Banff National Park Entry Gates

At the Banff National Park entry gates, you can purchase a pass for a specific number of days or opt for an annual pass. You may decide the cost-effectiveness of a daily pass versus an annual pass depending on the number of days you intend to spend during that trip and the following year.

An annual pass is valid in 27 of Canada’s national parks for 365 days from the date of purchase. If you plan on spending 7 or more days in Banff National Park, it may make sense to buy an annual pass. See price schedule below.

Fees

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Fees for park passes contribute to the maintenance of Jasper’s scenic parkways, trails, public safety, day use areas, information and interpretation services of the Canadian Rockies park in which they were purchased.

Jasper National Park: What is a Park Pass?

The Park Pass is a permit that allows you to visit any national park in the Canadian Rockies. Park passes that are purchased in Jasper National Park can be used in other national parks during their validity periods.

Jasper National Park: Where can I buy the Park Pass?

Jasper National Park Gates are located at:

* East Park Gate – for visitors traveling west from Edmonton along the Yellowhead Highway (#16)

* West Park Gate – for visitors traveling east from Kamloops along the Yellowhead Highway (#16)

* Icefields Parkway Gate – for visitors traveling south along the Icefields Parkway (#93) towards Lake Louise

Jasper National Park: Who needs to purchase the Park Pass?

If you plan on stopping in Jasper National Park or the surrounding national parks, you must purchase the Park Pass. This includes stops at picnic sites and look-out points, and visits to the Village of Lake Louise and the towns of Banff and Jasper–whether backpacking Jasper’s backcountry, participating in the Canadian Rockies’ tours, or attending a conference.

You must also purchase a Park Pass if you travel along the Icefields Parkway (#93) between Lake Louise and Jasper.

National Park Information Centres

The following centres are open year-round:

Yoho National Park Visitor Centre
Jasper National Park Information Centre
Lake Louise Visitor Centre
Banff National Park Information Centre Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre (May to September)

Jasper National Park: How much are Park Passes and Service Fees?

There are several options for Park Passes: individual or family/group, daily or annual, commercial group or school group. Specially-priced packages (Discovery Packages) are available for people planning to visit both National Parks and National Historic Sites. Depending on your chosen activity: camping, backcountry hiking, or fishing.

Fees listed are valid from April 1, 2010 until March 31, 2011. Please check back on April 1 of each year for new and updated fee information. An Asterisk (*) indicates a new or changed fee from the previous year. All fees listed include applicable taxes and are subject to change.

ENTRY
Daily

Annual – National Parks of Canada

Annual – Discovery Package

1 Night

Type

Per Night

Per Permit

Per Permit

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Find great places in Jasper National Park.

One of the great things about Jasper are it’s scenic drives. You’ll experience on of the best drives on the way here from Canmore, along the famous Icefields Parkway, where you’ll see the Columbia Icefield. But there are several other great scenic drives worth checking out in Jasper, including the Grande Alberta Trail.

This first-class highway will bring you to some fantastic, and remote, places for Jasper vacation sightseeing. You’ll find lots of outdoor activities along the way, such as birdwatching or fishing, as you drive through this amazing part of the Rockies.

Make sure to keep your camera ready too, not only are there great mountainous backdrops for your photos, but you’ve got a good chance to see some Jasper wildlife here, as well as rushing rivers, snow-capped mountain peaks to pristine blue-green lakes.

The drive starts in Edmonton, Alberta. From there, head west on Yellowhead Highway to the Pembina River Provincial Park, known for its excellent hiking and fishing opportunities.

Be sure to check out the town of Rockies town of Entwistle along the way, which is full of elegant historic buildings along the main street.

Also, the town of Hinton is a great place to spend the night, sitting right in front range of the Canadian Rockies. Here you will find the northern reaches of Jasper National Park where you can explore and interesting and remote terrain.

This is a great place to take a guided tour, whether it’s a hike, an ATV trip or a helicopter tour, you will surely enjoy the park’s natural riches. Drive south on Highway 40 just outside of Hinton to visit the Cadomin Caves, which you must explore with a qualified guide.

When you get back on Highway 40, head north to Grande Cache, the gateway to Willmore Wilderness Park. With over 700 km of hiking trails, you will be deep into unspoiled nature, with huge expanses of rivers and snowcapped mountains. Take a raft or kayak out on Muskeg, Sheep Creek or Smoky River; take your binoculars for an inspirational day of bird watching, rent a mountain bike, take a jet boat excursion or saddle up for a horseback ride through the forests.

If you can tear yourself away from Grande Cache, continue on Highway 40 to Grand Prairie, a beautiful area filled with rolling grasslands. Surrounded by parks and lakes, the region boasts millions of years of history. Don’t miss the 27 meter high waterfall in the Wild Kakwa Recreation Area. Other areas of interest include Crystal Lake, Kleskun Hills Park, Evergreen Park, Muskoseepi Park, the Grande Prairie Museum and the Prairie Art Gallery.

Once back on the trail, you will wind your way east and south on Highway 43 on your trip towards Whitecourt. Anglers will thrill to the plethora of northern pike, perch and walleye found in Sturgeon Lake, so make sure you spend some time in this spectacular locale. Once in Whitecourt, known as the “forest center of Alberta,” you can take a tour of a pulp mill, newsprint plant, sawmill or fiberboard plant. Then get back to Highway 43, which turns into Highway 37 to arrive in Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton.

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Jasper National Park is an excellent place for mountain biking vacations.

Jasper National Park is the largest of the Canadian Rockies parks, and offers plenty to do for the ambitious mountain biker. You’ll also find great restaurants, hotels and pubs in towns to unwind at after a long day on the trails. If you still need some convincing, check out the Jasper webcam for a sneak peak at the town and surrounding mountains.

Below you’ll find a selection of mountain biking trails around Jasper National Park.

The Overlander Trail

You’ll find the trailhead 20 km east of Jasper on Hwy 16. Look for the trailhead at the second parking lot when the highway crosses the Athabasca River. The trail parallels the river, which makes for great views. Close to the end of this trail you turn down a right-hand fork and cross a small creek (don’t worry, there’s a bridge). Continue on the edge of the river to the junction of the Maligne and Athabasca rivers at Sixth Bridge picnic area.

Distance: 14 km

Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Saturday Night Loop

Trail guide: Find the trail head on the west side of Jasper just before The Cabin Creek West subdivision. Take the trail leading from the parking lot on the left. The trail takes you uphill, following a low ridge with nice views of the Athabasca and Miette Valleys.After From High Lakes to Saturday Night Lake you’ll find swampy sections, but from there to Cabin Lake is easy riding. After Cabin Lake, ride along the fire road to the intersection with Pyramid Lake Road and take a right to return to Jasper.

Distance: 27.4 km

Level: Advanced

Athabasca River Trail

This ride starts at the Old Fort Point the trail, and goes behind the beautiful golf course at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The first 12 km have some solid uphill segments that’ll get your blood flowing. Remember, no bikes between the first and fifth bridges on the self-guided trail at Maligne Canyon. Avoid this by riding down Maligne Road to the Fifth Bridge turnoff 3 km below. Cross the bridge and pedal to Trail #7 on the far side. Take a left to Sixth Bridge and continue along the trail runs beside the Athabasca River to Old Fort Point, or head back to Jasper along Highway 16.

Distance: 23 km

Level: Beginner to Intermediate

The Mina-Riley Lake Loop

Trail guide: You’ll start at the parking lot opposite Japser’s Aquatic Center. The trail climbs steeply to the left, then intersects with the Cabin Lake fire road. Cross the road and pedal past a big pond continuing on to Mina Lake. At about 3.5km from the lake a marked trail leads down a steep hill to Riley Lake. Turn around at the intersection with trail #6 (no bikes allowed on 6). Head back using the main trail by turning left onto the fire road at km 7. A right turn onto the paved Pyramid Lake Road will lead you back down to Jasper.

Distance: 9 km

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Here’s are 7 Rules of the Road for mountain biking in Banff, or anywhere, really:

1. Ride open trails only. Respect the trail and avoid areas which are closed to bikes. They are closed for a reason. Seriously, no one is trying to hide trails from you just to ruin your vacation. Also, remember that the way you ride will influence Parks Canada trail management decisions and policies.

2. Always yield the trail. Make your approach known well in advance. A greeting, a bell or some other noise is basic politeness; don’t startle others. Show respect when passing by, slowing to a walking pace or, if need be, stopping. Anticipate trail users around corners and in blind spots.

3. Put a lid on it! Always wear a helmet.

4. Don’t scare the wildlife. You don’t like it when someone sneaks up on you, and neither do wild animals. Usually, the repercussions of doing this with a bear are worse though. Avoid unannounced approaches, a sudden movements, or a loud a noises. These actions can be dangerous for you, others, and wildlife. Give wildlife space and time to adjust to you, and make some noise as you come down the trail.

5. Plan it, darn it! Know your equipment, be honest about your abilities, and check up on the riding trail, preferably with a park ranger. Prepare accordingly. A little planning is often the difference between a horrible day and an awesome day.

6. Stay in Control. Don’t go faster, or attempt terrain that you know you can’t handle. Always be attentive and mind bicycle regulations and recommendations.

7. Leave no trace. It’s everyone’s park, so treat it with respect by following a few simple rules. Stay on maintained trails and don’t create new ones. Pack out what you pack in, and bonus points if you pack out some other jerk’s discarded rubbish.

Keep trails open by setting a good example of environmentally sound and socially responsible off-road cycling.

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The water will do some amazing tricks for you in the Maligne Valley of Jasper National Park.

Jasper offers plenty of great activities, including hiking, mountain biking, skiing, backpacking, rafting and more, and lots of great sightseeing opportunities. The Maligne Valley, which starts on Maligne Road about 7 km east of Jasper townsite on highway 16, offers some of the best, including Medicine Lake and Rose Marie’s Rock.

To get a good look at Jasper from the comfort of your own computer, check out the free Jasper webcam.

Medicine Lake

Much of the drainage from the surrounding peaks of the Canadian Rockies washes through the Maligne Valley via a hidden drainage network of caves. Medicine Lake illustrates how this underground drainage system works. Every Autumn, as the land dries up, the lake disappears. Really. Medicine Lake is basically a large basin with the drain wide open.

When the tap running at full blast during snowmelt season, the basin will fill with water despite the water running down the drain. When the tap gets closed toward the end of summer, once all the snow has melted, the water drains faster than the lake can be filled.

More than 4,000 gallons (24,000 liters) of water go down Medicine Lake’s drain every second.

The cave drainage system beneath Medicine Lake resurfaces below Maligne Canyon, more than 11 mi (17 kilometers) downstream. This makes it as the longest underground drainage system in all of Canada. Twice attempts were made to plug the drain, once using old mattresses, the other using magazines—neither of these odd attempts had any effect.

Medicine Lake also provides some excellent Canadian Rockies fishing. Its quiet waters teem with eastern brook trout. The fish were stocked in 1927, and somehow managed not to get washed down the drain, but rather flourish.

At mile 22 (kilometer 35), the road passes the takeout point for kayakers and whitewater rafters. Keep your eyes open for some of these icy Canadian adventurers. The waters of the Maligne River don’t rise far above the freezing point, but despite its chilly nature, the stretch between Maligne Lake and this pullout represents one of Alberta’s most popular rafting destinations.

Rose Marie’s Rock

About 41 km down Maligne Lake Road you’ll cross a bridge over the Maligne River. Looking upstream, a large rock is visible in the middle of the river. This rock can be seen din the the 1953 classic Rose Marie, starring Howard Keel and Ann Blyth. No, Nelson Eddy didn’t sing to Jeanette Macdonald here, despite the sign in the Maligne Lake Restaurant! It was the remake of this classic movie that was actually filmed here.

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Jasper's lakes and valleys offer amazing views.

If you decide to make the trip to Jasper National Park, one of the best places to visit is Maligne Lake and Maligne Canyon. If you need anymore convincing on a Jasper trip, take a look at the Jasper webcam.

This is a great area to do some of the best in Jasper activities including sightseeing, photography, walking, hiking, canoeing and whitewater rafting. To get to the Maligne area, travel about 7 km east of Jasper township on Highway 16, and get on Maligne Lake Road.

As you drive this winding road, keep your eyes open for wildlife. Many a grizzly has been seen wandering its isolated hillsides and lakeshores. There is also the potential to spot a black bear, elk, moose, mule and white-tail deer, bighorn sheep and mountain goat. A camera and film are essential, but please stay in your vehicles when you see animals and please keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the wildlife.

View at Hanging Valley

About 6 km into your drive to Maligne Lake, you’ll see a sign on your left for the Hanging Valley Viewpoint. Watch the odometer so you don’t miss it. This a great place to see a panoramic view of the Athabasca Valley and the town of Jasper. The Maligne Valley is a classic hanging valley that sits at a higher elevation than nearby Athabasca Valley, so you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the area.

Across the valley from the viewpoint, you’ll see Pyramid Mountain looming with its CNCP telecommunications tower on the summit. Just a little to the left of the Jasper town site, Whistlers Mountain with its ever-present Jasper tramway decorate the skyline.

Maligne Canyon

Just a few km after you leave the Hanging Valley Viewpoint, you’ll take a left into the Maligne Canyon day-use area. This is a where you’ll see one of Jasper’s great geological marvels.

The trail at Maligne Canyon is well kept, but it is very steep at times, so don’t try to do it in a rush, or you’ll be so out of breath you won’t be able to appreciate the beauty. Glacial melt carved Maligne Canyon very deep but also very narrow.

Because of its unique landscape photographers love coming to Maligne Canyon. As enthusiastic as you may be for photography,  avoid the temptation to climb over fences and other barriers to get your photos. Photographers have literally died doing it.

Maligne Lake

When you get to Maligne Lake, you’ll know you’re at one of the most picturesque spots in the Canadian Rockies. Carved between  Leah Peak, Samson Peak and Mount Paul on the left and Mounts Charlton, Unwin, Mary Vaux and Llysfran Peak on the right, it offers some of the best photography you’ll find on your vacation.

Maligne Lake formed when a landslide off the surrounding Opal Hills released almost almost 700 million-yd³ (500-million-m³ ) of material into the lower valley. This created a natural dam that allowed Maligne Lake to form. Fish stocking in the early part of the century has turned this into a fisherman’s paradise. Just remember to get your National Park fishing license before casting in your reel.

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Canmore is a mountain biker's paradise.

If you’d like to get a quick sneak peak at Canmore and the surrounding mountains before visiting, visit the Canmore webcam.

Montane Traverse

Start this trail on the west side of Cougar Creek. Bike along the gravel until you get to a fork in the trail. The beginning of this trail is signed and there are marked junctions along it. There are several turnoffs you can take heading back into town, or for a longer ride you can continue to Harvie Heights.

Trail type: Singletrack

Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate

Location: Cougar Creek parking lot on Benchlands Trail

Distance: Variable, depending on which trails you follow

The Alpine Club

STart on the east side of Cougar Creek. Once you’ve passed the houses on the right hand side, turn right onto the singletrack that will take you up the trail. There are a several different routes you can take, with major junctions signed. You can also jump on this network of trails is at the Alpine Club of Canada Clubhouse.

Trail type: Singletrack

Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate

Location: Cougar Creek parking lot on Benchlands Trail

Distance: Variable, depending on which trails you follow

Rundle Riverside

This fun singletrack trail starts at the Canmore Nordic Centre (follow the Banff Trail) and ends at the golf course in Banff. the trail is somewhat technical, and you will encounter many roots, rocks and other nuisances. You can begin at either end of the trail. Ambitious mountain bikers can combine the Goat Creek Trail (see description in Multi Use Trail section) with the Rundle Riverside Trail for a longer ride.

Trail type: Singletrack

Difficulty: Advanced- Technical Skills Required

Location: Canmore Nordic Centre

Distance: 18.5 km one way

Average time: 2 hours

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The views during Canmore hikes are hard to beat.

The hikes below offer a wide range of difficulty levels, so that pretty much anyone should be able to find something appealing. If, after reading this, you’re still not convinced about a trip to Canmore, be sure to take a gander at the Canmore webcam, where you can control the camera and take a good look at the town and surrounding mountains.

Cougar Creek

This creek bed makes a great hiking trail when it’s dry in the summer. What starts as a trail quickly turns into rocks on the dry creek bed, with the occasional puddle or small stream to cross. Be careful early in spring, as snow melt combined with spring rain greatly increases the water flow in the creek.

Difficulty: Easy

Total Round trip: about 4 km/2.5 miles

Elevation gain: almost none

Average time: 1.5 – 2 hours return

Location: Cougar Creek parking lot on Benchlands Trail

Heart Creek

ON this hike, you’ll follow the right fork at the first major junction. Here, you’ll find yourself following a wide gravel path up the creek bed. You’ll then cross the creek on seven log bridges. Spectacular views of the rock face of Mount McGillivray, as well as awesome views of Heart Mountain.

Difficulty: Easy

Total Round trip: 4 km/2.5 miles

Elevation gain: 100 m/328 feet

Average time: 1.5 hours return

Location: East of Canmore on the TransCanada Highway (Hwy 1). Travel towards Calgary (approximately 15 minutes) and take the Lac Des Arcs/ Heart Creek exit, then follow signs to the parking lot and trail head.

Grassi Lakes

This beautiful trail was named after its creator, Lawrence Grassi, a pioneer  in Canmore’s hiking history. Grassi helped put together many of the area trails, and this was always one of his favourites. The hike takes you through the forest to 2 beautiful spring fed lakes. The trail then splits into two about 200 m into the hike, and they are labelled as “Easy” (this is a fire road- suitable for all levels) and “More Difficult” (a more narrow trail with occasional rocks, roots and other small obstacles on the trail, as well as a staircase near the end).

Difficulty: Moderate Walk/Light Hike

Total round trip: 3.8 km/2.4 miles

Elevation gain: 250 m/820 feet

Average time: 1.5 – 2 hours return

Location: Follow Spray Lakes Road 1.25 km past the Nordic Centre to the transition from pavement to gravel. Turn

left to reach the parking lot.

Grotto Canyon

Ignore the many side trails at the start of this hike. It shouldn’t be too long, 10 minutes tops, before you come to a significant dry river bed (this is not Grotto Canyon). The trail continues across the river bed just follow the sign with the hiker figure to find it.

Once on the west side of this dry gulch, carry on to the post with the red trail marker and follow the route indicated, which takes you past an industrial plant. Just west of the plant, the trail has a little elevation gain, and you will see a bench overlooking another river bed, with a spectacular lookout over Gap Lake and on to Canmore.

Turn right and you will be looking into the entrance of Grotto Canyon. Total walk time to this point is approximately 20 minutes. The walk into the canyon is breathtaking and awe inspiring, although if you don’t like tight spaces, you might find the canyon walls a bit clausterphobic.

Entering the canyon, look around carefully on the walls for the remaining pictographs. The first set are visible on the left, almost at eye level for most adults. Regretfully, most of the pictographs were vandalized or inadvertently ruined. Do not touch the pictographs as acids and oils in your skins will accelerate the deterioration of the artifacts.

Difficulty: Moderate Walk/Light Hike

Total round trip: 4 km/2.5 miles

Elevation gain: 50 m/154 feet

Average time: 1.5 – 2 hours return

Location: Follow Highway 1A (Bow Valley Trail) east out of Canmore for approximately 10 minutes to the Grotto Pond Day Use Area.

Ha Ling Peak

This short, sweet and steep trail will bring you to excellent viewpoints overlooking the town of Canmore. The majority of the trail switchbacks up a forested slope, but the final ascent is on shale and scree and some route finding may be required.

Difficulty: Steep Hiking/ Beginner Scramble

Total round trip: 5.6 km

Elevation gain: 700 m

Average time: 3 – 4 hours

Location: Goat Creek parking lot, located 5.5 km past the Nordic Centre along the gravel Spray Lakes Road/Smith Dorrien Highway. Walk across the road, past the green gate and over the bridge until you come to a small building. Just behind the building is the trailhead to Ha Ling Peak.

Lady MacDonald

Follow the trail along Cougar Creek until coming to a trail to the left. The trail switchbacks through the forest up to the treeline. Just above treeline, you’ll see the remains of a teahouse that was being constructed but is now abandoned. Because the last

60 m of the hike is an exposed scramble along a narrow ridge, many people end the hike here, and enjoy the spectacular views of Canmore and the Three Sisters. If you decide to go to the summit ridge, you’ll gain approximately 275 m of elevation over 60 m.

Difficulty: Steep Hiking/Beginner Scramble

Total round trip: 8 km

Elevation gain: 850 m

Average time: 4. 5 – 7 hours

Location: Cougar Creek parking lot on Benchlands Trail

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Find family fun in Jasper National Park.

Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, and offers many outdoor activities to enjoy while you are there, including hiking, biking, rafting, backpacking and more. It’s is also a great place to take your family on vacation. You’ll find plenty of vacation activities here to keep yourselves entertained, and your kids from getting bored. Below are some recommended kids activities for Jasper. If you want to get a good look at the town of Jasper and surrounding park land, be sure to check out the Jasper webcam.

Put the Jasper in Jasper: The town of Jasper, located in Jasper National Park, offers plenty of interesting shops, ice cream parlors and restaurants that can be fun for the whole family. The towering peaks of the park are almost always visible, so you can enjoy the scenery even when you’re in town.

Man the Oars: Whitewater rafting is a great way for families to bond, and Jasper National Park’s Athabasca river is suitable  for all levels of rafters.  You can float this river in a 20-person raft, suitable for even younger children.

Maligne Canyon and Lake: Walk over six bridges for inspiring vistas of Jasper’s limestone gorges and waterfalls. Learn more about Maligne Lake.

Vacation on Ice: The Columbia Icefields are one of the top draws for tourism for Jasper, and for good reason. These massive icefields are truly stunning. You can go out onto the glacier in an ice buggy. Older kids will enjoy a river float trip, which is a fun way to spend the day.

Jasper Tramway: Canada’s highest aerial tram is the Jasper Tramway, just outside of Jasper. In just seven-minutes you’ll reach an altitude of 8,000 feet. A guide shares the history of Jasper as you look out over the spectacular Canadian Rockies scenery of Jasper and the entire Athabasca Valley.

Go with the Pros: There are many talented guides in Jasper that can take you and your out and show you the best places in the park, help you safely look for area wildlife, and learn about the park’s history, ecology and more. It’s an excellent way to get the most out of your Jasper vacation.

Hike!: There are many great trails all around Jasper that are perfect for younger children, including The Discovery Trail, located on the edge of Jasper townsite, and Lake Annette Loop. Your kids will have fun on these easy trails, and they’re close enough to town that you can head back whenever you need to.

Snowtubing: The whole family can enjoy this one, and everyone can burn of some energy, and some adrenaline, and have loads of fun.

Museums: Looking for a more relaxed day? Spend some time in the local museums. You can learn about Jasper history at the Yellowhead Museum or see the many wildlife displays at the Wildlife Den in Whistler’s Inn.

Go Fishing: Rent fishing rods for the whole family and buy bait at the boathouse.

Horseback Riding: During the summer, take a morning or afternoon trail ride that heads out from the Maligne Lake Lodge to the top of the Bald Hills. The rides are from three to four hours long, so this is best for older kids. They will appreciate the wildflower-covered meadows and views of ice-capped mountains that Jasper offers along the way.

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Jasper National Park's famous icefields.

Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, with many, many kilometres of trails to hike, and the famously beautiful Columbia Icefields, which are truly an amazing site.

Jasper is a great place to enjoy the many outdoor activities the Canadian Rockies have to offer.  The summer activities season typically runs from the beginning of May until the middle of October. It’s a great time for hiking, rafting, mountain biking, backpacking and much more.

Interested in visiting Jasper yet? If you’d like to get a good look at Jasper right now, visit the Jasper webcam, where you can see the town of Jasper and the surrounding national park live, with a user-controlled camera. It’s free, and you don’t even have to register to use it.

If you’re already in Jasper, the best way to see the area is probably on the Jasper Tramway. This is one of the best ways to take in all the scenery of Jasper National Park for all visitors, and to get good photographs, see wildlife, and just generally take in Jasper.

There are several options for getting to Jasper. The drive takes a little more than 4 hours, and cuts straight through Banff National Park on Icefields Parkway. It’s a great drive, worth doing just for the journey. Several local tour companies will also offer guided trips up to Jasper that will show you some of the best the park’s have to offer.

Besides all the great outdoor activities, Jasper has a wide variety of restaurants, hotels and pubs. You’ll find something for everyone here, whether that be a slice a pizza, or top-notch fine dining.

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