62 Best Sights in Jasper National Park, Alberta

The glacier is a 7-km (4½-mile) tongue of ice flowing from the immense Columbia Icefield almost to the Icefields Parkway. A century ago, the ice flowed over the current location of the highway; signposts depict the gradual retreat of the ice since that time. Several other glaciers are visible from here; they all originate from the Columbia Icefield, a giant alpine lake of ice covering 325 square km (125 square miles). Its edge is visible from the highway. You can hike up to the toe of the glacier, but venturing farther without a trained guide is extremely dangerous because of hidden crevasses.

Athabasca Glacier Ice Walks ( 800/565–7547  www.icewalks.com) conducts three-, five-, and six-hour guided walks costing from C$130. Reserve a space at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre ( 866/506–0515  www.banffjaspercollection.com) or through Jasper Adventure Centre ( 780/852–5595 or 800/565–7547  www.jasperadventurecentre.com) in Jasper. You can also explore the glacier in an all-terrain Ice Explorer ( columbiaicefield.com) or a SHERP vehicle. The Glacier Skywalk is a glass-floored lookout with incredible views. Tickets for these experiences are also available at the Discovery Centre, as well as online.

This moderately steep 8-km (5-mile) trail will take four to six hours. Into early summer the upper section is still covered in snow and not recommended, but from mid-July to mid-August you can enjoy the carpet of wildflowers. There's also an excellent view of the Angel Glacier. Moderate.

Scenic Maligne Lake Road was built along the glacier valley that runs between the Maligne and Elizabeth mountain ranges. Along the 44-km (27-mile) drive to Maligne Lake, you'll see spectacular mountain scenery, other blue lakes, and the fast-flowing Maligne River. Highlights along the way also include Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake. This drive takes you through one of the best places to spot wildlife, especially at dusk and dawn. Look for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, white-tail deer, and grizzly and black bears.

The Jasper area's highest mountain stands 3,363 meters (11,033 feet) tall. Showing its permanently snow-clad north face to the town, the peak was named for a World War I British nurse who stayed in Belgium to treat wounded Allied soldiers after Brussels fell to the Germans and was subsequently executed for helping prisoners of war escape. The mountain is arguably the most spectacular site in the park reachable by car. From Highway 93A, a narrow, winding 14½-km (9-mile) road (often closed mid-October to late June) leads to a parking lot at the mountain's base. Trailers aren't permitted on this road, but they can be left at a separate parking lot near the junction with 93A. Several scenic lookouts along the route offer access to trails leading up the Tonquin Valley, one of the premier backpacking areas.

This must-do 1.6-km (1-mile) trail only takes about an hour. The kid-friendly path, paved at the start, runs across a rocky landscape once covered in glacial ice. Eventually you come to a viewpoint overlooking Cavell Pond, which is fed by Cavell Glacier. Small icebergs often float in the water. The view across the valley takes in Angel Glacier, resting her wings between Mount Edith Cavell and Sorrow Peak. Easy.

The steep 36.7-km (22.8-mile) round-trip hike to Adams Creek Fire Lookout from the Big Berland River staging area makes a nice overnight expedition in Willmore Wilderness Park. The trail has 1,369 meters (4,491 feet) of elevation gain. Difficult.

Stretching along the north face of Mount Edith Cavell, this glacier was named because it looks like an angel with wings. The best views of the glacier can be seen on the Cavell Meadows Hike.

This pull-off along Cavell Road offers views of the Astoria Valley and the glaciers at its head.

This large area has a shelter and is ideal for family reunions because it can be reserved ahead for a fee of C$149.25. It has beautiful views of the river and mountains.

At 23 meters (75 feet), these falls are not the highest in the Canadian Rockies, but they are the most powerful. The Athabasca River carries more water than any other in the Rocky Mountains, and all of it is funneled over this cascade and into a narrow gorge, creating a powerful surge. The falls are especially dramatic in late spring and early summer when the river is at its highest. Trails and overlooks provide good viewpoints. Do not climb past the guardrails: the rocks and vegetation are very slippery, and people have died trying to get a photo of themselves standing closer to the falls.

This short and relatively easy hike features a narrow canyon with eight waterfalls---the largest of which is Stanley Falls. The trailhead is not well marked. Look for a highway pullout 2 km (1 mile) south of Beauty Creek Hostel where two large culverts divert water under the highway. The return hike is about 4 km (2½ miles) and has an elevation gain of about 140 meters (460 feet). The views are fantastic, but there are no safety barriers. Be careful to stay back from the canyon edge and keep a tight hold on children, so they do not fall in. Easy.

This unique wooden boardwalk winds through wetlands and a beaver pond and is said to be the longest freshwater boardwalk in the world. Along its 3-km (2-mile) length you'll find interpretive signage, benches, and two observation towers. The boardwalk is part of a longer trail system that winds through natural areas in the town.

With picturesque views of flowing waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers, the Berg Lake Trail is one of the top backpacking destinations in the Rockies. This moderately difficult 21-km (13-mile) one-way hike is one of the most popular overnight trails in the Canadian Rockies. Turquoise-blue Berg Lake gets its name from the fact that it's dotted with mini icebergs—even in the middle of summer. The lake sits at the base of the north face of Mount Robson and glaciers on the mountain regularly calve off into the water. Since 2022, BC Parks has been rebuilding the trail after major flooding; the section that leads to Kinney Lake reopened in 2023 for day use and overnight camping. Reconstruction of the rest of the trail is expected to be completed in 2025.

This well-maintained trail takes hikers to some of the best scenery in the Canadian Rockies. The first 4½ km (2.8 miles) are relatively easy hiking along the Robson River and then through dense forest before arriving at glacier-fed Kinney Lake. After crossing a steel bridge at the end of Kinney Lake, it's just 2.8 km (1.7 miles) to the Kinney Lake campground.

Beyond the Kinney Lake campground, the trail splits and gives the option of hiking through Kinney Lake Flats or continuing through the forest. At that point, the trail merges together again and begins climbing steeply to the Valley of a Thousand Falls where it provides views of four spectacular waterfalls. The trail then crosses the Robson River on a suspension bridge and arrives at Whitehorn campground at the 11-km (6.8-mile) mark.

Once the trail gets above the valley, you will start getting glimpses of the Emperor Face of Mount Robson. The Emperor Campground lies about 3 km (2 miles) from the shores of Berg Lake. Marmot Campground and Berg Lake Campground sit right on the shores of the lake. Several popular day hikes depart from the Berg Lake Campground and there are two more campgrounds just past the lake, Rearguard and Robson Pass.

The Berg Lake Trail is one of the most popular backpacking trails in the Canadian Rockies and campsites should be booked well in advance, especially during the peak summer months. All hikers must check in at the Mount Robson Visitor Centre before setting out on the trail.

If you can't get a backcountry camping reservation on the Berg Lake Trail, you could opt to fly into Berg Lake and hike down the trail as a day hike. It would be very difficult to hike the trail in both directions in a single day. Difficult.

Opposite the Athabasca Glacier, this facility houses interpretive exhibits, a gift shop, and cafeteria- and buffet-style dining facilities. It's also the place to book glacier treks and excursions as well as skywalk visits. The summer midday rush between 11 and 3 can be intense. The 32 rooms at the Glacier View Inn, on the center's second floor, are available from early May to mid-October.

This half-day hike gives you a taste of the Willmore Wilderness. It's a 6-km (3.7-mile) round-trip hike from the Sulphur Gates parking lot to beautiful Eaton Falls. With 120 meters (394 feet) of elevation gain, the hike is relatively easy and one of the few day-trip options in the Willmore Wilderness. There's a viewpoint partway along the trail that is worth stopping for. Moderate.

This group's excellent summer offerings include a junior naturalist program, birding tours, hiking tours, and historical walks. At the information center shop, you can borrow a Friends hiking kit with binoculars, maps, and first-aid and other materials.

The knowledgeable and friendly staff at this site, 13 km (8 miles) northeast of Sulphur Gates, can assist with travel information for the region. Explore the free on-site museum to see casts of dinosaur tracks found in the area as well as fossils, archaeological artifacts, profiles of early settlers, and tools used by early pioneers. You'll also find displays about the plants, animals, and birds found in the Willmore Wilderness Park. The gift shop and art gallery sell the works of locals artists and writers. Outside are some historical buildings that are fun to explore.

Jasper Lake is actually part of the Athabasca River—it's a point where the river broadens—and you can wade far out into its shallow waters and the beach is sandy. The scenery is beautiful, with lovely reflections on the water, and the Jasper Lake Sand Dunes, the Canadian Rockies' only sand dunes, are nearby.

The only sand dunes in the Canadian Rockies were formed during the last ice age and are constantly being reshaped by wind. They sit along the edge of Jasper Lake, which is not really a lake as it's part of the Athabasca River. The river widens and you can wade out very far on its sandy bottom; it's particularly popular on hot summer days. There's also a large roadside pullout and toilets.

The 1914 cobblestone-and-timber structure that houses the Jasper townsite visitor center is a superb example of rustic Canadian architecture. Parks Canada staffers here have information about trails, backcountry hiking, wildlife viewing, and interpretive programs. You can pick up maps, brochures, and other helpful materials as well. Parks Canada also operates an information desk at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, 103 km (64 miles) south of Jasper townsite.

Located at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, this planetarium has the largest telescope in the Canadian Rockies. In its dome, an astronomy expert conducts an interactive tour of the dark night sky—a fitting experience given that Jasper is the world's second-largest Dark Sky Preserve.

The tram whisks you 973 vertical meters (3,191 vertical feet) up the steep flank of Whistlers Mountain to an impressive overlook of the town and the surrounding mountains. The seven-minute ride deposits you above the tree line (be sure to bring warm clothes) at the upper station. From here, a 30- to 45-minute hike leads to the summit, which is 2,464 meters (8,085 feet) above sea level. Several unmarked trails lead through alpine meadows beyond.

Located beside The Fair­mont Jasper Park Lodge, this glacier-fed lake is surrounded by majestic mountains. A scenic 4-km (2.5-mile) hiking trail surrounds the lake, and bicycles, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards can be rented at The Boathouse (open during the summer season) on the lake's shore.

This lake is a favorite sandy beach and swimming area with locals. There is a dock, a playground, a grassy area for throwing a ball or Frisbee, and a day-use area with picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. A paved interpretive trail loops around the lakeshore. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, but they are allowed in other areas.

This kid-friendly 2.4-km (1½-mile) loop trail with interpretive signage is paved and mostly level. It takes most people less than two hours to complete. Toilets are at two locations, and there is a shelter halfway around. Easy.

Beside Lake Annette, this picnic area has shelters and tables. It's a favorite with families who come to the lake to swim.

This beautiful turquoise lake is surrounded by mountains. It has a quiet beach and a dock. The glacier-fed water is cold, but on a hot summer day, it's a popular spot to paddle and wade. You can get there by car or bike, or hiking. Dogs are not allowed on the beach area of the lake.

This 4.4-km (2.7-mile), one-way trail east of Jasper townsite leads to views of the area's famous limestone gorge. Starting at the fifth of six bridges spanning the canyon, the winding trail gains about 100 meters (330 feet) in elevation. There's a waterfall at the head of the canyon. Easy.

The Maligne River cut 50 meters (165 feet) deep through limestone bedrock to create Maligne Canyon. An interpretive trail winds along the river, switching from side to side over six bridges as the canyon progressively deepens. The 4-km (2½-mile) trail along the canyon can be crowded, especially near the trailhead. Just off the path, you'll find the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen and a nice gift shop. On a wintertime ice walk, the views from the bottom of the frozen canyon are spectacular.

The remarkably blue, 22-km-long (14-mile-long) Maligne Lake is one of the world's largest glacier-fed lakes and the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. The lake was well known to Indigenous people who called it “Chaba Imne” (Beaver Lake). The first outsider known to see the lake was Henry MacLeod, a surveyor looking for a possible route for the Canadian Pacific Railway, in 1875. He was on a high mountain and saw the lake from a distance.

In 1907, Mary Schäffer, a wealthy Quaker from Philadelphia, led an expedition to the lake following a map drawn by an Indigenous man named Samson Beaver. Schäffer was one of the few female explorers in the Canadian Rockies in the early part of the 20th century. She wrote about her adventures and her popular book inspired others to travel to the Canadian Rockies. Schäffer returned to survey the lake a few years later for the Geographical Board of Canada. Her work was instrumental in getting the lake included as part of Jasper National Park.

Spirit Island is one of the most famous sights in Maligne Lake. The island is 14 km (8.7 miles) up-lake and can be reached by canoe or kayak or on a boat cruise that is offered several times per day. If you choose to paddle to Spirit Island, you may wish to stay in one of the three backcountry campsites along the lake that can only be reached by canoe or kayak.

There are many hiking trails near Maligne Lake including Opal Hills Loop and the epic Skyline Trail. Cycling, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are also popular activities. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are favored activities in winter. Wildlife is abundant near the lake. Watch for moose, bears, deer, bighorn sheep, and the rare woodland caribou.

At the head of the lake, you’ll find three restaurants---Waffle Hut, Lakehouse Café, and The View---that serve everything from waffles to gourmet cuisine. There’s also a gift shop where you can buy essentials and souvenirs.