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The Rocky Mountains surround the Jasper National Park. It is home to several lakes, waterfalls, valleys, and mountains. The forest in Jasper National Park has abundant wildlife. Adventurous people can enjoy various outdoor activities, such as mountain climbing, hiking, biking, river rafting, swimming, and many more. You can also book yourself for a canyoning adventure in the mountains. Due to the long days and perfect climate, it is the best place to visit during the summer.
1. Summer Adventures in the Heart of the National Park
In Alberta, surrounding the Canadian Rockies, lies Jasper National Park. It is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. As everything freezes in the winter everything freezes, summer provides a perfect opportunity to explore the wilderness at its best. The sun sets here at 9:30 p.m., which provides enough time to do all the planned activities. The temperature of the area is around 23 Celsius in the summer.
As home to remarkable valleys, stunning lakes, and iconic places, it gives travellers the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing summer. Listed below are some of the fun things to do in Jasper National Park during the summer.
1.1 Exploring the Diverse Wildlife
Jasper’s natural beauty is home to many animals and birds. But some of the most commonly seen animals are elk, moose, deer, mountain goats, and grizzly bears. You can go on a wildlife viewing trip to see these animals while hiking, camping, or biking. Do not go near them, and treat them politely.
1.2 Dark Sky Festival
In October, Jasper celebrates the Dark Sky Festival. The largest dark sky preserve provides you with an opportunity to lie under the starry sky. The Dark Sky Festival is held every year to create consciousness regarding light pollution. It is celebrated under the preserve, where no artificial light is used. It is a magical experience where you can have an undisturbed view of the stars present in the galaxy that you shouldn’t miss!
You can also visit Jasper Planetarium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It is located near the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
1.3 A Guide to the Mountains
Jasper National Park provides a great hiking experience. The trails of Skyline provide perfect trails for easy hiking and rock climbing. The Skyline Trail is among one of the well-known hiking spots in Jasper. This trail is almost 50 kilometers long and provides a 360-degree view of the area. Even in summer, some parts of the trail can be icy. So, it is recommended to carry special hiking shoes.
One can explore the entire valley in 10 -12 hours. So, if you wish, you can divide your time at your convenience. The trail starts from Maligne Lake near the southern end. It ends near Maligne Canyon. There are several streams present alongside you while hiking to refresh yourself.
So, take a breather and enjoy the breeze while admiring nature. Hikers can park their vehicles at Signal Mountain Trailhead. From there, a shuttle service will take them to the beginning point. Don’t forget to get your park pass.
Another peak that is worth hiking is Mount Edith Cavell. From the parking lot, you can easily hike or walk to Cavell Pond and Angel Glacier. Moreover, the Cavell Meadows trail gives visitors a chance to view Alberta’s wildflowers in their full summer splendor.
1.4 Maligne Lake
In Jasper National Park, many beautiful sights can be seen near Maligne Lake. There are many campgrounds present near Maligne Lake. During hiking, if you want to stay and enjoy the view, these places are perfect. Don’t forget to take your sleeping bags and hiking shoes with you! Whenever you need rest, set your tents and enjoy the scenic view. However, during the summer, it gets busy. So, it is better to book in advance.
The Maligne Lake Road has some of the most scenic places on both sides of the road. It would be a short scenic drive of about an hour and is worth exploring. One can stop at Hanging Valley Viewpoint, Maligne Canyon Hiking Trail, Medicine Lake, and Rosemary Marie’s Rock. The panoramic view from these places will amaze you. Near Maligne Lake, you can have a coffee break in the nearby restaurant before returning.
1.5 Walking on the Sandy Beach of Lake Annette
The sandy area near the lake of Annette is famous among locals. Locals of Jasper consider it their favorite spot and named it “the beach.” In summer, the water gets warm, so it is the best time to take a swim in the lake. Travel with your friends and family, and have fun while throwing a BBQ party. You can also find Lake Edith in the nearby neighborhood area. Take some time out and go for a walk. You can also visit nearby hiking trails near Edith.
1.6 Sightseeing on the Jasper Skytram
Jasper Skytram is a tram that can carry almost 23 to 24 people. It runs to Whistlers Mountain. While you ascend to the top, your guide will brief you about its history. It is open from 9 AM to 5 PM from April through October. It has two trams and has limited occupancy. So, book in advance and enjoy the stunning view of Jasper National Park.
1.7 Swimming in the Lakes
Jasper has some of the most stunning lakes. The water flowing in these rivers is from the nearby glaciers. So, most of the water bodies have crystal clear water. You can either go for boat tours or swimming, whichever you think will be relaxing on a hot summer’s day.
- Lake Edith and Annette – Edith and Annette Lake are known as the Kettle Lakes of Jasper National Park. They are residual lakes of the other lakes covering the Athabasca Valley. It includes a large sandy section on the rim known as “the beach.” In summer, the sand and water remain warm. So take your shoes off and let your bare feet feel the grains of the sand.
- Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake- Pyramid Lake is located on Pyramid Mountain and is well known for being kidney-shaped. You can hike from Lake Pyramid to Lake Patricia. You can also rent kayaks and canoes from Pyramid Lake Resort. Have fun while enjoying the peaceful ambiance.
1.8 Miette Hot Springs
Miette Hot Springs is one of the largest hot springs in Alberta. The temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius which is quite nice and warm. As it is an outdoor pool, you can see the spectacular view of Fiddle Valley. The water is full of natural minerals which is good for health and skin. So, just soak yourself up and let your muscles relax!
1.9 Spirit Island
Spirit Island is one of the most hyped places in Jasper. It lies across the Maligne Lake and has the most beautiful places to explore. You can also opt for boating though it would take a lot of effort. So book yourself for a Maligne Lake boat cruise ride. The Maligne Lake cruise would take 90 minutes to reach the island. You can enjoy the calming breeze while on your boat tour.
So, wear your comfortable boots as you have to hike a short path to reach a viewpoint. So, wear your comfortable boots as you have to hike a short path to reach a viewpoint. While hiking, you can watch out for wildlife like elk, moose, and grizzly bears. You can also rent a boat and explore places like Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake.
1.10 Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls of Jasper National Park is famous for its sheer volume of water falling from the mountain. Once you cross the trails along the Icefields Parkway, it is easy to locate Tangle Creek Falls. You can also visit Sunwapta while crossing Highway 93. All these falls have breathtaking views and are worth visiting.
Summer is the best time to go river rafting with family. Jasper is home to rivers such as Fraser, Sunwapta, and Athabasca. The rapids from the river are classified into two types: Class II and Class III. Choose the activity from above you would love to explore during your trip to Athabasca Falls.
1.11 Long Drive in Columbia Icefield Parkway
The distance from Lake Louise to Jasper is around 233 km. It is also called ‘Highway 93’. The breeze feels calm and relaxing during summer while driving through this highway. So, take some time out of your planned schedule and go for a long drive.
If you love mountain climbing, this tour is perfect for you! Book a tour guide and visit the Glacier Skywalk. The climb on this ice mountain can take about 4-5 hours. You can only get this opportunity during the summer as it is only available from June to October.
The journey from Banff to Jasper on Columbia Icefields can be the most memorable one and don’t forget to explore some of the nearby scenic spots while enjoying your journey.
2. End Note
Tourism Jasper provides a chance to explore your adventurous side all summer season. Visit downtown Jasper and have fun while exploring different restaurants and shops. Enjoy your time while having delicious local cuisines and swimming in the indoor pool. The weather, surrounding mountains, waterfalls, and gorgeous scenery are worth visiting.
So, during the coming summers, book a ticket to Jasper!
Last Updated on by Sanjana
