How to Spend 3 Days in Jasper: Beautiful Drives, Lakes, and Hikes
Jasper is a beautiful mountain town in the Canadian Rockies and is home to one of the most beautiful national parks, Jasper National Park. Jasper is sometimes overlooked since many people are likely to visit Banff instead, but it is just as beautiful, with stunning lakes and beautiful mountain views.
When we visited Jasper, we were in awe of its stunning views and shocked at how few crowds were there. We spent every day hiking and enjoying scenic drives, and it quickly became one of my favorite areas in the Canadian Rockies!
Although you can spend a week or more exploring everything the area offers, you can see most of the must-see attractions in a few days. I created this guide to have everything you need to know to spend the best 3 days in Jasper.
Get your cameras and hiking boots ready for an amazing trip!
NOTE: Jasper was impacted by wildfires in July 2024. To stay updated, please visit here.
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Key Tips for Visiting Jasper
Start your days early. I recommend arriving at the most popular attractions before 9:00 AM to secure a spot and enjoy the attractions with fewer crowds. Parking lots filled up quickly when we visited in the summer, and we were glad we arrived at the popular attractions early. If you want to rent a canoe, kayak, or rowboat, I also recommend renting them earlier in the day because they can run out quickly.
Buy a park pass ahead of time. I recommend buying a park pass for the total number of days you will be in Jasper National Park, so you can quickly go in and out of the park without waiting in line to buy passes each day. If you want to visit Jasper National Park or the surrounding parks multiple times a year, you can buy the Discovery Pass, too!
Be aware of bears. Jasper has many grizzly bears, and we saw many while driving around Jasper National Park. I recommend packing bear spray, making noise when you hike, and hiking in groups. If you have questions, I recommend speaking with a local park ranger!
If you have extra time, I recommend adding a nearby park to your itinerary, like Banff National Park or Yoho National Park. Since both are not too far from Jasper, you can easily visit all three parks in a week, like we did. We loved spending a week in the Canadian Rockies!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
How to Get to Jasper
Flying to Jasper
If you are flying to Jasper, I recommend flying into Calgary International Airport or Edmonton International Airport. Edmonton is about 4 hours from Jasper while Calgary is about a 4.5-hour drive.
The Calgary airport will likely have the most flight options because it is a bigger airport, but you can fly into either. We flew into Calgary because it had the best flights for us. It was a long drive to Jasper, but it is along the Icefields Parkway, so it was stunning!
Rental Car vs Shuttle
I highly recommend renting a car to explore Jasper because it does not have a large public transportation system. Jasper only has a shuttle in its downtown, and it, unfortunately, does not bring you to many must-see attractions.
I prefer being on my own schedule and not worrying about shuttles being late, so I rent a car on trips. We rented a car in Jasper and appreciated having the flexibility!
Where to Stay in Jasper
Jasper is a cute mountain town with many accommodations and restaurants. We loved staying downtown because it was close to the must-see attractions and had everything we needed for our trip.
Jasper Hotels
Jasper Campgrounds
What to Pack for Jasper
The weather in Jasper is unpredictable, making it crucial to pack layers just in case the weather changes, especially if you are hiking. Even if you visit in the summer, I recommend packing a warm layer just in case.
This is a great baseline for what to pack, and you can adjust as needed:
Itinerary for 3 Days in Jasper: Best Way to See it All
Spending 3 days in Jasper gives you plenty of time to explore everything the area offers without feeling rushed! We were able to do everyone on our itinerary in a few days when we visited Jasper!
Jasper Itinerary Overview
I created this itinerary to explore the must-see attractions near Jasper and along the Icefields Parkway, including stunning lakes, trails, mountain views, and waterfalls. Make sure to get your cameras ready because you will want to photograph everything during your trip!
If you have extra time, I recommend adding Yoho National Park or Banff National Park to your itinerary. Since the national parks are not too far from each other, you can easily visit all three in one week.
But if you only have a few days, this itinerary is a great starting point to build the best Jasper itinerary!
Day 1: Explore Medicine Lake, Maligne Lake, Maligne Canyon, Lake Annette, and Edith Lake
Day 2: Drive Icefields Parkway and visit Athabasca Falls, Athabasca Glacier, and Peyto Lake
Day 3: Visit Pyramid Lake, Patricia Lake, Beauvert Lake, Valley of Five Lakes, and the Jasper Skytram
Day 1: Maligne Lake and Maligne Canyon
The first day in Jasper consists of exploring some of the iconic lakes in Jasper National Park. You can choose from a variety of activities near the lakes, including hiking, kayaking, and taking a sightseeing cruise, depending on what you want to do.
Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake
Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake are two stunning lakes next to each other that make great spots for sunrise. You can enjoy taking a cruise on the lake, renting a canoe to explore the lake, hiking around the lake, or enjoying the wildlife.
You can take Maligne Lake Road off the Trans-Canada Hwy to get to these two beautiful lakes, and Medicine Lake will be the first stop.
I recommend parking in the first turn-off spot because it is more secluded since most people will be at the second stop down by the lake. I loved this spot because you get an epic mountain view, and you can walk down to the lake.
Down the road from Medicine Lake is the iconic Maligne Lake. It is incredibly picturesque and one of the most iconic mountains in Jasper!
If you want to hike, I recommend Moose Lake Loop, an easy 1.7-mile trail to Maligne Lake and Moose Lake. Moose Lake is a small lake and a great area to see Moose, especially during the early morning or late evening hours.
You can also take a cruise on Maligne Lake! This cruise brings you into the 14-mile-long glacial water of Maligne Lake, allowing you to get some beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains surrounding it. It also brings you around Spirit Island, one of the photographed places in the Canadian Rockies!
You can also rent a canoe, kayak, or rowboat if you would rather see the lake by yourself. To be honest, the prices to rent a boat are pretty expensive. We really wanted to rent a canoe, but ultimately decided to skip it because of the price.
Fun Fact: Maligne Lake is the second-largest glacier-fed lake in the world, behind Lake Baikal in Siberia.
Maligne Canyon
Maligne Canyon is a limestone slot canyon with incredible waterfalls and the deepest canyon in the Rockies. Honestly, I wish we spent more time here because it was stunning!
Although a few trails travel through the canyon, I recommend hiking the 4.5-mile trail, starting at the sixth bridge. The trail travels over six bridges, through Maligne Canyon, and past many beautiful waterfalls, springs, and viewpoints.
If you are looking for a shorter hike that is just as scenic, I recommend the 2.3-mile loop to the fifth bridge. Or if you do not want to hike at all, I recommend the short walk past the gift shop to a view of the waterfall.
Since the hike is relatively easy, I highly recommend allocating enough time to hike the entire trail to take in everything this beautiful canyon offers!
Lake Annette and Edith Lake
Lake Annette and Lake Edith are two beautiful lakes that offer some of the most beautiful swimming spots and the perfect places to watch the sunset. Who would not want to swim in a blue lake surrounded by the Canadian Rockies?!
Both lakes have sandy beaches and are easily accessible, but these lakes are glacier-fed, so be prepared for some chilly waters.
If you want to hike, I recommend the beautiful 1.7-mile paved trail, bringing you around Lake Annette. It is also great for biking since it is paved.
The Lake Annette Loop offers beautiful views of the lake and gives you a great opportunity to see some wildlife. Make sure to keep your eyes out for Elk!
Another fun activity at Lake Annette and Lake Edith is paddleboarding. There is a cute little hut that offers rentals, and you can explore the lakes by water.
Honestly, no matter what way you decide to enjoy Lake Annette and Edith Lake, you will fall in love with their beauty!
Fun Fact: Lake Annette and Lake Edith are also known as “kettle lakes” because they are from one large lake that covered the Athabasca Valley during the ice age!
Day 2: Icefields Parkway
The second day in Jasper explores the beautiful Icefields Parkway. The Icefields Parkway will leave you in awe of its stunning views, so I recommend allocating a full day to exploring it!
We spent an entire day exploring the Icefields Parkway, and it quickly became one of our favorite drives in the Canadian Rockies. There is a reason it is known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world!
I recommend starting your day early to have the most time to explore since the Icefields Parkway has many attractions you will want to visit. The early wake-up call will be worth it!
Drive Icefields Parkway
Icefields Parkway is a 145-mile road that links Jasper to Lake Louise and is one of the most beautiful mountain drives in the world. And no, I am not exaggerating! The views will take your breath away!
I recommend taking your time driving the Icefields Parkway because there are so many beautiful overlooks you do not want to miss. We spent an entire day from sunrise to sunset exploring the Icefields Parkway, and it was worth it.
I will go more in depth about the best things to do along the Icefields Parkway next!
Athabasca Falls
I recommend starting your day off at Athabasca Falls because it is one of the most popular areas along the Icefields Parkway. The midday crowds are pretty crazy, so going in the morning will be much quieter.
Athabasca Falls is not a mind-blowingly huge waterfall, but the backdrop is! Mt. Kerkeslin is right behind the falls, and the views made this one of my favorite spots near Jasper.
The 0.6-mile roundtrip hike brings you next to Athabasca Falls and a canyon downstream. The blue waters, of course, make everything beautiful!
Athabasca Glacier
Now it is time to explore one of my favorite things near Jasper!
Athabasca Glacier is the most-visited glacier in North America, and it is a part of the Columbia Icefield, the only remaining part of what used to be a large ice mass covering most of Western Canada.
Many of the tallest mountains in the Canadian Rockies are near Athabasca Glacier, so the views are amazing. The views literally took our breath away when we visited!
I recommend spending most of your day on a day of the glacier! You can choose from many tours that give you an up-close and personal experience with Athabasca Glacier and the nearby mountains, waterfalls, and lakes. Trust me, it is so cool!
If you want a unique experience, you can walk along a glass-bottomed platform above the Sunwapta Valley called the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
Peyto Lake
What a better way to end your day than the most iconic lake in the Canadian Rockies?!
Peyto Lake is unworldly and the perfect spot for sunset or an afternoon hike. It is one of the most popular lakes in the Canadian Rockies because of its bright turquoise waters.
And yes, the water is THAT blue! Peyto Lake is glacier-fed, and the sediments from the glacier give the lake its iconic color. I was shocked when we saw how blue the water was!
A 1.5-mile roundtrip trail brings you to multiple overlooks where you can watch the golden light shine over the lake and surrounding mountains. I recommend stopping at each viewpoint because the views are breathtaking.
Since Peyto Lake is one of the most popular places to visit near Jasper, it is always crowded. Sunset is a great time to visit because it will have fewer crowds.
Day 3: Beautiful Lakes and Jasper Skytram
Your last day in Jasper explores stunning mountain views and lakes! I made sure to end this itinerary with a bang, so make sure to pack your cameras.
Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake
Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake are perfect sunrise spots. You probably will spend more time at Pyramid Lake, so I recommend going there for sunrise before visiting Patricia Lake on the way out.
Pyramid Lake is surrounded by stunning mountains, with the most beautiful mountain being Pyramid Mountain. The best view of Pyramid Mountain is on the small island in the middle of the lake.
The best time to come here is during sunrise because the sun shines its beautiful morning glow on Pyramid Mountain. We loved spending a quiet morning here, and surprisingly, we were the only people there during sunrise! It was so peaceful and beautiful.
During sunrise, your camera will be able to capture Pyramid Mountain in its prime with a beautiful reflection of it in Pyramid Lake.
Jasper Skytram
If you want to experience some of the best views of Jasper National Park, I recommend riding the Jasper SkyTram after your sunrise adventure! The Jasper SkyTram brings you to over 7,400 feet within ten minutes and gives you breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Once at the top, I recommend following the Summit Trail from the station to Whistlers Mountain, which is over 8,000 feet tall. This hike was one of our favorites, and I know you will love it.
And the best part? The trail is only one mile to the summit! It is one of the best hikes for the effort and views!
The Jasper SkyTram also has a cafe, gift shop, and restaurant with incredible views. Although the restaurant menu is a little pricey, it is the perfect spot to grab a meal and enjoy the views after a hike.
Valley of Five Lakes
And the last thing on your itinerary is one of the most beautiful hikes near Jasper!
The Valley of Five Lakes has five stunning lakes that are shades of blue-green due to their glacial rock dust. These lakes were some of our favorites in Jasper.
The best way to explore the lakes is by hiking! There is a 6-mile round trip trail and an easy 3-mile trail. If you have time, I recommend hiking the longer trail to take in everything this area offers.
The third and fourth lakes are the most beautiful, in my opinion. The third is a stunning deep-green lake with beautiful mountains in the background, and it is a great place to stop and take a break on its red chairs at the top of the lake. The fourth lake is similar, with a deep blue/green color and a beautiful mountain view.
Jasper Itinerary FAQs
Is 3 days enough time to explore Jasper?
Yes! You can see most of the must-see attractions in Jasper within a few days. Jasper offers many things to do but most are within a short driving distance from each other.
Of course, if you have more time, I recommend extending your trip. You can spend more days in Jasper or visit Banff National Park and Yoho National Park.
Do I need a car to visit Jasper?
I will always recommend renting a car because, in my opinion, it makes exploring places easier. Jasper has shuttles, but they do not go to all the must-see attractions.
We rented a car for our trip to Jasper and would not have done it differently. Having a car allowed us to be flexible and explore everything on our itinerary on our schedule.
Can I explore Jasper without hiking?
Absolutely! Many lakes and viewpoints in Jasper do not require hiking. You can visit many roadside attractions to take in the stunning views.
But I recommend adding at least one hike to your itinerary. And the best thing about Jasper is it has hikes for all levels! Whether you want to hike a short paved path around a lake or to the top of a mountain, you can easily find hikes to add to your itinerary.
Is Jasper better than Banff?
I honestly do not think one area is better than the other. Banff is more popular, but Jasper offers equally as beautiful views.
Both national parks are stunning, so you cannot go wrong with visiting either. I loved both Banff and Jasper in their own ways!
If you want to visit Jasper, this guide is the perfect place to start planning! I included everything you need to know and the best things to do in 3 days in Jasper. Trust me, you are going to fall in love with Jasper quickly!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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