Summary
Jasper is home to the famed Columbia Icefield and rugged, rocky snow-capped peaks. It’s a place every North American should see.
Nearby Cities with Budget Rooms
The town of Jasper has tourist facilities but is smaller than Banff, its cousin 165 miles to the south. Hinton is about 80 km (50 mi) from Jasper and offers a few chain hotels. It’s conveniently located on the road to Edmonton.
Camping and Lodge Facilities
Jasper has 13 campgrounds within its boundaries, representing a wide variety of services and comfort levels. Whistlers offers the widest array of services at $38 CAD per night. Other campgrounds have fees that go as low as $15.70 for primitive sites located in more remote areas.
Backcountry permits cost $9.80, and if you’ll be in the area for more than a week, an annual permit is available for $68.70. Notably, backcountry passes purchased in Jasper are also valid for parks like Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks.
Top Free Attractions in the Park
Once you’ve paid your entry fee, there are numerous captivating sites to explore that won’t incur additional costs. The Icefields Parkway’s northern terminus is the town of Jasper, extending to the southern park boundary near the Athabasca Glacier and into Banff National Park. Here you’ll discover dozens of pull-offs, hiking trailheads, and picnic areas amidst some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery.
Two iconic attractions in Jasper are the Athabasca Glacier and Mt. Edith Cavell. While it is possible to pay significant fees to ride motorized vehicles onto the glacier, simply standing behind a cable line to observe it is free of charge. However, it is critical to avoid venturing onto the glacier on foot due to hidden crevasses. Each year, unfortunate visitors fall into these crevasses and may suffer from hypothermia before help arrives. An extensive visitor center located just across the parkway provides detailed explanations about glaciers and the history of Athabasca. This glacier is part of the larger Columbia Icefield, encompassing 325 sq. km (200 sq. mi.) with up to 7 m (23 ft) of annual snowfall.
Mt. Edith Cavell, soaring above 11,000 feet, features a hanging glacier on its north face, with trails available for hikers of various abilities. It is advisable to check local conditions on any hiking trails before setting out, especially during the spring or fall.
Parking and Transportation
Parking is generally free; however, it can be challenging to find during peak season at many trailheads and scenic pull-offs. The major roads across the park are Highway 16 (east-west) and Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway), which connects to Lake Louise and Banff to the south.
Admission Fees
Canadian national park entry fees do not apply to individuals simply driving through the park without the intent to stop. However, for those actually visiting overlooks, hiking trails, and attractions, adults pay a daily fee of $9.80 CAD, seniors pay $8.30, and youth can enter for $4.90. Although these fees can accumulate quickly, visitors can opt for a fixed fee for their entire car of $19.60 per day. This fee can be settled at visitor centers, and for added convenience, it’s best to pay for multiple days at once, displaying the receipt on the windshield. Those who attempt to evade payment risk hefty fines, so be sure to comply. The fee grants access to any Canadian national park during its validity period.
Nearest Major Airports
The nearest major airport is Edmonton International, located 401 km (243 mi, approximately four hours of driving) from the town of Jasper. Calgary International Airport is somewhat farther at 437 km (265 mi) from the Jasper townsite. It is important to note that Jasper National Park is extensive, meaning some regions of the park may be closer to the Calgary airport than to Edmonton.
Budget Airlines to Shop
WestJet serves as a budget airline providing services to both Edmonton and Calgary.
