Jasper National Park of Canada Information & History

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Size

10,878 square kilometers / 4,200 square miles

Geology

The Park covers a wide range of geological beauty. Experience the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, wide valleys, untamed rivers, peaceful meadows, beautiful ice fields and glaciers, and plenty of forest waiting to be explored. Jasper is home to Mount Columbia, the highest mountain in Alberta; Athabasca glacier, the most accessible glacier in North America; and Jasper Lake Dunes, the only sand dune ecosystem anywhere in the Four Mountain Parks.

Ecosystems

Jasper National Park encompasses many diverse habitats across valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows, and rivers. Climb from the lower elevation montane region covered with Douglas-fir, trembling aspen, white spruce, and balsam poplar, through the subalpine zone of dense lodgepole pine, Englemann spruce and subalpine fir, up to the alpine ecoregion up above the treeline where you can wander through alpine meadows and shrubs or unvegetated rock, talus, moraines, and snow.

Mammals

Jasper National Park is home to no fewer than 53 species of mammals. Visitors should be on the lookout for moose, bighorn sheep, cougar, mule and white-tailed deer, porcupine, beaver, grizzly bear and black bears, woodland caribou, and others.

Reptiles, Amphibians & Fish

Down in the wetter areas of the park, look for the Long-toed Salamander, Boreal Toad, Columbia Spotted Frog, and Wood Frog. Check anywhere for garter snakes, especially on sunny patches in meadows. Some species to look for in the waterways are Rainbow Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Mountain Sucker, Jasper Longnose Dace, Burbot, Green Swordtail, Freshwater Angelfish, and Brook Stickleback.

Birds

Of the over 260 species found in the park, the Harlequin Duck is one of the most unusual with its contrasting colored patches displayed during the breeding season. Especially around the montane and wetland habitats within the park, birders can find many interesting species such as the Red-wing Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Violet-green Swallow, Pygmy Owl, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Dipper, Clark's Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Orange-crowned Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Warbling Vireo, Green-winged Teal, Barrow's Goldeneye, Pileated Woodpecker, Pied-billed Grebe, Eastern Kingbird, Osprey, and Bald Eagle. Remember to bring your binoculars or spotting scope for the best birding experience.

Plants

Jasper's three ecological zone are home to 1300 species of plants. Trembling Aspen, Lodgepole Pine, Brown-eyed Susans, Douglas Fir, Yellow Lady's Slipper, Crocus, Moss Campion, Wolf Lichen, Engelmann Spruce and myriad wildflowers all thrive in the park.

History

The Jasper area has been inhabited by humans for at least 10,000 years. Over 766 archaeological sites have been recorded within the park, including artifacts such as arrowheads belonging to ancient aboriginal hunting groups. The Dominion Government established Jasper Forest Park on September 14, 1907. In 1910 J.W. McLaggan, the park's first acting superintendent, arrived and set up his headquarters. In 1930, with the passing of the National Parks Act, the park was granted national park status and re-named Jasper National Park. The final area of the park was over 10,000 square kilometers. In 2004, Jasper National Park had nearly 2 million guests view its magnificent scenery. For more history of Jasper National Park visit http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/natcul/natcul10_e.asp.