Jasper National Park was established in 1907. This nature reserve – covering 11,000 km2 – is known for its crystal clear lakes and breathtaking mountains. You can also encounter various animal species such as moose and brown bears. There are many ways to explore Jasper and enjoy nature. We list our favorite activities for you, so read on quickly.
One of the most popular ways to explore Jasper National Park is on foot. Discover all that the park has to offer on a day hike or one of the multi-day hikes. The many hiking trails are well-maintained. In addition, there are trails of every level and you can adventure through the park with or without a guide. The Pyramid Overlook Loop and the Malign Canyon Halfday Hike are recommended if you want to do a day hike. If you want to hike longer and spend the night in beautiful nature, the multi-day hikes Skyline Trail and Backpacking 101 are routes not to be missed. In addition, Backpacking 101 is aimed at beginners, so even if you have no experience with long hikes, Jasper National Park is the place to be.
Hiking in Opal Hills | © Tourism Jasper
If you prefer the heights, the Jasper Skytram is the perfect activity for you. The Jasper Skytram is a cable car that takes you to the Upper Station in 7 minutes. This station is a whopping 2,200 meters above sea level. During the climb up, a guide will tell you all about this special means of transportation and the nature you see from this high mountain. From the mountain you have an unobstructed view of Jasper National Park and the picturesque town of Jasper after which the national park is named. In addition, the Skytram is the starting point for several hikes. If you can’t wait and already want a taste of the beautiful views, you can take a look at the various webcams.
Jasper Skytram | © Tourism Jasper
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian portion of the Rocky Mountains. So it will not surprise you that you can do many activities in the mountains. One popular activity is rock climbing, this climbing sport can be practiced almost all summer. Several courses are offered in Jasper National Park where you can learn the ropes of this adventurous sport. Another cool experience is rock climbing. You can practice this sport on Mount Athabasca, Mount Andromeda, Boundary Peak, Mount Edith Cavell and Mount Pevril. Our advice is to always do this accompanied by a private guide. Canyoning is a fun third activity, in this sport you follow a route through a deep gorge. You clamber over rocks and walk through rivers and pass unique places that can only be visited via canyoning.
Canyoning in the Rocky Mountains | © Tourism Jasper
Maligne Lake is perhaps one of the most beautiful lakes in Canada. The crystal clear waters and high mountains surrounding the lake create a fairytale picture. A boat tour is the perfect way to explore the lakes. There are two variations, the Classic Cruise takes 1.5 hours and has a distance of 14 km across the clear blue lake. You’ll make a stop at the magical Spirit Island along the way. Along the way, an enthusiastic guide will tell you everything you want to know about the flora, fauna and environment. The Premium Cruise lasts 2 hours and offers, in addition to the facilities of the Classic Cruise, a meeting with a Spirit Island resident and two additional stops on the lake. A boat cruise is the perfect way to experience Jasper National Park from a completely different perspective.
Spirit Island | © Mike Seehagel
The Athabasca Glacier is an offshoot of the massive Columbia Glacier. The Athabasca Glacier is about 6 kilometers long and 90 to 300 meters wide. Over the past century, the mass of the glacier has halved. The best way to explore the Athabasca Glacier is with a day hike. The day begins with a drive along the Icefields Parkway. Arriving at the Columbia Glacier, an instructor provides clear explanations and you are given the necessary safety equipment. The walk on ice and snow and the visit of snow caves are experiences you will never forget. This day hike always takes place with an experienced guide to monitor safety and is only possible in groups, so in addition to being adventurous, this trip is also very enjoyable.
Athabasca Glacier | © Don Henson
To visit Jasper National Park you need an entrance ticket. This can be purchased at park entrances and ordered online.
Curious about what else to do in Jasper National Park? You’ll find more information on the About Jasper page.