Things to do in Jasper National Park
After spending my first two days in Canada exploring Edmonton, we woke early to drive 4 hours west on the Yellowhead, arriving little before noon at Jasper National Park, home to the Canadian Rockies.
Jasper National Park was established in 1907, and is the largest of its kind in the Canadian Rockies totalling 10,878 km2.
Jasper National Park joins with another adventure capital – Banff National Park, connected by the Columbia Icefield Region
- Check out my experience in the Columbia Icefield region here.
- Check out my guide to Banff National Park here.
Jasper is a popular choice for Winter sports lovers, hosting the famous Marmot Basin Ski Resort – claiming to have Canada’s highest base elevation.
But Jasper has so much more to offer beyond it’s winter wonderland (which I totally insist on coming back to visit), & we were here to experience some of it’s finest offerings.
Here’s a list of fun things to do in Jasper National Park, Canada…
1. Sulphur Skyline Hike
This is one of Jasper’s most popular day hikes: an 8km forest and mountain side trek, with an elevation gain of 2300ft (700m).
It’s a pretty consistent uphill trek but there are plenty of opportunities to stop off should you get tired. For some reason I was filled with energy when we arrived and I stormed to the top in an hour. It usually takes 2-3 hours to get to the summit!
When you reach the top, the view is pretty surreal and shows the Rockies through a 360 panoramic. The kind of moment I live for.
2. Have pizza at Famoso Pizzeria.
3. Relax your muscles at Miette Hot Springs.
4. Enjoy an exquisite fire side dinner at The Stone Peak Restaurant at the Overlander Mountain Lodge.
It’s worth a visit just for the food and table view of the Rockies, but should you be seeking accommodation – they have the CUTEST of mountain lodges available to hire. Check it out here.
5. Get a unique underwater experience at Patricia Lake with Jasper Dive adventures.
6. Try the Rocky Mountaineer Scenic Train.
It runs through Alberta and British Columbia, even down into Seattle! Check it out here.
7. Rest your eyes at The Crimson, a wonderfully cosy hotel.
8. Take on the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk.
9. Marvel at Lac Beauvert.
You can hike around the lake. Elk are often seen here, and bears are often spotted in spring!
10. Explore the cute streets of Jasper Town.
Jasper felt like I’d entered my initial expectation of Canada. Wooden lodges and timber beamed restaurants filled the few streets that make up Jasper. Canadian flags rumbled in the bitter winter winds the mountains were sending us and Jasper the Bear was ready and waiting for me to take a photo with him.
11. Keep an eye out for bears and other wildlife.
You might see elk, bears, sheep, lynx and more! Make sure that you are respectful of the wildlife, and ‘bear aware’ – it can be dangerous to you and the animals to linger for that perfect shot. Read more here.
12. Check out the planetarium or take a dark sky tour (Jasper is a Dark Sky Preserve).
13. Get a spine-tingling view of The Rockies with Jasper Sky Tram.
14. Get active and try whitewater rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, & fishing.
- For water sports, click here.
- If canyoning and climbing is more your thing, click here.
- For hiking, walking and biking trails, click here.
- To find our where in the park you can camp, click here.
15. Go on a winter adventure and do some skiing, snowshoeing & snowboarding.
Look at all the options are choose your favourites here!
16. Horseride through The Rockies.
17. Play a game of golf at Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club, Canada’s #1 public golf course.
18. Go on a Maligne Lake Boat Tour and visit Spirit Island.
19. Hire canoes and discover Maligne Lake for yourself.
20. Head out to the Columbia Icefields!
Have you been to Jasper?
What were your favourite spots? I’d love to know!
Love as always + happy adventuring,
Mollie.
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