The Charming Town of Jasper

About four hours north of Canmore lies the sleepy mountain town of Jasper. To reach Jasper, you’ll travel through the Icefields Parkway. Trust me when I say, this journey was an experience in itself.

I’ve read it’s one of the most scenic drives on the planet! While I can’t speak to its beauty relative to the rest of the world, I have to say it exceeds all expectations.

As you drive down the stretch of road, you’ll find it challenging to resist admiring the snowy mountains passing by! The endless stretch of the valley and lakes will demand your attention as well.

Icefields Parkway

I was even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a black bear munching on berries by the side of the road. I was at a safe enough distance to enjoy my first bear sighting of the season!

Along the Icefields Parkway are plenty of spots to stop and appreciate nature. I didn’t know it at the time but there are guided tours of the snow-capped mountains. Perfect for those looking to get up close and personal with the snow!

Icefields Parkway – Roadside Stop

I’ve always wanted to visit Jasper, but I hadn’t realized how challenging it would be to find accommodations. Jasper is a smaller town with many visitors, and there aren’t as many lodgings. Somehow, I managed to book a private room at HI Jasper, which is located close to town on Sleepy Hollow Road.

HI Jasper is a modern hostel that hosts visitors from around the world. It reminded me of a university dorm – complete with a shared kitchen.

This was a different experience than the lodge I stayed at in Canmore, which had more privacy. HI Jasper certainly facilitates impromptu conversations with people you’ve just met! A feature for those looking to expand their social circle.

Animal sightings are common occurrences in the area, made clear by the abundance of bear and elk warning signs. I was startled awake in the dead of night by wailing in the pitch darkness. There was an elk just outside my window who didn’t want me to sleep. The next morning I caught a photo of him grazing!

Elk

At some point, I visited Medicine Lake which I’ve heard has disappearing waters! In the fall and winter seasons, the water empties into a sinkhole funneled through the cave system and pools downstream. There’s more to read about it here if anyone is interested.

Malign Lake

Although there’s plenty to see while in Jasper, I would suggest the glacial waters of Malign Lake! From Malign Lake, it is a short boat ride away from Spirit Island, a place that holds much significance to the Indigenous people of the area. I was curious why it’s called Spirit Island, but there were few explanations online. One website says:

The island is a spiritual place for the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, who believe mountains are physical representations of their ancestors. The fact that Spirit Island is surrounded on three sides by the same mountain range is very rare and makes it particularly significant.  

Pursuit – Banff Jasper Collection

I was planning on canoeing to the island but had arrived at the lake mid-day, which was not enough time if I wanted to return before dark. If anyone is planning on renting canoes to visit Spirit Island, be sure to get an early start!

Other than what was mentioned above, I would say Sunwapta Falls was another memorable location. A lovely getaway when weather permits. I visited the falls after several long days of hiking and it was serene to rest there, listening to the sound of the rushing water and rustling trees.

Sunwapta Falls

The town of Jasper is so unique! Jasper has a permanent resident population of around four thousand people. Every year, during peak travel seasons, a few million visitors pass through.

If you plan on visiting, you may notice the plethora of job postings around town, hung in restaurants, storefronts, and lodges. There aren’t enough people living in Jasper to run businesses during high visitor seasons! There’s an interesting article about it here.

Almost everyone keeping the town running are visitors from other cities. I’ve even seen some businesses offering paid lodging for those willing to help out during peak seasons! An intriguing thought for anyone looking to enjoy their summer meeting new people, and hiking the trails in the national park.

That’s it for this one! For more travel-related articles, check out my Travel Series page!