🇨🇦Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is Canada's largest Rocky Mountain park, offering families glacier walks, wildlife watching, hot springs, and world-class mountain scenery in Alberta.

Your family guide

Jasper National Park with kids: glaciers, wildlife and mountain lakes

“Grizzly bears, turquoise glacier lakes and the Athabasca Glacier underfoot. Jasper does mountain parks as they were meant to be.”

— San & Jo

Jasper National Park is Canada's largest Rocky Mountain national park, and the moment families drive through its gates, the scale becomes clear. Spanning 10,878 square kilometres of Alberta wilderness, this UNESCO World Heritage Site combines mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife into one spectacular setting that delivers on its promises.

The park is anchored by the charming Town of Jasper, which gives your family a comfortable base with restaurants, ice cream shops, and souvenir stores just minutes from the wilderness. From here, you can drive the legendary Icefields Parkway, walk on an ancient glacier, soak in the hottest natural hot springs in the Canadian Rockies, or simply pull over and watch elk graze by the roadside.

What makes Jasper special for families is the sheer range of experiences on offer. Relaxed lake cruises and hot springs soaks sit comfortably alongside white-water rafting and challenging summit hikes. You choose the pace and the adventure level, and the park delivers something extraordinary at every turn.

Alberta, CanadaCanadian Rockies

10,878 km²Canada's largest Rocky Mountain park

UNESCO World Heritage SiteSince 1984

Best things to do

Best things to do in Jasper National Park

Athabasca Falls

Watch the turquoise waters of the Athabasca River thunder 25 metres into a narrow canyon with the Rocky Mountains as your backdrop. The viewing platforms are accessible and the power of the falls leaves kids genuinely speechless. It is one of those stops that earns its place on every family itinerary.

Visit early morning to beat the crowds and catch the best light on the water

30-60 minutes

Walk on the Athabasca Glacier

The Athabasca Glacier is part of the Columbia Icefield and covers around 6 square kilometres with depths of up to 300 metres. You can actually walk on the glacier surface, which is one of those rare experiences that children talk about for years. It is a vivid, hands-on lesson in geography that no classroom can replicate.

Wear layers even in summer as the temperature on the ice drops quickly

2-3 hours

Maligne Lake boat cruise to Spirit Island

Maligne Lake is the largest glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies, famous for its intensely blue mineral-rich waters framed by glaciers and peaks. A scenic boat cruise takes you to Spirit Island, considered the most photographed island in the world. The views across the lake make excellent photos.

Book your cruise in advance during summer as spots fill up fast

90 minutes

Drive the Icefields Parkway

The 230-kilometre Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular mountain drives in the world. Pull over at dozens of viewpoints, stretch your legs on short trails, and watch for wildlife along the roadside. With kids in the car, this is genuinely one of the best road trip routes on the planet.

Keep your camera on the passenger seat as wildlife can appear at any viewpoint without warning

Half day to full day

Soak at Miette Hot Springs

Miette Hot Springs are the hottest natural hot springs in the Canadian Rockies, and soaking in the thermal pools after a day of hiking is a family ritual worth building your itinerary around. The mountain setting is stunning, and younger kids especially love the warm water surrounded by forest.

Go in the evening for a quieter experience and a chance to stargaze from the pools

1-2 hours

Jasper SkyTram

Canada's highest and longest guided aerial tramway whisks your family up to panoramic mountain views and opens up hiking trails at the summit. Even if you skip the hike, the ride itself delivers jaw-dropping views that make the price feel worthwhile. It is a great option on days when the weather is mixed at lower elevations.

Check the summit webcam before you go as cloud cover can obscure the views

2-3 hours

Stargazing in a Dark Sky Preserve

Jasper National Park is one of the largest Dark Sky Preserves in the world, with minimal light pollution giving your family a front-row seat to the Milky Way and occasional Northern Lights. Spread out a blanket near Pyramid Lake or anywhere away from town lights and let the sky do the talking. It is one of those experiences that reminds everyone why you came.

Download a star-mapping app before your trip so your kids can identify constellations in real time

1-2 hours after dark

Wildlife watching

Jasper is home to grizzly bears, black bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and caribou, and sightings are genuinely common rather than a lucky bonus. The best times to spot animals are early morning and evening, so adjust your schedule accordingly. Parks Canada also runs North America's first caribou conservation breeding program here, which is a fascinating story to share with older kids.

Keep a wildlife tally with your kids to turn every drive into a game

Ongoing throughout your visit

Our verdict

How Jasper National Park scores for families

Kids

Glacier walks, wildlife sightings, hot springs, and a gondola ride make this a destination where children are genuinely engaged from morning to night.

Nature

Few places on earth match Jasper for sheer natural drama. Glaciers, canyons, turquoise lakes, and mountain peaks in every direction.

Adventure

White-water rafting, challenging hikes, glacier walks, and aerial tramways give active families more than enough to fill a week.

Food

The Town of Jasper punches above its weight with wild game dishes, family-owned restaurants, and casual spots for kids. Not a huge variety but quality is solid.

Budget

Parks Canada entry fees, gondola tickets, and glacier experiences add up. Budget carefully, but most families find it worth every dollar.

Planning your visit

How long should you stay in Jasper National Park?

2 days

Quick taste

Hit Athabasca Falls, the glacier, and one lake. You will leave wanting more.

sweet spot

4 days

Sweet spot

Enough time for the Icefields Parkway, Maligne Lake, hot springs, SkyTram, and wildlife watching without rushing.

7 days

Full explorer

Add Maligne Canyon, Pyramid Lake, longer hikes, and evening stargazing sessions. You will feel like a local by the end.

Fun facts

Things to know about Jasper National Park

Named after a fur trader

The park takes its name from Jasper Haws, a fur trader who took command of a trading post near the Athabasca River in 1817. That post became known as Jasper's House, and the name stuck for over 200 years.

One of the world's best places to see the Milky Way

Jasper National Park is a certified Dark Sky Preserve, meaning light pollution is so low that on a clear night you can see the Milky Way stretching across the sky with your naked eye. Northern Lights sightings are also possible here.

The glacier is ancient and enormous

The Athabasca Glacier is up to 300 metres deep in places and has been forming for thousands of years. When you stand on it, you are standing on ice that is older than most human civilisations.

Taste Jasper

Where to eat with kids in Jasper National Park

BeaverTails

Kids love it

Available at casual vendors in the Town of Jasper

These traditional Canadian fried pastries are the go-to casual treat in the Town of Jasper. Think crispy, doughy, and topped with sweet toppings. Kids absolutely love them and they are the perfect fuel between adventures.

Bison meatballs with fried bannock

Must try

Evil Dave's Grill

Bannock is a traditional bread with deep roots in Canadian Indigenous culture, and pairing it with local bison is a genuinely memorable meal. It is a great way to introduce kids to regional food that feels different from home.

Fresh pressed juices and homemade smoothies

Safe choice

Harvest Food and Drink

After a long morning on the trails, Harvest Food and Drink is a lifesaver for families. The fresh juices, smoothies, sandwiches, and paninis hit the spot for both kids and parents, and the relaxed vibe makes it easy to recharge.

Earl Grey candied salmon

Local favourite

Fiddle River Restaurant

Fiddle River Restaurant serves mountain-view dining with wild game and fresh seafood at the centre of the menu. The Earl Grey candied salmon is a standout dish that adventurous eaters in the family will not forget.

Pub fare and local craft beer

Daily treat

Jasper Brewing Company

Jasper Brewing Company is a popular casual pub in the heart of town where families can wind down after a big day outdoors. The pub fare is straightforward and kid-friendly, and parents get to sample locally brewed craft beers.

More places in Canadian Rockies

6 places

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.