Jasper National Park of Canada
Jasper National Park Travel Guide
Arial view of Columbia Icefield and Columbia Lake, Jasper National Park
© Parks Canada
Directions
Jasper National Park is located 370 km west of Edmonton along Trans-Canada Highway 16 and 404 km northwest of Calgary via the Trans-Canada Highway 1 and the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93). The town of Jasper is located in the middle of the park. Vancouver and Edmonton have regular bus and train service to Jasper.
Learn More about How to Get to Jasper
Park Fees
Buying a park pass at Jasper's South Gate, Jasper National Park© Parks Canada
An excellent value, Parks Canada fees are a passage to new experiences and learning opportunities for people of all ages. Fees stay in the parks to support services like trails, picnic sites, campgrounds, visitor centres, exhibits and world-class scenic drives.
Highlights - Jasper's Natural Wonders and Cultural Treasures
Wildlife Watching
Always maintain a distance of at least 30 metres from elk and other large animals (100 metres away from bears).
Elk attacking car while photographer runs, Jasper National Park© Parks Canada
Opportunities to see elk, moose, goats, sheep, bears and caribou in Jasper National Park are excellent. Remember that watching wildlife, especially beside the road, comes with responsibility. For your protection and their survival, please:
- pull off the road completely or into provided roadside pull-offs;
- never feed or approach wildlife, this is unlawful in national parks;
- don't get out of your vehicle (use a telephoto lens to get the 'perfect picture'); quickly continue along your way so that others may enjoy the opportunity also.
Elk can be aggressive and may attack without warning. People have been kicked, knocked down and seriously injured. Elk have attacked vehicles. In September and October, during the rut (the mating season), males are particularly aggressive. In May and June, during the calving season, females aggressively defend their young. Whatever the season, do not approach elk.
Learn More About Wildlife and People
Making the Most of Your Visit
Time
Plan to spend at least three to four days in the park.
Jasper's Information Centres
Icefield Centre Information Counter, Jasper National Park© Parks Canada
Drop in to the Jasper Information Centre or the Icefield Centre for valuable trip planning advice. The Jasper Information Centre is a national historic site and is the former home of the first resident park superintendent.
Don't wait in line at our Information Centres - Print your Jasper National Park Travel Guides and spend more time enjoying Jasper.
Learn More about Jasper National Park Travel Guides
Icefields Parkway
Icefields Parkway in Winter, Jasper National Park© Parks Canada
Be sure to drive the Icefields Parkway. Perfect for leisurely sightseeing, the 230-kilometre scenic drive south to Lake Louise in Banff National Park passes close to the Columbia Icefield, where you can take a "snocoach" tour on the Athabasca Glacier.
Learn More about the Icefields Parkway
Miette Hotsprings
Take a soak in the Miette Hotsprings – the hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies. Miette has two hot pools, a cool bathing pool, a café and gift shop. Well worth a half-day visit. Open from mid-May to mid-October.
Learning Experiences - Interpretive Programs
Parks Canada and the Friends of Jasper National Park offer outdoor theatre programs during July and August. Ask for a program schedule at campground kiosks and information centres. Private interpretive guides also offer a variety of services, from group sightseeing tours to day hiking and longer backcountry trips.
Learn More about Interpretive Programs
Glacier Gallery
Visitors exploring the Glacier Gallery, Jasper National Park© Parks Canada
Displays in the Icefield Centre's Glacier Gallery tell the story of glaciers, high-country ecology and the fascinating history of the area. Facilities are open from early May to mid-October.
The Community of Jasper
The main service centre in Jasper National Park is the Communityof Jasper. A variety of hotels, restaurants, shops, gas stations, grocery and convenience stores welcome visitors, mostly along Connaught Drive and in the downtown core.
Learn more about the Community of Jasper
Walking, Hiking and Cycling
Jasper is renowned for its many backcountry trails, but there are also plenty of trails for the casual day-hiker or mountain biker. Print off your copies of Jasper National Park's Summer and Winter Trail Guides to learn more.
Learn more about walking, hiking and cycling in Jasper National Park
Camping and Hotel, Hostel and Home Accomodations
There are more than 1700 campsites in the park, offering various levels of service. Whistlers and Wapiti are the most popular campgrounds. Park campsites usually fill up early in the day during July and August.
Learn More about Camping
Hotel, hostel and home accomodations are availible in the Community of Jasper or in the Towns of Hinton (to the east) or Valemont (to the west) outside the park.
Learn More about Accomodations
Visiting in Winter
Cross-country ski trails are groomed in several areas. Walking in the frozen Maligne Canyon with a professional guide offers an enchanting perspective on winter. Skiing, snowboarding, lake skating, snowshoeing, camping and wildlife watching are amoung the many ways to enjoy Jasper in the quieter season. Equipment for most activities can be rented in town. Make sure you head out well informed and prepared for avalanches, ice and cold temperatures.
Learn More about Visiting in Winter
Fishing
A National Park Fishing Permit is required. To protect natural fish species, limits have been set, and catch and release fishing is encouraged.
Neighbouring Parks
Mt. Robson Provincial Park, Switzer Provincial Park, Hamber Provincial Park, the Wilmore Wilderness Area and Banff National Park all border on Jasper.