Jasper National Park & Icefield Parkway
The road from Banff to Jasper National Park is a true example of journey before destination. The road north, highway 93, cuts through the heart of the Rockies Mountains and past 75% of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies. This area, known as the Icefield Parkway, is one of the most accessible places in North America to explore the icy glaciers that stretch down like toes from the Columbia Icefield. The journey takes 4 hours of driving to Jasper, past beautiful lakes, rivers, canyons and local wildlife.
These glaciers that once covered the entirety of the Rockie Mountains are now shrinking year after year, receding back up the mountains and flowing down into the emerald green lakes in the valleys below. Today, the bare mountains and lush forests offer hikers an endless selection of scenic trails. To make the journey easier, consider picking up a Prepaid SIM Card for Canada and download these Great Apps for hiking, camping and more.
Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is my favorite park in Canada. Although Banff is more famous, it’s also far more crowded and commercialized. Jasper, the town and the park is quiet, vast and filled with beautiful mountain peaks and wildlife.
The Icefields between Banff and Jasper offer some of the best views from both the highways and hiking trails of our shrinking glaciers.
I recommend leaving Banff and heading north on Highway 93 in the morning. It’s a 4 hour drive to Jasper without stopping. Make a full day out of it with a few stops along the way in Icefield Parkway to see the Athabasca Glacier, or Hike Park Ridge and see the Saskatchewan Glacier of the Columbia Icefields.
Other popular destinations along the way include:
- Maligne Lake
- Sunwapta Falls
- Mistaya Canyon (Top of Banff National Park)
Jasper saw a little less than 2.5 million visitors in 2017 and just under 200,000 campers. Without a Discovery Pass, it’s $9.50 CAD per adult and free for youth under 17 years old for entry into the National Park. Camping ranges from $15.70 to $33 CAD depending on the campground and the amenities included.
Many of the tours and things to do around Jasper are seasonal. Hiking and Fishing are very popular in the spring and summer, while snowshoeing and skiiing reign supreme in the winter.
Safety is a huge concern, both with regard to wildlife, avalanches and simply getting lost in the forest. So be prepared with the proper equipment, and familiarize yourself with the recommended safety procedures. We covered wildlife safety and hiking precautions in our Banff National Park & Lake Louise article. We also covered the Camping Essentials and Safety Tips for camping in the Rockie Mountains.
Columbia Icefield – Parker Ridge
Parker Ridge Trail is one of the best hikes to see the Saskatchewan Glacier in the Columbia Icefields. While actually within the boundaries of Banff National Park, Parker Ridge is on the way from Banff to Jasper through the icefields and accessible off the main road. The trail is 5 kms with an elevation gain of 250m, although the bare mountainsides and trails are very exposed to the elements. Even in peak summer, it’s quite cold and windy. Bundle up!
The Columbia are the largest icefields south of the Arctic Circle in Canada at 288 sq kms. There are a number of amazing trails near the Columbia Icefields but Parker Ridge is by far the most popular and scenic. The view of the glacier carving and snaking its way between the mountains is absolutely stunning.
The high altitude and incline along the clearly marked trails makes hiking a little strenuous but easily manageable at a slow pace for all able-bodies and for families. The main trail to view the glacier valley isn’t too far either!
Here are a few great resources for fellow hikers:
Athabasca Glacier
Athabasca Glacier is part of the Columbia Icefield that stretches across some of the highest mountains and plateaus in the Canadian Rockie Mountains. The glacier is located just a few hundred meters off the icefield parkway highway and across from the Icefield Discovery Center. At the discovery center tourists can buy tickets to the Glacier Adventure tour where you explore the glacier via a snow bus.
Other Glacier Tours are available, including a 3 hour Icewalk, and a visit to the Glacier Skywalk.
The Glacier has receded 1.5 kms over the last 125 years, and continues to recede up the valley floor at roughly 5 meters per year. Today the glacier stretches 6kms from the icefield plateau and reaches 90-300m in thickness.
Mistaya Canyon
Mistaya Canyon is a great little stop before entering the Icefield Parkway highway. Within the boundaries of Banff National Park, the canyon has been carved out by the raging Mistaya River. The trail is only a 0.5 km loop to from the main parking lot, making it a quick and easy pit-stop to stretch the legs.
The canyon formation is very pretty, but the view of the nearby mountains looming over the crystal green colored river and lush conifer forest is even better! Just be careful not to venture onto the dark rocks at the river’s edge. Many photographers set up along the riverbank, but beware the rocks are very slippery and the current, unforgiving.
We visited a similar Canyon in Kootenay National Park in British Columbia on the way to Banff.
Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is the jewel of Jasper National Park, or at least I like to think so. On my trip, the lakeside lodge and trails were wonderfully tranquil and the views, magnificent! We arrived early in the morning, around 8 am. The drive through the local roads were quiet and scenic. Despite not seeing any wildlife in that area ourselves, apparently the narrow roads on the way to Maligne Lake are popular for wildlife viewing.
At this time, there were few people at the lake or in the lodge. We got a coffee at the cafeteria then took to the trails around the lake.
Canoe, Paddle-board & Kayak Rentals
Maligne Lake is a favorite for kayaking and canoeing. The views of the nearby mountains and the peaceful serenity of the water is wonderful to behold. The more official rental spot is at the Maligne Lake Lodge. But other rentals are also available for cheaper (May require a roof rack or an extra delivery and pick up fee – but still cheaper). For a full day rental, expect to pay up to $100 for two people, compared to $60 per hour at the Maligne Lake Lodge.
Park Wildlife Viewing
Jasper National Park is full of stunning wildlife that look majestic in the morning fields. But never forget that Canada is not Japan. Canadian wildlife is dangerous and truly wild. Moose, Rams and Elk should be treated as dangerous as Bears. A full grown Grizzly can run up to 50km/h (27 mi/h), here is a Youtube video of one racing a car.
Wildlife Tours of Jasper National Park are available from a number of providers in both the summer and winter seasons. However, if you set out early enough in the morning on your own, between 6-8am, you’ll be sure to find some local wildlife on your own! There are also “Wildlife Guardians” that patrol the area and share their knowledge.
- Maligne Adventures
- Sun Dog Tours
- Jasper Tour Company
- Jasper Wildlife Tours
- Discover Banff Tours
- Jasper Adventure Center
Viewing wildlife is one of the best parts of venturing north into the mountains surrounding the town of Jasper but an incredible amount of tourists put themselves at risk out of sheer ignorance or do incredibly stupid things. Note we are not wildlife experts or park rangers so there are links to Parks Canada for more info.
Animal Viewing Guide for City Folk
- There are few roads in the mountains and all the main roads are quite busy with both tourists and commercial vehicles. DO NOT SLOW DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD or around a bend or hill crest! The speed limits are up to 80 km/h and the roads are quite windy as they move through the mountain valleys and plateaus. Even at 6 am, please slowly pull off to the side of the road a safe distance from the wildlife and SIGNAL!
- Stay in your car. If you must exit your vehicle, don’t. Do not let children approach any animal. Stand at least 100m from any bears and 30m from any other animals: Deer, Big Horn Sheep, Elk, Caribou. If you stumble on a wolf den, you need to get out of there. If for some reason you aren’t in a car or other vehicle.
- Do not turn your back to an animal, ever. The number of selfie related injuries while wildlife viewing is on the rise as everyone wants the perfect selfie with a big animal in the background. For the good of the children, do not have children pose with their backs turned to an animal for a photo. Turning your back is an invitation to be charged at and run down by a moose, big horn sheep or elk. Or torn to piece by a grizzly bear.
- The National Park is not a zoo. Do not feed the animals. Do not feed the animals. Do not feed the animals. How many times must this be repeated and yet someone will try and feed the animals anyway. Wildlife in Canada that get used to being fed and frequently wander into towns are first tranquilized, tagged and released far away. If the animal continues to come back, it is killed. If you feed an animal, you are essentially killing the animal.
- Do not make animal noises or taunt the animals. As if all the other things on this list weren’t bad enough, people, especially children, find it necessary to howl, scream or make fake elk, duck or growling calls at the animals. This is probably the craziest of all the dumb things to do. Parents often don’t even realize when their child is throwing rocks or yelling at the animals… It’s harmful to the animals and very dangerous for the people. Imagine a full grown grizzly coming after you instead of this other grizzly. Harassing an animal is punishable by a fine up to $25,000.
Jasper Downtown Hostel
- Location Score: 10/10
- Air-con Rooms: No
- Private Rooms: 1 Queen BEd
- Bunks to a Room: 6, 7, & Bed Mixed Dorm
- Female Only Room: No
- Security Locker: Yes
- In-House Restaurant & Bar: No
- Free to Use Kitchen: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No
- Towel: No
- Price: $30 USD for a single dorm bed & $83 USD for a private room
There are only a few hostels in the small town of Jasper. Popular for the local wildlife, hiking trails and ski resorts, consider staying at Jasper Downtown Hostel. It’s clean, easy to check in, friendly and one of the cheaper options for travelers who aren’t camping.
More Info for Travel to Canada
For your pre-trip downtime, check out our List of Recommended Books, Movies and Podcasts all featuring Canada! Lastly, I recommend picking up a Prepaid SIM Card for your own hotspot device or mobile phone. You can order in advance on our Tallypack Store and have delivered to your hotel upon your arrival!
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