Jasper National Park in Canada is a beautiful area filled with those amazing aqua-colored lakes, wildlife, mountains and amazing views! It has a much more rugged and remote feeling to it than Banff and gives off a whole different vibe. Here are awesome things to do in Jasper National Park! Enjoy 🙂
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Best Things To Do in Jasper National Park
Annette Lake and Edith Lake
Lake Annette & Lake Edith, known as kettle lakes, are the residuals of the lake that covered the entire Athabasca valley during the end of ice age. The lakes are fed by the extensive underground river system, from Medicine Lake : the same extensive system that causes the disappearing Medicine Lake and that made the Maligne Canyon. A quicksand filled pond, Ocher Lake is located at the north-east corner of Annette Lake. There are private cottages located on the Lake Edith lake front …
Ride the Jasper skytram
Once you arrive in Jasper, the SkyTram is a great place to start. The relaxing yet scenic ride gets you to a beautiful lookout over downtown Jasper. As you ascend, the guide talks you through what you’re seeing and once you arrive at the top, you can shop for souvenirs or grab a bite a meal at the restaurant. It’s the restaurant with the best views, and it surprisingly had good food, which we didn’t expect at such a touristy spot. On clear days, you can even see Mt. Robson, the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies.
Athabasca Glacier
the Athabasca Glacier draws visitors from around the world. The glacier is part of the massive Columbia Icefield, which divides southern Jasper and northern Banff, and is easily visible from Icefields Parkway. Hiking trails and guided tours allow visitors to get near the edge of the glacier. While travelers can hike out onto the glacier, officials do not recommend making the trek because tourists have died due to hidden crevasses in the past.
If you do want to explore the glacier’s surface, or are simply looking for an excellent tour, recent visitors suggested taking an Ice Explorer tour onto the Athabasca Glacier. Past travelers raved about the entertaining tour guides and the opportunities to safely explore the ice. Each trip last between two and three hours (including 20 minutes on the ice), and all excursions include access to the Glacier Skywalk.
Soak in Miette Hot Springs
For a soothing dip in mineral-infused natural hot springs, make the 60-kilometer trek to Miette Hot Springs, which boasts the distinct honor of being the hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies.
The hot springs hit a piping-hot 54 degrees Celsius (129 degrees Fahrenheit) right from the mountain, but the water is cooled to a more reasonable – but still toasty – 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in the pools where bathers come to swim. There are a few different pool options to choose from, including a couple of super-cold pools if you’re after a hot-and-cold experience.
Aside from soothing water chock full of sulphate, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, and sodium, the views from the pool are top notch. The combination is optimal for a completely and utterly relaxing experience.
The pools can be accessed from early May to mid-October, but are closed in the winter and early spring months. There are lockers and showers on-site, and it’s a good idea to bring a pair of sandals with you.
How To Get To Jasper National Park
There are two main airports near Jasper National Park.
- Edmonton:Â 370 km West, 5 Hours
- Calgary:Â 404 km Northwest, 4 hours
The best way to get there is to rent a car or an RV, and drive to the National Park. Driving your vehicle is the best way to experience this one of a kind national park. Jameson and I flew into Calgary and drove from the airport up to Jasper National Park. We made sure to drive through Icefields Parkway to experience one of the best road trip views of the world
When is the Best Time to Visit Jasper
The best time to visit Jasper is June through September. The summer is when the snow starts to melt, and you can experience great hikes with stunning turquoise lakes. June can bring rainy weather (we experienced this). While July and August have a better chance for great weather. September is a great month to get away from the crowds.
