Ultimate Guide: Best Things To Do In Jasper National Park
Jasper is full of many amazing things to do, incredible views, shimmering glaciers, magical turquoise lakes, divine forests, and an abundance of wildlife surrounded by massive mountains.
It is also much bigger than Banff, being almost double the size, and also the biggest National Park in the Rockies, which is wild! Here is your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Jasper National Park!
How to Get There
Drive
You can take the Yellowhead highway (AB-16) if you are coming from Edmonton. It is 366km between Edmonton and Jasper, taking roughly 4 hours of travel time.
The Yellowhead Highway (Trans-Canada Highway #16) passes through Jasper National Park, and is the main route for getting to and from Jasper.
If you are coming from Calgary, you can head to Banff on the Trans-Canada Highway. The distance between the two is 150km and will likely take you less than 2 hours to drive there. From Banff, you can take the Icefields Parkway to get to Jasper National Park.
The Icefields Parkway is one of the most beautiful and scenic drives in the world. So make sure you plan enough time for sightseeing during your drive between the two.
Many roads in Jasper National Park are paved. However, some roads can be rough, and some have switchbacks that are harder for larger vehicles to drive on.
Fly
There are several international airports you can fly to in order to get to Jasper National Park. You just have to decide your travel plans and go from there. Edmonton and Calgary are the closest options and Vancouver is an excellent option if you plan to explore British Colombia a bit first!
Bus
There are a few different options for getting to Jasper by bus. SunDog Transportation and Tours is a great option. They offer daily trips from Edmonton to Jasper straight from the airport or even the West Edmonton Mall. You can check out their website for more information on their services available.
Train
Via Rail is a great train service to get to Jasper from either Edmonton or Vancouver. They have a regular train service to and from Jasper. You can check their website for dates and times available.
Car Rental
You can rent a car from one of the car rental agencies at the airport and drive to the Jasper National Park from there. Or you can take a bus or train to Jasper National Park and rent a car from one of the car rental agencies that is located in the town of Jasper.
Related Jasper National Park Posts
Hiking Sulphur Skyline Trail, Jasper‘s Most Epic Hike
Complete Guide to Banff National Park
Icefields Parkway Stops You Can’t Miss
Best Hikes in the Canadian Rockies
Mount Edith Cavell Hikes
When to Visit
Is there really a “best” time to visit Jasper National Park? The best time to visit Jasper depends on what you want to go there for. The best things to do in Jasper National Park can be done during almost any season.
So first, you need to figure out what you are going for and then plan for that season. Do you want to go skiing? Do you want to go during the larch season? Do you want to go hiking?
Winter is obviously the best time to go if you want to go skiing or snowboarding. For the larches, be sure to go sometime in the Autumn; this season is very short. If you are going to explore and go hiking, Summer and Autumn are, in my opinion, the most beautiful times of year for this.
If you want to avoid the high season, then you will want to skip out on going in the Summer. However, Summer is an absolutely incredible time to go. It can get very busy, so make sure that you plan ahead and book your stay in advance.
Maybe you are restricted to when you can go, and you have to go during a certain season. That’s okay too, because no matter what season you go in, you will still have an incredible time and enjoy your visit.
Save this post for later to plan a road trip in Jasper National Park!
Best Things To Do In Jasper National Park
1. Hike One of the Many Trails and Enjoy the View of an Epic Landscape
There are countless hiking trails in just Jasper alone that range from easy to advanced hiking levels. You can choose to do however many trails you would like. I’ve listed some of my favourite hikes in Jasper National Park later in this blog post.
I also like to use the AllTrails app to look at photos and choose a hike based on length and difficulty. The app also allows you to download a map that you can use with and without service so that you don’t get lost. You can also read comments from people who have recently done the hike, so you know the condition of the trail and route to get there, such as potential road closures or bear sightings.
Another way to find great trails is to use google maps. Zoom in and take a look around. If you find a spot that might look cool, check for a trail nearby that might give you the view you are looking for.
The hikes in Jasper National Park are so diverse, and each one has something unique to offer. Whether it be glacial lakes, towering mountains, backcountry multiple-day hikes, massive glaciers, waterfalls, or a mix of several of these packed into one incredible hike! You can’t go wrong with any hike you choose. I promise you will enjoy it!
If you are planning on exploring Banff National Park as well, be sure to read the posts below once you are finished here!
2. Go for a Scenic Drive and Have a Picnic
You can go for a short drive somewhere from where you are staying and pull over at one of the many lookout areas to have a picnic and enjoy the scenic views, and spot some wildlife. No matter where you go, the view is always incredible. The Icefields Parkway is known to be one of the most scenic drives in the world, so you can’t go wrong if you take a little drive down this beautiful highway and find a spot to pull over.
3. Take a Dip in a Crystal Clear Turquoise Lake
The Canadian Rockies are actually very well known for having many crystal clear, turquoise lakes and Lake Annette Beach will make you feel like you are in the tropics! Lots of people go here to take a dip and the water is a stunning turquoise blue! It does tend to get pretty packed on the beach, however.
There are many other lakes to go for a swim in Jasper, but if you want a beach, then Lake Annette is a perfect choice! Otherwise, you can take a dip in any other lake.
The Valley of 5 Lakes is another great option. It is a highly trafficked loop trail with 5 lakes, some of which you can swim in. It’s a perfect hike to do on a hot summer day, just don’t forget your swimsuit!
4. Ride a Gondola to the Top of a Mountain
Riding a gondola should definitely be on your bucket list if you are visiting the mountains! It’s kind of like riding a Ferris wheel, except you don’t go in a circle; you go diagonally up a mountain!
Standing on top of a mountain is one of the best feelings! It makes you feel like you are on top of the world! Not only that, but the views are absolutely wild!
The Jasper SkyTram is near the town of Jasper, so you don’t have to go too far! It is an aerial tramway on The Whistlers mountain. It is currently the longest and highest aerial tramway in Canada! It brings you 2,263 metres above sea level and takes 7.5 minutes to reach the top!
If that doesn’t sound like a fun adventure, then I don’t know what does! If you are afraid of heights, you might want to take some time to think about this! Or you can face your fear and have an experience of a lifetime!
5. Photograph Local Wildlife
National Parks protect their wildlife, so you can only imagine the abundance of wildlife there are in these parks! From grizzlies to ground squirrels, from moose to wolves. There are 53 species of mammals living in Jasper National Park.
They each rely on a variety of habitats, and some share the same. Make sure you bring your camera or phone with you to snap photos of animals. You never know when you will spot something cool! It is common to see wildlife on the side of the road or even on your hikes.
Jasper National Park has guides on what a safe distance is from specific animals, so be mindful of this and keep a proper distance. They may seem friendly, but wildlife can be very unpredictable!
6. Go Stargazing or Try Astrophotography
The last time I was in Jasper, I left my tent at night and was completely wonderstruck by the incredible night sky. The vibrant milky way and the millions of stars that lit up the sky was absolutely mesmerizing. I don’t think I have ever seen the night sky so beautiful.
Jasper is the perfect place to go for a short night drive or pop outside of your tent if you are camping just to see the night sky. Jasper National Park is actually the second largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, making it perfect for astrophotographers or stargazers. How amazing is that!
7. Other Things to Do In Jasper if You Have More Time
There are so many things to do in Jasper National park, so if you have some extra time, here are some of the other best things to do in Jasper National Park that I never actually had the chance to do but wish I did!
Relax in the Miette Hot Springs, ski in the winter, white water rafting, kayaking or canoeing, go on a hiking tour, and much much more!
Hikes & Sights: More of the Best Things to do in Jasper National Park
Continuing my list of the best things to do in Jasper National Park, here are specific hikes and sights you won’t want to miss while you’re there! If you are exploring more than just Jasper, be sure to check out this post on my favourite hikes in the Canadian Rockies when you’re done here!
8. Sulphur Skyline Trail
This is by far my favourite hike in Jasper National Park so far! It is a 7.9km, out and back trail with a 653m elevation gain. This hike is rated as hard, so I definitely recommend hiking poles if you have them.
Sulphur Skyline Trail is a constant hike up steep inclined switchbacks. Once you pass the treeline, there is a short break from the incline before heading up a more steep incline to the top. This last part has a lot of loose gravel, so be careful!
Once you reach the top, you will have 360-degree, panoramic, jaw-dropping, expansive, surreal views. There are not enough words to describe the views you get up here. If I used them all, you would be reading for an eternity! You also may be lucky to see some Bighorn sheep at the top!
Click on the link to read my full guide to hiking Sulphur Skyline Trail, Jasper!
Tip: Bring a meal or snack and enjoy the epic view from the top! And be careful on your way down that mountain incline - that loose gravel can be very dangerous!
9. Path of the Glacier Trail
Path of the Glacier trail is a 1.8km, out and back hike that is rated as easy. It is about 45 minutes south of the town of Jasper. Path of the Glacier Trail is a fairly short hike with a mix of natural and paved paths that lead you to a turquoise glacier-fed pond at the base of the stunning Mount Edith Cavell and a great view of Angel Glacier!
This is probably my second favourite view in Jasper National Park so far. Not many short hikes take you up close to a glacier as this one does.
For a more challenging trail that gives views from a higher viewpoint, try out the Cavell Meadows hike.
I prefer Path of the Glacier Trail because I wanted to get up close and personal with the turquoise pond. There’s just something so thrilling about feeling so small next to such a big mountain!
10. Edith Cavell Meadows Trail – Jasper National Park
Edith Cavell Meadows Trail is a 7.4km loop trail with an elevation gain of 555m. It starts as a paved path and soon turns into a natural path. Along this hike, you can see spectacular views of Mount Edith Cavell and Angel Glacier from higher viewpoints than the Path of the Glacier Trail.
Most of the trail is on a steep incline to get to the top. There are several viewpoints along the way with incredible views of mountains. The incline can be tough, but don’t give up, I promise you will be glad you pushed on to the top of this hike. Then it’s all downhill from there.
If you decide to hike Edith Cavell Meadows Trail, make sure to end it with Path of the Glacier Trail. It won’t add too much extra time or hiking to your day. If you want even more of a challenge, hike up to East Ridge Summit.
11. Pyramid Lake
This stunning lake has a bridge crossing a part of it to go to a tiny island. You just have to take a short drive down a road to get to this lake from the town of Jasper and park in the small parking lot. It’s just a short walk to the bridge to get to the island.
There are also several hikes with amazing views at Pyramid Lake, including a loop trail. I personally just visited the island and that was good enough for me. But I am certain that these hikes are beautiful as well!
The view from standing on the bridge is absolutely gorgeous! You get a view of an island on a lake, with a massive mountain towering behind it! The short drive there is definitely worth it! I definitely recommend packing a lunch or snack and enjoying the view!
12. Wilcox Viewpoint – Jasper National Park
Wilcox Viewpoint is a 9.3km out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 486m. It’s one of those hikes in the Canadian Rockies that you need to add to your bucket list. It’s a fairly popular hike with insanely gorgeous views of the Columbian Icefield. If you want a more challenging hike you can scramble up Wilcox Pass to Wilcox Peak and Tangle Ridge.
The majority of this hike is a steady uphill incline through forests and along the edge. Eventually, you’ll reach some alpine meadows with some really stunning views. I saw a ton of bighorn sheep up here but there is also potential to see some bears, elk and other smaller critters.
Finally, you will finish off the rest of the hike and reach the viewpoint where you can see a view of the Athabasca Glacier and Columbian Icefield.
13. Valley of the 5 Lakes
I mentioned the Valley of the 5 Lakes trail earlier in this blog post under “swimming in turquoise lakes” as one of the best things to do in Jasper National Park. This hike is also a great way to spend an afternoon in Jasper – so you can do two in one!
The Valley of 5 Lakes is a highly trafficked, 4.7km loop trail with 5 lakes, some of which you can swim in. It’s a perfect hike to do on a hot summer day, so don’t forget your swimsuit! If you don’t want to swim, then that’s fine too!
Some of the lakes are more swimmable than others; while they are all beautiful, I personally would not swim in some of them. You’ll know which ones to swim in when you go!
Parts of the path on this hike can be difficult to walk on, so be mindful of where you are stepping. Otherwise, it’s a pretty easy hike to do and perfect to do as a family adventure.
Related Jasper National Park Posts
Complete Guide to Banff National Park
Icefields Parkway Stops You Can’t Miss
Hiking Sulphur Skyline Trail, Jasper‘s Most Epic Hike
Best Hikes in the Canadian Rockies
Mount Edith Cavell Hikes
14. Medicine Lake
This lake may not be one of the iconic blue glacial lakes that the Canadian Rockies are known for, but it doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful. Medicine Lake is a gorgeous lake with beautiful mountain views in Jasper National Park.
A really cool fact about this lake is that the water disappears in the fall and winter and turns into a mudflat. In the Summer, though, it is a stunning alpine lake that is definitely worth stopping at to take in the wonderful views!
15. Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, and one of the best things to do in Jasper National Park is to spend some time taking in this incredible view! It is surrounded by massive rocky mountains, which makes the lake view that much better!
If you’re a photographer, you’ll definitely want to check out this lake. It is popular amongst photographers, especially because of Spirit Island. You can find the island 14km up the lake, but be mindful that there is no trail or road access to get there.
Maligne Valley offers a variety of experience options for both paddlers and hikers. There are 3 campsites on the lake, or you can take a hike to Jacques Lake through a mountain valley. You can also cross country ski here in the winter!
With so much to do, Maligne Lake is the perfect place to spend a day exploring the Canadian Rockies!
16. Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls is only about a 30-minute drive down the stunning Icefields Parkway from Jasper. It’s a pretty popular spot so expect it to be a bit on the busy side. This is a very easy 1km out and back trail, so you’ll have absolutely no problem doing it.
You can go to take a look at the gorgeous waterfalls and also explore the canyon. The trail is paved and leads to multiple scenic lookout spots overlooking the waterfalls and parts of the canyon.
The main attraction is obviously Athabasca Falls, in which you will see the beautiful waterfall with forests and a massive mountain in the background. This is another popular spot for photographers!
17. Sunwapta Falls
This is another absolutely stunning waterfall close to Jasper that is located on the Icefields Parkway. It is a short 3.2km hike, very easy, out and back trail. These gorgeous falls are definitely worth the stop and will likely take you just over an hour.
You won’t have to walk very far to get to Upper Sunwapta Falls since it is basically right beside the road, but to get to Lower Sunwapta Falls, you’ll have to continue further down the trail. Upper Sunwapta Falls is much more impressive than the lower falls, but the lower falls are still worth checking out.
The hike will lead you to the falls through a lovely forest. When you reach Sunwapta falls, there will be a bridge crossing the canyon. From there, you will get an extraordinary view of the falls!
The backdrop behind Sunwapta Falls is incredible as well, with the mountains, pine forests, and other foliage. The falls are, yet again, another popular attraction for photographers!
Where to Eat In Jasper National Park
Now that we’ve covered some of the best things to do in Jasper National Park let’s talk about some of the best places to eat! I certainly have not eaten out too much while in Jasper since I always camped and got groceries, but here is a list of places I have tried and definitely recommend!
Grandma’s Place – has some wild and interesting ice cream flavours!
Beaver Tails – if you come to Canada and have not tried a beaver tail yet, you have to! Don’t worry, it’s not a real beaver tail. It’s an extremely delicious, deep-fried pastry!
Where to Stay
If you’re looking for a luxury getaway, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is the perfect option. There are 442 guest rooms and luxury cabins available for a vacation in the Rockies. The cabins have beautiful views of the incredible surrounding landscapes!
Chateau Jasper is a great option if you are looking to pay somewhere in the mid-range. It’s not luxury, but it’s also not sleeping in a tent if you aren’t down for that. It is also a really beautiful place.
If you are looking to camp, there are several campgrounds in Jasper. Whistlers campground is where I stayed, and I highly recommend it. It only takes a couple of minutes to drive there from the town of Jasper.
Conclusion: Best Things to Do In Jasper National Park in 2022
There you have it, a list of the best things to do in Jasper National Park in 2022! There are so many other things you could do in Jasper, but these are some of my favourites that I have personally done so far. Who knows, maybe after my next trip to Jasper, I will make a part two!
Thank you for stopping by, and happy adventuring ♡
Krista x.
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