10 Best Things To Do In Jasper National Park

Welcome to the best things to do in Jasper National Park!

I recently spent a weekend in Jasper, combined with a trip to Banff, and I seriously loved it.

I couldn’t get over how relaxed Jasper was, which was a stark contrast from Banff.

On today’s post, I’ve put together the must-see places in Jasper National Park.

Let’s dive in.

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Jasper National Park Essentials

Top Tours & Experiences In Jasper

Where To Stay In Jasper National Park

Budget-friendly

Forest Park Hotel – This is where we stayed- it was a great value, and close to town.

Mid-range

Pyramid Lake Resort

Luxury

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

How To Get Around Jasper National Park

Having your own car in Jasper National Park is practically essential!

Make sure to reserve your rental car in advance on RentalCars.com.

Short on time? I recommend booking a Jasper National Park Tour: Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island!

1. Explore Downtown Jasper

The town of Jasper is the cutest mountain town, right in the heart of Jasper National Park.

This is where all of the lodging, shops, and restaurants are, so you’ll most likely stay here during your visit.

Given that the town is so small and remote, I really wasn’t sure what to expect…

But I was delighted at how much I liked it!

Of course, the setting is gorgeous, with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

Downtown Jasper itself is really charming as well.

There are plenty of delicious restaurants here, including the fantastic Raven Bistro.

Whether you’re headed there for lunch or dinner, make sure to try the coconut and almond crusted halibut, paired with a lavender gin sour!

My husband ordered the bison short ribs and the maple old fashioned, which he loved.

For breakfast, make your way to WickedCup or Kumama Bistro & Canteen, which are both top notch.

Lodging in Jasper ranges from the luxurious Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, to more budget-friendly places like Forest Park Hotel.

2. Visit Maligne Lake & Spirit Island

Maligne Lake is the longest and deepest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies!

It’s about a 50 minute drive from Jasper, and well worth the effort.

On a sunny day, the lake is a dazzling blue, colored by run-off from nearby glaciers.

Framing the lake, are the towering mountains known as the “Hall of Gods.”

However, what Maligne Lake is arguably most famous for is Spirit Island.

Spirit Island is a small island along the lakeshore, named for its spiritual significance for the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.

Its rounded shape, flanked by spectacular landscape, has turned it into an iconic destination for both visitors and photographers.

The challenge, however, is that you can only reach Spirit Island by boat!

So if you want to visit Spirit Island, you have two options.

You can either paddle yourself, which takes 4-5 hours each way, and is only recommended for those who have paddling experience.

Or, the more realistic option, take a Maligne Lake Cruise!

You can choose between the Classic Cruise, which lasts 1.5 hours, or the Premium Cruise, which lasts 2 hours with extra time on Spirit Island.

Along the way, you’ll experience staggering views, and learn about the lake’s history, geology, and wildlife.

Once you reach Spirit Island, you’ll have some time explore the island and take pictures.

I recommend opting for the Premium Cruise, because most people agree that the extra time on Spirit Island is well worth it.

I also highly recommend booking your tickets in advance online, because they sell out quickly day-of.

Pro tip: Kids ride free before 9:30 am!

Click here to check availability on Viator.

3. Hike in Maligne Canyon

Maligne Canyon is the perfect place for a family-friendly hike with waterfalls and slot canyon views.

It’s the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park, and the hike includes several interesting bridges and viewpoints.

You can opt to make the trip as long or short as you want, by turning back after any of the bridges.

In the winter, you can take a guided ice walk through the frozen waterfalls and canyon floor!

4. Ride the Jasper SkyTram

The Jasper SkyTram is the highest and longest aerial tram in Canada!

It’s located next to the ski resort Marmot Basin at the base of Whistlers Peak.

During the 10-minute ride to the top, you’ll experience stunning panoramic views of Jasper and the surrounding mountains.

Once you reach the top, you’ll disembark at the Summit Station, which has a small restaurant and gift shop to enjoy.

Although the views from the Summit Station are impressive, the best view requires a bit of further hiking to the true summit of Whistler’s Peak.

The true summit is a 1.4 km, or roughly 20-30 minute, hike from Summit Station.

At the peak, you’ll be rewarded with views of Mount Robson, the tallest mountain in the Rockies, and Mount Edith Cavell.

Click here to check availability on Viator.

5. Visit Pyramid Lake

Only a 10 minute drive from Jasper, you can’t miss the gorgeous Pyramid Lake.

It lies at the foot of Pyramid Mountain, a distinct landmark overlooking the town.

Pyramid Lake is an ideal place to paddle, or hang out for the day on the lakeside beach.

Make sure to check out Pyramid Island, a small island connected to the mainland by an iconic wooden bridge.

This is also one of the best places to take photos in Jasper!

If you’re looking for a relaxing place to stay near nature, look no further than Pyramid Lake Resort.

It’s the perfect cozy, lakefront getaway, all within minutes from amenities in town.

6. Drive the Icefields Parkway

One of the best things to do in Jasper National Park is drive the Icefields Parkway!

This scenic drive connects Jasper with Banff.

It’s also one of the most beautiful drives in the world!

Along the way, you’ll be spoiled with non-stop views of towering mountains, glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls.

Some of the most popular stops on the Icefields Parkway are Athabasca Glacier, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls.

With no stops, the drive from Jasper to Banff is about 3.5 hours.

So while it’s possible to drive the Icefields Parkway as a day trip, considering time for stops and hikes, it makes one long day.

I recommend adding at least a couple days in Banff to your Jasper National Park itinerary, if you have time!

7. Hike the Valley of Five Lakes

One of the BEST hikes in Jasper National Park is the Valley of Five Lakes.

Seriously, you don’t want to miss this one!

This 3-mile loop winds past five brilliantly-hued alpine lakes, with majestic views the entire way.

Each lake also boasts a unique color, because they’re all different depths!

The Fifth Lake even has a dock that’s perfect for swimming, if you’re feeling adventurous.

You’ll find the parking lot and trailhead right off the Icefields Parkway, just outside the Jasper townsite.

I recommend getting there early to beat the crowds, and wearing bug spray or long sleeves.

8. Experience the Columbia Icefield Adventure

The Columbia Icefield Adventure combines two of the most popular attractions on the Icefields Parkway:

Athabasca Glacier Tour
Columbia Icefield Skywalk

Since they’re right next to each other, the Columbia Icefield Adventure wraps them up into one awesome package!

On this incredible experience, you’ll travel on a huge, all-terrain Ice Explorer vehicle to the Athabasca Glacier.

Along the way, you’ll learn all about the history of this 10,000-year-old sheet of ice.

There, you can walk on, touch, and even drink from the glacier in a monitored area.

Afterwards, you’ll head to the Skywalk for breathtaking views.

This fully-accessible, glass-floored bridge is suspended directly above a 280-meter drop.

Not only is it an engineering marvel, it’s a total thrill to look down at your feet and see such a dizzying long way down!

This is one of the best activities for families, and those who require more accessibility.

9. Hike Edith Cavell Meadows

45 minutes south of Downtown Jasper, lies Edith Cavell Meadows.

Nestled into the base of Mount Edith Cavell, this hiking area has two trails to choose from.

The easier Path of the Glacier Trail offers stunning views of Angel Glacier and the iceberg-dotted Cavell Pond.

All of this, in just a quick 1.2 km round trip!

The more challenging Edith Cavell Meadows trail demands a bit more effort, but rewards with a wider variety of beautiful scenery.

Because this trail climbs a lot higher, it only opens seasonally once enough snow has melted.

10. Take a dip in Lake Annette

Swimming is permitted in almost all of the lakes in Jasper National Park.

The only thing stopping you is the icy temperature of the water!

However, Lake Annette is one of the warmest lakes in Jasper.

So if you want to take a refreshing dip on a warm summer day, head to this beautiful lake!

On the north shore, you’ll find the sandy Lake Annette Beach.

This is the perfect place to hang out with the family for the day.

While you’re in the area, check out the lesser-visited Edith Lake, just a stone’s throw away.

Posted By: Arabella · In: canada, north america, travel