Located in the Canadian Rockies and Alberta’s vast wilderness, Jasper National Park is one of the most beautiful destinations in all of Canada. Famous for its picturesque lakes, glaciers, and mountain peaks, the park is a haven for nature lovers.
Jasper is home to many incredible things to see and do, but to give you a taste of what to expect, we have highlighted some Jasper attractions you should not miss. So, read on and get inspired for your next holiday to Canada with these amazing Jasper National Park attractions.
Maligne Canyon
Maligne Canyon is one of the best Jasper attractions for hikes and exploration. It is the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park, reaching a depth of more than 50 metres.
It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs and enjoy a hike amid beautiful scenery. There are trails for people of all abilities, crossing six different bridges, allowing anyone who visits to enjoy the grandeur of this natural landmark.
The second bridge is the highest point in the canyon, and the third bridge is where you can enjoy a spectacular waterfall. You can even experience Maligne Canyon in the winter with guided ice walks along the frozen canyon floor.
Steph from the travel blog Love From Steph has visited Maligne Canyon during her visit to Jasper National Park and shares: “When I went in October, the weather was beginning to change, and we even had a light dusting of snow. The canyon is impressive all year round, but maybe even more so in winter when the water freezes, creating giant frozen waterfalls, icy caverns, and incredible ice formations.”
ALSO READ: 48 hours in Jasper
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Maligne Lake
Canada is known for its lakes, and Jasper National Park is no different. Maligne Lake is one of the park's most beautiful locations, famed for its azure waters and mountainous backdrop.
The scenery is enough to take your breath away. You can spend hours simply admiring the beauty of the landscape, including the three visible glaciers and the much-photographed Spirit Island.
As well as being a feast for the eyes, Maligne Canyon offers plenty of fun activities to entertain people, whether they are coming for a few hours or a longer retreat. There’s hiking, cross-country skiing, fishing, and an opportunity to get out on the water with boat tours and kayaking.
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Columbia Icefield and the Athabasca Glacier
When it comes to Jasper’s top attractions, the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier have to be mentioned. The Columbia Icefield is an enormous ice mass, lying on an elevated plateau next to many of Jasper’s highest peaks.
Spilling off the icefield is the incredible Athabasca Glacier, one of the world’s most accessible glaciers, but it is sadly retreating due to the effects of global warming, making this special location even more important.
There are numerous ways to experience this wonderful feat of nature, including a 3 hour ride up to the Athabasca Glacier in the huge Ice Explorer vehicle and the jaw-dropping Columbia Icefield Skywalk, suspended 918 feet above the valley floor.
ALSO READ: Top 10 things to do in Alberta during winter
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Athabasca Falls
Just west of the Icefields Parkway and located on the upper Athabasca River is one of the most remarkable waterfalls in Jasper. The Athabasca Falls might not be the tallest waterfall in the Rockies, but the force of the river makes it one of the most powerful.
The falls are also incredibly beautiful, set amidst mountains and forests, providing visitors with the iconic Canadian scenery that has to be seen to be believed. Getting to the falls is easy, with convenient viewpoints located along the trail, including a footbridge across the canyon.
There are a couple of lovely walking trails to explore while you are admiring the falls, including one that descends to the river. So, bring your walking shoes and be ready to admire some quintessential Canadian beauty.
Nichole, from the travel blog Nichole the Nomad, has visited the Athabasca Falls in Jasper and shares this insight into her experience: “Mt. Kerkeslin is right behind the falls and makes for a beautiful backdrop. The views made this one of my favourite spots near Jasper! The 0.6-mile roundtrip hike brings you next to Athabasca Falls and a canyon downstream. The blue waters, of course, make everything beautiful.”
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Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway is not only one of the most famous roads in Canada but the entire world. This incredible stretch of road between Jasper and Banff is 232 kilometres long, winding through mountains, valleys, and ice fields.
The road is famed for its beauty, making for the most scenic road trip one could possibly imagine. It’s the perfect opportunity to visit Banff National Park once you have finished exploring Jasper, but it’s far more than just a road.
Along with admiring the spectacular scenery, there are lots of great stops along the way to experience more of what this epic part of Canada has to offer. You can even stop off at some of the incredible attractions mentioned above, such as the Athabasca Falls and Columbia Icefield.
Serena from the travel blog Serena’s Lenses says she was blown away by the Icefields Parkway: “It is one of the most beautiful drives in the world, and after driving on it twice, I can see why. There are numerous stops on the Icefields Parkway, such as Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Columbia Icefield, Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls, lookout points and hiking trails.”
ALSO READ: Exploring the Canadian Rockies by Motorhome
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Other amazing attractions in Jasper
- Jasper town: An alpine town and the commercial centre of Jasper National Park. Set amid snow-capped peaks, the town is home to great local restaurants and links to attractions near and far.
- Pyramid Lake and Pyramid Island: Pyramid Lake is a scenic alpine lake with clear waters, surrounded by mountains. Pyramid Island, accessible via a wooden bridge, offers serene views and picnic spots.
- Mount Edith Cavel: The most prominent peak set entirely in Alberta, Mount Edith Cavel offers great hikes and awe-inspiring views from its location in the Athabasca River and Astoria River valleys.
- Miette Hot Springs: Miette Hot Springs feature the hottest springs in the Canadian Rockies. The springs’ beautiful location, combined with its luxurious water, makes it one of Jasper’s top attractions.
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Must-visit Jasper National Park attractions
- Maligne Canyon
- Maligne Lake
- Columbia Icefield and the Athabasca Glacier
- Athabasca Falls
- Icefields Parkway
As you can see, Jasper National Park is an incredible destination, packed with many wonderful things to see and do.
If you like the sound of these Jasper attractions, book a holiday to Jasper with Canadian Affair. We are the Canada travel experts, and can tailor make an adventure to include everything you want to see.
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