What to Do in Jasper This Season for Awe, Adventure, and Relaxation

The journey to Jasper is a stunning introduction to the Canadian Rockies.

Rocky Mountaineer offers two rail routes between Jasper and Vancouver. Journey through the Clouds takes you east through the heart of the Rockies, and Rainforest to Gold Rush is a less-traveled route that winds through British Columbia's northern wilderness. Each showcases a different side of Western Canada.

Depending on where you begin, the journey either sets the stage for what lies ahead or offers a final, reflective chapter before your adventure concludes.

• The Jasper SkyTram lifts you nearly a kilometre (just over half a mile) above the valley to the upper slopes of Whistlers Mountain. At the top, you’ll find crisp alpine air, panoramic views of six mountain ranges, and the chance to explore further on trails like Whistlers Trail or Whistlers Summit Trail. Keep your eyes open: this is prime territory for spotting curious ground squirrels, pikas darting between rocks, or even hearing the whistle of a hoary marmot.
• Travel the Icefields Parkway on the Columbia Icefield Adventure and Skywalk tour. Stop for photos at glacier viewpoints and waterfalls, then ride onto the Athabasca Glacier in an Ice Explorer. Afterward, step out onto the glass-floored Skywalk for sweeping views of Sunwapta Valley.
• Or explore Maligne Valley on the Explore Maligne tour. It stops at Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake and finishes with a serene boat cruise to Spirit Island, one of Jasper’s most recognisable landmarks.

• Drive the scenic Fiddle Valley to Miette Hot Springs, home to the hottest mineral waters in the Canadian Rockies. Natural spring water surges from the mountain at a steamy 54°C (129°F) before being cooled to a soothing 40°C (104°F) as it enters the pools. A soak here wraps you in warmth amidst nature's grandeur.
• Recognised as one of the top resort spas in Canada, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a quiet place to relax and recharge. ​Nestled along the serene shores of Lac Beauvert, the spa draws inspiration from nature, offering treatments like a lavender-infused stone massage or a maple-butter body wrap. After your treatment, you can unwind in the eucalyptus-infused steam room, dry sauna, or the outdoor heated pool overlooking the lake.
• Grab a book or get a takeaway lunch from one of Jasper’s local restaurants or cafés and go for a picnic. Around town, Pyramid Lake, Patricia Lake, and Cottonwood Slough offer peaceful spots for lunch or a stretch of reading time.
• If you're up for a stroll, the Jasper Discovery Trail is a loop that wraps around Jasper with shaded paths and interpretive signs inviting you to linger. There’s no specific trailhead because you can jump on the loop from any point in town, but most people start on the paved path by the railroad.

• Indigenous-led experiences like Warrior Women’s Wapakwanis Plant Walk or Fireside Chat, as well as Jasper Tour Company’s private wildlife and history tours, offer deep insight into traditional knowledge and relationships with the land.
• To understand the human side of the park’s story, head to the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives. It covers everything from early exploration and railway construction to mountain culture and conservation.
• In the evening, the sky becomes the main event. Designated as a Dark Sky Preserve, Jasper National Park is one of the best places in the world to stargaze. The Jasper Planetarium offers a planetarium and telescope tour for a guided look at constellations and celestial wonders. If you prefer to go at your own pace, head to Pyramid Lake, Lake Annette, or the edge of town—anywhere away from streetlights—and look up. All you need is a clear night.
• If wildlife is what you’re hoping to see, a guided tour is your best bet. While there are no guarantees, with some help, you might see a moose standing in the shallows, bears near the treeline, or bighorn sheep grazing on rocky slopes. Try the Early Bird Tour to catch the forest waking up, or head out later for the Evening Wildlife Search, when animals tend to be more active. The Summer Wildlife Discovery Tour is ideal if you prefer a slower pace with more interpretation along the way, while the Premium Wildlife Search offers smaller groups and more time to ask questions. 

• Named one of the world’s best by Golf Digest, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course offers a chance to play where the mountain vistas just might outshine your scorecard. The course reopens in July 2025.
• Explore the work of local artists at the Jasper Art Gallery and browse shops and boutiques for handmade goods and mountain-inspired keepsakes. Connaught Drive, the street facing the train station, and nearby Patricia Street are great places to stroll and shop.
• You have to eat eventually, so why not join a guided culinary walk with Jasper Food Tours? Meet new people, try four local restaurants in three hours, and take in some points of interest along the way. Or plan your visit around Taste of Spring, a seasonal celebration of the region’s best bites and drinks.
• When the weather cooperates, pull up a chair on one of Jasper’s many patios, order something local, and enjoy the view.

• Capture Jasper National Park’s majesty on a photography tour. Join a golden hour outing, explore the night sky through long exposure, or learn new tricks on a phone photography walk. Each tour will slow you down and help you see the park’s quieter magic.
• Take to the skies on a helicopter tour for an unforgettable view of Jasper’s backcountry. Soar above expansive forests, turquoise rivers, and rugged ridgelines for a perspective few visitors ever experience.
• Glide across calm waters on a canoe tour guided by a local who knows the lakes’ natural rhythms and hidden corners. As you paddle, you’ll hear stories about the land and wildlife and maybe even spot an elk or loon from the water.