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The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge |
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10Best Parks |
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Athabasca Falls |
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(Attractions & Activities - Parks) |
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Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93) Jasper National Park, Jasper T0E 1E0 • 780-852-6176
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Description:
Rated as one of the most aggressive waterfalls in the Rockies, Athabasca churns and rolls, entrancing visitors. The energy behind the powerful falls is geological. The Athabasca River is forced into a sandstone canyon, intensifying the strength of the water. When it's able to exit, it does so with a vengeance. A trail leads around the waterfall and nearby terrain, explaining the workings of the waterfall. Picnic sites are available too. As you might expect, the falls are as stunning during the winter as in the summer. About 20 miles south of Jasper. |
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User Rating: 10
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Goat Lookout |
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(Attractions & Activities - Parks) |
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Icefields Pkwy (Hwy 93) Jasper National Park, Jasper T0E 1E0 • 780-852-6176 • 780-852-6177
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Description:
This stop-off along the Icefields Parkway is best known for its gorgeous views of the Athabasca Valley and the magnificent mountains that lie around it. A picnic area is available and makes for a pleasant stop. Down the hill from the picnic site, however, is a naturally-occuring deposit of minerals, including salt. Thanks to this, mountain goats often come to the area in order to supplement their diets. Visitors are fascinated by the displays of wildlife and are welcome to take photos and look as long as they like. They're warned, however, not to feed any of the animals; to do so is illegal. 23 miles south of Jasper. |
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Horseshoe Lake |
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(Attractions & Activities - Parks) |
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Icefields Pkwy (Hwy 93) Jasper National Park, Jasper T0E 1E0 • 780-852-6176 • 780-852-6177
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Description:
This picturesque lake lies at the end of a short trail from the highway. It gets its name from its shape and is a popular destination for locals when the weather gets warm. Its shores are pleasant picnicking spots, and people also come to swim, fish and sometimes scuba dive. The adventurous also jump into the lake from cliffs that line the lake's southern side; they rise to 80 feet, but even lower down, the jump is intimidating. If you do make the leap, make sure you're with someone. The water is chilly year-round, and there's always the risk of injury. Located just north of Athabasca Falls and about a 15-minute drive from Jasper. |
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Icefield Centre |
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(Attractions & Activities - Parks) |
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Icefields Pkwy (Hwy 93) Jasper National Park, Jasper T0E 1E0 • 780-852-6288
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Description:
Midway between Lake Louise and Jasper lies this complex, an oasis of activity amid the stark mountain landscape. Home to a hotel, restaurant, gift shop and visitors center, the Centre opened in 1996 and has become a popular tourist attraction. It's also the point of departure for a number of companies that offer excursions onto the nearby Columbia Icefield. The facility houses the Glacier Gallery, an exhibit that explains, via models and videos, how glaciers form, advance and retreat. A history of the area and its significance to Canada's rivers and landscape is also mentioned. |
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Lake Edith and Lake Annette |
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(Attractions & Activities - Parks) |
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Jasper National Park, Jasper T0E 1E0
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Description:
These two lakes are located a few miles outside of town, near the Jasper Park Lodge. They are more shallow than other lakes in the area, meaning that swimming in them is actually pleasant. Interestingly, Edith and Annette (along with nearby Lac Beauvert) were once part of a huge mother lake that inundated the valley at one point in its history. Today, the sister lakes are popular recreational sites, ideal for picnics and lounging in the sun. Annette has a trail running along its shores that is perfect for leisurely strolls; Edith offers paths for cyclists. |
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Maligne Canyon |
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(Attractions & Activities - Parks) |
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Maligne Rd Jasper National Park, Jasper T0E 1E0
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Description:
In its efforts to reach the Athabasca River, the Maligne River cut its way through the limestone terrain, carving out this steep, beautiful canyon. The level of the river changes due to underground caves which pull water away from it, but it has passed this way for more than 10,000 years. To give visitors perspective, a trail leads down along the canyon, crossing over it six times and offering incredible views of the landscape. Plaques along the way describe the area's geology, and a small building set at the upper portion of the canyon serves refreshments. During the winter, a hike to see the surreal beauty of frozen waterfalls is offered. Less than 10 minutes from town. |
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Maligne Lake |
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(Attractions & Activities - Parks) |
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Maligne Rd Jasper National Park, Jasper T0E 1E0 • 780-852-3370
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Description:
Forty minutes southeast of Jasper, you'll find the world's second-largest glacier-fed lake. It's also one of the Rockies' most visited spots, thanks to its deep blue hue and the beauty of the mountains that surround it. The large lake invites visitors to fish, row, kayak, hike and horseback ride; another favorite activity is the narrated cruise, which points out pertinent sites and includes a visit to the diminutive, tree-studded Spirit Island. The lake's name comes from the French term for "bad" or "wicked" and was bestowed on it by a Belgian missionary. His reasoning remains a mystery in the eyes of all who visit. |
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Medicine Lake |
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(Attractions & Activities - Parks) |
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Maligne Lake Rd Jasper National Park, Jasper T0E 1E0 • 780-852-6176
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Description:
Perhaps one of the area's most fascinating sites, this lake can be either picturesque or nondescript, depending on when you see it. Subterranean caverns divert the water most of the year, leaving lackluster streams and mud flats. Only in the summer, when meltwater overwhelms the drainage system, does the lake fill, becoming a quietly beautiful body of water. The network of caves has never been completely mapped or understood, and Native Americans named the cave "medicine" in honor of the spirits they believed controlled the waters. Less than a half-hour's drive from Jasper. |
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Miette Hot Springs |
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(Attractions & Activities - Parks) |
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Miette Hot Springs Rd Off Hwy 16, Jasper T0E 1E0 • 780-866-3939 • 800-767-1611
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Description:
Well-known to natives and hugely popular with Europeans in the early 20th century, these springs are the hottest in the Rockies. Today, they are cooled to approximately 100 degrees to make them bearable to bathers. The original pools were constructed during the Depression but were completely rebuilt in 1986 to make them more efficient and appealing. In the vicinity of the springs are hiking trails, picnic sites and opportunities to see local wildlife. A nearby lodge makes food and drink available, and towels and swimsuits can be rented daily, as can lockers. Forty-five minutes northeast of Jasper. |
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Mt. Edith Cavell |
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(Attractions & Activities - Parks) |
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Cavell Rd Off Hwy 93A Jasper National Park, Jasper T0E 1E0 • 780-852-6176
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Description:
This imposing, easily-recognizable peak is one of the park's best-loved landmarks. Named for a British nurse who was executed for helping prisoners escape during WWI, the mountain was known as the "White Ghost" to the Native Americans. The road leading up the mountain is steep and is often closed in winter. At its end is a picnic area and hiking opportunities. The Path of the Glacier Trail leads visitors around the area, granting views of Angel Glacier and other sights. Another trail leads to Cavell Meadows, which has high-altitude, fragile flowers and vegetation. A nearby lake also provides great photo opportunities. A 40-minute drive from Jasper. |
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* All distances are
approximate "straight-line" distances.
See Directions for actual "travel distances."
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