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Jasper National Park

Canada🇨🇦 | national parksJasper National ParkMaligne Lake, Icefields Parkway, Athabasca Falls, Miette springs | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Jasper
UNESCO World Heritage site
🏆 Top picknational park ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Jasper National Park is larger than Banff, roughly 11,000 square kilometers, and far quieter, so it is a mistake to treat it as Banff’s overflow. It sits in the Alberta Rockies of western Canada, west of Edmonton. Expect long glacier-fed lakes, elk grazing on town lawns, and mountain air that smells of spruce resin. My own error was assuming backcountry campsites could be had on arrival. I stood in the Maligne Lake lot, gravel crunching under my boots, while a ranger told me every site was gone. Book campsites the day reservations open. Fill your fuel tank in town, since services thin out along the highways. Leave early for wildlife and parking, because roadside bear jams eat whole mornings. Where Banff has shuttles and nightlife, Jasper has dark skies, emptier trails and a town that is quiet by nine.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 national park in CanadaWhat makes it a must-see national park

Jasper National Park suits backpackers who like to plan their own days. Trailheads sit right off the highways and there is no obligation to join a tour. The park rewards self-guided travelers with long, rugged routes that stay uncrowded well away from the lakes. The Skyline Trail is the standout, a multi-day traverse that spends hours above treeline with open views over the Maligne Valley, and it needs nothing but a permit, a tent and good legs. Shorter walks mean you can mix big days with easy ones when your knees complain. The campgrounds around town and along the highways keep costs low, and hostels in the townsite give you a bed when the weather turns. After dark the Jasper Dark Sky Preserve puts on a show: the Milky Way is clear from lakeshores, and a headlamp is often all you need on … read more 👉
Jasper National Park suits backpackers who like to plan their own days. Trailheads sit right off the highways and there is no obligation to join a tour. The park rewards self-guided travelers with long, rugged routes that stay uncrowded well away from the lakes. The Skyline Trail is the standout, a multi-day traverse that spends hours above treeline with open views over the Maligne Valley, and it needs nothing but a permit, a tent and good legs. Shorter walks mean you can mix big days with easy ones when your knees complain. The campgrounds around town and along the highways keep costs low, and hostels in the townsite give you a bed when the weather turns. After dark the Jasper Dark Sky Preserve puts on a show: the Milky Way is clear from lakeshores, and a headlamp is often all you need on the walk back. For paddlers, Maligne Lake gives open water and mountain reflections without the crowds found farther south.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Maligne Lake and Spirit Island: The largest lake in the park, about 22 kilometers long, with a famous tiny island that you reach by boat cruise. Canoes and kayaks let you paddle the quieter shoreline.
  2. Icefields Parkway: The highway that links Jasper to Banff, running past glaciers, turquoise lakes and peaks. Black bears and mountain goats show up beside the road, so drive slowly.
  3. Athabasca Falls: A thundering waterfall that squeezes through a narrow limestone gorge. The rock is polished smooth by the water, and the spray soaks the railings.
  4. Mount Edith Cavell and Angel Glacier: A steep road climbs to a glacier that looks like outstretched wings on the north face. A small pond below collects icebergs that calve off the ice.
  5. Maligne Canyon: A narrow slot cut into limestone, up to 50 meters deep,
… read more 👉
  1. Maligne Lake and Spirit Island: The largest lake in the park, about 22 kilometers long, with a famous tiny island that you reach by boat cruise. Canoes and kayaks let you paddle the quieter shoreline.
  2. Icefields Parkway: The highway that links Jasper to Banff, running past glaciers, turquoise lakes and peaks. Black bears and mountain goats show up beside the road, so drive slowly.
  3. Athabasca Falls: A thundering waterfall that squeezes through a narrow limestone gorge. The rock is polished smooth by the water, and the spray soaks the railings.
  4. Mount Edith Cavell and Angel Glacier: A steep road climbs to a glacier that looks like outstretched wings on the north face. A small pond below collects icebergs that calve off the ice.
  5. Maligne Canyon: A narrow slot cut into limestone, up to 50 meters deep, with footbridges across it. In winter, guided ice walks lead you through frozen waterfalls.
  6. Miette Hot Springs: The hottest mineral springs in the Canadian Rockies, in a valley of steep rock. The pools are kept to a comfortable soaking temperature and the setting is pleasant after a long hike.
  7. Pyramid Lake: A short drive from town, with a wooden bridge to a small island. Pyramid Mountain rises behind it, and in the evening the water goes still enough to mirror the peak.
  8. Sunwapta Falls: Water forced through a rocky chute, then a short walk down to calmer pools. Roadside access means it is easy to combine with a Parkway drive.
Jasper National Park needs about three to four days to see all of these without rushing.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Jasper National Park

Maligne Lake Cruise

Maligne Lake Cruise

4.8(1406) 1h 30m
From €80
per personViator
Jasper Wildlife & Maligne Lake Tour with Spirit Island Cruise

Jasper Wildlife & Maligne Lake Tour with Spirit Island Cruise

4.8(791)
From €151
per personViator
Jasper Evening Wildlife Tour

Jasper Evening Wildlife Tour

4.7(949)
From €62
per personViator
Athabasca Falls Run

Athabasca Falls Run

5.0(536) 3h
From €81
per personViator
Athabasca River Mile 5

Athabasca River Mile 5

5.0(471) 2h
From €67
per personViator
Half-Day Jasper Culture Food Tour

Half-Day Jasper Culture Food Tour

5.0(409) 3h
From €104
per personViator
Jasper National Park Tour: Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island

Jasper National Park Tour: Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island

4.7(528) 6h
From €132
per personViator
Athabasca River Easy Scenic Raft Trip

Athabasca River Easy Scenic Raft Trip

4.9(387) 2h
From €64
per personViator
Jasper Wildlife and Sightseeing Tour with Maligne Lake Hike

Jasper Wildlife and Sightseeing Tour with Maligne Lake Hike

4.8(319) 6h
From €70
per personViator
Sunwapta River Self-Drive Rafting Trip

Sunwapta River Self-Drive Rafting Trip

5.0(251) 2h 15m
From €92
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Summer (July to August): Jasper National Park is busiest now, with daytime highs of 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F), cool nights near 5°C (41°F), and daylight past 9 pm. Backcountry campsites on the Skyline and Tonquin Valley fill early, and lodging costs peak.
  • Early Fall (September): Highs run 10 to 17°C (50 to 63°F), larch and aspen turn gold, crowds thin, and elk rut along the Athabasca valley. Prices ease after Labor Day.
  • Winter (December to February): Highs sit between -10 and -5°C (14 to 23°F), with cold snaps below -25°C (-13°F). Days are short, but skiing at Marmot Basin, skating on Pyramid Lake, and Dark Sky Preserve stargazing draw visitors, and midweek rates drop.
  • Spring (April to May): Highs reach 5 to 15°C (41 to 59°F). Higher trails hold snow and mud, some roads and lakes thaw late, and
… read more 👉
  • Summer (July to August): Jasper National Park is busiest now, with daytime highs of 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F), cool nights near 5°C (41°F), and daylight past 9 pm. Backcountry campsites on the Skyline and Tonquin Valley fill early, and lodging costs peak.
  • Early Fall (September): Highs run 10 to 17°C (50 to 63°F), larch and aspen turn gold, crowds thin, and elk rut along the Athabasca valley. Prices ease after Labor Day.
  • Winter (December to February): Highs sit between -10 and -5°C (14 to 23°F), with cold snaps below -25°C (-13°F). Days are short, but skiing at Marmot Basin, skating on Pyramid Lake, and Dark Sky Preserve stargazing draw visitors, and midweek rates drop.
  • Spring (April to May): Highs reach 5 to 15°C (41 to 59°F). Higher trails hold snow and mud, some roads and lakes thaw late, and bears emerge. Rooms are cheap and trails quiet.
  • Early Summer (June): Highs reach 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F), waterfalls run full, and rain is most frequent.
Book backcountry sites the day reservations open in winter, and aim for mid-September to get gold larches without July prices.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
Canada - Jasper National Park

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

The town of Jasper, inside the park, is the best base for backpackers, with the widest choice of beds and the easiest access to trailheads and the bus stop. The HI Jasper hostel sits on Whistlers Mountain Road, about 7 km (4 miles) from town, and costs roughly US$40 to 55 for a dorm bed. Pick it if you have a car, since the walk to town is long. In town, small motels and basic rooms run US$150 to 300 a night in summer, and drop sharply in the off-season. Book months ahead for July and August.

Camping suits most backpackers. Whistlers Campground, near town, is the largest in the park at roughly … read more 👉
The town of Jasper, inside the park, is the best base for backpackers, with the widest choice of beds and the easiest access to trailheads and the bus stop. The HI Jasper hostel sits on Whistlers Mountain Road, about 7 km (4 miles) from town, and costs roughly US$40 to 55 for a dorm bed. Pick it if you have a car, since the walk to town is long. In town, small motels and basic rooms run US$150 to 300 a night in summer, and drop sharply in the off-season. Book months ahead for July and August.

Camping suits most backpackers. Whistlers Campground, near town, is the largest in the park at roughly US$30 to 40 a night, while Wapiti stays open in winter. Pocahontas and Snaring River are quieter options. Reservations through Parks Canada go quickly.

Backcountry campsites along trails like Skyline, Tonquin Valley, and Fortress Lake need a permit and a reservation, about US$12 per person per night. Wilderness huts and lodges serve a few routes. Hinton, about 80 km (50 miles) east, offers cheaper motels if the park is full. Valemount, BC, lies west, roughly 120 km (75 miles) away, and also has budget rooms.
Best hostels in Canada


Best quality hotels in Canada

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Jasper National Park costs most backpackers about US$105 a day if camping and cooking some meals in high season. Entry is charged per day, and prices are paid in Canadian dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Park EntryUS$6 to 8 per dayAdult daily fee. Multi-day passes cost less per day, and the Discovery Pass makes sense for week-long stays.
Accommodation (high season)US$30 to 55Frontcountry campsites run US$30 to 40, and hostel dorm beds US$40 to 55. Motel rooms cost US$150 and up.
Accommodation (low season)US$20 to 40Winter camping at Wapiti is cheaper, and hostel prices dip.
Backcountry PermitUS$12 per nightRequired for overnight trails, plus a one-time reservation fee of about US$8.
Food and SuppliesUS$25 to 40Groceries from Jasper’s supermarket cost more than in cities. Café meals run
… read more 👉
Jasper National Park costs most backpackers about US$105 a day if camping and cooking some meals in high season. Entry is charged per day, and prices are paid in Canadian dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Park EntryUS$6 to 8 per dayAdult daily fee. Multi-day passes cost less per day, and the Discovery Pass makes sense for week-long stays.
Accommodation (high season)US$30 to 55Frontcountry campsites run US$30 to 40, and hostel dorm beds US$40 to 55. Motel rooms cost US$150 and up.
Accommodation (low season)US$20 to 40Winter camping at Wapiti is cheaper, and hostel prices dip.
Backcountry PermitUS$12 per nightRequired for overnight trails, plus a one-time reservation fee of about US$8.
Food and SuppliesUS$25 to 40Groceries from Jasper’s supermarket cost more than in cities. Café meals run US$15 to 25 and restaurant dinners US$25 to 45.
Local TransportUS$5 to 20Hiking trailheads need a car or shuttle. Seasonal shuttles to Maligne Lake and Mount Edith Cavell cost roughly US$10 to 20.
ActivitiesUS$0 to 50Hiking is free. Boat cruises and the Jasper SkyTram run roughly US$50 to 75.
Total Daily BudgetUS$105Based on high-season camping, entry, groceries, and some transport.


source: parks.canada.ca
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsBest hikes in Jasper national park

Jasper National Park has trails for every level, from lakeshore strolls to multi-day alpine traverses. The terrain ranges from valley forest to open ridges above treeline, and wildlife such as elk, bighorn sheep and bears turn up along most routes.
  • Skyline Trail: About 44 kilometers one way, usually done in 2 to 3 days. Strenuous, with a long stretch above treeline, exposed to wind, and wide views of the Maligne Range. Overnight camping requires a reservation.
  • Valley of the Five Lakes: A 4.5 kilometer loop of about 1.5 to 2 hours. Easy, with small, bright green and blue lakes and mostly flat forest
… read more 👉
Jasper National Park has trails for every level, from lakeshore strolls to multi-day alpine traverses. The terrain ranges from valley forest to open ridges above treeline, and wildlife such as elk, bighorn sheep and bears turn up along most routes.
  • Skyline Trail: About 44 kilometers one way, usually done in 2 to 3 days. Strenuous, with a long stretch above treeline, exposed to wind, and wide views of the Maligne Range. Overnight camping requires a reservation.
  • Valley of the Five Lakes: A 4.5 kilometer loop of about 1.5 to 2 hours. Easy, with small, bright green and blue lakes and mostly flat forest paths. A good first outing.
  • Mount Edith Cavell Meadows: Roughly 8 kilometers round trip, 2.5 to 4 hours. Moderate, climbing to alpine meadows with views of Angel Glacier and the pond below.
  • Sulphur Skyline: Around 8 kilometers round trip, about 2.5 to 3 hours. Steep, with a ridge summit above Miette Hot Springs and wide views over the Fiddle Valley.
  • Bald Hills: Around 14 kilometers round trip, 4 to 5 hours. Moderate to strenuous, a steady climb to a ridge with views back over Maligne Lake.
  • Maligne Canyon: A short, easy walk of 1 to 3 kilometers depending on how many bridges you cross. Paved sections and steps lead deep into the limestone gorge.
  • Tonquin Valley: A multi-day backcountry route toward the Ramparts, with lakes and a rugged trail. Best for experienced hikers and needs advance planning.
Public transport reaches the townsite but not most trailheads. The VIA Rail Canadian train and seasonal buses serve Jasper, but Maligne Lake and Mount Edith Cavell need a rental car, a shuttle or a ride share. Crowds peak in July and August at Maligne Lake and Athabasca Falls, while the back trails stay quiet even then. A national park pass is required, around US$8 to 9 per adult per day, and backcountry camping carries separate permit fees. Check trail and road conditions at the visitor center before heading out, since snow can linger on high routes into July.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Jasper

Jasper National Park is well managed and straightforward for prepared hikers, with the main risks being weather, distance, and wildlife. Mountain weather changes fast: snow can fall on high passes even in July, so carry a warm layer, rain shell, and gloves on any alpine route such as the Skyline Trail. Carry a paper map and offline GPS, because cell coverage disappears outside town. Trails are well signed, but many creek crossings swell in the afternoon and in early summer, so cross in the morning and unbuckle your hip belt. Black bears and grizzlies live here, along with elk, which can be aggressive during the fall rut and in spring calving. Carry bear spray where you can reach it, make noise on blind corners, hike in a group, and keep at least 100 m from bears and 30 m from elk. Store food … read more 👉
Jasper National Park is well managed and straightforward for prepared hikers, with the main risks being weather, distance, and wildlife. Mountain weather changes fast: snow can fall on high passes even in July, so carry a warm layer, rain shell, and gloves on any alpine route such as the Skyline Trail. Carry a paper map and offline GPS, because cell coverage disappears outside town. Trails are well signed, but many creek crossings swell in the afternoon and in early summer, so cross in the morning and unbuckle your hip belt. Black bears and grizzlies live here, along with elk, which can be aggressive during the fall rut and in spring calving. Carry bear spray where you can reach it, make noise on blind corners, hike in a group, and keep at least 100 m from bears and 30 m from elk. Store food in lockers or hang it at campsites. First-timers often underestimate daily distances and arrive at camp late, so plan around 3 km per hour on steep ground. Check trail conditions and wildfire alerts at the Parks Canada visitor center before heading out.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Jasper

Plan on 3 to 5 days for Jasper National Park if you want to hike and see the main sights. Three days covers Maligne Lake, Mount Edith Cavell, and Pyramid Lake, while 5 to 7 days allows a multi-day trek such as the 44 km (27 miles) Skyline Trail.
Yes, Jasper National Park is manageable without a car if you stay in Jasper town. VIA Rail and coach services such as Brewster Express from Banff (about 4 to 5 hours), reach town, and seasonal shuttles run to Maligne Lake and Mount Edith Cavell. Local tour operators and bike rentals (roughly US$30 to 50 a day) cover Pyramid Lake and the town area.
Yes, Jasper National Park requires a Parks Canada pass for anyone stopping inside, about US$6 to 8 per adult per day, with discounted groups and annual options. Overnight backcountry trips need a permit of roughly US$12 per person per night, plus a reservation fee near US$8. Book popular routes like the Skyline Trail and Tonquin Valley as soon as reservations open in winter.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Jasper National Park is at its best in mid-September, when aspens turn gold, the crowds thin and the bugs have gone. I would start every hike at dawn: elk are out, the lakes are still, and parking is easy. Pack layers, since mornings can be icy even when afternoons feel warm, and keep your plans loose enough to follow the weather.

✈️ When did I visit Canada?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Canada in 2016.

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The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Canada, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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