We are so lucky to only live about 3.5 hours from Jasper National Park. Since we visit frequently, I always get asked what my favourite activities are. I figured it was time to document them all in one blog post to make things easier for everyone! Personally I find Jasper to be just as beautiful as Banff, but much less touristy! These are just suggestions based on my own preferences and experiences, and are no means a comprehensive review of everything there is to do in Jasper!
HIKES
Maligne Canyon: EASY
This is an incredible experience both in the summer and the winter! It’s also where we got engaged, so I might be biased ? In the summer you can walk above the canyon and see the powerful water below. In the winter, you can actually walk IN the canyon which is a crazy experience! I would consider this more of a “walk” than a hike, but it isn’t really stroller or wheelchair friendly as there are several steep areas with either stairs or rocks. There are different starting points depending on how long of a walk you’re looking for! This walk is worth braving the crowds for!
Pyramid Island: VERY EASY
I feel like this is a bit of a hidden gem in Jasper! It’s so quick & easy to get to from town, and is just a quick walk from the parking lot! I love exploring the little island, or if you’re there in the winter you can walk right onto the ice! (Make sure the ice is VERY frozen before doing this) If you’re lucky, you might even see the horsedrawn carriage from the Pyramid Island Resort on the ice! I’ve also heard this is an excellent spot to view the Northern Lights! If you’re looking for a very easy activity to fill some time, this is it!
Athabasca Falls: EASY
I wouldn’t say this is the top of my list, personally. But it’s still a beautiful spot to visit. The falls themselves are very busy, but you can walk along the river to get away from the crowds (you’ll notice this is a theme in the way I travel! haha)
Big Bend: INTERMEDIATE
This is our personal favourite place. It can be done as a day hike, or overnight hike. It’s an easy, but under-appreciated day hike. The trail is well-established and takes about 1-1.5 hours to the campsite area. Park at Sunwapta Falls, and walk through the dozens of tourists on the bridge. Bring a lunch, or even a bathing suit if you’re feeling brave! There are picnic tables and tons of space along the river to explore. If you chose to do this as an overnight trip, it’s an easy walk to the first campsite (Big Bend), or you can continue on to the second campsite (Athabasca Crossing). Both campsite areas have bear poles for your food, picnic tables, fire pit and a toilet area. We absolutely love this spot, and it’s so peaceful!
Maligne Lake: EASY
This is one of the most picturesque blue lakes in Jasper. When you get here it is BUSY, but just keep walking past everyone and follow the trail that runs beside the lake. Once you get about 1km away from the restaurant, there are hardly any people and you can find a spot to enjoy the view! I also highly recommend renting a canoe for an hour or two and spending some time on the water!
Opal Hills: INTERMEDIATE
If you’re looking for a more difficult day hike in Jasper, I enjoyed Opal Hills! It also starts in the Maligne Lake parking lot. This hike has a variety of meadows and forests, with incredible scenic views throughout!
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Stargazing: Jasper is a dark sky preserve, which means there are restrictions on how much light pollution there can be. Because of this, it is an excellent spot to go stargazing. During the fall/winter months it is very common to see the Northern Lights in Jasper! If you would like to learn more about the dark skies, or the best night sky viewing locations, head over here!
Wildlife: Wildlife is everywhere in Jasper. It’s very common to see mountain goats, elk, deer, or even bears and moose in the park. Enjoy them safely from your car, or from a good distance! Remember that these are wild animals and do NOT approach or feed them (it’s actually illegal to do so).
Christmas Store: No matter what time of year you visit, there’s a store dedicated to Christmas! It’s called “Rocky Mountain Christmas” and is right downtown. I love wandering through this store and it would be a fun place to pick up a souvenir!
WHERE TO EAT
Jasper Brewing Co: This is a pretty classic Canadian pub. They brew their own beer as well as carry other local drinks!
Bear’s Paw Bakery: A fun spot to grab a hot drink while walking around downtown!
The Raven Bistro: If your looking for something a bit more trendy, check out this place! Their entire menu looks amazing and so unique!
WHERE TO STAY:
To be honest, we usually just pick the cheapest hotel to stay in, and we’ve never had a problem! However, none of them have been memorable enough to recommend haha.
Pocahontis Cabins: I always drive by these cabins and talk about staying in them one day. They’re the most picturesque wood cabins situated in the mountains!
