Top Things to do in Jasper National Park
What to do and see in Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Jasper National Park, Alberta including Mount Edith Cavell Trail, Sulphur Skyline Trail, Athabasca Glacier, Athabasca Falls, Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake, Sunwapta Falls and Canyon, Spirit Island, Columbia Ice Field, Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
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. Sulphur Skyline Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By 159barrys - Mount Pearl, Canada
It took us over 4 hours up and back but we paced ourselves as a group and took multiple breaks. This was our first time to Jasper so we took a guided hike and had the benefit of an experienced tour guide who made the experience all the better. There was a lot of people on the trail the day we went so bears were not a factor. It was a warm September day but we needed our warm jackets at the top. The last 500 meters are the hardest but the view from the top is beyond description.
3. Athabasca Glacier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 927 reviews
The snow never melts on this glacier, a major tourist attraction.
Reviewed By Fee_n_Gaz
Take the huge bus up to the glacier for a walk then walk out over the canyon using the glass bridge. Great staff on the bus keeping you entertained and amazing sights, well worth a visit.
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. 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.
6. Maligne Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,494 reviews
Reviewed By 520cynthiab - Pencoed, United Kingdom
We did a boat trip on Maligne Lake, the driver and the guide on the boat were very knowledgeable and chatty, they helped make the trip fun. The lake is large and very beautiful, and once we stopped it was very quiet, I liked that there was only one boat at a time docked. Spirit Island was a little disappointing, I think we all thought it would be larger, it’s only small and not really an Island, but it was interesting hearing all about it.
7. Sunwapta Falls and Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 782 reviews
Reviewed By Found_Lost_Key
As you head south along the Icefields Parkway, hang a right just after the Rocky Mountain Lodge and travel down that road for a few hundred metres until you reach the Sunwapta Falls carpark, plenty of parking and toilets here. It is a very short walk to the falls track. You come to a T junction and once there you can go left down a fairly steep rough track for views of the river before it drops, or turn right and head over the bridge or keep going for views of the falls from a distance and see the canyon. The track from the carpark to the bridge is wheelchair accessible. We spent about 30+ minutes here. Plenty of water going over it in mid May.
8. Spirit Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 311 reviews
Reviewed By paulbyrne2016 - Dublin, Ireland
if you dont fancy hiking around the trails take the boat trip to the island,only downer only allowed 15minutes on island
9. Columbia Ice Field
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,022 reviews
Reviewed By 680gordona - Waterloo, Canada
Aside from the effects of climate change melting the glacier by 15 metres a year, the tour guide added warmth and charm to his informative presentation. We learned many more facts about glaciers, too. Bring a warm jacket because it’s chilly up high on the glacier. Well worth the cost.
10. Columbia Icefield Skywalk
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 1,574 reviews
Go beyond nature's edge and immerse yourself in an awe-inspiring interpretive experience in one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. Explore the immense powers of glaciology from a fully-accessible, cliff-edge walkway that leads to a glass-floored observation platform 918 feet(280 metres) above the Sunwapta Valley.
Reviewed By Ozfan77 - Tamborine Mountain, Australia
Part of our tour allowed us to walk on the Skywalk. Even for someone slightly afraid of heights, it was awesome to see the scenery and walk on a glass floor.
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