Jasper National Park of Canada Hiking & Outdoor Activities

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Find information about the hiking trails, biking trails, and other outdoor activities available at Jasper National Park.

Taking a hike in Jasper National Park is like taking a journey through the past. Its vast trail network is natural, having been first established by animals such as elk, caribou, and moose. Since the park has opened, these trails have been enhanced and maintained for your enjoyment. There are a few trails that are restricted to hikers. However, for the most part the trails are open to hikers, mountain-bikers, and equestrians alike. Enjoy trails on the Patricia Lake Circle, the Old Fort Point Loop, or the Maligne Canyon.

Jasper National Park also offers you an amazing backpacking experience. The park boasts more than 1,200 kilometers of backcountry trails, and 100 backcountry campsites. Visitors wishing to backpack are required to purchase a Wilderness Pass if they desire to do any overnight backpacking. It is also recommended to reserve a campsite during the peak months of the season.

Not a hiker? Not to worry, Jasper National Park has numerous ponds and lakes perfect for boating. Canoeing and row boating are permitted on nearly all lakes and ponds, as are boats with electric motors. The use of any gas-powered motor is restricted. Please consult Parks staff before launching to ensure that all rules are followed.

Horse lovers will be right at home at Jasper National Park. Horse travel is permitted in many areas of the park. Ride trails that were used by early explorers and adventurers. Feel free to ride in all of areas of the park except the following:

Front Country:
  • Old Fort Point, Wilcox Pass, Sulphur Skyline, Self-guided trails at Mt. Edith Cavell (Meadows, Path of the Glacier Trails), Lee Foundation Trail at Lake Annette, Whistlers Summit Trail, Maligne Canyon Trail, Mary Schäffer Loop (Maligne Lakeshore) and Miette Hot Springs Nature Trail (Sulphur Pass via Fiddle River Trail).
  • All designated public beach areas.
  • All park picnic sites, campgrounds or camping facilities accessible by motorized vehicle and public use areas within Jasper townsite.
  • The old mining and former townsite area at Pocahontas.
    • Backcountry:
  • Skyline Trail from Big Shovel Pass to Maligne Lake and on the lower part of the Watchtower Trail.
  • Eremite Valley
  • Jonas Pass
  • Merlin/Jacques Pass
  • Geraldine Lakes
  • Fryatt Valley

    • When you purchase a Grazing Permit and a Wilderness Camping permit, you are allowed to go on overnight riding trips. The permits must be purchased from the Information Center, phone number: 780-852-6160. Grazing permits (per horse, per night) cost $1.70. Wilderness permits (per night, per adult aged 17+) cost $9.90

    Mountain biking is yet another way to appreciate the natural beauty of Jasper National Park. Hundreds of kilometers of biking trails are typically open from May to October. Trails vary from easy to difficult so every level of biker has a trail to enjoy. Mountain biking is only permitted on designated trails. It is your responsibility as a visitor to understand which trails you are allowed to bike on.

    In the winter there is still plenty of fun available at Jasper National Park. Enjoy ice skating, cross country and downhill skiing, or even ice fishing.