3 Days in Jasper Itinerary — No Hiking Boots Required
If you plan a trip to the Canadian Rockies, you can’t miss Jasper National Park. Honestly, it’s my favourite national park (and yes, it’s still worth visiting after the 2024 wildfires). So here is a 3-day Jasper itinerary made for you, so you don’t have to worry about what to do while you are there!
Disclaimer: Just a heads up, this free article contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost. Your support helps me continue to provide helpful and free content for you.
Jasper National Park has stunning mountain views, winding roads, and abundant wildlife. It’s easy to see why so many families visit this beautiful area. Plus, it’s less crowded than his neighbour, Banff National Park.
In this article, I’m giving you a detailed Jasper National Park itinerary to help you plan your trip to one of the most beautiful national parks of the Canadian Rockies that doesn’t require much hiking experience.
If you have already packed your hiking boots, that’s even better! But if you don’t, you’ll still have the time of your life!
How many days do you need in Jasper?
While you can see the highlights of Jasper in a day or two, I highly recommend stating for at least 3 nights to have a full 2 or 3 days to explore.
How to get to Jasper?
- From Calgary: The drive from Calgary to Jasper takes about 5 hours. But plan for a full day. First, head west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) toward Banff. Once you pass Lake Louise, take Highway 93 North—the Icefields Parkway. This is one of the most scenic drives in the world, so take your time and enjoy the views! You’ll pass glaciers, waterfalls, and lakes before arriving in Jasper.
- From Edmonton: Coming from Edmonton is the quickest way to Jasper. It’s about a 4-hour drive. Simply take Highway 16 West, also called the Yellowhead Highway. It’s a straight, easy drive with plenty of gas stations and small towns along the way to stop for a break if needed.
- From Clearview, BC: If you’re starting in Clearview (near Kamloops), expect a drive of around 6 hours. Head east on Highway 1 toward Kamloops, then merge onto Highway 5 North, the Coquihalla Highway. Follow Highway 5 past Clearwater until you reach Tête Jaune Cache. There, you’ll join Highway 16 East and follow it straight into Jasper. It’s a beautiful route, especially in summer and fall!
No matter where you start, make sure your car is ready for mountain driving and look for wildlife along the way.
Note: For this itinerary, we’ll start in Banff, and follow the Icefields Parkway (one of the most scenic drives in Alberta).
⛔ Remember to look at the Parks Canada Trail Conditions website before heading out to Jasper National Park to find out what is open and what is not. Also, a Parks Canada pass is required for the entire time you’re in the Rockies, including both Banff and Jasper National Parks.
Day 1: Drive to Jasper (along the Icefields Parkway)
Plan for an early start as you make your way from to Jasper via the Icefields Parkway. It’s one of the most scenic drives in Canada, so take your time and make as many stops as you want.
To make the drive even better, we highly recommend downloading the GuideAlong audio tour for the Canadian Rockies. It’s a great way to learn about the area as you drive, with fun stories, facts, and tips for where to stop.
The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) runs 232 km between Lake Louise and Jasper. While the drive takes around 4.5 hours without stops, you’ll definitely want to give yourself the whole day.
Suggested Stops on the Way to Jasper:
- Bow Lake – A peaceful spot to stretch your legs. Walk along the lakeshore and take in the views.
- Peyto Lake – A short 2.4 km (1.5-mile) hike brings you to one of the best viewpoints in the Rockies. See if you can spot the wolf shape in the lake’s outline!
- Saskatchewan River Crossing – A good place for a quick stop or bathroom break.
- Tangle Falls – Right off the highway, this roadside waterfall is a quick and beautiful photo stop.
- Columbia Icefield & Athabasca Glacier – For a bigger adventure, hike part of the Wilcox Pass Trail to the first viewpoint. You’ll get a panoramic view of the glacier and can take a photo with the iconic Parks Canada red chairs.
- Bonus Stop: The Columbia Icefield Skywalk, if you’re up for a glass-floored walkway high above the valley.
- Athabasca Falls – A powerful, dramatic waterfall with safe, easy paths and viewing platforms. Great for kids and photographers.
- Sunwapta Falls – Another beautiful stop with a short walk to a narrow canyon and waterfall—quick and impressive.
- Goats and Glaciers Viewpoint – A classic pullout where you might spot mountain goats on the cliffs, with glaciers in the backdrop.
- Valley of the Five Lakes (CLOSED for 2024-2025) A family-friendly hike just south of Jasper with vibrant turquoise lakes, forest trails, and the perfect spot for a picnic. The short loop is about 4.5 km.
By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Jasper, where you can walk around town, grab dinner, and start soaking in the laid-back vibe of the Rockies.
Day 2: SkyTram, Beaches and Planetarium
SkyTram
Start your day with a trip up the SkyTram for stunning views.
A great family activity to enjoy while in Jasper is riding the SkyTram. This is one of the most popular attractions in the area, and for good reason.
The SkyTram is a cable car that takes visitors up Whistlers Mountain, over 2,200 meters high. As you ascend the mountain, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the surrounding area.
The SkyTram is open from March to October so that you can experience the beauty of Jasper National Park during most of the year.
One of the best things about the SkyTram is its accessibility to everyone. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the views from the top of Whistlers Mountain. The cable car is fully enclosed and has large windows, so you can take in the scenery from the warmth and comfort of the cabin.
🚡 Book Your Jasper SkyTram Tour
Once at the top, there are several viewpoints and trails to discover. You can also see some neighboring mountains, such as Indian Ridge, Marmot Peak, Pyramid Mountain, and Mount Robson.
Before heading back down, you can grab a coffee, snack, or dine at either of their cafés: The Summit Café or Basecamp Café.
Lake Annette and Lake Edith
As you continue your day, drive to Lakes Annette and Edith, which are pretty close to one another.
Both Lake Annette and Lake Edith are glacier-fed lakes that boast that mesmerizing turquoise colour we all love and breathtaking views year-round.
Lake Annette is the smallest of the two lakes, but it still possesses crystal-clear water and a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy various activities, including fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking around the lake’s perimeter. There are also plenty of picnic areas and benches for visitors to relax and take in the beauty of their surroundings.
Lake Edith, on the other hand, is the larger of the two lakes and offers even more activities for visitors to enjoy. In the summer, visitors can dip in the cool water or rent a paddleboat to explore the lake. During winter, the lake freezes over and becomes a popular spot for ice skating and fishing.
No matter what time of year you visit, Lake Annette and Lake Edith will leave you in awe of their natural beauty and tranquillity.
Jasper Planetarium
End your day with a magical visit to the Planetarium. You’ll find it a short distance away from Lake Annette and Lake Edith.
Inside the Planetarium, visitors can explore the universe’s wonders through interactive exhibits, multimedia displays, and live presentations by experts.
The facility has a full-dome theatre that projects stunning images of space onto the ceiling, allowing visitors to feel like they are truly among the stars.
Day 3: Maligne Lake Road
Kick off your day on a scenic drive along the 46km Maligne Lake Road.
Note: Some attractions are closed due to the Jasper Wildfire 2024, like Maligne Canyon
Medicine Lake
Medicine Lake is a beautiful lake between Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake. The lake is famous for its mesmerizing turquoise-blue colour and stunning scenery. During the summer, the lake flows with water; however, in fall and winter, the water “magically disappears.”
Although there is nothing magical about it but rather scientific, the water drains through sinkholes in the lake’s bottom, travels through a cave system, and reappears 16 km downstream in Maligne Lake.
The lake is also home to rainbow and brook trout fish species, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts. Please note the fishing restrictions here. The surrounding area is also home to wildlife, including elk, moose, and bears.
The lake is in a valley surrounded by towering mountains. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy the views before heading to Maligne Lake.
Maligne Lake & a boat tour
Can you say you’ve been to Jasper if you didn’t visit Maligne Lake? Maligne Lake is one of the most popular spots in the area because the lake is surrounded by picturesque mountain scenery.
Maligne Lake is famous for its stunning turquoise colour, caused by the glacial sediment that flows into the lake from the nearby mountains and glaciers – just like other lakes, such as Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. You can enjoy various activities at Maligne Lake, such as kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and fishing.
In the summer, the lake is a popular spot for picnics and scenic drives, while in the winter, it offers ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities.
When visiting Maligne Lake, you can’t miss visiting Spirit Island, a sacred and spiritual island on the lake. Interestingly, it only becomes an island during Spring when the water level rises and separates it from the shore.
The island is only accessible by watercraft, which makes the journey to Spirit Island even more special. You can either take a tour or take your kayak or canoe. If you consider the latter, know that it will be a pretty long paddle (about 14 km each way from the docks at Home Bay) – but worth it!
🛥️ Book Your Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island Tour
The island has a rich history and cultural significance to the indigenous people of the region – the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. Visitors can learn about the island’s history through interpretive signage and guided tours. The island is also a popular spot for photography, with its stunning natural beauty and serene surroundings.
Some of the hiking trails near the lake are:
- Mary Schaeffer Loop, 3.2 km easy loop – 62 m of elevation gain
- Moose Lake Loop, 2.7 moderate loop – 108 m of elevation gain
- Spirit Island Lookout, 0.3 easy loop – 1 m of elevation gain (you can only access this lookout by watercraft)
Alternative activity:
If you’re not interested in the Maligne Lake Boat Tour, I recommend water rafting instead with Jasper Raft Tours.
Jasper Raft Tours offers a relaxed rafting experience called the “Easy Scenic Rafting Jasper”. It’s perfect for families. Kids as young as 3 years old can join.
The full experience takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, starting with a fun 20-minute ride in a classic yellow school bus from downtown Jasper to the launch point on the Athabasca River.
Once you’re on the water, you’ll float through some of Jasper’s most stunning scenery. It’s gentle, safe for kids, and a great way to see the park from a new perspective.
You might get splashed (the water is cold, even in summer), but that’s half the fun. Our kids laughed every time we hit a bump and got wet. Along the way, watch for wildlife (we spotted eagles overhead and even saw a wapiti and her baby on a small river island).
It was one of the highlights of our trip.
Final thoughts: 3 days in Jasper
Spending three days in Jasper gave our family the perfect mix of mountain views, relaxed adventures, and quality time together without the need to commit to long hikes or complicated plans.
Every part of this Jasper National Park itinerary offers something memorable, from turquoise lakes and scenic drives to easy walks, wildlife sightings, and stargazing at the Planetarium.
If you’re thinking about visiting Jasper, go for it. You don’t need hiking boots or backcountry gear to have a great time, just a sense of adventure and a few layers for the weather.
It’s one of those places that leaves you planning your next visit before leaving town.
Start planning your Canada road trip here:
🗺️ Let me create your road trip itinerary
📍Download the cross-Canada road trip map
☎️ Book a Discovery Call With Me (and get started on your itinerary)
🚗 Join our Family Road Trip Facebook Group
📧 Subscribe to our newsletter and get exclusive content
