Jasper National Park

Backcountry Guide

Saturday Night Lake Loop 

Semi-primitive

This trail winds through the hills west of Jasper and visits several small lakes. It can be hiked as a long day or an easy overnight trip.

• The details
• Suggested Itineraries
• Directions to trailhead
• Safety in the Backcountry
• Leave no Trace

The details

• 24.6 km loop, 2-3 days
• Elevation gain/loss: 786 m
• Maximum elevation: 1640 m
• Fires permitted
• Dogs on leash permitted

The Saturday Night Lake Loop is a forested trail with many small lakes; it offers wonderful opportunities for spotting wildflowers and birds. The trail can be hiked or biked. You can expect muddy sections throughout the summer. No matter which direction you hike/bike, this trail starts at Cabin Creek and climbs steadily. The trail going up to Saturday Night Lake is steeper, while the trail up to Minnow Lake is still all uphill, but the grade is more gradual. Many hikers prefer going clockwise for a more gradual incline, while bikers go counter clockwise for a longer downhill section. That being said, this is a multi-use trail; be sure to make lots of noise to let other users and wildlife know you are on the trail. Both Minnow Lake and Saturday Night Lake campgrounds provide nice views and are situated right on the shores of small lakes. The trail between Minnow and Saturday Night lakes is typically muddy, but still makes for a nice valley hike.

What you need to know

The trail can be quite muddy, especially the section between Minnow and Saturday Night lakes. For bikers, this section is also rocky, rooty and steep in places. The campgrounds can have a lot of mosquitoes in summer.

Special considerations

The Saturday Night Lake Loop, also known as the 20 Mile Loop, is a multiuse trail. Be courteous to all users. Horse users travel back and forth from Saturday Night Lake; bikers should dismount and stand to the side of the trail if they encounter a horse party.

Suggested Itineraries

Two-Day Options

1. Hike the 9.2 km to Minnow Lake and spend the night. The following day, continue along the trail 15.4 km back to the trailhead.
   
   
2. Bike the 6.6 km to Saturday Night Lake and spend the night. The following day, continue along the trail 18.5 km back to the trailhead.

Three-Day Options

Hike 9.2 km to Minnow Lake and spend the night. The following day, hike 8.8 km to Saturday Night Lake and spend a second night. The following day, hike 6.6 km to the trailhead.

Trail distances (in km)

Elevation profile

 
Maps, GPS data and elevations are provided for reference purposes only. Maps are not meant for navigation. Parks Canada Agency (PCA) makes no guarantees, representations or warranties respecting these data, either expressed or implied. PCA assumes no responsibility for damages or other liabilities due to the accuracy, availability, use or misuse of the information herein provided.

Campground information

Directions to trailhead

From the traffic lights, drive west on Connaught Drive for two blocks. Turn right onto Pine Avenue. At the end of Pine Avenue, turn left onto Bonhomme Street. Follow this road for 650 metres before taking the gravel road on your right to the trailhead marked P2.

Safety in the Backcountry

You are responsible for your own safety. Be prepared for extreme weather and mountainous terrain. Cell phone coverage is unavailable in most areas.

Trail Report 
Before leaving, check the Jasper National Park trail report for up-to-date conditions at www.pc.gc.ca/JasperTrails.

Trail Information 
780-852-6177 
pc.gc.ca/JasperBackcountry

Reservations 
1-877-737-3783
pc.gc.ca/BookJasperBackcountry

Emergency 
call 780-852-3100 or 877-852-3100

Maps
NTS: Jasper 83 D/16
Gemtrek: Best of Jasper
National Geographic: Jasper South

Leave no Trace

Food storage
To reduce your campsite’s attractiveness to bears, all food, garbage, toiletries and cooking equipment must be hung from the food storage cables provided at designated campsites. The campground is equipped with a bear pole for food storage.
There are picnic tables on site.

Human waste
Use the pit toilet provided. When there are no facilities nearby, select a spot away from trails, campsites and at least 70 m from water sources. Dig a hole 12 to 16 cm into the dark-coloured, biologically active soil layer. Loosely fill the hole with soil afterward. Use as little toilet paper as possible. There is a pit toilet at all campgrounds.

Garbage
Please—Pack it in and pack it out! You are responsible for everything you take into the backcountry and this includes garbage. Do not dispose of garbage in pit toilets—it may attract animals.

Washing
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 70 m away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Strain out those last bits of food waste and pack them out. Disperse strained water on land.

Shortcutting trails
Shortcutting between trail switchbacks damages both the soil and plant life. This not only ruins the look of an area, but makes it susceptible to further damage by erosion.

Collecting natural or cultural objects
Rocks, fossils, horns, antlers, wildflowers, nests and all other natural or historical objects in a national park are protected by law. Leave them as you found them for others to enjoy.

Backcountry Equipment Checklist

Have you got it?

This is a list of suggested equipment for Jasper's backcountry trails.

Mountain weather is unpredictable; be prepared for winter conditions at any time of the year. Snow may persist in high mountain regions into the summer and avalanche danger may occur in any season. This equipment list does not account for the special knowledge and equipment required to travel in avalanche terrain.

Backcountry camping permits

A backcountry camping permit is mandatory for all overnight trips and can be obtained online at reservations.pc.gc.ca or by calling 1877-737-3783.

Share your Experience

facebook.com/JasperNP twitter.com/JasperNP