If you’ve ever searched for “best things to do in Jasper,” “Jasper Alberta,” “Jasper Canada,” “best places to visit in Jasper,” or “Jasper National Park,” this is the article for you.
Jasper is one of those places where the scenery really does live up to the photographs — towering Rocky Mountains, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, wildlife and spectacular scenic drives.
Jasper, an alpine town in the province of Alberta in Canada, is situated in the Jasper National Park, amidst the Canadian Rockies, and is known for its natural beauty. The park itself is famous for its glacier-fed lakes, rivers, and beautiful forests. It is any nature photographers’ dream destination.
If you are looking for beautiful places to visit in Canada, put Jasper, Alberta high on your list. Surrounded by the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park is a spectacular destination for mountain scenery, wildlife, lakes, waterfalls and some of Canada’s most memorable scenic drives. The national park covers more than 11,000 square kilometres, making it the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies.
Jasper has a wonderfully relaxed feel. You can spend the morning admiring turquoise mountain lakes, stop for photographs beside a waterfall, enjoy a scenic drive in the afternoon and finish the day looking up at an incredibly dark, star-filled sky. Jasper is also recognised as the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve.
However – Jasper the town is also worth exploring and visiting with a little extra time to spend:
Jasper feels wonderfully easy to explore. Most of the town’s shops, restaurants and cafés are concentrated along Patricia Street and Connaught Drive, making the centre very walkable.
Look out for Jasper the Bear, the town’s much-loved mascot, and take a stroll through Centennial Park. The historic railway station and Old Fire Hall are also worth seeing as you explore the streets.
One of the best things about staying in Jasper is that the mountains are never far away. Trails connect the town with nearby lakes and surrounding areas, and many can be enjoyed on foot or by bicycle.
Jasper is not a huge resort town packed with attractions. Its appeal is much simpler: a friendly little mountain town, beautiful scenery, easy walks, good places to eat and some extraordinary Canadian Rockies views right outside your door.
For a first visit to the Canadian Rockies, Jasper is a wonderful place to slow down, look around and enjoy the scenery.
Jasper, Alberta may be small, but it makes a big impression.
Whistlers Inn – Right in the heart of downtown, a particularly convenient choice for first-time visitors who want to explore on foot.
I would give Jasper at least two or three nights.
That gives you enough time to enjoy the town without rushing, take the SkyTram, explore the nearby lakes and trails, and have time for one of the spectacular drives into the surrounding mountains.
Jasper also makes an excellent base for exploring some of the famous sights nearby, including Maligne Lake, Maligne Canyon and the Icefields Parkway. These are outside the town itself, but they are easy to include in a Jasper holiday.
The Crimson – A modern choice just one block from downtown, making it easy to walk to Jasper’s restaurants and shops.
The best time to visit Jasper is from June to September, when the weather is generally warmer and the days are long, making it ideal for exploring the town, nearby lakes, scenic drives and mountain viewpoints. July and August are the busiest months, while June and September can offer a quieter experience. For snow lovers, winter brings a completely different Jasper, with skiing, snowshoeing and beautiful snowy mountain scenery.
Did you know Jasper sits inside one of the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserves?
Jasper National Park is the world’s second-largest Dark Sky Preserve, and Jasper is the largest town located within one. On a clear night, you can step outside town and look up at an extraordinarily dark sky filled with stars.
For the Brave: “The Columbia Icefield Skywalk experience features waterfalls, wildlife, fossils and more on an exciting 1-kilometre walkway that leads to a platform where glass is all that separates you from a 918-foot (280 m) drop.” – website
One of 16 mountain-type engines was built by the Canadian Locomotive Company of Kingston, Ontario in 1923. This locomotive was used by Canadian National in fast freight and passenger service. (The Canadian version of the Orient Express around the rugged Canadian Rockies.)
The seven-minute ride takes you to 2,263 metres, where you get wonderful panoramic views over Jasper, the Athabasca River and the surrounding Rocky Mountains. There are viewpoints, a short alpine trail and a café at the top, so it is more than simply a ride up and down. – website
This will definitely give you one of those “I am really in the Canadian Rockies!” moments.
Spend some time at Pyramid Lake – Just a short drive from Jasper, this beautiful mountain lake is a lovely place to slow down. Walk beside the water, rent a canoe or simply find a quiet spot and enjoy the magnificent Rocky Mountain scenery.
Pyramid Lake and Pyramid Island – A beautiful, easy outing just outside town, is particularly lovely in the evening when the mountains can reflect in the calm water.
A particularly memorable evening experience. Learn about the night sky and then look up at the stars in one of the world’s great dark-sky destinations.
Yes, especially for a first visit. A guided tour takes away the hassle of driving and planning, while giving you the chance to see places such as Maligne Lake, Maligne Canyon and the Icefields Parkway with someone who knows the area. It can also be a good choice if you have limited time in Jasper or would rather concentrate on the scenery than the road map.
Tours normally include Glacier Park, the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Clearwater, Kelowna, Vancouver, Hope, Kamloops, Vernon, Yoho National Park, Banff National Park, Shannon Falls Provincial Park, Whistler, Sun Peaks, Maligne Canyon, and many more.
Travel Tip: As always we think the best way to arrange the perfect holiday experience is to:
Cycle around Jasper – Renting a bicycle is a great way to see more of the immediate area without constantly getting back into the car. Jasper has trails connecting the town with nearby scenic areas.
If you want one restaurant for a memorable meal, I’d choose Jasper Brewing Company. It combines locally brewed craft beer with Alberta-inspired pub food, making it feel particularly appropriate for a Jasper visit. (Jasper Brewing Co. opened its doors in the spring of 2005 as Canada’s first National Park Brewery.) Situated at 624 Connaught Drive, right in town.
More than 1200 km of excellent hiking trails are waiting for you.
Jasper is a small mountain town, but the distances between the town and the sights around it can be much greater than they look on a map. If you want to explore places such as Maligne Lake, Pyramid Lake or the surrounding viewpoints, plan your days in advance and allow plenty of driving time. Inside Jasper itself, however, the centre is compact and easy to explore on foot — so once you’ve parked your car, take your time and enjoy the town.
You can fly into Edmonton (YEG), Calgary (YYC), or Vancouver (YVR) international airports. Then book your rental car and take the scenic drive to Jasper.
Another way of getting to Jasper is to take the scenic Rocky Mountaineer or Via Rial train ride while you relax and enjoy some of Canada’s most beautiful scenery.
DISTANCE from JASPER to:
Lake Louise: 232 km (139 miles) 3 hrs
Banff: 287 km (172 miles) 3 ½ hrs
Edmonton: 362 km (220 miles) 3 ½ hrs
Calgary: 414 km (248 miles) 4 ½ hrs
Vancouver: 863 km (518 miles) 9 ½ hrs
Yes, but allow a full day. Lake Louise is around 230 km from Jasper, connected by the spectacular Icefields Parkway. The journey takes about three hours each way excluding sightseeing stops. It is best treated as a scenic road trip rather than a quick excursion. If you have the time, the drive itself is one of the greatest experiences of a Jasper visit.
My advice: If you have only 2–3 nights in Jasper, I would not recommend spending the whole day going to Lake Louise and back. There is plenty to enjoy around Jasper itself. However if you have several days, it’s a fantastic drive to include. But with that said, Lake Louise is a very special place to visit.
More accommodation options:
Yes — Jasper is an excellent winter base for a skiing holiday, but the skiing itself is at Marmot Basin, about 20 minutes from the town.
Marmot Basin has a good mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced runs, plenty of natural snow, and a reputation for relatively uncrowded slopes. The ski season generally runs from mid-November into early May. There is also a shuttle from Jasper, so you don’t necessarily need a car.
