Top Things to do in Jasper National Park
What to do and see in Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies: The Best Free Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Jasper National Park, Alberta including Mount Edith Cavell Trail, Beauty Creek Trail, Wilcox Pass, Athabasca Falls, Mountain Galleries Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper Information Centre, Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Mt. Edith Cavell.
Restaurants in Jasper National Park
1. Mount Edith Cavell Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 224 reviews
Reviewed By JayY_Canada
Best things about the hike: - Begins at fairly high elevation (1700+ meters) - not much effort before getting above the tree line - Awesome views: glacier, lake, mountain peaks, blue sky - Wild flowers (even late in the season) - Pikas and mountain marmots (they are not as shy as those we saw in other places; you can get a really close-up view) - Moderate efforts: took us 4 hours round trip to the highest point of the trail and back; this is with extended lunch and animal viewing stops; we are moderately active and only average in fitness level. - The pay-off is excellent for you effort. (It takes a lot more work to get this kind of view elsewhere.) Things to be prepared for: - Bug repellent (even this late in the season) - Prepare for changing weather (hot, cold, windy, rainy); but "marginal weather" often produces the most spectacular views. - Sturdy hiking shoes and/or hiking poles help; the upper part of the trail could be a little slippery/scary for some. - Could be crowded; (not so much this year due to COVID perhaps) - No outhouses once you leave the parking lot; time your "needs" for a 4+hr walk. - Bring your long lens if you are into animal photography
2. Beauty Creek Trail
3. Wilcox Pass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By Czarofconsoles - Vancouver, Canada
Really amazing hike, with great views of Athabasca Glacier. It was a great sunny day with cool winds when we did this hike. Starts from the trailhead just a km away from Athabasca Glacier. Nice steady incline but not much challenging to the camping spot. Throughout the hike views to the glacier and valley don't leave you. You reach the intersection and take a slightly steep incline to the viewpoint just in front of glacier. Views were spectacular and we had a great lunch in those windy conditions.
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Medicine Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 420 reviews
Reviewed By JAS840 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
No doubt giving five stars to this site as it's a very beautiful and peaceful lake. Well, a lot of visitor, by the way. The most attractive for us is the nesting Bald Eagle. There were two chicks when we were there and one of the parents was busy feeding them
9. Horseshoe Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By kyleg710
Perfect place to go when it gets hot in Jasper. Water is very cold and refreshing with some amazing cliff jumping locations.
10. Mt. Edith Cavell
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
Reviewed By TLG444 - Lethbridge, Canada
The drive was beautiful but a bit scary. Very narrow with 180 degree switchbacks and drop-offs in some areas. We arrived at the parking area late afternoon, after a long day of sight-seeing. It was starting to get cold and the mosquito's were horrendous so we decided to not attempt the hike to the glacier.
