Jasper is a beautiful mountain town located in the Athabasca Valley within Jasper National Park. As a world-renowned vacation destination, Jasper’s picturesque community offers tourists a variety of activities, attractions, and natural Canadian wonders.
While Banff is another popular tourist destination in Alberta, I feel that Jasper offers the perfect place for adventure seekers looking for a less commercial experience.
During my trip to Jasper with my sister (who spent four months there), we compiled a list of our favorite things to see and do there. While Jasper has many activities and sights to see, these were our top recommendations for first-time visitors.
Here are the top things to see and do in Jasper National Park!
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Table of Contents
Edith Cavell
Mount Edith Cavell was named after a British nurse who was executed in World War I for helping Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium.
The 3300-meter peak is an amazing sight behold. I recommend driving there, but some people enjoy the challenge of hiking up the mountain trail.
There are also tours available that pick you up from your hotel in Jasper to explore the “Path of the Glacier” while providing interesting information about Edith Cavell’s history and geological environment.
My recommended accessories for your trip to Jasper National Park:
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Malgine Canyon
Malgine canyon is a natural wonder in Jasper National Park that has been eroded out of the Palliser Formation and measures over 50 meters (160 feet) deep.
The Malgine Valley is one of the most extensive karst system in Canada. This is characterized by an underground drainage system of caves above and below ground level.
This is a popular spot for hikers and tour groups to visit. If you are interested in taking a tour of the Maligne Valley — I highly recommend booking through Viator. Check out Get Your Guide Jasper, Canada for a list of all available tours and activities to do in Jasper.
Spirit Island
As one of the most photographed locations in Canada, Spirit Island is a definite must visit spot in Jasper. It is located on Malgine Lake and only accessible by boat.
Whether you choose to take one of the Malgine Lake boat cruises or kayak to Spirit Island — it is a sight you do not want to miss. Spirit Island is a tiny island that sits on the south end of Maligne Lake, which is the second-largest glacier-fed lake in the world.
No one knows how Spirit Island got its name, but according to First Nation mythology, two young lovers, who came from feuding tribes, used to meet on this island. When the young woman confessed to her father about her forbidden love, one of the tribe’s chiefs banned her from ever returning to the island.
Her lover, left heartbroken, returned to the island throughout his life hoping to see the young woman again. However, she never came and eventually he passed away on the island, where his spirit continues to reside.
If you plan on doing a tour of Malgine Valley, there is a tour available on Get Your Guide which includes:
- A brief sightseeing tour of Jasper
- See magnificent waterfalls in Magline Canyon as you take a stroll along the narrow limestone gorge
- Stop at Medicine Lake to admire the Colin and Queen Elizabeth mountain ranges
- A 1.5-hour boat cruise on Maligne Lake to see Spirit Island
- Keep an eye out for wildlife during your tour!
Head to Viator and type in Jasper, Canada for a list of all available tours and activities to do in Jasper.
Athabasca Falls
Located about 30km south of Jasper is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Alberta. What makes this waterfall so incredible is not its height (23m) or width (18m), but the sheer force of water falling into the gorge.
In order to avoid the crowds during the summer months, plan your visit in the early morning or early evening.
There are several safe lookout areas for visitors to explore and take photos. Use caution and do not cross the railings as the rocks become quite slippery from the mist of the falls.
Sulphur Skyline and Miette Hot Springs
The Sulphur Skyline is known to have some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of Jasper. While it is only about a 4km hike to the summit, the climb itself is quite steep and not recommend for beginners.
Make sure to wear proper hiking shoes, bring lots of water, some food and take plenty of breaks to rest.
After exploring the Sulphur Skyline, head over to the Miette Hot Springs to relax and soothe your tired muscles.
These are the hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies (54 C in the mountains), however the water is cooled to a more comfortable temperature (between 37 C and 40 C) in the hot springs pool.
Hiking
Hiking is one of the most popular activities to do in Jasper since there are so many beautiful trails to explore and breathtaking views to see. If you are looking for a list of Jasper day hikes, I found this website very useful.
For a beginner hike that will provide a slight challenge, I recommend Old Fort Point Loop. This hike is close to the town of Jasper and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding Canada Rockies.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water with you. If you’re lucky — you might get a chance to see some big horned sheep. They are known to hang out on this trail.
I highly recommend not hiking alone and to go with at least one other person or in a small group.
There have been bear sightings on some trails and taking precautions such as carrying bear spray and not hiking alone are recommended.
Jasper Skytram
The skytram up to Whistler’s mountain was one of the most fun activities that I did in Jasper. Do plan to visit on a clear day so you can get a breathtaking view from the top.
The tram ride itself is a seven-minute ride, where one of their staff members will be happy to point out the many sights and answer any questions. Once you get to the top, you can spend as long as you want exploring the area, however just make sure you catch the last tram down — otherwise you’ll have to hike back to the bottom.
Ticket prices are a bit steep, but they offer discounts to those working or living in Jasper. You can choose to take a taxi here from town or drive. Remember that the temperature drops with the higher elevation level, so bundle up and dress warm to make your trip more enjoyable.
When I went in August, there were snow flurries in the air when I got to the top of Whistler’s!
Whitewater Rafting
If you walk around town, you’ll notice a few different outlets offering whitewater rafting trips. Whether it’s your first time or you are an experienced rafter, there are three different classes of trips offered: from beginner to advanced.
You can choose to raft along the Athabasca River (which is popular for sightseeing), the Sunwapta River (which is popular for adventure seekers) or the Fraser River (which is a fun and challenging rafting trip). Most tours provide all river gear, but I recommend wearing a swimsuit underneath since you can expect to get wet.
Jasper Park Lodge
The Farimont’s Jasper Park Lodge is a short drive from town that I highly recommend. For a small fee, you can take a shuttle bus from town to the Jasper Park Lodge as well (if you do not have a vehicle).
While the accommodations at the resort are overpriced in my opinion, the hotel grounds are absolutely beautiful and should not be missed!
The resort wraps around the shores of Lac Beauvert and is home to Canada’s #1 golf resort course. I had the opportunity to spend a week at this resort and one of my favorite activities was getting up early each morning and going for a walk around Lac Beauvert or relaxing by the shore with a good book.
Other outdoor activities at the resort include hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing, and kayaking. When the water is calm on Lac Beauvert, I urge you to take a canoe or kayak out and enjoy a scenic ride on the lake with the surrounding Canadian Rockies.
You will be able to see the bottom of this glacier fed lake and delight in its beautiful green hue. If you’re looking to go for an afternoon swim during the summer months, Lake Annette is a short walk from the Jasper Park Lodge. Pack a picnic lunch and relax on the sandy shores after a refreshing swim.
Drive to the Columbia Ice Glades
About 105km outside of Jasper is the Columbia icefield area and Athabasca glacier. The Athabasca is the most visited glacier on the North American continent and definitely worth adding to your Jasper itinerary.
You can choose to drive there or take a tour bus from town to the ice glades. Once there, hop on an Ice Explorer which will take you onto the surface of the Athabasca glacier. There is a tour available on Viator to see the Columbia Icefields up close. Check out Get Your Guide for a list of all available tours and activities to do in Jasper.
Your tour guide will provide information about how the glacier and ice fields impact our environment and allow visitors to step out on the glacier to take photos. Make sure to bundle up with warm clothes, a scarf and gloves as it can be quite chilly here.