🇨🇦Jasper

Jasper sits inside its own national park in Alberta, Canada. Expect elk on the streets, glacier lakes, a sky full of stars, and outdoor adventures for the whole family.

Your family guide

Jasper: a national park town for families

“Elk on the streets, glacier lakes and skies without light pollution. Jasper delivers what other mountain towns promise.”

— San & Jo

Jasper is different from other towns. It sits entirely inside Jasper National Park, so when you arrive, you're already in the wilderness. Elk wander through the streets, the air smells like pine, and mountains rise up in every direction. It's one of those places that makes children stop and look around.

The town itself has a warm, unhurried feel. There are bakeries, ice cream shops, and cosy restaurants tucked between outfitters and souvenir stores. It works brilliantly as a base for exploring the park, whether your family wants easy lakeside walks, a gondola ride above the treeline, or a proper wildlife spotting adventure. You can do as much or as little as you like.

Jasper National Park spans more than 11,000 square kilometres and is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. That sounds enormous, and it is. But the town keeps things human-sized and manageable, which is exactly what you need when you are travelling with kids.

Alberta, CanadaCanadian Rockies

11,000+ km²National park size

June to SeptemberBest time to visit

Best things to do

Best things to do in Jasper

Jasper SkyTram

Canada's longest and highest guided aerial tramway whisks your family up Whistlers Mountain to around 2,263 metres above sea level. The views across six mountain ranges are genuinely jaw-dropping. At the top, you can walk an accessible interpretive boardwalk or hike a further 1.4 km trail to the 2,463-metre summit. Kids love spotting the tiny town below.

Go early to beat the crowds and catch the clearest skies

2-3 hours

Maligne Lake

The largest glacier lake in Jasper National Park is one of the most photographed spots in all of Canada. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and dense forest, it is stunning even if you just stand at the shore. You can take a boat cruise to the iconic Spirit Island, or hire a canoe or paddleboard for a more hands-on adventure. Check Parks Canada for current access updates following the 2024 wildfires.

Book the Spirit Island boat cruise well in advance during summer

Half day

Wildlife spotting in the park

Jasper National Park is one of the best places in North America to see large wildlife in the wild. Elk, moose, bears, caribou, bighorn sheep, and deer are spotted with near certainty throughout the park. You can explore on your own or join a guided wildlife tour lasting between one and six hours. Either way, make sure the kids have their cameras ready.

Dawn and dusk are peak wildlife activity times

1-6 hours

Icefields Parkway

This 232-km scenic drive connecting Jasper to Banff is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Glaciers, thundering waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and towering peaks line the route. Even younger kids tend to stay glued to the window. Athabasca Falls, about 30 km from town, is a brilliant stop with a powerful waterfall your family can walk right up to.

Stop at Athabasca Falls early before the tour buses arrive

Full day

Miette Hot Springs

The hottest natural hot springs in the Canadian Rockies make for a wonderfully relaxing family afternoon. The warm mineral waters are set against a dramatic mountain backdrop, and the pools are suitable for all ages. It is a brilliant wind-down after a big hiking day, and younger kids absolutely love splashing around in the warm water.

Bring your own towels to save on rental fees

2-3 hours

Pyramid and Patricia Lakes

Just 15 minutes from town, these two lakes offer mountain reflections, sandy beaches, easy trails, and a scenic little island connected by a bridge. You can paddleboard, canoe, or simply picnic by the water. In winter, the area is great for snowshoeing. It is one of the most accessible and family-friendly spots in the entire park.

The island bridge at Pyramid Lake makes for a great photo stop

2-4 hours

Stargazing at the Dark Sky Preserve

Jasper is designated as a Natural Dark Sky Preserve, making it one of the best places in Canada to see the Milky Way, meteor showers, and on lucky nights, the Northern Lights. The Jasper Planetarium runs stargazing programmes with telescopes that work brilliantly for curious children. On a clear night, even without a programme, the sky above Jasper is spectacular.

The Jasper Planetarium runs ticketed evening sessions; book ahead

2 hours

Our verdict

How Jasper scores for families

Kids

Jasper is brilliant for families. Wildlife, gondolas, hot springs, and lake paddling give kids of all ages something to genuinely get excited about.

Nature

This is as good as it gets. You are inside one of the largest national parks in the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by glaciers, mountains, and abundant wildlife.

Food

A solid mix of casual spots and quality restaurants. Locally sourced bison, poutine, and fresh-baked cinnamon buns make the food scene genuinely enjoyable.

Culture

The history as a fur-trading post and the unique governance of a town inside a national park give Jasper an interesting story. The Dark Sky Preserve adds something extra.

Budget

Jasper is not cheap. National park fees, gondola tickets, and guided tours add up quickly. That said, many of the best experiences, like wildlife spotting and lake walks, are free.

Planning your visit

How long should you stay in Jasper?

2 days

Quick visit

SkyTram, Athabasca Falls, and a lakeside walk. You will get a taste, but you will wish you had more time.

sweet spot

4 days

Sweet spot

Enough time for the highlights plus a day on the Icefields Parkway, hot springs, and an evening of stargazing. This is how most families do Jasper properly.

7 days

Deep dive

A full week lets you slow down, do longer hikes, join guided wildlife tours, and really settle into the rhythm of mountain life.

Fun facts

Things to know about Jasper

Named after a fur trader

Jasper National Park takes its name from Jasper Haws, a fur trader who took charge of a trading post called Jasper House near the Athabasca River back in 1817. The town that grew up around it kept his name.

A town inside a national park

Jasper is one of the only municipalities in Alberta that sits entirely inside a national park. That means the town and Parks Canada share the job of looking after it, which makes Jasper genuinely unlike any other place in Canada.

One of Canada's best stargazing spots

Jasper is officially designated as a Natural Dark Sky Preserve. On a clear night, the Milky Way is visible with the naked eye, and during meteor showers the sky puts on a show that kids talk about for years.

Taste Jasper

Where to eat with kids in Jasper

Cinnamon buns

Daily treat

Bear's Paw Bakery

Bear's Paw Bakery is a beloved local institution and the cinnamon buns are the stuff of legend. Warm, sticky, and enormous, they make the perfect start to a big day in the park. Arrive early because they sell out.

Short rib poutine

Must try

Various spots in town

Poutine is a Canadian classic, and Jasper does it well. The short rib poutine brunch bowl version is a hearty, comforting meal that kids and adults both tend to devour after a morning outdoors.

Juniper-rubbed bison

Local favourite

Tekarra Restaurant

Bison features prominently on menus across Jasper. It has a slightly gamey, rich flavour that is celebrated in dishes like juniper-rubbed bison at local restaurants. A genuine taste of the Canadian Rockies.

Alberta-inspired pub food

Safe choice

Jasper Brewing Co.

Jasper Brewing Co. is a well-known local brewery and restaurant with a focus on craft beer and Alberta-inspired cuisine. The food menu is solid and family-friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.

Italian with a mountain view

Kids love it

Orso Trattoria

Orso Trattoria serves casual-fine Italian food with views over Lac Beauvert and is considered one of the most scenic patios in Jasper. The pasta and pizza options make it a reliable choice when the kids want something familiar.

More places in Canadian Rockies

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Athabasca Glacier

Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park is the most-visited glacier in North America, offering Ice Explorer rides, a glass-floored Skywalk, and guided ice walks for families.