4 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
Four hours from Edmonton by road
When to go
In summer, to make the most of it
Minimum stay
One day
Jasper (Canada)
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David Wilson
Practical information about Jasper
Reviews of Jasper
Jasper is a small Canadian city located inside Jasper National Park, which is world famous for its wildlife, its glaciers and the hiking opportunities that it offers in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
My suggestion:
The city of jasper itself isn't particularly interesting: it's a pleasant enough place to stop and eat or sleep, but there's nothing about it that amounts to a must-see. However, it does contain the information centre for the National Park.
Summary:
During my trip across Canada, heading for the United States, I stopped a few times in Jasper National Park and, logically enough, I also passed through the city of the same name.
I don't have any special memories of the place. The National Park that surrounds the city, however, is simply extraordinary, from the Athabasca Glacier to the numerous encounters I had with different wild animals, including black bears, grizzlies and wild bighorn sheep!
If you decide to stay in Jasper, you should be aware that the city is noticeably more expensive than the rest of the country, because it's a very popular destination all year round. Be proactive therefore and try to make a reservation in advance of your journey, or book via a local agent, as you're sure to make substantial savings on your accommodation costs.
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David Wilson
Jasper National Park is Canada's biggest national park. It's in the Rocky Mountains, in the province of Alberta, and next to the National Park of Banff.
My suggestion:
It's absolutely unmissable if you love nature or photography. I recommend you visit in Summer, to avoid the rigours of a Canadian Winter, but go in September rather than in July or August.
Summary:
Jasper National Park was created in 1907 and covers almost 11,000 km². It's one of the oldest, and biggest, protected areas in the country. You can see enormous glaciers like Athabasca, hot springs like Miette Hot Springs, and superb mountain lakes and waterfalls.
I have seen wild animals like elk, caribou, moose, big horn sheep, black bears... No grizzly though, on the other hand, it's better not to meet one of those when you are trekking.
Jasper is a kind of Canadian Alaska in that it attracts people looking to get in touch with nature far from civilisation. It has nearly 1,000 km of paths and thousands of camping spots so everyone can experience the adventure. If you are a fan of the Milky Way, this is the second largest dark-sky preserve on the planet...
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Esther Lee
164 travellers' photos
