Planning a trip to Jasper and looking for a Jasper National Park itinerary? If you are planning your trip to Jasper National Park then you will want to know the top things to do in Jasper. You can see most of the top attractions in Jasper National Park in 4 days. Below you will find a detailed 4 day Jasper National Park itinerary that details Jasper attractions, where to stay, as well as suggestions on where to eat.
For sunset lovers, I have included in the Jasper National Park Itinerary the best locations for sunsets. The Jasper National Park itinerary also includes various hike suggestions. There are so many hiking trails that it is impossible to experience them all in four days.
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HEADING TO ALBERTA? CHECK OUT THESE POSTS TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP:
Things to Do In Jasper National Park in the Summer
Top Things to do In Banff National Park in the Summer
Day 1 Jasper National Park Itinerary
MORNING: Arrive at Edmonton Airport
DAY: Drive 4 hours to Jasper National Park
EVENING: Hotel Check-in, stroll Jasper, dinner in Jasper, sunset at Pyramid Lake
If you are arriving at Edmonton International airport then you have a four-hour drive ahead of you to Jasper National Park. After you pick up your car rental, I would highly recommend picking up your java at the nearest Starbucks or Tim Horton’s as there are no coffee stops for hours and after a 4-hour flight from Toronto, you will need your fuel.
There are a few restaurants as you get closer to Jasper but mostly fast food joints such as A&W so you may want to pick up food and snacks before you hit the road.
If you picked up a car rental then your gas tank is already full and you are ready to head towards Jasper International Park.
Hotel Check-in: The Crimson Jasper (Directions from Edmonton – 4-hour drive)
Once you arrive in Jasper I would recommend checking into the Crimson Hotel and freshening up before exploring downtown, Jasper. The town of Jasper is fairly small and easy to navigate on foot. The Crimson Hotel is located within walking distance to restaurants. Once you have rested, leave your car behind at the hotel and stroll into downtown Jasper to explore the quaint shops before heading to dinner.
Dinner Option: Downstream Restaurant & Lounge -620B Connaught Dr (Directions – 10 minute walk)
For a casual dinner head to Downstream Restaurant & Lounge. I would recommend the miso steak bites as an appetizer. You can’t go wrong with the AAA New York Striploin as your main course.
Depending on timing, you can stroll around Jasper after dinner.
Sunset Lovers: Pyramid Lake Sunset (Directions from Hotel – 11 minute drive)
I would recommend heading back to the hotel to get your car and head to Pyramid Lake for a beautiful sunset. Drive along Connaught Drive and turn right on Pyramid Lake Rd. This will take you right to Pyramid Island. Use Google Maps for directions to Pyramid Lake.
Day 2 Jasper National Park Itinerary
MORNING: Breakfast and Maligne Lake Boat Cruise
AFTERNOON: Lunch and Maligne Canyon Hike
EVENING: Dinner at Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen and Sunset at Medicine Lake
Breakfast Jasper National Park Itinerary Suggestions: The Crimson Hotel
I would recommend having breakfast at The Crimson Hotel before heading out on the Maligne Lake Boat Cruise.
Morning Jasper National Park Itinerary: Maligne Lake Boat Cruise (1 Hour Drive – Directions)
I would recommend booking a morning Maligne Lake Boat Cruise. Make sure to pre-book your Maligne Lake Cruise tickets as this is a popular experience. It takes approximately one hour to drive to Maligne Lake from the town of Jasper. I would recommend giving yourself extra time for wildlife viewing and other viewings along the way.
The classic boat cruise is 1 hour and 30 minutes long where you will visit Spirit Island, which is only accessible by boat. Prices start at CAD $70 per person. Buy your tickets online.
Lunch Suggestions: After you Maligne Lake Boat Cruise you can enjoy lunch at Lake House Café with beautiful views of the lake. You can also dine at the Waffle Hut for a great selection of sweet and savory waffles. During my visit, the waffle menu was being served in the Lake House Café.
You can find tour options here.
Afternoon Jasper National Park Itinerary: Self Guided Hike Maligne Canyon (Directions – 35 minute drive)
After lunch, drive to Maligne Canyon for a self-guided hike. The hike is approximately a 4km hike round trip.
You can start anywhere along the trail but the best views are hiking up the canyon. After your hike head back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner (a 12-minute drive).
Dinner Jasper National Park Itinerary: Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen (Directions from hotel – 12 minute drive)
Head back to Maligne Canyon for dinner at Maligne Canyon Wilderness kitchen. Enjoy a selection of smokehouse-flavored menu items. Inspired by an iconic natural landmark that’s rich in history, the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen serves up a smokehouse-flavored menu seasoned with exploration and adventure.
Sunset Lovers: Medicine Lake (Directions from restaurant – 15 minute drive)
Head to Medicine Lake after dinner. It is only a 15-minute drive from Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen. Make sure to check sunset times ahead of time.
Day 3 Jasper National Park Itinerary
MORNING: Breakfast and Jasper Skytram
AFTERNOON: Lunch and Canoeing at Fairmont
EVENING: Dinner and Planetarium Experience
Breakfast Suggestions: Sunhouse Cafe 610 Patricia St (Directions – 10 min. walk or 3 min. drive)
If you are looking for something savory, I would recommend the roast mushroom eggs or if you have a sweet tooth then you will love the rhubarb buckwheat crepe.
Morning: Jasper Skytram (15-minute drive from town – Directions)
After breakfast head to the Jasper Skytram, a 15-minute drive from town to the Jasper Skytram.
Head up to 2277m on top of Whistlers Mountain on the enclosed Jasper Skytram. The 1964 built tramway is the highest and longest tramway in Canada. Enjoy the panoramic views of Jasper National Park at the summit.
The Jasper Skytram is only open from March to October and dependent on the weather.
Jasper Skytram Fees: CAD 47 for adults, CAD 25 for children, and kids under 6 years old get to ride it for free. Buy your Jasper Skytram tickets here before your visit.
Get ready for some amazing views once you reach the top. Make sure to dress appropriately. I would recommend dressing in layers as it may be colder once you get up to the top but will quickly warm up once you start your hike. Wear hiking shoes or good sneakers. Pack water, snacks and sunblock, and/or a hat.
Lunch Suggestions: Earls Kitchen + Bar 600 Patricia St 2nd Floor
I love the diverse menu at Earls Kitchen +Bar. There is something for everyone.
Afternoon: Canoeing at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (11-minute drive – Directions)
One of the most iconic things to do in Jasper National Park is to canoe on the crystal clear waters of Lac Beauvert with the peaks of the Rocky Mountains in the horizon. The boathouse offers canoe and kayak rentals, pedal boats, stand-up paddleboards and more, so you can get out and explore the hidden coves of this beautiful glacier-fed lake.
Canoe Rental fees for a 1-hour canoe is CAD$75. Check the Boathouse website for any price changes.
Dinner Suggestions: Raven Bistro 504 Patricia St, Jasper (8-minute walk from The Crimson Hotel – Directions)
Evening Suggestions: Jasper Planetarium and Telescope Experience (Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – Directions)
Enjoy a full evening of cosmic exploration in the world’s largest dark sky preserve. Pre-book your tickets here.
Take part in a guided tour of Jasper Dark Sky Preserve in their 50-seat domed theatre with their astronomy experts. After the guided experience, you will head outside for a chance to explore stars, planets, galaxies, and more under the darkest skies in the Rockies.
The telescope and planetarium combo tour is CAD $79 for adults and CAD $35 for youth ages 4-17.
Day 4 Jasper National Park Itinerary
MORNING: Breakfast, Check out of the hotel, optional hike
AFTERNOON: Explore Icefields Parkway on your way to Banff
EVENING: Arrive in Banff
Breakfast Suggestions: Sunhouse Cafe 610 Patricia St
We really enjoyed the Sunhouse Cafe. It is worth a second visit.
You can either check out early before heading out to breakfast and from there head straight to Edith Cavell for a hike. If you are not up to hiking then get an early start on your drive to Banff to explore the Icefields Parkway with many stops along the way.
Glacier Trail at Edith Cavell (42 Minute Drive – Directions)
Hike the 1.6 km return path to the Glacier Trail at Edith Cavell. The hike provides spectacular views of Mt. Edith Cavell and the Angel Glacier.
Start Your Journey to Banff Along the Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway is one of the top scenic drives in the world that connects two Canadian National Parks that links Lake Louise in the south to Jasper in the north.
This 230 km scenic journey takes you through the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Be prepared to want to stop at every turn. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I would suggest stopping at Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls. We had time for a quick stop at both.
Athabasca Falls is approximately 30 kilometers south of the town of Jasper and just west of the Icefields Parkway. It is a great stop on your journey to Banff.
COLUMBIA GLACIER SKYWALK
You can’t visit Jasper without adding the Glacier Skywalk in this Jasper National Park Itinerary. The Glacier Skywalk is a 280m tall glass floor walkway over the Sunwapta Valley. Be prepared for spectacular views of glaciers and snow-capped peaks. The price for adults is CAD $31, CAD $16 for children aged 6-15 and free for kids 5 and under. Buy your Columbia Icefields Skywalk tickets here.
Jasper National Park Itinerary Conclusion
Four days in Jasper National Park is the perfect length of time to visit the major attractions in the area. Although you will get a taste of what Jasper has to offer, you could easily spend a month in Jasper National Park and not see everything. There are so many hiking trails to experience but that will be for another visit. Are there attractions that I missed that I should add for my next visit?
Here are some other posts to help you plan your trip to Jasper National Park:
Top Things to do in Jasper National Park in the Summer
Where to Stay in Jasper National Park
Inspirational Quotes About Mountains
