17 Epic Things to Do in Canada’s Jasper National Park

Update 2025: Jasper was hit by devastating wildfires in July 2024. While much of the park has now re-opened, some trails and areas are still closed.

The spectacular Jasper is the largest National Park in the Canadian Rockies. With incredible alpine lakes, rugged mountains, epic hiking trails and spectacular glaciers, Jasper National Park is an absolute must-visit on your trip through Canada’s Rocky Mountains. 

Jasper tends to be overlooked by visitors who prioritise spending time in the nearby Banff National Park and Lake Louise. When planning my road trip, many guides suggested only spending a day or two in Jasper. After doing endless research, I opted to spend five days there and I’m so happy I did. 

In this guide, I’ve shared the absolute best things to do in Jasper National Park. From taking a boat trip to the breathtaking Spirit Island, incredible wildlife encounters and several adrenaline-packed activities, Jasper truly has something for everyone.

If you’re planning a trip to Jasper, be sure to check out my guide to planning your dream road trip in Canada’s Rocky Mountains.

Best time of year to visit Jasper

Jasper can be visited all year round, and each season offers something unique. 

In general, the best time to visit Jasper is the summer months between June and August. This is the peak season in the Canadian Rockies, and when the weather tends to be the most stable. 

The spring and fall months (the shoulder season) are another great time to visit. The crowds will be fewer and the prices tend to be lower. If you plan to go hiking, be aware that the trails may be covered in ice at higher elevations. 

Jasper is also a fantastic winter destination. With snow covering the landscape and lakes frozen over, it doesn’t get more picturesque than a winter trip to the Canadian Rockies. 

If you are keen to visit Jasper in the winter, it’s important to know that many of the popular attractions will be closed. This includes the Maligne Lake Cruise and the Jasper SkyTram. However, other activities such as skiing will be possible. 

I visited Jasper at the end of September and October and it was a beautiful time of year. 

The best things to do in Jasper

Ride the Jasper SkyTram

The Jasper SkyTram is one of the most popular things to do in Jasper National Park and for good reason. This historic aerial SkyTram takes passengers up Whistler’s Mountain for epic panoramic views of the area.

The ride takes you to an altitude of 2,263 meters (7,400 feet). At the top, you can grab a bite to eat at the café, admire the views from the tram station or hike to the summit. 

If you have the time, I highly recommend walking the Summit Trail. It’s a 2.3-mile (3.7km) round trip to the summit from the tram station, and the views are absolutely incredible. 

It’s a very steep walk, but there are plenty of places to take a break. On a clear day, there’s even the possibility of seeing Mount Robson, which is over 100km away. The path was very icy when I did it so it was quite challenging, but this will of course depend on conditions when you visit. 

Be sure to do this activity on a clear day. You’ll want to experience the views, and if it’s cloudy, it won’t be anywhere near as good. Take plenty of layers, as it will no doubt be chillier at the top.

Be sure to book your ride in advance as it often sells out. 

Take a boat cruise on Maligne Lake and step foot on Spirit Island

Taking a boat cruise around Maligne Lake is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Jasper.

Maligne Lake is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my entire life, and I don’t say that lightly. The area boasts some incredible scenery, and it’s one of the most beautiful lakes in all of Canada’s Rocky Mountains. I was told it was stunning, but I wasn’t expecting it to be as special as it was.

The best way to experience all that the lake has to offer is to join a Maligne Lake Cruise tour. 

The 90-minute boat trip will take you around the glacier-fed lake and over to Spirit Island, where you have the chance to walk on this sacred land. Here, the views are truly exquisite. It’s a photographer’s dream.

There is also the option for the premium cruise, which includes staying longer at Spirit Island and a stop at Pincushion Bay.

Visiting Maligne Lake is a must for any visit to Jasper National Park.

Explore Maligne Canyon

Maligne Canyon is one of Jasper’s most popular natural attractions. It’s only a 15-minute drive from Downtown Jasper, so it’s a great option for those visiting Jasper with little time.

Maligne Canyon boasts some impressive rock formations which have been carved out by the powerful Maligne River. The canyon is believed to be around 360 million years old, and there is the opportunity to see dinosaur fossils in some of the rock – so cool!

Once you’re in the canyon, there are a few walks to choose from. The main walk is one big loop, but there are a few extra side trails you can do. The loop itself is 2.7 miles (4.4km) long and roughly takes about 2 or 3 hours. You walk through the canyon and to various bridges for incredible views.

You can choose to walk a smaller part of the loop or to the first bridge if you want a shorter walk.

We did the main loop, and it took us around 2 hours. 

Kayak in Pyramid Lake

Pyramid Lake is a gorgeous hidden spot in the area. The lake is surrounded by mountains and there are some wonderful walks and beaches around the lake. It’s the perfect place to switch off and relax as you take in all the beautiful scenery. 

Pyramid Lake is a ten-minute drive from the main town of Jasper, so you’ll need a car to reach here (or you can walk). The lake is known for its peaceful and natural beauty. It’s a brilliant spot for swimming and water-based activities.

The best spot to hire equipment such as kayaks is Pyramid Lake Lodge. Here’s all the information about what’s available.

Pyramid Lake is also one of the best spots in the area for stargazing.

Try mountain biking

Jasper National Park is an adrenaline lover’s paradise. It offers a wide range of blood-pumping activities, including cycling. The area boasts over 100km of mountain bike trails, and it’s a fantastic way to get off the beaten track and see the best of the area’s beauty.

There are plenty of trails to choose from, which include beginner trails perfect for all the family, through to more advanced trails.

The Parks Canada website shares all the mountain biking trails on their website. There are ample bike hire shops in Jasper where you can hire a bike, or join a tour to explore the area with a guide.

Relax in the hot springs

Jasper National Park is home to Miette Hot Springs. The purpose-built pools contain natural water which flows from the mountains and is cooled down to a suitable temperature to relax in.

The Miette Hot Springs are quite a drive from downtown Jasper (around one hour), so you’ll need a bit of time to fit them in. They’re close to the Sulphur Skyline Trail so if you’re planning to do this hike, it’s the perfect time to visit the hot springs. 

They’re a great place to relax after all the exploring you’ll no doubt be doing. 

Visit Patricia Lake 

If you’ve read my itinerary for Canada’s Rocky Mountains, you might have seen that Patricia Lake Bungalows is one of my favourite places I’ve ever stayed.

These cabins are in a beautiful setting right next to Patricia Lake. It’s only a ten-minute drive from Downtown Jasper, but you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.

The lake itself is surrounded by mountains and is great for swimming, canoeing or other water sports. As the sun sets, the stars come out and it offers some phenomenal stargazing. We also got to see the start of the Northern Lights here too which was very special.

Even if you have your accommodation in Jasper sorted, a visit to the peaceful Patricia Lake is still a must.

Go on one of the many incredible hikes

Jasper National Park is a hot spot for hiking, and hitting the trails is one of the best things to do in Jasper National Park. There are endless trails to choose from, suitable for all abilities.

Here are some of my favourite hikes in Jasper National Park:

Edith Cavell Meadows

The Edith Cavell Meadows trail is a 5-mile (8km) round trip. It has an elevation gain of around 500 meters (1600ft). This is without a doubt one of my favourite hikes I’ve ever done.

Despite being relatively short, the hike offers an incredible range of scenery. From glaciers to forests to mountain peaks, this truly is an amazing hike.

The hike itself is moderately challenging. You need to be comfortable walking on scree once you get to the top. Read my guide to hiking the Edith Cavell Meadow Trail. 

Path of the Glacier

The Path of the Glacier trail starts at the same point as the Edith Cavell hike and is a short 1-mile (1.6km) out-and-back walk to see the Angel Glacier. It’s slightly uphill, but is good for all abilities. It’s a great way to get up close and personal with a glacier without putting in too much effort.

Valley of the Five Lakes

This is another fantastic hike in Jasper National Park. The hike is pretty much what it says, and the 3-mile (4.5km) hike takes you around five different lakes. The beautiful lakes vary in size and colour. There are some steep sections, but it’s generally a very doable hike.

Sulphur Skyline Trail

The Sulphur Skyline Trail is one of the most famous hikes in Jasper National Park. It’s 5 miles (8km) in length and offers some breathtaking panoramas of the area.

It’s near the Miette Hot Springs so you can relax in here once you’ve finished the hike.

Note: This is just a small selection of some of the best hikes in the area. For more hikes, check out some of the best hikes in Jasper National Park. 

Always carry bear spray when hiking in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. Jasper is home to both black bears and grizzly bears. 

Search for wildlife (and hopefully see some moose or elk)

Jasper National Park is famous for its wildlife and offers some high chances to see bears, elk and moose to name a few. Most wildlife sightings are based purely on luck, but in Jasper, it’s not uncommon for the famous wildlife to venture into the downtown area.

If you’re keen to see the wildlife, I’d suggest joining one of the many wildlife tours in the area. The tour operates in the morning and evening, and sets out in search of wildlife, including bears and elk. 

The wildlife in Jasper and the Rocky Mountains can be dangerous, so it’s important to keep your distance. Joining a tour is the safest way to try and find wildlife.

We saw a bear when we were sitting on our porch at Patricia Lake Bungalows. It was incredible, but also slightly terrifying. We were also lucky enough to see Elk in the main downtown area. 

Visit Athabasca Falls

Athabasca Falls is at the end of the Icefields Parkway as you enter the Jasper National Park area.

The falls are beautiful and stopping here is one of the best things to do in Jasper National Park. They are some of the most beautiful waterfalls we saw during our two-week trip in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. 

The falls themselves are only 23 meters tall, but it’s the sheer force and volume of water passing through that makes these falls so impressive. You can view the falls a short walk from the parking lot.

A longer walk is available for those who want to explore more.

Go whitewater rafting

If you want to explore your adrenaline side, then consider joining a whitewater rafting tour. It’s one of the most thrilling activities in Jasper!

The area is famous for its powerful rivers and rapids, so Jasper is the perfect spot to try your hand at rafting. 

There’s a range of different levels here. If you’re a newbie or have younger children, you can opt for a more moderate course, such as the Athabasca Canyon Run. If you want to get the blood pumping, there are several more advanced options to choose from.

This tour is a class 2 level and is great for beginners. 

Explore downtown Jasper

When building your Jasper itinerary, don’t miss allowing some time to explore the town of Jasper itself. 

This small mountain town is only home to around 5,000 residents, but it’s a thriving spot filled with delicious restaurants, cute cafes and plenty of souvenir shops. 

We spent an afternoon exploring the town and all it has to offer. 

Join a Jasper food tour

Food probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when planning a trip to Jasper, but the downtown area has some delicious options.

Of all the places we stayed on our road trip through Canada’s Rocky Mountains, Jasper certainly offered the most variety of food.

The best way to experience the food in Jasper is to join a food tour. This award winning tour has been voted one of the best in Canada. The tour includes visiting several different restaurants to try some of their best dishes. 

Go Stargazing

No visit to Jasper would be complete without stargazing. In fact, it’s one of the best places to go stargazing in the entire world. 

Jasper National Park is the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve on the planet. On a clear night, the view of the stars is incredible. In the winter months, you’ll also have the chance to see the Northern Lights if you’re lucky.

As Jasper is a Dark Sky Preserve, every effort is taken to minimise light pollution, allowing epic stargazing opportunities pretty much anywhere in the area. Even so, you’ll want to try and escape the downtown area and be as far away from any artificial light as possible.

Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake are two of the best places to go stargazing in Jasper. They’re both within a ten-minute drive from the main town, but there’s minimal light pollution. Medicine Lake is another popular spot, but this requires a bit more driving. 

If you’re keen to see the stars, plan your visit to miss the full moon. Granted, seeing the stars is still very much weather-dependent, but avoiding the moon will give you your best shot. 

Learn about the stars at the Planetarium

The Jasper Planetarium is a great place for those who want to learn more about the stars. 

The guided tour includes an interactive experience in a theatre as well as an opportunity to look through a giant telescope. 

If seeing the stars in their glory is your main reason for visiting Jasper, consider visiting during the Jasper Dark Sky Festival in October. 

Visit Medicine Lake

Medicine Lake is another must-visit lake in Jasper National Park. 

Nicknamed the ‘disappearing lake’, Medicine Lake is one of the most unique places to visit in Jasper National Park. Due to an underwater cave and drainage system, the lake’s water levels can fluctuate to the extreme and the water can sometimes completely disappear. 

In the spring and summer, the water levels tend to be at their highest as the glaciers melt. Come autumn and winter, the lake can be completely empty.

When I visited in September, there was barely any water in the lake. It’s a cool sight to see.

You’ll have to drive past Medicine Lake on your way to Maligne Lake, so a stop here can easily be built into your day.

Medicine Lake is also a magnificent spot for stargazing. 

Go climbing

Jasper is renowned for having some of the best climbing in all of Canada, so if you’re going to do it anywhere, Jasper is a good choice.

If you’re new to rock climbing, Jasper has some fantastic beginner spots. There are several tour companies to choose from, including this beginner course.

For more experienced climbers who don’t need a guide, you might need to get a permit depending on where you climb. Parks Canada has more information on their official website. 

For more inspiration on where to visit in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, check out my list of epic road trip stops in the Rockies.