Larger, yet less visited, than its Banff neighbour, Jasper is arguably the most spectacular of the Rockies' national parks. Here, endless backcountry trails – hiked in summer, skied in winter – bring visitors among a landscape of dizzying peaks, rushing rivers and deep river canyons, all framed by delicate ecosystems home to bear, elk, moose and caribou among a host of native wildlife. Access its glacier-sculpted beauty from the spectacular Icefields Parkway, which links the park directly to Lake Louise, or step aboard the Rocky Mountaineer to experience it all from the luxuries of a glass-domed train carriage.

Wildlife and Trails

You can spot plenty of flora and wildlife at Jasper National Park. Winter activities such as ice fishing and guided walks over the frozen lakes also attract the adventurous, while summer trails criss-cross the park in almost every conceivable direction. As the largest national park in the Rockies, Jasper offers more remote exploration, but make sure you plan in advance with the Park Trail Office for more off-the-beaten track adventures.

Jasper's lakes & rivers

Jasper National Park is home to some of Canada's most beauty lakes. First among these is Maligne Lake, whose emerald waters reflect a landscape of snow-dusted peaks and centuries-old forests home to elks, wolves and bears. Continue down Maligne Lake Drive to reach Medicine Lake, which harbours an underground cave network responsible for its changing water levels throughout the year. View the powerful Athabasca Falls and move on to Miette Hot Springs, the hottest natural rockpools in the Rockies.