Jasper National Park is truly a beautiful place to visit in the Canadian Rockies. I have loved exploring this area year after year and during different seasons.
Planning a trip to Jasper is great if you’re visiting nearby Banff National Park, coming or going into British Columbia, or visiting on a daytrip from Edmonton.
This Jasper itinerary focuses on a 3 day, 2 night trip based in the Summer season. Some of these spots may close outside of summertime and the activities you can do in Jasper change depending on the time of year.
Hopefully this 3 day Jasper itinerary helps you to plan your trip to this incredible place!
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Planning Guide At a Glance
| Need to Know | Recommendation |
| Best Time to Visit | June – October |
| Where to Stay (Mid-Range) | Forest Park Hotel |
| Where to Stay (Luxury) | Jasper Park Lodge |
| Where to Stay (Campground) | Wapiti or Whistlers Campground |
| Entrance Fee | Canadian National Park Pass |
| Transportation | Having a car is recommended! |
Jasper Itinerary
Day One in Jasper – Arrive in Jasper/Icefields Parkway Area
Whether you’re coming to Jasper from Banff National Park or driving in on Highway 16, you can still start your first day in Jasper exploring the Icefields Parkway. If you’re arriving on Highway 16 though, it is a bit longer of a drive because the Icefields Parkway starts on the other side of Jasper from when you’ll be entering. Feel free to change the itinerary around if it works better for your schedule!
There are a ton of stops on the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper, but I’ll just be mentioning the ones in Jasper National Park in case you’re starting in Jasper and not travelling from Banff.
There may be other random turnouts and viewpoints you see that you want to stop at along the way, so keep an eye on the time because it can be easy to get caught up in the beauty of everything!
Quick Tips Before Heading Out:
- There is limited to no cell service on the Icefields Parkway. Make sure to download or screenshot anything you might need on your drive.
- There aren’t many gas stations or places to stop for food. Have enough gas before setting out and pack snacks, lunch, and maybe even dinner depending on how long you want to be out for!
- You can usually find outhouses at roadside turnouts if you have to use the washroom. I usually have spare toilet paper and hand sanitizer just in case.
Columbia Icefields
The Columbia Icefields are about halfway down the Icefields Parkway and around a 1.5 hour drive from the Town of Jasper. They are essentially a huge Icefield that you can visit.
If you’re travelling on a budget, you can park and hike to the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier to see it up close for free, but not walk on it. It gets pretty windy so pack accordingly!
For those looking to get a little bit closer to the glacier, you can book a tour on one of the huge Ice Explorer buggies that will take you on the Icefield and you can walk around on it as well. You can also couple your ticket to have access to the Icefield Skywalk as well, which is a glass walkway giving you views of the area from above.
A bit of a longer hike nearby is Parker Ridge, which is pretty uphill but not too long, and gives you nice views of the Saskatchewan Glacier that you can only see from the hike.
At a Glance:
- Columbia Icefield Skywalk and Glacier Explorer Tour
- Toe of the Athabasca Glacier
- Parker Ridge Hike is a hike that is just a bit further down the Parkway
Stay closeby: The Glacier View Lodge is a beautiful hotel right by the Columbia Icefield. If you’re coming from Banff, this is a beautiful option if you want to start your day in the middle of the Icefields Parkway before heading towards Jasper.
Tangle Creek Falls
This is a short stop as it’s just a roadside turnout that you can stop at to see a pretty waterfall on the side of the Highway!
The little parking lot for Tangle Creek Falls is super easy to miss so make sure you’re watching closely for the turnout. Stop here for some nice photos as you head back to Jasper!
Sunwapta Falls
A waterfall in Jasper that you can’t miss, Sunwapta Falls is incredibly picturesque! It is a short walk from the parking lot and you get the best view from the bridge that looks out to the falls. It can get a little crowded, so just be patient until you can get the angle you want. In the meantime, it is such a beautiful view to take in and admire!
If you’re up for a little bit of extra exploring and a small hike, you can head down to Lower Sunwapta Falls to see a smaller waterfall and usually less crowds.
Athabasca Falls
Another beautiful waterfall in Jasper National Park, Athabasca Falls is a huge waterfall that has multiple views from three different angles.
You can also go down and explore the bottom area where the river is, just be safe!
The 2024 wildfire hit this area a little bit, but it is still beautiful and worth visiting in my opinion!
Valley of the Five Lakes Hike
The Valley of the Five Lakes hike is a nice, relatively easy hike that takes you to 5 different lakes over the span of 4.5km and an elevation gain of about 84m.
This area was closed for a while because it was hit drastically by the 2024 wildfire, but it recently re-opened in 2026!
If you are planning to hike, make sure you are equipped with all of the necessary hiking gear, like bear spray (and know how to use it), enough food and water, and proper shoes.
Dinner in Jasper
After a big day of exploring, you can find dinner at local restaurants like Jasper Brewing Company, The Raven Bistro, or The Maligne Range. Downtown Jasper also has chain restaurants like Famoso, A&W, and Montana’s.
If you’re looking for something to do after the sun sets, check out the Jasper Planetarium!
Day Two in Jasper – Maligne Valley, Exploring Lakes, Old Fort Point
The second day of your Jasper itinerary involves a lot more time outside exploring the scenery of the National Park! Make sure your phones and cameras are charged up and you have snacks, gas, and enough water packed for the day.
Grab Breakfast
Before heading out of Town, grab breakfast wherever you like. If your hotel offers breakfast this is a great option, or you can sit down at O’Sheas or the Maligne Range. If you’re interested in stopping at a local cafe for breakfast in Jasper, I love the Bearspaw Bakery, Lostlands Cafe, or Andromeda.
Depending on how you want to do lunch, you may also want to pick up a sandwich or something to have while on the go since the food options will be a bit limited.
Maligne Canyon
*Maligne Canyon is currently closed from the 2024 Wildfire*
Maligne Canyon is a beautiful canyon you can walk through and explore, with a bunch of different waterfalls and a river flowing through it. As you explore the canyon you can see some waterfalls from above, before the trail takes you into the canyon and at some points alongside the river too.
There are 6 bridges that you can explore as you hike through the canyon, each with different and pretty views.
Although Maligne Canyon is currently closed from the wildfire, you can still visit some of the bridges by parking in the parking lots and taking a short walk to the bridges. There is also a small viewpoint where you can see the massive devastation of the fire.
In my opinion, the bridges that are open aren’t as spectacular as the ones deep in the canyon, but hopefully one day Maligne Canyon will open, and the bridges are a quick stop so still worth it to see if you have time!
Medicine Lake
As you drive Maligne Road, you’ll come to another lake that is a quick and pretty stop on the way to Maligne Lake.
Medicine Lake is the lake that feeds Maligne Canyon, and during different seasons the water levels will be different as well.
This area was hit by a wildfire back in 2015, and so during the summer season beautiful fireweed flower grows in the area, making it super picturesque!
Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is one of the prettiest lakes in Jasper and definitely my favourite one!
This is Jasper’s longest lake and the views you can get from the shoreline are so pretty. During your time here you can rent a canoe and explore a little bit of the lake, have a picnic, eat at the Maligne Lake Chalet Restaurant, grab a snack at The Waffle Hut, or take a boat cruise to Spirit Island. If you have multiple days in Jasper, you can even book one of the backcountry campsites and travel by canoe or kayak to camp on Maligne Lake.
Rent a Canoe
If you’re interested in renting a canoe during your visit to Jasper, Maligne Lake is a great place to do it. Here, you are surrounded by pretty mountain views and renting boats is easy at the Maligne Lake Boathouse.
If you have access to your own boat, you can head to the boat launch and put your own boat in the water too.
If you are planning to canoe, just beware that the Boat Cruises can create some waves and so the water isn’t always that completely still, serene water you may be after. For a gentler canoe trip, you could check out renting a canoe at Jasper Park Lodge instead.
Boat Cruise to Spirit Island
One of the most popular things to do at Maligne Lake and in Jasper National Park is to go to Spirit Island. The only way to get there is by boat, meaning you either have to paddle yourself there (it’s 14km one way) or book a boat cruise to Spirit Island.
The boat cruise will take you on a scenic drive down the lake and dock in the Spirit Island area, where you’ll get between 15 and 30 minutes to explore and take photos (depending on the tour you book).
To be honest, there isn’t that much to do at Spirit Island except take photos and walk the small shoreline, but if it’s on your bucketlist then this is really your only option other than spending the day paddling yourself there!
If you have extra time in Jasper, you could book a stay at Fisherman’s Bay Campground, which is on the shoreline of Maligne Lake and a 1km paddle from Spirit Island.
You’ll need to rent a canoe for multiple days though, and paddle yourself the 13km to the campsite. This definitely takes some planning ahead of time but it’s one of my favourite Jasper adventures!
Maligne Lake Hiking
There are also some great hikes in the Maligne Lake area if you are looking to spend more of your time hiking instead. Just be sure to do your research ahead of time to make sure you choose a hike that is the right fitness level for you, and you have enough time to complete the hike.
A few hikes at Maligne Lake are:
- Mary Schaffer Loop: 3.2km, 82m elevation, around 0.5-1 hour loop. A quick, easy hike that will give you pretty views of the lake.
- Moose Lake Loop: 2.9km, 154m elevation gain, around 1-1.5 hour loop. Walks a little bit along the Maligne Lake shoreline and then through the forest to Moose Lake. You can choose to do the whole hike or turn back if you don’t want to do the forest part.
- Opal Hills Loop: 8.2km, 525m elevation gain, around 3.5-4 hour loop. This is a more difficult hike that will take you up above Maligne Lake for a more bird’s eye view.
- Bald Hills Shortcut: 13.5km, 766m elevation gain, around 5.5-6 hour out&back. Another hike that will take you high up above Maligne Lake for pretty views! This one is also a more difficult hike to complete.
If you do head out on a hike, you may or may not have time to stop at the rest of the spots below, but it’s up to you and your energy levels!
Lake Annette
Before heading back to Downtown Jasper, Lake Annette is a great stop to make to see another Jasper lake. If it’s hot out, swimming here or taking your SUP here is popular in the summer, and there’s a small sandy beach too.
There is an easy hike you can do around Lake Annette as well if you’re looking to stretch your legs or get some different views of the area.
If you happen to be visiting Jasper in the winter, I love coming here to ice skate!
Edith Lake
Right beside Lake Annette is Edith Lake. Since you’re so close by you can choose if you want to pop over to Edith Lake as well for another view and some photos, to swim, or have a picnic!
Old Fort Point Hike
Depending on your time, if you chose to do any other hikes, and energy levels, you may or may not want to do a small hike to finish off your day. Old Fort Point is one of my favourite, easier hikes to do in Jasper for great views without taking up a lot time. The trailhead is also pretty close to Downtown as well.
On AllTrails, Old Fort Point is a loop where you can start by either walking through the forest to get to the view, or you can start by walking up a set of stairs and then a hill to get to the view. I usually skip the forest part and just head up the stairs, and then head back the same way. I feel like this option gives you the most views because you gain the elevation quite quickly and you aren’t covered by trees.
This area was hit by the 2024 wildfires though, so a lot of the trees are just a bit crispy now and if you walk through the forest there isn’t as much shade as there once was.
This hike will give you 360 views of the area and puts you above the Town of Jasper which is a cool view too!
After your busy day, grab dinner at your chosen spot in Downtown Jasper and rest up!
Day Three in Jasper – Pyramid Lake, Jasper SkyTram, Depart
On your last day in Jasper, explore some of the last remaining spots before heading out onto your next adventure or heading home!
Be sure to grab breakfast and snacks from your preferred place, and even some lunch to pack as well depending on how you’re planning to time your day.
Morning at Pyramid Lake
The first stop on your third day in Jasper is Pyramid Lake. I recommend going here first because the parking here is quite limited and it does get quite busy in the summer.
By arriving early, the lake will also be more still and peaceful, and you will have less crowds and people around too.
Pyramid Lake is most known for its pretty views, but also the pretty photo you can get of Pyramid Island and the bridge leading up to it. This is a popular spot to get married at, so if you go later in the day you might see someone getting married.
By getting there early, you have a better chance of having no people in your photos and also it is just a beautiful way to start your morning!
On one of my visits to Pyramid Lake, I really enjoyed taking a guided canoe tour of the lake with Wild Current Outfitters. Make sure to book in advance, but they will take you out on the lake in their beautiful wooden canoe for a peaceful ride and a snack at the small beach only accessible by boat.
Jasper SkyTram
After visiting Pyramid Lake, you could make a quick stop at Patricia Lake which is on the road from Pyramid Lake back to town. After that, if you’re still looking to get some amazing views of the area you can head to the Jasper SkyTram.
This will take you high up Whistlers Mountain for amazing views, where you can explore the boardwalk up above, continue on hiking some of the hikes that start from up there, or grab a snack from the cafe that is up there.
It’s usually best to book your tickets for the SkyTram in advance.
The Jasper SkyTram runs from mid-April to late-October depending on the weather.
Leave Jasper
Depending on your next destination, you may have to leave Jasper by mid-day to head out. If you do have some extra time, check out this Jasper Bucketlist or the list below for more ideas to fill your itinerary!
How to Spend More Time in Jasper
If you have more time in Jasper or notice you still have extra time on some of the days you’re visiting, here are some more ideas for how you could spend your time:
- Walk Downtown and check out the different stores and gift shops
- Go White Water Rafting
- Multi-Day Canoe Trip on Maligne Lake
- Take a Jasper Food Tour
- Spend more time hiking (Mount Edith Cavell, Sulphur Skyline Trail)
- Rent a canoe at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
- Visit the Miette Hot Springs
- See the “From Jasper, With Love” show
- Visit the Jasper Farmer’s Market which usually runs on Wednesdays during the summer
Where to Stay in Jasper
If you’re still planning where to stay in Jasper, there are a few hotels in the Town of Jasper you can check out. During summer, the hotels are pretty pricey, even for less nice hotels.I’ve stayed at the Astoria Hotel before which was a bit more budget friendly when I stayed there. There is also the Jasper Downtown Hostel, Jasper Inn and Suites, and the Forest Park Hotel. For a more luxury stay, just short drive from Downtown Jasper is the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge which is an absolutely beautiful place to stay, or the Pyramid Lake Lodge is also beautiful.
For a more cabin feel, you can check out Pine Bungalows or Patricia Lake Bungalows.
There are also a few campgrounds by Jasper, including Wapiti, Whistlers, and Athabasca Campground. You can book these through Parks Canada. A lot of the Jasper Campgrounds were hit by the wildfire and so trees are limited, meaning shade and privacy aren’t abundant in these campgrounds.
Sometimes visitors choose to pay a bit more in time and gas and stay outside of Jasper in the nearby town of Hinton. Hotels on the outskirts of Hinton are the Ramada by Wyndham and Velora Hinton.
On the road between Jasper and Hinton are also the Miette Mountain Cabins, Jasper Gates Resort, and Overlander Mountain Lodge.
Other Jasper Travel Tips
- Fill up before you leave town: Outside of Downtown Jasper, gas stations can be few and far between. Make sure you have enough gas before leaving Jasper, and also try to avoid filling up at peak times. The gas stations can be an annoying experience when a lot of people need to fill up at a tiny gas station!
- Don’t forget to pay for parking when you’re Downtown. There isn’t as much free parking as there used to be, so if you park don’t get a ticket by not paying! Paid parking is usually in effect from May to October.
- You can check parking in advance: If you’re worried about parking somewhere, you can check JasperNow to see popular spots and what the parking situation is like at that time of day. You do need cell service/data for this which can be limited in a lot of areas of Jasper National Park though!
- Look up at the night sky: Whether you’re out and about at night or you’re hanging at your hotel, make sure to step outside once the sun sets to see the stars. Jasper is a Dark Sky Preserve which means the stars are so beautiful at night without the light pollution! It also makes seeing the Northern Lights even more amazing too. You can also book tickets to the Jasper Planetarium if you’re interested.
See More on Jasper National Park
- Jasper National Park Ultimate Bucketlist
- Things to do in Jasper in Winter
- Maligne Canyon Ice Walk
- How to Get to Spirit Island in Jasper National Park
- Travelling the Canadian Rockies Without a Car
- Jasper National Park After the Wildfires Vlog
Plan Your Canadian Rockies Trip
🚐 Book Moraine Lake Shuttle Tickets in Advance! Booking with a private, local company is the most stress-free way to book. I have loved using Moraine Lake Bus Company
🌲 Popular experiences in Banff are the Banff Gondola and Sunshine Meadows Gondola/hike
🏔️ Popular experiences in Jasper are the Maligne Lake Boat Cruise, Jasper SkyTram, and Columbia Icefields Tour
🚗 Needing to rent a car? Check out rates with Discover Cars
🏨 Search for your hotel with Booking.com
Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada and just 4 hours from the Canadian Rocky Mountains, I love to travel to Banff and Jasper frequently and also explore new places around the world. Follow along for my tips based on my real adventures!
