Edith Cavell Meadows is an incredible hike that balances the adventure of some of Jasper’s more challenging peaks with the incredible views that everyone is dying to see. This loop-style trail of 7.4km (4.6mi) gains 550m (1820ft) as it takes you to the stunning views of the flower laden meadows below the summit of the iconic Mount Edith Cavell, one of the most recognizable mountains in Jasper National Park.
Where to Eat
The Raven: In the heart of Jasper town sits this local favourite, and often overlooked, gem. Whether you’re looking for an exciting craft cocktail menu, a delicious and unique happy hour, or a truly romantic date night, get a reservation at The Raven in Jasper.
Best for: Cocktail lovers and foodies
Jasper Brewing Co.: Bringing you the best of AlBEERta, Jasper Brewing offers a strong selection of house brews, some hearty meals, and delicious bar snacks. With a fantastic party vibe, there is no better place to finish off a day of hiking or glacier-hunting.
Best for: Party animals and beer lovers.
Jasper Pizza Place: With one of the best rooftop patios in town and a fantastic selection of gourmet pizzas, this is a great spot to meet up with friends on a hot summer’s day, split a pizza, and maybe even a bottle of wine.
Best for: Big groups and pizza lovers.
Places to Stay
Ballin on a Budget: the Athabasca Hotel
Out in the Woods: Wapiti Campground
A Taste of Luxury: Jasper Park Lodge
Animal Safety
Every summer, thousands of people flock to Canada’s national parks, and while most people are very respectful, some put themselves and others in danger.
Animal Safety
Keep 30m (100ft) from herbivores
Keep 100m (330ft) from carnivores
If you are in a car, stay in your car and put your hazard lights on. Stop, take pictures, and move on. Move on immediately if there is a traffic jam.
Know how to travel in Bear Country!
Photography
In an era where everyone fancies themselves a wildlife photographer, I have seen people do some pretty stupid things in the name of a photo. Here’s a hint, real wildlife photographers don’t approach animals. They respect their space and use the right equipment to get those up close and personal shots. Don’t act like an amateur.
Drones
Here’s a hint, drones are illegal in Canada’s National Parks. This is a complete and total ban with no exceptions and the fine if you’re caught in $25,000. Don’t try and tell the parks officer you didn’t know, they won’t be sympathetic.
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