Quick answer
Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, connected to Lake Louise and Banff by the roughly 230 km Icefields Parkway. The town and many areas are open after the 2024 wildfire, but as of late 2026 Maligne Canyon and Edith Cavell Road remain closed. Check Parks Canada’s closures page before you go, never walk past glacier barriers, and in winter expect no services or cell coverage along the Parkway.
About Jasper National Park
- Parks Canada calls Jasper the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve (Parks Canada). It was designated a Dark Sky Preserve on March 26, 2011.
- It’s part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1984.
- A Parks Canada pass is required to stop in the park and to drive the Icefields Parkway. Check current fees.
The 2024 wildfire and recovery
Lightning-caused fires began on July 22, 2024. More than 20,000 residents and visitors were evacuated, and 358 structures, about 30% of the town, were destroyed. The fire was declared under control on September 7, 2024 (Parks Canada). The town has reopened and is rebuilding, and visiting supports the local recovery.
What’s open and closed (late 2026)
| Area | Status |
|---|---|
| Maligne Canyon (First Bridge to Fifth Bridge) | Closed, including winter ice walks |
| Edith Cavell Road, Path of the Glacier, Cavell Meadows | Closed |
| Maligne Lake, Pyramid Lake, Athabasca Falls day use | Open (seasonal facilities vary) |
| Valley of the Five Lakes trails | Most open (one trail closed) |
| Miette Hot Springs | Closed for the season; reopens in spring |
| Jasper SkyTram | Closed for the season; 2027 season listed from May 21 |
Based on Parks Canada’s August 2026 closure order and open and closed page. Violations can bring fines up to $25,000. Status changes; always check before you go.
From early November to mid-May, some backcountry areas also close to protect caribou.
Driving the Icefields Parkway
The Parkway (Highway 93 North) runs about 230 km between Lake Louise and Jasper, past glaciers, lakes and waterfalls such as Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Mistaya Canyon and Sunwapta Falls. Allow a full day with stops, and check Banff and Jasper bulletins for viewpoint closures.
In winter
- No fuel or services between Lake Louise and Jasper, and cell service only at each end.
- Winter tires or chains required from November 1 to March 31, or whenever the road is snowy or icy.
- Travel in daylight; snow clearing generally runs 7 am to 3:30 pm. Check 511 Alberta.
Source: Parks Canada: Icefields Parkway in winter.
Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier
The Columbia Icefield is the largest in the Canadian Rockies. Parks Canada warns that the Athabasca Glacier is dangerous: people have died after falling into hidden crevasses, so don’t cross the barriers (Parks Canada). To walk on the ice, take a guided tour. Commercial glacier tours and the Skywalk run seasonally, roughly May to mid-October.
Stargazing
As a Dark Sky Preserve, Jasper is one of the best places in the Rockies to see stars, and the northern lights on active nights, especially in the darker months.
Wildlife
Keep at least 30 m from elk, deer and sheep and 100 m from bears, wolves and cougars, and never feed wildlife. See the wildlife rules in our Banff guide.
Planning the Rockies? Read Banff for first-timers, the best time to visit Canada and what to pack.
Travel rules, prices and product details change. Check official government, airline and manufacturer sources before you book or buy.
