<a href="https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/canada/articles/12-reasons-to-visit-jasper-over-banff-in-canada/">Jasper</a> is a service center, a junction and a destination unto itself. It is the natural and obvious destination when traveling north from Banff and one of the two principal routes into British Columbia. As the largest park in the Canadian Rockies, there is so much to discover in this part of the world. Often people only visit for two or three days, but Jasper can be explored for a lifetime. These are but a few of the most exciting sights to visit.

Highway 93 North connects Jasper with Lake Louise, through a route with amazing mountainscapes, waterfalls and alpine forest, and which is considered one of the most incredible drives on earth. The initial section going south from Jasper Town is a good area to spot bears, and even wolves from time to time. You will also see signs for caribou, but they are so elusive that they are almost a myth. Drive between Jasper and Lake Louise and you pass through five river valleys, all of which deserve a moment to stop and admire. Driving north and south offer entirely different vistas, so make sure you take the time to explore both directions.

The Icefields Parkway stretches for 232 kilometers (144 miles) through the <a href="https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/canada/articles/the-most-beautiful-places-to-enjoy-the-canadian-rockies/">Canadian Rockies</a>, connecting the towns of Jasper and Banff. People often describe it as one of the world's most scenic highways, and you can expect to pull over frequently to see "100 ancient glaciers, waterfalls cascading from dramatic rock spires and turquoise lakes set in sweeping valleys." <a href="https://www.travelalberta.com/ca/places-to-go/road-trips/icefields-parkway/">Travel Alberta</a> recommends stops such as Lake Louise, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow and Peyto Lakes, Columbia Icefield, and Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls.
Best time to go: June to September.

Icefields Parkway from Wilcox Pass, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

The Icefields Parkway

Highway 93 North – The Icefields Parkway

Located at the southern end of Jasper National Park, the Columbia Icefields are the second-largest non-polar icefields in the world. The icefields are one of the fastest changing landscapes in the country and current advertising for the tours say, “come visit while they are still there.” Six glaciers flow from the mighty icefield and all are receding rapidly, while nearby Mount Snow Dome is the hydrographic apex of North America, with waters flowing to the oceans.

Columbia Icefields Alberta Rocky Mountains. Image shot 03/2016. Exact date unknown.

Columbia Icefields

Jasper is home to only 4,600 permanent residents, but welcomes millions of visitors. The town is an interesting mix of tourist services, Parks Canada and railway, as well as many local businesses, restaurants and pubs. Jasper has an incredibly relaxed feel and is easy to walk around, so give yourself a whole day to explore it properly.

Downtown Jasper in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.

Jasper Town

Make sure to set aside enough time to visit the whole route of Jasper National Park’s East Gate. The front (east) mountain ranges are nearly vertical and are very exposed. This part of the Rockies is somewhat less-visited and worth every minute you’ll spend there.

The East Gate

Atop the Maligne Valley, Maligne is the largest lake in the national park and a must visit when in Jasper. Maligne is simply magnificent, framed by the Brazeau Glacier at the southern end. This moose country and the Maligne River is home to protected harlequin ducks. There is a day lodge, boat tours to Spirit Island and canoe or kayak rentals. If you fancy a day fishing, this should be your destination. The largest trout ever caught in the lake was over 20lb (9kg)!

<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Maligne Lake</h2>
Maligne Lake is beautiful for a number of reasons, including its surrounding Rocky peaks, its three visible glaciers, summertime boat cruises, access to the Skyline Trail, and Spirit Island. <a href="https://www.brewster.ca/attractions-sightseeing/maligne-lake-cruise/">Reader's Digest</a> subscribers said the lake has the Best Boat Cruise in Canada, and it isn't hard to see why. The Skyline Trail is Jasper's most popular multi-day hike, which begins at Maligne Lake.
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Maligne+Lake/@52.6611751,-117.6669416,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x539d37268f041a7f:0xa99d99f9d95f3278!8m2!3d52.6654279!4d-117.5345287">Maligne Lake, Improvement District No. 12, AB, Canada</a>


[caption id="attachment_1370568" align="aligninline" width="1000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1370568" src="https://theculturetrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/shutterstock_255015211-by-elena_suvorova.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667"> Spirit Island at Maligne Lake | © Elena Suvorova / Shutterstock[/caption]

Evening light over Jasper National Park's Maligne Lake and boats available for rent at the historic Curly Phillips Boathouse.

Maligne Lake

Whether you go for a long walk or a short one, Maligne Canyon absolutely must feature on your itinerary. The canyon area is spectacular anytime of the year, well marked and easy to reach by road. From certain viewpoints you will look down to 160 feet (50m) into the depths. In the winter, the canyon should be visited from the inside with ice cleats.

Maligne Canyon

Often people only visit for two or three days, but Jasper can be explored for a lifetime. These are but a few of the most exciting sights to visit.

The Best Places to Go Sightseeing in Jasper, Canada

Columbia Icefields

Jasper Town

The East Gate

Maligne Lake

Maligne Canyon

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