Jasper Travelers Recommend

Part of Canada’s Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jasper National Park is ripe for adventure and particularly abuzz in summer, when hiking conditions in Alberta are at their best and longer days allow more time for exploration. Here are some of the best ideas for summer activities in Jasper.

• Participate in rafting excursions and brave the swirling white-water currents of Jasper’s Sunwapta, Fraser, and Athabasca rivers.

• Enjoy boat tours that cruise around the turquoise-hued Maligne Lake or take a canoe around Pyramid Lake.

• Amp up the adrenaline and join a rock-climbing session or canyoning tour.

• Search for and observe coyotes, bears, deer, Bighorn sheep, moose, and wolves during an early-morning wildlife-viewing tour.

• Marvel at the views of the Canadian Rockies from the Jasper SkyTram and the Glacier Skywalk, a glass-bottom viewing platform set 1,000 feet (304 meters) above the floor of the Sunwapta Valley.

• Walk along scenic hiking trails that wind around the shorelines of glacier-fed lakes.

• Pedal your way from Jasper to Banff, biking all along the Icefields Parkway and making stops at waterfalls and panoramic viewpoints, during a multi-day cycling tour.

The alpine town of Jasper sits the heart of Jasper National Park, surrounded by the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. On a 3-day trip, you can explore the park on a hike, set out in search of wildlife, and give white water rafting a try. Here are a few ways to spend 3 days in Jasper. 

Day 1: Get to Know Jasper

Start your trip with a birds-eye view of Jasper’s natural beauty. Take a ride on the Jasper SkyTram, which climbs up to over 7,000 feet above sea level and offers excellent views of the town and its surroundings, including the mountains and alpine tundra. When you reach the top, you can rent snowshoes (in the winter), or go on a hike. Opt for a guided tour that includes hikes, boat rides, and access to lookout points, and get up close to various landmarks in the Maligne Valley. In the evening, get a taste of local flavors with a walking tour of Jasper’s food scene. Visit restaurants, meet business owners, and sample local food and drinks. 

Day 2: Alberta’s Legendary Wildlife

Explore Jasper’s natural landscapes from another perspective on a day dedicated to looking for local wildlife. Head out on a guided tour of Jasper National Park to see a variety of animals, from deer, moose, mountain goats, and elk to coyotes and bears. Learn about the park’s conservation work, and take advantage of opportunities to take photographs of the animals. Evening tours are also available.

Depending on the season, you can also opt for tours of the Athabasca valley, the Maligne Valley, and Medicine Lake. Alternatively, head to Lake Louise, and enjoy views of glaciers, waterfalls, and lakes along the way. 

Day 3: Rafting, Rappelling, and Canoeing

On your last day, get your adrenaline pumping on a day of outdoor adventures. In warmer months, spend some time rafting: You can opt for the thrills of whitewater rafting on the Fraser River, take advantage of a beginner-focused trip down the Sunwapta, or take the kids on a family-friendly rafting trip through the Athabasca River Canyon. Alternatively, you can go canoeing on Pyramid Lake, hike on Mount Edith Cavell, or try rappelling down a canyon in Bow Valley. In winter, don a pair of ice cleats for an ice-walk in Maligne Canyon. On your last evening in Jasper, enjoy another side of the great outdoors, and treat yourself to an evening soak at Miette Hotsprings, or spend some time stargazing at Jasper Planetarium.

The mountain town of Jasper is a gateway to Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies, offering adventurous travelers countless opportunities for hiking, river rafting, and canoeing. Explore the park to see wildlife, go for a ride on the aerial tram, and indulge your inner foodie in town. Here’s how to get the most out of 48 hours in Jasper. 

Day 1: Mountain Views and Wildlife Spotting

**Morning:**Get your bearings in Jasper and take in panoramic views during a ride on the Jasper SkyTram. Board this aerial tram that climbs more than 7,000 feet (2,130 meters) above sea level for views over Jasper National Park to the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. Snowshoe rentals are available at the top, depending on the season.

**Afternoon:**Spend the afternoon exploring Jasper National Park with a guide, focusing on the region’s landscapes and taking in the lakes and canyons of the Maligne Valley. Some tours include hikes, boat rides, and wildlife spotting, and tours are available in every season.

**Night:**Discover the beauty of Jasper at twilight with an evening wildlife tour, when the animals are most active. Join a guide who can help you spot a range of wildlife including coyotes, moose, mountain goats, and elk and teach you about the habits and habitats of these creatures. 

Day 2: River Rafting and a Taste of Jasper

**Morning:**Set out on an adrenaline-pumping start to the day with a white-water rafting trip, either on Fraser River or through the Athabasca Canyon. Alternatively, put on a pair of ice cleats and head out into Maligne Canyon for a guided ice walk. 

**Afternoon:**This afternoon, relax in the peaceful environment of Pyramid Lake with a canoeing adventure, taking in views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains as you paddle. Travelers who prefer dry land may opt for a hiking tour exploring Mount Edith Cavell instead.  

**Night:**After working up an appetite, spend your last evening exploring Jasper on a food tour, visiting several restaurants and meeting the creative chefs that are redefining local food. Tours often include a dish and drink pairing at each restaurant. 

Backed by the snow-capped Rocky Mountains, the mountain town of Jasper in Alberta is a launching point for river rafting, hiking, and snowshoeing in Jasper National Park. Here’s what to do if you only have 24 hours in Jasper. 

Morning: Wildlife Spotting and River Rafting

This morning, head straight to Jasper National Park and discover unspoiled nature during a guided tour into the Maligne Valley. Get an introduction to the region by exploring its lakes, canyons, and mountain views, keeping an eye out for wildlife, including moose, elk, and coyotes. Other options for enjoying the great outdoors include a hiking tour in Mount Edith Cavell or a river-rafting adventure along Athabasca Canyon. Even novices can learn new white-water rafting skills and see Jasper National Park from the perspective of the river. 

Afternoon: Aerial Tram and Active Adventures

This afternoon, admire mountain views above the park during a journey on the Jasper SkyTram, an aerial tramway that reaches a height of over 7,000 feet (2,130 meters) above sea level. Opportunities for activities at the upper station including snowshoeing, depending on the season. Travelers seeking an adrenaline rush may opt for a canyon tour that includes the opportunity to rappel down a canyon. For a more peaceful afternoon, join a canoeing adventure on Pyramid Lake and take in views of the surrounding mountains. 

Night: Twilight Tours and Food Walks

Come evening, go in search of wildlife at twilight with a guide who knows where to spot a range of animals, from mountain goats to bears. Bring a camera to capture photographs of pocket-size squirrels and bighorn sheep. Alternatively, get to know the local food scene in Jasper with a food tour. You’ll visit several different restaurants and taste a range of dishes, often with a drink pairing, and meet the chefs, who will share what they are doing with local ingredients.