Skip to content
Please select your location:

Hiking among sky-scraping mountains, rafting along rivers used by early explorers, and enjoying world-class stargazing during a stay in Jasper.

Elk, in JasperA small alpine town surrounded by the emerald lakes and glacier-clad peaks of Jasper National Park, Jasper is a gateway to the outdoors. Staying here, you can head out on mountain bike rides along the park’s network of trails or join a local guide for a hike through river-cut canyons. Alternatively, go white-water rafting along routes taken by early explorers, or zip past forested mountains in the sidecar of a Harley-Davidson.

The town itself is situated within a Dark Sky Preserve, so if you’re granted clear nights you’ll be able to gaze up at constellations, see the faint cloudy swirls of the Milky Way and look for shooting stars. You’ll also find a scattering of museums and art galleries that cast light on the region’s fur-trapping history and growth in tourism. From Jasper, you also have easy access to the Icefields Parkway — one of Canada’s most scenic drives.

We find that, as soon as you arrive in Jasper, the call of the mountains leaves you itching to get out and explore. You have lots of options here, so it’s a good idea to stop by the visitor centre first to gather maps and trail information so you can decide how and where to explore.

Hiking in Jasper National Park

With nearly 1,000 km (620 miles) of well-marked trails varying in length and difficulty, it’s easy to hike independently. But, having a guide accompany you can open your eyes to more of the park’s flora and fauna. Often former park rangers, guides will use their local knowledge to lead you along lesser-trodden paths, tailored to your fitness level and interests.

You could spend a whole day hiking, packing a picnic lunch. Or, take a shorter walk along Maligne Canyon with a guide. They’ll fill you in on the geology of the gorge, the region’s history and the wildlife you might encounter — look out for eagles, elk, beavers and black bears.

Other ways to explore Jasper and its surrounds

Mountain bike trails also lace the area, many of them within easy reach of the town. Well-connected and well-maintained, you’ll find routes to suit a range of abilities.

Jasper Motorcycle Tour, Jasper, Alberta, CanadaTake a tour in the sidecar of a Harley-Davidson motorbike for a less strenuous way to explore the region. You’re fitted out with leathers, goggles and a helmet before an experienced motorcyclist zips you off into the mountains. You might spot bears and other wildlife as you go, which are sometimes attracted to the engine’s throaty roar. You can also make the most of Jasper National Park via its waterways. Whether it’s white-water rafting along the Fraser or Sunwapta Rivers, or a gentle float trip on an inflatable raft along the Athabasca River. You’ll retrace routes taken by 19th-century explorers as your guide fills you in on Jasper’s history. There are also plenty of options for kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding in lakes close to Jasper.

Take the SkyTram to the top of Whistlers Mountain, for elevated views over the town and its mountainous surroundings. As you ascend 2,263 m (7,424 ft), staff will point out sights of interest, including Mount Robson — the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

At the top, after soaking up the viewpoints dotted along the boardwalk, you can walk the 1.2 km (0.7 mile) Summit Trail to the mountain’s highest point at 2,463 m (8,081 ft). Informative signs along the way tell you about the alpine environment, including the plant life and wildlife that thrives here. You could then sit down for refreshments in the Summit Restaurant.

Best time to visit Jasper

The activities above are at their best between late-May and mid-September, when temperatures are warm, wildlife is active and the mountains and lakes have thawed out, or are in the process of thawing. You can also visit Jasper in Canada’s winter (November to March) to try a different set of experiences, from snowshoeing to ice climbing.

Temperature
Rainfall
Daylight
Speak to someone
who's been there
Jon

Start planning your tailor-made trip to Jasper by contacting one of our Canada specialists

Suggested itineraries featuring Jasper

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Jasper, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Jasper

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near Jasper

    Our expert guides to exploring Jasper

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Jasper, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Jasper at its best.

    • Highlights of the Canadian Rockies
      Banff National Park

      Highlights of the Canadian Rockies

      Highlights of the Canadian Rockies

      With glacier-fed lakes, thick pine forests and sharp, triangular mountains, the Canadian Rockies are a true wilderness area. Activities can include hiking, canoeing and visiting glaciers. Canada specialist Emily explains how you can make the most of your trip to the Rockies.

      10 min read

      Read this guide
    • Luxury holidays in Canada: heli-hiking, glamping and ranch stays
      Banff National Park, Alberta

      Luxury holidays in Canada: heli-hiking, glamping and ranch stays

      Luxury holidays in Canada: heli-hiking, glamping and ranch stays

      Canada may be associated with log cabins and the simple pleasures of the great outdoors, but there are ways to add a touch of luxury to your trip. Our Canada specialists highlight places and experiences with a more exclusive feel.

      7 min read

      Read this guide
    • Driving the Icefields Parkway: what to see and where to stop
      Icefields Parkway, Alberta

      Driving the Icefields Parkway: what to see and where to stop

      Driving the Icefields Parkway: what to see and where to stop

      One of Canada’s most celebrated scenic drives, the Icefields Parkway runs through the Rockies between Jasper and Lake Louise. With so much to see and do along the route, specialist Jamie shares her tried-and-tested highlights, from waterfall hikes to elevated viewpoints.

      8 min read

      Read this guide
    • Hiking in the Canadian Rockies
      Jasper, Alberta

      Hiking in the Canadian Rockies

      Hiking in the Canadian Rockies

      There are literally hundreds of hiking and walking trails in Canada's Rocky Mountains, appealing to all levels of fitness. Here we pick out some of the best places for you to put on your walking boots and experience the Rocky Mountains at your own pace.

      3 min read

      Read this guide
    • Self-driving in western Canada
      Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park

      Self-driving in western Canada

      Self-driving in western Canada

      Canada specialists Kerry and Annie share their tried-and-tested self-drive routes in western Canada. You might want to follow a lesser-known loop through the Canadian Rockies, detouring to the Okanagan wine region. Or, take in British Columbia’s coastline and Vancouver Island.

      9 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for Jasper

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Jasper. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    • Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper
      Responsible Choice

      Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

      Jasper
      First Class

    Ideas for experiencing Jasper

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Jasper, and which use the best local guides.

    • Frozen waterfall ice climbing experience
      Ice climbing in Jasper National Park

      Frozen waterfall ice climbing experience

      Frozen waterfall ice climbing experience

      Learn how to safely navigate yourself up a frozen waterfall, using ice axes and crampons, experiencing one of the most exhilarating Canadian winter activities.

      View details
    • Mount Edith Cavell Tour
      Elk, in Jasper

      Mount Edith Cavell Tour

      Mount Edith Cavell Tour

      Retrace the steps of Canada’s historic fur traders and experience the jagged mountain peaks, shimmering glaciers, crystal clear lakes and abundant wildlife of Mount Edith Cavell.

      View details
    • Snowshoe tour of Jasper’s alpine wilderness
      Snowshoeing in Jasper National Park

      Snowshoe tour of Jasper’s alpine wilderness

      Snowshoe tour of Jasper’s alpine wilderness

      Follow your local guide through the pristine landscapes of Jasper National Park, hiking through deep snow with snowshoes on your boots, keeping an eye out for animal tracks.

      View details
    • Maligne Canyon ice walk
      Maligne Canyon frozen waterfall

      Maligne Canyon ice walk

      Maligne Canyon ice walk

      Explore the frozen creek bed and ancient rock formations of Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park, looking out for ice climbers and ending up alongside the meandering Maligne River.

      View details