Things to Do in Jasper: Travel Experts' Guide to Jasper National Park

A small community set alongside the Athabasca River where elk wander the streets and stars light up the dark skies.

Summary

• The best things to do in Jasper include wildlife-viewing tours, cruising Maligne Lake, and driving the Icefields Parkway
• The best places to stay are log cabins or the lakefront Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
• You can reach Jasper easily by car from Calgary or by either car or train from Vancouver

Things to do in Jasper National Park vary from hiking trails that take multiple days navigating the backcountry to settling into a brewery for the afternoon, watching the evening light up the peaks.

We think the sweet spot is somewhere in the middle, exploring the nature and scenery around the national park before returning to downtown Jasper to relax among the local community.

This is our expert's guide to visiting Jasper.

Our credentials? Over 25 years experience designing custom tours and itineraries through the Canadian Rockies, curating trips for every kind of traveler. We know what to do, when to do it, and how to arrange it into a singular, life-changing vacation (the kind where the word 'vacation' doesn't quite encompass the scope or feel).

Each recommendation and suggestion is bookable as a part of our personalized Canada itineraries. If you see something you like, reach out to a Travel Designer and we can arrange it as a part of your trip.

Now let us show you around Jasper.

Best Things To Do in Jasper

The obvious place to begin is what there is to do in Jasper. The best things to do in Jasper include hiking trails, wildlife-viewing tours, cruising world-famous lakes (like Maligne Lake), and driving the Icefields Parkway.

Credit: Travel Alberta / Dan Schykulski

Wander Downtown Jasper

The town of Jasper is a small, walkable hub. From one end to the other, it takes around half an hour to walk the entire length of Jasper and about a third of that to wander through its downtown core.

Despite being small, Jasper is packed with charm. Boutique gift shops, restaurants, and bakeries line the downtown streets. We recommend visiting the Jasper Park Information Centre, which is both an incredible resource for first-time visitors and a national historic site in its own right.

Credit: Jasper Food Tours

Downtown Jasper Food Tour

For a curated experience of Jasper town, a food tour is the way to go. Across an afternoon, you'll be introduced to four of the best restaurants in town, sampling dishes and drinks (alcoholic or non) at each.

Along the way, you'll get insight into the local community as you're taught the history and culture that's shaped the town. It's a great opportunity to see behind the scenes of a predominantly tourism-focused location, seeing murals by Indigenous local artists and hearing the community's stories, while scoping out the best spots to eat.

If you're spending a few days in Jasper, start with a food tour; you'll want to return to at least one stop.

Credit: Travel Alberta / Tourism Jasper

Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island

Spirit Island, located 8.5 miles along Maligne Lake, is one of the most photographed spots in Canada despite only being accessible by water.

While you can undergo the full-day canoe or kayak to the island, most visitors choose the 1.5-hour Maligne Lake Cruise.

The lake cruise to Spirit Island is magical to say the least. Not only do you voyage over vibrant, turquoise blue glacial waters, but you do so under the watchful eye of the towering, ever-present mountains that line the lake. In doing so, you're journeying down what is called the 'Hall of Gods.'

On the cruise, your guide will introduce you to the area, explaining the cultural importance of Spirit Island and the surrounding mountains to the Indigenous Stoney-Nakoda peoples. And, once you arrive at the island itself, you'll have time to walk to a beautiful lookout and take in a view miles from the nearest road.

Credit: Gary Corken on Unsplash

Drive the Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway exists on a magnitude that needs to be seen to be believed. The road itself is a scenic mountain pass, comprising 144 miles of highway entirely surrounded by truly towering peaks. It runs broadly along the continental divide, which means over four hours driving between truly towering mountains, smattered with stunning lakes.

As it happens, the Icefields Parkway is also the most direct road between Jasper and Banff, meaning it's included in most of our Canadian Rockies itineraries by default.

Credit: Travel Alberta / Pursuit / Mike Seehagel

Walk on the Columbia Icefield Glacier

The Columbia Icefield is the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains, made up of over 7,000 acres of ice. It's situated approximately halfway along the Icefields Parkway, and offers travelers an incredibly unique opportunity: to step foot on an ancient glacier. Athabasca Glacier flows down from the Columbia Icefield towards the road and is Canada's most accessible glacier. A variety of tours give you the chance to venture onto the ice.

Ride onto the ancient glacier in a massive specialized Ice Explorer or, for a more intimate experience, a smaller all-terrain vehicle will take you even further up the ice to an exclusive spot. The most adventurous option is to embark on a guided hike across the ice, where you'll learn about glacial formation and preservation as you aim to tread lightly and minimize your footprint.

Credit: Travel Alberta / Darren Roberts

Wildlife-Viewing Tours

One of the best things about Jasper is the abundance of wildlife roaming the town and the national park.

In the town itself, elk can be seen absolutely everywhere — alongside the train tracks, wandering quiet streets, and in residents' yards. A little further out, bears, moose, bighorn sheep, and all manner of creatures are hiding.

While you're likely to spot wildlife during your time in Jasper, the most prized spots often require a little more effort. Wildlife tours pair you with a local guide who knows these animals well, bringing you to secret moose crossings, bighorn sheep meeting grounds, and woods where deer congregate around a lake. You can never guarantee a wildlife sighting — Jasper is not a zoo, nor is it an enclosed sanctuary — but these expert-led tours give you the best chance of doing so.

Credit: J. Barlett

Sunrise Sightseeing

The best time of day to see Jasper National Park is at sunrise. Popular stops are quiet, the early morning light illuminates the mountains, and wildlife wander the quiet valley roads. If you're looking to see some of Jasper's most famous sights, we recommend booking a sunrise tour, trading a few extra hours of sleep for the feeling of having Pyramid Lake, Medicine Lake, or Maligne Lake to yourself.

Credit: Travel Alberta / Nancy Ferreira

Ride Jasper SkyTram

Jasper SkyTram is the longest and highest aerial tramway in the Rockies. In just 7 minutes, you'll ascend 7,425 feet to the top of Whistlers Mountain, where you'll be treated to sweeping views of Athabasca Valley, the town, and a small station with a restaurant and viewing decks. In the tram car, a local guide will explain how the tram came to be, and what you're seeing as you travel.

Once at the upper tram station, you'll also have the option to hike to the summit. The trail is less than a mile long and has around 200m of elevation gain. When completed, it offers truly sweeping views of Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and Mount Edith Cavell.

Credit: Travel Alberta / Leigh McAdam

Hike in Jasper National Park

There are a multitude of world-class hikes in Jasper National Park. Parks Canada offers an incredible list of day hikes for anyone ready to get out there and explore, all categorized by distance (in kilometers) and difficulty.

To hiking-curious travelers or more casual wanderers, hiking Jasper National Park might seem intimidating. We often arrange for our guests to go with a guide. You'll not only be kept safe by a professional, who knows the trails well and is proficient in wildlife safety, but you will also get on-the-ground interpretation as you hike.

Best Winter Activities in Jasper National Park

Winter activities in the Canadian Rockies are a whole other ball game. As snow descends in the valleys in late November, the town and park quite literally transform into a place of winter dreams. Along with it, the things to do in Jasper change radically, as roads and trails are covered in snow and lakes freeze over.

We have an entire post dedicated to our favorite winter activities in Jasper (see here for an in-depth guide), but these are our top three:

Credit: Travel Alberta / Mike Seehagel

Dog-Sledding in Bow Valley

For a fast-paced winter adventure, a dog-sledding ride will have you zipping through forests and across frozen lakes pulled by your own team of huskies.

Credit: Jasper Hinton Air

Guided Snowshoeing Tours

If you’re a summer hike enthusiast, your best winter alternative is snowshoeing. And, really, snowshoeing should be seen as a whole different sport from hiking. Snowshoeing routes are often shorter than hiking trails to combat the effort of walking through snow. It’s slower, yes, but that’s a lot of the point.

Credit: Travel Alberta / Parks Canada / Ryan Bray

Stargazing in a Dark Sky Preserve

As the world's second-largest Dark Sky Preserve, there are few places better than Jasper to be floored by the stars. That's true whether visiting Jasper Planetarium and looking through its resident telescopes, or simply gazing up from the ground. Light pollution is restricted throughout town, meaning views are always bright — filled with stars as far as the eye can see. And winter, when nights are at their longest, is the best time to see it.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Where to Stay in Jasper National Park

Most visitors stay in the northern end of Jasper town, which is home to a number of hotels and offers an easy walk to the stores and restaurants downtown.

But if you're looking for a more atmospheric stay, a cabin is the way to go. There's a range of options, but our favorite cabins in Jasper are just across the Athabasca River at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is the most luxurious hotel in Jasper and the pinnacle of cabin retreats. It's made up of a collection of stylish cabins set along Beauvert Lake and the charming main lodge building, which holds a heated outdoor pool, cozy lounge, and dining options all among tall stone fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water.

Credit: Tourism Jasper / Parks Canada / Rogier Gruys

How to Get to Jasper

Most people arrive in Jasper from one of two hubs: Calgary, to the east, or Vancouver in the West. Both have major international airports, making them perfect starting points for a Canadian Rockies vacation.

If you're looking to begin your vacation in Calgary, Jasper will likely be near the end of your time in the mountains. The drive from Calgary to Jasper passes through Banff and Lake Louise by default. So, when designing our itineraries, we follow the natural progression of sights, breaking your journey with stops, excursions, and time to explore along the way.

On the other hand, if you begin your trip in Vancouver, you'll have three options:

• 4-day road trip through British Columbia
• 2- or 3-day Rocky Mountaineer journey
• 2-day VIA Rail sleeper train

Our preferred route for a road trip to Jasper passes through British Columbia's mountain resorts, spending a night in both Whistler and Sun Peaks.

Along the way, you'll drive the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway — a road that rivals the Icefields Parkway in terms of beauty, trading some of its mountains for island-studded inlets — and explore British Columbia's outdoor playground, Whistler. You’ll watch as the peaks grow taller and taller as you head towards the Canadian Rockies. This is a great option for travelers looking for an adventure or families looking for the classic road trip experience.

Credit: VIA Rail, Rocky Mountaineer

The two trains each offer different opportunities.

Rocky Mountaineer's journeys run exclusively through the daylight hours, breaking in Kamloops (and, if on the three-night trip, Whistler) for a night in a comfortable hotel.

On the other hand, VIA Rail's Canadian train offers a classic sleeper train experience where you spend the night onboard in a private cabin, waking to find yourself in the depths of the Canadian Rockies. Both offer delicious meals onboard, stunning views of Canada's most impressive scenery, and arrive in downtown Jasper.

Our Favorite Packages With Time in Jasper

Almost all of our Canadian Rockies itineraries spend time in Jasper. However, these are our three favorites for a Jasper focus.

Credit: Rocky Mountaineer

Signature Canadian Rockies by Train | Private Touring

Few experiences truly begin a trip like two days onboard Rocky Mountaineer.

After starting with freshly-made gourmet meals, handcrafted drinks delivered to your seat, and world-class mountain views through Rocky Mountaineer's signature glass-domed windows, five days touring the Canadian Rockies follow. Exclusive private excursions, tours, and transfers are included at every step.

Perfect for: Refined travelers looking for the finer things in life

Credit: Tourism Kelowna / Ken Hagen

Canadian Rockies Peaks & Okanagan Grapes Road Trip

Spend ten days driving Western Canada's open roads, stopping to explore British Columbia's mountain resorts (exploring Whistler's mountains and Sun Peaks' rolling plateaus while you're there) on route to the Canadian Rockies, and the Okanagan region's famous wineries on the way back.

While in the Rockies, we'll arrange for you to see Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise, and customize your time at each to reflect your interests.

Perfect for: Adventurous travelers looking to explore with independence

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Luxury Winter Train Tour to the Canadian Rockies

Two days (and one night) on Canada's sleeper train, the Canadian, lead into custom excursions and private tours, and transfers through the snowy Canadian Rockies. You'll see a different side to the mountain range as you snowshoe through picturesque white forests, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride to the far end of Lake Louise, and venture into frozen canyons to see waterfalls stilled by ice.

Perfect for: Snow-loving travelers looking for a magical winter trip

Credit: Canada By Design

How to Book

When booking with Canada By Design, we take care of most necessities, arranging your hotel stays, transport, and activities ahead of time. A Travel Designer will work with you one-on-one to include the best activities for you, and weave them into a custom itinerary. When the time comes, you just have to show up.

FAQ

Is Jasper still worth visiting after the wildfire?

In July 2024, Jasper National Park and parts of downtown Jasper were affected by a wildfire. While the fire did change some of Jasper, it remains one of the most beautiful towns in the Canadian Rockies, and an absolute must-visit.

Wildfires are a natural part of healthy forests and offer people visiting Jasper the chance to learn more about the region's ecology on local expert-led tours. Some trails, such as those in Maligne Canyon, remain closed, and temporary housing for residents is still visible in the eastern part of town, but the vast majority of the national park (like the world-famous Spirit Island on Maligne Lake) was entirely unaffected.

Why should I visit Jasper National Park?

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in Canada and one of the best examples of the Canadian Rockies' signature landscapes. It's home to plentiful wildlife and mountain scenery that rivals a postcard while still feeling intimate in a way other towns in the Rocky Mountains struggle to.

The town of Jasper itself is a lovely place to spend time, with local restaurants and gift shops making up the majority of stores in its small downtown. And the nature around the town speaks for itself. Simply put, Jasper is an incredible blend of wilderness and community, and the perfect place to experience the Rockies authentically.

Do I need a Parks Pass when visiting Jasper?

Jasper town is located in Jasper National Park, meaning you will need a Park Pass from Parks Canada to enter. This can be purchased at national park gates and information centers such as the one in downtown Jasper.

Feature Image Credit: Travel Alberta / Tourism Jasper