Things to do in Jasper National Park
We combined Jasper National Park and Banff National Park into one unforgettable road trip, spending two nights in Jasper at the stunning Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Resort. With three full days to explore Jasper, our schedule was packed, but so worth it.
When planning a trip to Jasper National Park, it’s important to take sunrise and sunset times into account, as they can really shape your days. We visited in September, when the days were still relatively long, giving us plenty of daylight to explore, hike, and chase viewpoints without feeling rushed.
So, if you’re wondering how to make the most of your time in Jasper National Park, here’s everything you can do.
Hiking
Jasper National Park is a true hiking paradise. And because the trails are more challenging compared to Banff National Park, Jasper was more to our liking. If I planned it again, I would spend more time in Jasper. We did 5 hikes when we were in Jasper, not all long hikes, but a nice mix. You can read all about them here. My favorite was Bald Hills for sure: the views were amazing!
Visit lakes
There are quite a few lakes in Jasper National Park; we tried to visit them all. In the late afternoon, there weren’t so many people at the lakes, and they were all very peaceful. We visited: Talbot Lake, Patricia Lake, Pyramid Lake, Medicine Lake, and Maligne Lake. They all have different views and atmospheres.
Go to waterfalls
We were lucky to have the Sunwapta Falls right behind our hotel; perfect to visit in the morning before all the busloads of tourists are dropped off. We were there practically alone then. The Athabasca Falls were the complete opposite: we had to share the falls with 2 busloads of tourists. But the walkways made it possible to get nice views if we were patient enough.
Drive Icefield Parkway
The Icefield Parkway is said to be one of the most beautiful highways in the world. And they aren’t lying! Mountains, rivers, trees, … You have it all while driving between Jasper and Banff National Park. If you are lucky, you see some wildlife along the side of the road. If you see them: don’t get out of your car!
Visit Jasper Skywalk
The skywalk is part of the Columbia Icefield Adventure. If you want, you can combine the Skywalk with an Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier.
We only did the Skywalk. When you are coming from Jasper, you will drive past the Skywalk and to the Adventure Centre. There you can buy tickets if you didn’t buy them in advance, after which you board a bus to the skywalk. The Skywalk is a 1km glass-bottomed observation platform 280m above the Sunwapta valley. Where a thick jacket because the winds here can be very strong.
You have an amazing view over the valley and the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Take your time to admire everything and maybe read all about the construction and wildlife living in Jasper.
Did you visit Jasper National Park?
Plan your trip to Jasper NP like a pro
✈️ Book your cheap flights to Vancouver or Calgary on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
🚗 Need to rent a car? Use DiscoverCars or Local Rent
🚆 Buy train tickets from Omio or RailEurope
💳 Use Wise to pay in the Canada at the real exchange rate and avoid expensive foreign card fees
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing
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