Jasper National Park in Canada features majestic mountains, glaciers, caves, canyons, scenic waterfalls, gorges, and rivers. The status of protected lands allowed the preservation of rare plants and animals. For tourists laid out routes for hiking, created a viewing platform, organized rafting in canoes and gondolas.
History of Jasper National Park in Canada
The largest reserve on the territory of Canada was founded in 1907 and covers an area of more than 10 thousand square kilometers. It is located in the Rocky Mountains of the Canadian province of Alberta and was designated a UNESCO site in 1984. The park in the eastern Cordilleras combines differently structured high mountain landscapes and foothills.
Originally, the reserve had the status of a Forest Park. Later in 1930 he received the modern name “Jasper. The reserve was founded to preserve the biodiversity of landscapes and boreal forests.
There are mountain springs, glaciers, alpine meadows, limestone caves, canyons and mountains.
Ancient fossils were found. The place is popular with tourists from Canada, America and other countries of the world. More than 2 million travelers visit the reserve per year, including. from Nevada, Europe.
In the protected park in Canada, scientific work is carried out year-round. Here are highlighted areas where it is forbidden to drive any type of vehicle.
Natural areas of Jasper Park and their description
The space of the reserve is divided into several zones:
- In the 1st are the most rare and in need of protective measures of historical and natural objects. These include the Surprise Valley, home to the House Museum of Jasper, the fur trapper for whom the park is named. A cave with preserved ancient cave paintings and relict fir trees (more than 700 years old) growing in the Sanuapta Valley are on the list.
- In the 2nd, which occupies most of the nature reserve, there are areas of habitat of rare animals and birds. For the mass flow of tourists areas are partially limited. Entry by car is completely prohibited.
- In the 3rd are natural complexes, which are kept intact by the park staff. You can cross the area as part of organized hiking trails, on bicycles or horses.
- The 4th allocates spaces for travelers to relax and conduct seasonal educational programs. Here are the outbuildings, there are points to address organizational issues.
- In the 5th for tourists are different types of recreational and health services.
The main natural attractions of the park, which is worth seeing every tourist
There are hiking trails to the natural attractions in the park, there are observation sites. For the convenience of travelers are equipped with trails with a total length of about 1200 km. You can explore the reserve on your own or with a guide.
Interesting places of the reserve are available for viewing:
- Athabasca Glacier;
- Malin Canyon;
- Athabasca River;
- Medicine Lake, Edith, Annette;
- Sunwapta Falls, Tangle Creek Falls, Snake Indian Falls, etc.
Athabasca Glacier
Canada’s National Wildlife Refuge is home to one of the oldest glaciers on the planet, Athabasca. According to scientists, its age is more than 10 thousand years and the area exceeds 200 square kilometers. In the area rises the top of the Snow Dome (translated as “Snow Dome”).
The glacier is gradually melting and its length to the modern period is less than 6 km. The volume of the facility has decreased by half in 125 years.
Travelling on the glacier is available on foot on paved trails or in small special vehicles, bus-icebreakers. A large parking lot and Columbia Icefield Discovery Center are provided adjacent to the property.
Maligne Canyon
Malin Canyon is a deep valley formed by the erosion of the limestone rock of the river of the same name. The place is popular with hikers, scientists exploring the park’s natural formations.
The depth of the canyon is more than 50 m. The place has picturesque rock outcrops. In the canyon there are waterfalls, outcrops of underground streams. You can meet rare birds, endemic plants.
At the entrance to the canyon is equipped with a large parking lot, there are restaurants for tourists. You can explore the site on paved routes with climbs, stairs and from observation decks.
Medicine lake
The shallow lake is characterized by changes in depth, boundaries depending on the season, climatic conditions. There are trout in the reservoir, and fishing is organized for tourists here.
In the fall, the lake becomes very shallow and almost completely disappears. In early spring, streams from melting glaciers again flood the valley. During the summer there are a lot of trout. There are several viewing platforms on the lake.
Athabasca River
The river, more than 1,200 km long, originates from the Columbia Glacial Formation in Jasper National Park. Р. Athabasca flows at an altitude of about 1600 m. The streams follow a northeasterly direction.
The area of the water basin is 95,300 square kilometers. There are hiking trails along the river, interrupted by the Athabasca Falls. The body of water flows into the mountain Lake Athabasca and forms a delta of up to 1,960 square kilometers.
Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls is considered one of the most powerful in the Rocky Mountains of Canada. It is relatively low, but it allows large flows. The water feature is fed by the Athabasca River, which rises from the cliffs and falls 23 meters down the canyon. There are trail routes nearby.
Lake Malain
Maligne Lake is among the largest in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The length of the reservoir is 22 km. The facility is a 45-50 minute drive down the highway from the town of Jasper.
In the area of the lake there is a small island Spirit Island, to which organize cruises by boat and other watercraft. The trip is about 90 minutes long.
Other lakes and waterfalls to see in Jasper Park
There are more than 1,700 lakes on the territory of the reserve. Many water bodies are located in the mountains. The most picturesque lakes can be reached by car.
On the list:
- Pyramid Lake. A small body of water is located near the town of Jasper. It is adjoined by a small island Pyramid and a bridge. The place is picturesque, suitable for photo shoots. Kayaking trips are organized on the lake.
- Valley of Five Lakes. A complex of 5 small lakes, connected by a hiking trail length of 4.5 km.
- Horseshoe Lake. The horseshoe-shaped reservoir is considered the deepest in the national park. In the surrounding area hold trail rides, organize diving, there are viewing platforms.
- Cavell Lake. The lake is located at the foot of Mount Edith Cavell, 3,363 m high. There are ice floes floating in it that do not melt all year round.
Picturesque waterfalls of the park:
- Sunwapta Falls. The waterfall is on the road from Jasper to Banff. The site is fed by the waters of a turbulent mountain river flowing from the Athabasca Glacier, which cascades down between the rocks. Walks are available for tourists in the lower and upper parts of the waterfall.
- Tangle Creek Falls. A beautiful waterfall is located by the road, convenient for tourists to see.
- Snake Indian Falls. A complex of scenic wild waterfalls.
Fauna and flora of the national park
The inhabitants of the reserve and the unique nature are protected. It is home to various types of pines (twisted, Weymouth, yellow), Douglas fir, larch, fir, juniper, spruce, etc.
The preserve is home to wapiti deer, ibex, bighorn sheep, red squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, wolverines, wolves, and American martens.
In the water bodies of the park live muskrats, beavers, river otters, in the forests there are wood porcupines, moose.
The number of bird species in the preserve is about 200, these are:
- horned owls;
- spruce grouse;
- golden eagles;
- crows;
- white-headed eagles;
- white-tailed grouse, etc.
Recreation and entertainment at Jasper Park
The reserve is considered one of the most visited natural sites in Canada. There are routes for hiking on the territory, organized excursions.
For 1 day you can rent boats, kayaks, canoes, rafts on which to swim in lakes, rivers. Developed infrastructure for organized tourism: built hotels, golf courses, ski slopes.
A visit to the Miette hot springs
The hot springs are located in the park, near Jasper. The water in the basin has an average temperature of about +37 … +40 ° C. Hot springs are artificially created as part of the development of the tourist infrastructure of the area. Water procedures improve blood circulation, promote the removal of toxins. Miette Hot Springs operates from May to November inclusive.
Hike on the Athabasca Glacier with a guide
The park organizes guided climbs to the glacier. Hiking with equipment is safe. Programs for 3 hours run from May to October, routes for professionals (6 hours) are held in July – September.
The glacier is often reached by a special all-terrain bus, and the trip includes a visit to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Tours run at 5 to 30-minute intervals each day from the second half of May through September. The duration of the trip is from 2.5 to 3 hours.
Skywalk and sightseeing from the observation decks
The park provides an environment for safe contemplation of wildlife. Tourist attractions include a visit to the Skywalk. This is a modern observation deck in the rock. Space with a glass bottom. Tickets are purchased at the visitor’s center. Tourists are brought to the point from Jasper along a beautiful trail.
Sightseeing is available from Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint. Tourists can see the glaciers, mountain rivers.
Jasper Skytram Gondola Ride
The panoramas of the reserve can be viewed at an altitude of 2,263 m using the Jasper SkyTram aerial gondola. In the cabins for tourists assigned to a guide, who tells during the trip about the flora, fauna, geology, the history of the formation of the area. There are trails and a restaurant at the top.
The cabins offer a view of the Rocky Mountains and lakes with turquoise water. The trip takes from 7 minutes. Moving is available including. For children, dogs.
Lake cruises
There are cruises on the big lake Maligne to the small island of Spirit Island. The duration of the walk is 90 minutes. The boats fit up to 100 tourists, and there are benches for seating in an enclosed cabin. On the cruise, travelers are accompanied by a guide.
Hiking, rafting and kayaking
The park organizes hiking for 1 day and longer hikes. Available routes through the canyons, the taiga, near the glaciers.
Kayaking and canoeing are available at:
- Lake Annette;
- Patricia Lake;
- Lake Edith;
- Lac Beauvert;
- Athabacka river, etc.
The reserve offers rafting of different levels of complexity. Travelers are advised to take waterproof clothes and a change of clothes.
What else to do in Jasper Park
The park provides:
- dog sledding trips;
- mountain biking trips;
- horseback rides;
- Canyoning and rock climbing;
- fishing, etc.
Stargazing is available in the preserve. The Jasper Planetarium is open year-round.
Practical information for travelers
Before you travel, you need to clarify:
- active trails;
- level of training;
- transport accessibility of facilities;
- weather conditions;
- the cost of accommodation, etc.
The location of Jasper National Park on a map of Canada and how to get there
The reserve is located in the southern part of Canada. Nearby airports are in Calgary and Edmonton. The center of the national park is the city of Jasper. Jasper. You can go to town by rented or private cars. Highway 16 runs through the park. There are trains from Vancouver, Edmonds.
Types of passes to the park and their cost
You can enter the reserve by pass, which costs for 1 day – from $ 10, for children under 17 years of age visit for free. A family pass (for 7 people) is available for $21.
Unlimited passes are issued for 1 year. Adult tickets start at $72 and $61.75 for visitors age 64 and older. A 1-year family pass costs $145.25.
Climate of the region and the best time to visit the park
High season in the park is in July – August, during this time it is warm, you can comfortably pass the routes, rafting, equipment rental, etc.
In the off-season (late September to June) the weather is cool, but prices are reduced and there are fewer visitors.
In December – March, there are winter activities, the ski season opens. Hiking is available from March to May. The season of the visit is chosen according to the objectives of the trip.
Where to stay in Jasper Park
There are campsites on the territory of the reserve, where you can stay in the summer. In Jasper and the surrounding area built hotels, inns, guest houses.
On the list of popular:
- Jasper East Cabins;
- Miette Hot Springs Bungalows;
- The White Brick Inn;
- Filia Inn, etc.
Many hotels have free Wi-Fi.
Popular cafes and restaurants in Jasper
In Jasper you can visit catering establishments:
- Sunhouse Cafe;
- Wicked Cup;
- Alba Restaurant;
- The Raven Bistro;
- Jasper Brewing Company;
- Scoops & Loops, etc.
The restaurants/bistros/cafes offer national, Italian, Mediterranean cuisine. There are bakeries, ice cream parlors, etc.
