Canada

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Jasper

Mountain town base for Jasper National Park

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Best time to visit: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Currency: CAD
Time zone: UTC-6
Country: Canada

Photo: Blacknail at English Wikipedia, Public domain

Jasper is a small townsite in the Athabasca River valley and the commercial centre of Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies. People come for wildlife, glaciers, lakes, hiking, skiing and the Icefields Parkway.

Largest cities

Toronto
Montreal
Vancouver
Calgary
Ottawa

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Canada
Capital: Ottawa
Town population: 4,738
Population of Canada: 37M
Country area: 9,984,670 km²
Official language: English and French
Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD) · 1 USD ≈ 1.43 CAD
Time zone: UTC-6
Calling code: +1
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 1,062 m
Plugs: A / B · 120V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	-3°	-2°	4°	8°	15°	19°	25°	24°	20°	10°	1°	-4°
Low	-12°	-14°	-9°	-5°	1°	5°	11°	10°	6°	-1°	-10°	-13°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$95
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$220
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$515

Plan a trip to Jasper

Top things to do

Free
Jasper Information Centre
Heritage building on Connaught Drive with park maps, trail conditions and staff advice; stop here first to plan the rest of the trip.
- Half day
- Connaught Drive
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $8
Jasper-Yellowhead Museum
Small local museum on the history of the town, the railway and the national park; a good rainy-day option in the townsite.
- Half day
- Jasper townsite
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $45
Jasper Skytram
Cable car up The Whistlers with wide views over the valley; the upper station is high and cold, so bring a jacket even in summer.
- Half day
- Jasper townsite
- Good for kids
Free
Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake
Short drive or bike ride from town for lakeside walks, canoeing and mountain views; the shore is a quiet spot for sunset.
- Half day
- Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Old Fort Point
Short uphill loop across the Athabasca River with views over the townsite; the trail is steep in places and can be icy in winter.
- Half day
- Jasper townsite
- Good for kids
≈ $100
Marmot Basin
Ski and snowboard area about 20 minutes from town with 3,000 vertical feet of terrain; check snow and road conditions before driving up in winter.
- Full day
- Jasper townsite
- Good for kids
Free
Maligne Lake
Day trip along Maligne Road past Medicine Lake to the lake and its boat house; watch for wildlife on the road and start early in summer.
- Full day
- Maligne Road and Maligne Lake
- Good for kids
Free
Icefields Parkway
Scenic drive south on Highway 93 toward the Columbia Icefield and Lake Louise; fill the fuel tank in Jasper and allow a full day.
- Full day
- Maligne Road and Maligne Lake
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter or transit through Canada; British citizens and many other nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 6 months but usually need an eTA if arriving by air. Land and sea arrivals from the US do not need an eTA, but must carry acceptable travel documents. Temporary Ebola-related border measures are in place for travellers arriving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, and have been extended until November 27, 2026. Check the official Government of Canada page to see whether you need a visa or eTA before booking.

Official website

From the airport

Most visitors arrive by road on Highway 16 from Edmonton (about 4 hours) or on Highway 93 from Banff and Lake Louise (about 4 hours), and everyone stopping in the park needs a park pass. Jasper station is served by VIA Rail and the Rocky Mountaineer, and the nearest airports are Edmonton International and Calgary International, both reached by bus or car.

Getting around

The townsite is small and walkable, but the national park needs a car, a taxi or a tour bus; bikes can be rented in summer.

Local tips

Buy a Parks Canada park pass before or on arrival, even if you only stop in town.
Summer days are warm but nights are cold, and mountain weather changes fast, so carry layers and rain gear.
Book hotels, tours and Marmot Basin or tram tickets well ahead for July, August and the ski season.
Keep a safe distance from elk, bears and other wildlife, and carry bear spray on trails.