Top Things to do in Jasper
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Jasper, Canadian Rockies
Escape the urban bustle and make Jasper your home base for exploring Canada's extraordinary wilderness. As a mountain town, it's low-key and unpretentious with good food and drink; as a destination, it's an outdoor sports lover's playground, with hiking and golfing in summer and skiing and dog sledding in winter. If it's chilly, heat up at Miette Hot Springs in the National Park.
Restaurants in Jasper
1. Athabasca Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,708 reviews
A spectacular waterfall in Jasper National Park.
Reviewed By BrittanyMExplores - Winnipeg, Canada
Athabasca Falls is located approximately 30 minutes south of the town of Jasper along the scenic Icefields Parkway. It is a place definitely worth stopping and exploring. There were a network of paved pathways leading to various areas overlooking the waterfalls and viewpoints of the deep and narrow canyon. Athabasca Falls was powerful and gorgeous waterfall with a stunning backdrop of forests, mountains and the river flowing through as huge volumes of water rushed down into the canyon. There were a few lookout points offering different views of the falls along the trails. I visited on a sunny afternoon and the area was quite crowded with some of the lookout areas being very small, so I had to wait my turn in order to get up front and take photos. The pathways were interesting to explore and one of them led through a narrow section between two walls of the canyon with stairs carved into the rocks. There were some great vantage points overlooking the river and the canyon to see where the water had eroded the rock to create caves and unique rock formations over many years. Athabasca Falls was a wonderful area to discover, admire the natural beauty and take plenty of photos. The parking lot was large and could accommodate quite a few vehicles. It would probably be best to visit in the morning during the summer season before the crowds of people show up. If you’re driving the Icefields Parkway, definitely stop here.
2. Mountain Galleries Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
An art gallery offering exhibits of local area artists.
Reviewed By C7411LZrogerp
This is not your typical hotel art gallery. I was very much impressed with the variety of works by excellent Canadian artists. Every turn you made throughout the gallery provided a new experience as you are introduced to the next piece of art. Bravo!
3. Jasper Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 642 reviews
This historic building houses the visitor's center for Japer National Park.
Reviewed By nyalta - Bedford, United Kingdom
The weather was wet and cloud cover low so we visited the information centre for suggestions of things to do in the drizzly rain. The staff were excellent, very knowledgeable and keen to help the visitors. We left armed with a trail map marked with the recommended hikes and some bear spray in case our walks in the woods stumbled across a bear - we didn’t although did see bears by the roadside from our car. The parks staff have all the latest information on areas closed due to animal activity so a good place to start any trip to Jasper.
4. Maligne Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,561 reviews
A scenic limestone canyon with waterfalls and walking trails.
Reviewed By nikkisC5765BV - Banff, Canada
I did the whole hike all the way to 6th bridge (7+km out and back). The first 1/4 of the hike is heavily trafficked as it follows the canyon. After this, it follows a gorgeous river through the woods to 6th bridge. Stunning the whole way. Great for families as it can be customized to a long or short hike depending on which bridge crossing you turn back Lovely cafe with outdoor seating and a firepit at the parking lot.
5. Pyramid and Patricia Lakes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,783 reviews
Reviewed By 571MargaretM - Brisbane, Australia
visited in winter. it is just a short drive outside of Jasper, there is a motel, cafe, toilets and lots of car parking, the lake has little boats - that some one has dragged up onto the shore line and they are surrounded in ice - like boats in an ice cube. people were skating, and riding bikes on the lake. such a beautiful spot. you can hire skates there or else bring your own. in summer it would be nice walk to the lake. the trees are affected by the pine beetle and when i was there burning and cleaning was taking place. fun place to take the family on a sunny winter day.
6. Bald Hills
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
Reviewed By serenadawson77 - Burnaby, Canada
Great hike, took about 3 hours, very windy and cold at the top so bring layers! We went the steeper short cut way and was totally doable if you have a good level of fitness or just take it a bit slower.
7. Opal Hills
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By caryso466
Fantastic hike but be aware it's hard work but well worth it in the end. The path divides into a loop halfway up. There's a steep hike right or a more gradual climb to the left. Take the right to get to the top quickly! There's a further 200m climb at the top to get a fantastic view of Maligne lake.
8. Our Native Land
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By snowflake53 - St. Albert, Canada
This is the store I always go to for interesting and different gifts from Canada. Always find unique gifts here.
9. Jasper Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
10. Malige Canyon Restaurant and Gift Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By happy_in_paris_10 - Atlanta, United States
We came to walk the Maligne Canyon on a day in early October with snow drifting down. There was a handwritten sign on the door saying "Closed today, open tomorrow". We peeked in through the windows and one manwas the owner, having a cup of coffee in the restaurant. He opened the gift shop and restaurant for us, and we not only found lovely jewelry (lots of amber and other unusual pieces) and books and of course calendars, but lots of original art. Then we discovered that this is really 3 businesses in one - a restaurant decorated in original First Nations art and sculpture, a gift shop and an art gallery with exquisite pieces carved in jade and other stones. I will never forget this experience with the gracious owner, the exquisite artwork, and the utter kindness that was shown to us on this cold snowy day.
