Facts About Canada

Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and part of the UNESCO-listed Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. Centered on the town of Jasper, it protects rugged peaks, the Columbia Icefield, turquoise lakes, deep canyons, hot springs, and extensive wildlife corridors across the headwaters of the Athabasca and Sunwapta rivers.

At a glance — Jasper National Park
Location Canadian Rockies, west of Edmonton, Alberta
Province Alberta
Established 1907
Area ≈ 10,900 km²
Highest peak Mount Columbia (≈3,747 m; on the AB–BC border within the park)
Notable features Columbia Icefield & Athabasca Glacier; Maligne Lake (Spirit Island); Maligne Canyon; Athabasca Falls & Sunwapta Falls; Mount Edith Cavell & Angel Glacier; Miette Hot Springs; Pyramid Lake; Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93 N); Jasper SkyTram
Nearby communities Jasper (in-park); outside the park: Hinton (AB), Valemount (BC), Lake Louise (via Hwy 93 N)

Overview

Jasper’s broad valleys, high passes, and extensive icefields create classic Rocky Mountain scenery with more elbow room than its southern neighbour, Banff. Wildlife—including elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, mule deer, black and grizzly bear, wolf, and cougar—moves along protected corridors and quiet side roads.

Landscapes and ecosystems

  • Peaks, icefields & passes: The Columbia Icefield feeds multiple major rivers; high passes along the Icefields Parkway link Jasper with Lake Louise.
  • Lakes & rivers: Iconic Maligne Lake and the narrower Maligne River canyon, plus Pyramid, Patricia, Medicine, and Edith/Annette lakes near town.
  • Canyons & waterfalls: Maligne Canyon’s bridges peer into a deep limestone gorge; Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls thunder through bedrock.
  • Forests & meadows: Montane grasslands around the Athabasca Valley rise to subalpine larch meadows and alpine tundra.
  • Dark skies: The park is a designated Dark Sky Preserve with excellent stargazing.

Things to do

  • Scenic drives: The Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93 N) features glaciers, lakes, and trailheads; quiet wildlife viewing along Pyramid Lake Road and Maligne Lake Road.
  • Hiking & viewpoints: Family-friendly loops (Lakes Annette/Edith, Valley of the Five Lakes) to full-day classics (Sulphur Skyline, Edith Cavell Meadows, Bald Hills over Maligne).
  • Boating & paddling: Canoe or SUP on pyramid-shaped lakes near town; guided boat tours (seasonal) on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island.
  • Cycling: Pathways near Jasper townsite and selected road rides; e-bikes allowed where signed.
  • Soak & ride: Miette Hot Springs (seasonal road) and the Jasper SkyTram to Whistlers Mountain (or hike the trail).
  • Winter: Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking; downhill options nearby at Marmot Basin.

Access and visitor services

  • Highways & rail: Hwy 16 (Yellowhead) reaches Jasper from Edmonton and from BC; Hwy 93 N connects to Lake Louise. VIA Rail stops in Jasper.
  • Townsite & transit: Jasper offers visitor centres, groceries, rentals, lodging, and dining. Shuttles/tours access Maligne Lake, Edith Cavell, and the Columbia Icefield in season.
  • Passes & reservations: Parks Canada entry pass required. Reserve frontcountry/backcountry camping early for peak months.

Safety and low-impact travel

  • Mountain weather & cold water: Conditions change fast; carry layers and maps. Lakes and rivers are cold year-round—dress for immersion if paddling.
  • Wildlife: Keep 100 m from bears/wolves and 30 m from elk/deer; carry bear spray where recommended; never feed or approach wildlife.
  • Avalanche & winter hazards: Many winter routes cross avalanche terrain—check bulletins and carry proper gear/training.
  • Road & canyon safety: Obey closures; stay behind barriers at canyons and waterfalls.
  • Follow fire bans, seasonal closures, and Parks Canada bulletins. Practice Leave No Trace.

See also

External links (official)

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