If you’re planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies, we have the perfect 3 days in Jasper National Park itinerary for your family, where you’ll make the most of this breathtaking destination.
Jasper National Park is a wonderful destination for families exploring the great outdoors together. With its stunning mountain vistas, winding roads, and abundant wildlife, it’s easy to see why so many families visit this beautiful area. Plus, it’s less crowded than his neighbor, Banff National Park.
So why not pack up the car and head to Jasper for a 3-day family adventure you’ll never forget?
In this article, I’m giving you a detailed Jasper itinerary to help you plan your trip to one of the most beautiful national parks of the Canadian Rockies (🤫 little secret: Jasper is my favorite, and there is so much to do for the entire family.)
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3 Days in Jasper National Park (RECAP)
- Day 1: Visit Maligne Lake Road: Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake.
- Day 2: Stop by the SkyTram, Jasper beaches, and the Planetarium.
- Day 3: Drive on the Icefields Parkway.
Day 1: Maligne Lake Road
Kick off your day in Jasper with a satisfying breakfast at Sunhouse Cafe before embarking on a scenic drive along the 46km Maligne Lake Road.
Along the way, stop and take in the sights at Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake, and finally, Maligne Lake.
Maligne Canyon Hiking Trail
Less than a 15-minute drive from the Town of Jasper, the Maligne Canyon is a must-do for any hiker visiting Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. The trail is a stunning 3.7-kilometer loop that takes hikers through the heart of the Maligne Canyon. The canyon is famous for its dramatic limestone walls, waterfalls, and crystal-clear streams that flow through it.
🥾 Maligne Canyon Loop Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 3.7 km loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 124 m
The hike is considered moderate, with some steep sections and uneven terrain but nothing too strenuous. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to cross several bridges that offer breathtaking views of the canyon below.
The trail is open year-round, but it is especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves change color and in the winter when the canyon is covered in snow and ice.
💡 PRO-TIP If you visit during the winter, bring crampons so you don’t slip on the ice. You can access the canyon’s ice walk through some of the bridges. There’s some signalization to know which of the safest zones are to access the sidewalk.
Medicine Lake
Medicine Lake is a beautiful lake between Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake. The lake is famous for its mesmerizing turquoise-blue color and stunning scenery. During the summer, the lake flows with water; however, in fall and winter, the water “magically disappears.”
Although there is nothing magic but rather scientific, the water drains through sinkholes in the bottom of the lake, travels through a cave system, and reappears 16 km downstream in Maligne Lake.
The lake is also home to rainbow and brook trout fish species, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts. Please note the fishing restrictions here. The surrounding area is also home to various wildlife, including elk, moose, and bears.
The lake is in a valley surrounded by towering mountains. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy the views before heading to Maligne Lake.
Maligne Lake & a boat tour
Can you say you’ve been to Jasper if you didn’t visit Maligne Lake? Maligne Lake is one of the most popular and captivating spots in the area because the lake is surrounded by picturesque mountain scenery.
Maligne Lake is famous for its stunning turquoise color, caused by the glacial sediment that flows into the lake from the nearby mountains and glaciers – just like other lakes, such as Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. Visitors can enjoy various activities at Maligne Lake, such as kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and fishing.
Furthermore, the lake is also home to diverse wildlife, including grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves.
In the summer, the lake is a popular spot for picnics and scenic drives, while in the winter, it offers ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities.
When visiting Maligne Lake, you can’t miss visiting Spirit Island – a sacred and spiritual island on the lake. Interestingly, it only becomes an island during Spring when the water level rises and separates it from the shore.
The island is only accessible by watercraft, which makes the journey to Spirit Island even more special. You can either take a tour or take your kayak or canoe. If you consider the latter, know that it will be a pretty long paddle (about 14 km each way from the docks at Home Bay) – but worth it!
🛥️ Book Your Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island Tour
The island has a rich history and cultural significance to the indigenous people of the region – the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. Visitors can learn about the island’s history through interpretive signage and guided tours. The island is also a popular spot for photography, with its stunning natural beauty and serene surroundings.
Some of the hiking trails near the lake are:
- Mary Schaeffer Loop, 3.2 km easy loop – 62 m of elevation gain
- Moose Lake Loop, 2.7 moderate loop – 108 m of elevation gain
- Spirit Island Lookout, 0.3 easy loop – 1 m of elevation gain (you can only access this lookout by watercraft)
Day 2: SkyTram, Beaches and Planetarium
Start this perfect 3-day stay in Jasper by taking a trip up the SkyTram for stunning views, followed by a visit to Lakes Annette and Edith for some refreshing time near nature. Finally, wrap up your day by visiting the Planetarium for an educational and exciting experience.
SkyTram
A great family activity to enjoy while in Jasper is riding the SkyTram. This is one of the most popular attractions in the area, and for good reason.
The SkyTram is a cable car that takes visitors up Whistlers Mountain, over 2,200 meters high. As you ascend the mountain, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the surrounding area.
The SkyTram is open from March to October so that you can experience the beauty of Jasper National Park during most of the year.
One of the best things about the SkyTram is its accessibility to everyone. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the views from the top of Whistlers Mountain. The cable car is fully enclosed and has large windows, so you can take in the scenery from the warmth and comfort of the cabin.
🚡 Book Your Jasper SkyTram Tour
Once at the top, there are several viewpoints and trails to discover. You can also see some neighboring mountains, such as Indian Ridge, Marmot Peak, Pyramid Mountain, and Mount Robson.
Before heading back down, you can grab a coffee, snack, or dine at either of their cafés: The Summit Café or Basecamp Café.
Lake Annette and Lake Edith
As you continue this perfect visit to Jasper, drive to Lakes Annette and Edith, which are pretty close to one another.
Both Lake Annette and Lake Edith are glacier-fed lakes that boast that mesmerizing turquoise color we all love and breathtaking views year-round.
Lake Annette is the smallest of the two lakes, but it still possesses crystal-clear water and a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy various activities, including fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking around the lake’s perimeter. There are also plenty of picnic areas and benches for visitors to relax and take in the beauty of their surroundings.
Lake Edith, on the other hand, is the larger of the two lakes and offers even more activities for visitors to enjoy. In the summer, visitors can dip in the cool water or rent a paddleboat to explore the lake. During winter, the lake freezes over and becomes a popular spot for ice skating and fishing.
No matter what time of year you visit, Lake Annette and Lake Edith will leave you in awe of their natural beauty and tranquility.
Jasper Planetarium
Conclude your day with a magical visit to the Planetarium. You’ll find it a short distance away from Lake Annette and Lake Edith.
Whether you’re interested in astronomy, science, or nature or simply curious about the cosmos, this is an incredible must-see attraction for anyone in the family!
This state-of-the-art facility offers visitors an immersive and educational experience that is both entertaining and informative.
Inside the Planetarium, visitors can explore the universe’s wonders through interactive exhibits, multimedia displays, and live presentations by experts.
The facility has a full-dome theater that projects stunning images of space onto the ceiling, allowing visitors to feel like they are truly among the stars.
Pricing varies depending on the experience you decide to take. Check the options available here.
Day 3: Icefields Parkway
Start your final day with a leisurely drive along the Icefields Parkway, stopping at various viewpoints and attractions.
The Icefields Parkway is known for its breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies, glaciers, and turquoise-colored lakes. It stretches approximately 232 km (144 miles) and connects two of Canada’s most famous national parks: Banff National Park and Jasper National Park.
Guessing you’ll be driving east, leaving the Town of Jasper, you can make several quick stops throughout the Parkway to take in the beautiful vistas.
Some of the must-see attractions we recommend are:
- Athabasca Falls,
- Sunwapta Falls,
- Columbia Icefield,
GETTING READY FOR YOUR JASPER TRIP
Here are a few things to know when planning a road trip to Jasper National Park. While it may not be common for people to travel great distances by plane for a 3-day trip, some do. If you are considering it, here’s some extra information about flights that might be helpful.
✈️ Book your flight to Edmonton. Find cheap flights to Edmonton International Airport (YEG) using Google Flights or Skyscanner where you’ll be able to compare different airline tickets for YEG, including some low-cost ones. Edmonton’s airport is closer than Calgary’s, so if you’re flying to Alberta just to visit Jasper, we recommend arriving at YEG to save some driving time! But if you’re planning to explore more of the Canadian Rockies, then fly into Calgary (YYC)
🚗 Rent your car. You can rent a car directly from Edmonton International Airport or wait until you are in the city. I recommend you compare pricing on DiscoverCars.
🛏️ Book your hotel in Jasper. Booking.com is an excellent search engine for hotels in Jasper. For this itinerary, I highly recommend you stay in a hotel in downtown. There are several options within walking distance of all the restaurants and shops. Some options in or near downtown Jasper are: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Overlander Mountain Lodge, Chateau Jasper or HI Jasper.
▶️ Read our review on HI Jasper
▶️ Read our review on HI Maligne Canyon
🎟️ Book your Jasper tours. Viator and Get Your Guide are two great websites for finding fun tours in and around Jasper National Park such as the Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour (only available during the winter).
⛔ Remember to look at the Parks Canada Trail Conditions website before heading out on a hike in Jasper National Park to know which trails are open or closed, and any other trail details necessary for your trip.
Final thoughts: 3 days in Jasper
Regardless of whether you’re traveling with family, your partner, or solo during winter or summer, Jasper is an exceptional destination that offers numerous natural attractions guaranteed to leave you in awe.
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.