Our Jasper National Park Travel Guide is your go-to travel guide when exploring our favourite local mountain town, year round! We’ve explored it often, each time finding a new hidden gem and, each time, falling more in love with this National Park in Alberta. The mountain town can be whatever you want it to be: a romantic, relaxing getaway or the base of your adventurous escape into the Canadian Rockies. We’ve found some local favourites that we think you should add to your Jasper Itinerary:
When To Go:
Our favourite time of year in the mountains is Fall (September & October), when the trees turn hues of yellow and red and the weather gets cooler. That said, Jasper is truly a year-round destination that is hugely popular in both Summer & Winter.
The Summer months of July & August are the busiest months requiring accommodation reservations months in advance.
If you do visit in Winter, be sure to check out this post about what you need to wear! Temperatures drop well below freezing & ‘normal’ winter outfits won’t do. In January they also host, Jasper in January, which we love!
Good To Know:
Park Tariffs: You have to pay to enter the Park, see the fees listed here. But for 2018, youth (17 and under) get in for free!
Jasper Dark Sky Festival is a stargazer’s dream. Usually held in October, scientific experts & celestial celebrities held you get lost amongst the stars.
Be aware of what to do in the case of coming across a bear. If you’re hiking, be sure to take along bear spray and make lots of noise along the trails.
Christmas in November is a Food & Wine Festival, held at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, will give you a heavy dose of Christmas cheer before December even begins.
How To Get There:
Your best bet is by car from either Edmonton (4 hours) or Calgary (5 hours).
The Jasper to Banff Road-trip, along the Icefields Parkway, has been named one of the most incredible in the world, so if ever there were a time to road-trip, it would definitely be now (See outlined map below).
If you would prefer not to drive, then you would have to take a shuttle. Sundog Tours runs a shuttle service from Edmonton to Jasper. You can also travel by train from various cities with VIA Rail.
Getting Around:
There isn’t much in the way of public transport within the small town of Jasper, so a rental car is highly recommended.
The town itself is, of course, walkable but when you want to explore sights like Pyramid Lake, a taxi or shuttle service is best.
Extend Your Visit:
If you’re visiting Jasper National Park from abroad, you might want to include the below cities in your itinerary:
Where To Stay:
Fairmont Jasper Park:
The Jasper Park Lodge is by far the best place to stay. Even better if you can snag a lakeside cabin. But, of course, it also happens to be the priciest accommodation in Jasper.
We explored the grounds of the hotel in this post here.
Park Place Inn:
A boutique hotel right on the Main Road in Jasper.
The Crimson:
Jasper’s newest hotel, the rooms are modern and feature the Canadian Red throughout their hotel decor.
Alpine Village Cabin Resort:
Rustic and charming cabins that are perfectly situated across from the sparkling Athabasca River.
The Overlander Mountain Lodge
Quite a drive out of town, and out of the National Park, this Lodge boasts spectacular views of the Rockies! They’re also known for their gourmet food.
What To Do:
Maligne Canyon
In Summer, you can hike the Maligne Canyon. In Winter, you can take a guided Canyon Icewalk Tour that will explore the ice caves and frozen waterfalls. You can read about our experience here.
All the Lakes
You have to visit the incredible Lakes: Maligne, Pyramid, Patricia, and Spirit Island.
Jasper Sidecar Tours
A signature Jasper experience, this one is on our bucket-list to do. Tour all the famous tourist spots with Jasper Motorcycle Tours.
Marmot Basin Ski Area
Marmot Basin offers 3,000 vertical feet (914m) of superb skiing and snowboarding on 1,720 acres of varied terrain.
Jasper Sky Tram
For the best views in Jasper, head up to the top of the Mountains on the Skytram.
Jasper Park Lodge Spa
If you’re looking to unwind, the couple’s massage at the Lodge is one of the best we’ve had (in the world!)
Helicopter Ride
Another bucket-list item is viewing the Rockies from 10000 feet above with Rockies Heli,
You can find other things to do here!
Where To Eat:
Patricia Street Deli:
For amazing sandwiches, perfect for a hike or picnic!
SunHouse Cafe:
For Australian, health-cafe food with good coffee.
Emerald Lounge at the Jasper Park Lodge
In Summer, on the patio or in Winter, by the fire.
Bear’s Paw Bakery
For amazing baked goods!
Coco’s Cafe
or an early morning breakfast that is celiac & vegan-friendly!
Syrahs of Jasper
For a romantic, fine-dining experience.
The Overlander Mountain Lodge
For 5 star food, with an incredible view. It’s a bit of a drive outside the Park.
Earls Restaurant & Famoso’s Pizza
Two Canadian Franchises we swear by. Lots of variety and always fresh. Famoso’s Pizzeria serves gluten-free pizza.
Other Posts You Might Like:
For More Tips & Suggestions:
The Globe Diary on Instagram
We post about our trips often & even have a highlight reel of our visits to Jasper National Park on our IG Stories. Follow along so you never miss post’s about our exciting destinations.
Research on Instagram
My favourite way to research a trip is on Instagram, searching hashtags & popular destinations. For Jasper, you’ll want to search #MyJasper & #VentureBeyond or follow Jasper Tourism’s Account.
Tourism Visitor’s Guide
Jasper Tourism has a useful online Visitor’s Guide that covers winter and summer activities that you can read online or download to refer to.
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Tell Us About Your Visit!
Let us know if our Jasper National Park Guide was helpful in the comments section below. We also have other Travel Guides coming soon with our new website launch, so keep a look out and subscribe to our newsletter to find out more.
~ From a Jasper Lover,
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