Alberta, Canada

Jasper

Allow a full day to drive the Icefields Parkway and 1–2 nights in Jasper for the SkyTram, Maligne Lake and dark skies. This guide pulls together 1 sight, 3 activities and 3 outdoor spots from our curated routes.

Plan Jasper with friends Browse 9 places

Places: 9
Curated routes: 1
Best season: Jun – Sep
Warmest month: July
Coolest month: December
Wettest month: June

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Jasper

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

1 sight worth building a day around in Columbia Icefield.

Photo: J Young · Google
See
Columbia Icefield Skywalk
Glass-floored walkway 280 m above the Sunwapta Valley.
Tip Open about May to early October; usually bundled with the Glacier Adventure.
- Columbia Icefield
- $$$
- 45 min
- May–Oct

Do

3 activities for when the group wants to do more than look across Columbia Icefield, Whistlers Mountain and Maligne Lake.

Photo: Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure · Google
Do
Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure
Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier from the Icefield Centre.
Tip Runs about mid-April to mid-October; book ahead and bring layers.
- Columbia Icefield
- $$$$
- 3 hr
- May–Oct
Photo: Kandis C · Google
Do
Jasper SkyTram
Tramway up Whistlers Mountain with views over Jasper and the Athabasca Valley.
Tip Seasonal (late Mar–Oct); hike to the true summit from the top.
- Whistlers Mountain
- $$$
- 2 hr
- Clear afternoon
Photo: Perry · Google
Do
Maligne Lake Cruise
Boat cruise to Spirit Island on Jasper's largest lake.
Tip Cruises run about late May to early October; book ahead in summer.
- Maligne Lake
- $$$
- 1.5 hr
- Jun–Sep

Outdoors

3 outdoor spots for fresh air across Icefields Parkway and Pyramid Bench. All 3 are free to visit.

Photo: Jon Sullivan · Public domain
Outdoors
Sunwapta Falls
Falls cutting through a gorge just off the Icefields Parkway.
Tip Short walk to the lower falls is quieter.
- Icefields Parkway
- Free
- 30 min
- Midday
Photo: Jakub Fryš · CC BY-SA 4.0
Outdoors
Athabasca Falls
Powerful falls squeezing through a quartzite gorge.
Tip Walk all the viewing platforms and the old channel stairs.
- Icefields Parkway
- Free
- 40 min
- Afternoon
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Outdoors
Pyramid Lake
Lake just above town with a footbridge to a small island and Pyramid Mountain behind.
Tip Good sunset and stargazing spot.
- Pyramid Bench
- Free
- 60 min
- Sunset

Eat

Where we would book a table in Jasper in Jasper townsite.

Photo: E to the R · Google
Eat
Bear's Paw Bakery
Jasper bakery for cinnamon buns, sandwiches and coffee.
Tip Grab road snacks before the Parkway.
- Jasper townsite
- $
- 20 min
- Morning

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Jasper in Jasper townsite.

Photo: Jasper Brewing Company · Google
Drink
Jasper Brewing Co.
Brewpub on Connaught Drive, the first brewery in a Canadian national park.
Tip Good pub food too; busy after 6pm.
- Jasper townsite
- $$
- 1.5 hr
- Evening

How to fit Jasper into a trip

Jasper is stop 3 of 3 on our Banff & Jasper Loop route. Follow it as-is or lift Jasper into your own plan.

Stop 3 of 3
Banff & Jasper Loop
Canadian Rockies icefields
Trip length
7 days
Best season
Jun – Sep
Pace
moderate
- Before: Lake Louise
See the full itinerary

Getting here and onward

Lake Louise to JasperLake Louise is about 207 km / 129 mi away in a straight line

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Jasper month by month

Average daily highs run from -4°C / 25°F in December to 22°C / 71°F in July. June is the wettest month, with about 103 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Jasper weather and the best time to visit →

Near Jasper

2 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.

Jasper questions, answered

How many days do you need in Jasper?

Our route notes suggest 1–2 nights in Jasper. On our Banff & Jasper Loop route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 7-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 11 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Jasper best known for?

Allow a full day to drive the Icefields Parkway and 1–2 nights in Jasper for the SkyTram, Maligne Lake and dark skies. Standouts on our list: Columbia Icefield Skywalk (Glass-floored walkway 280 m above the Sunwapta Valley); Sunwapta Falls (Falls cutting through a gorge just off the Icefields Parkway); Athabasca Falls (Powerful falls squeezing through a quartzite gorge).

When is the best time to visit Jasper?

Our Banff & Jasper Loop route is best Jun – Sep. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (22°C / 71°F), the coolest in December (-4°C / 25°F) and the most rain in June (about 103 mm).

What are the best things to do in Jasper?

Start with Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure, Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls and Jasper SkyTram. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 1 sight, 3 activities, 3 outdoor spots, 1 place to eat and 1 bar or café.

What is near Jasper?

The closest destinations in our guides are Lake Louise (about 207 km / 129 mi) and Banff (about 255 km / 158 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Jasper with your crew

Open the Banff & Jasper Loop route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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Jasper

Things to do in Jasper

See

Columbia Icefield Skywalk

Do

Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure

Jasper SkyTram

Maligne Lake Cruise

Outdoors

Sunwapta Falls

Athabasca Falls

Pyramid Lake

Eat

Bear's Paw Bakery