Quick answer
Spend day one at Maligne Lake and Medicine Lake, day two on the Icefields Parkway to Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls and the Athabasca Glacier, and day three on reopened trails and stargazing. Add Banff on days four and five. After the 2024 wildfire, Parks Canada says Maligne Canyon and Cavell Road stay closed for the 2026 season, while “virtually all” trails have reopened.
Wildfire recovery: what’s open
A lightning-caused wildfire was reported on July 22, 2024. It grew to 32,722 ha and was declared under control on September 7, 2024 (Parks Canada). Parks Canada’s recovery page (updated October 14, 2026) says:
- “Virtually all” trails have reopened, including Valley of the Five Lakes, Wabasso Lake and Curator.
- Cavell Road and Maligne Canyon remain closed for the 2026 season.
- About 77% of pre-fire frontcountry campsites and all backcountry campsites are available; Wabasso and Whirlpool Group campgrounds and part of Wapiti are closed for rebuilding.
Source: Parks Canada recovery update. Check the what’s open page before you go.
Getting there
- From Edmonton: 366 km, about 4 hours on Highway 16 (Tourism Jasper).
- From Calgary: 412 km, about 5 hours.
- From Banff/Lake Louise: the Icefields Parkway, 232 km from Lake Louise to Jasper.
- By train: VIA Rail’s Toronto–Jasper service runs twice a week (VIA Rail).
Day 1: Maligne Lake and Medicine Lake
Drive the Maligne Lake Road to Maligne Lake, 47 km from town. On the way, stop at Medicine Lake, which drains through sinkholes and resurfaces about 16 km downstream; Parks Canada calls it one of the largest known sinking rivers in the Western Hemisphere (Parks Canada). The Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island is seasonal; its listed 2027 season is May 28 to October 10.
Day 2: Icefields Parkway south
Distances from Jasper (Parks Canada):
| Stop | Distance from Jasper |
|---|---|
| Athabasca Falls | 30 km |
| Sunwapta Falls | 54 km |
| Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre | 104 km |
At the Athabasca Glacier, the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier trail is 1.8 km return. Parks Canada warns that walking on the glacier is not safe without a guide (Parks Canada). The Columbia Icefield Skywalk, 280 m above the Sunwapta Valley, is seasonal; its 2027 season is listed as May 1 to October 11. There’s no cell coverage on most of the parkway.
Day 3: Trails and dark skies
Hike reopened trails such as Valley of the Five Lakes, then stay up for the stars: Parks Canada calls Jasper the second-largest dark sky preserve in the world (Parks Canada). The Jasper SkyTram (a 7-minute ride to 2,263 m) is seasonal; its 2027 season is listed from May 21.
Days 4–5: On to Banff
Drive the full Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise and Banff. See our Banff itinerary and Icefields Parkway guide.
Park pass
You need a Parks Canada pass for Jasper and the Icefields Parkway. See Parks Canada passes explained.
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