How to Spend 3 Days in Jasper
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. It is one of my favorite areas in the Canadian Rockies!
Although you can spend a week exploring everything the area offers, you can see most of the must-see attractions in a few days. This guide has everything you need to know to plan the best trip, including the best things to do in 3 days in Jasper!
NOTE: Jasper was impacted by wildfires in July 2024. To stay updated, please visit here.
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Tips for Visiting Jasper
Many of the best things to do in Jasper are near each other, making it easy to plan an itinerary even if you only have a few days. Three days gives you plenty of time to hike, enjoy scenic mountain views, and explore the stunning lakes.
If you have extra time, I highly 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!
Important Things to Know
Start your days early. Most of the best things to do in Jasper can get crowded, and I recommend arriving at the most popular attractions before 9:00 AM. 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 recommend renting them earlier in the day because they can run out quickly.
Buy a park pass for the total number of days you will be there. Buying the park pass ahead of time allows you to quickly go in and out of the park without spending time waiting in line to buy passes each day. If you want to visit Jasper National Park or the surrounding parks a couple of times a year, you can buy the Discovery Pass, too!
Be prepared with the appropriate layers and gear. The mountain weather in Jasper is unpredictable, so I recommend packing layers just in case the weather changes. You should have supportive shoes with good traction, like hiking boots, layers for the time of year you are hiking, and a backpack with water, snacks, and layers. And last but not least, make sure to pack the Ten Essentials.
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.
Where to Stay in Jasper
Jasper is a cute mountain town with many accommodations and restaurants. We loved staying in the town because it was close to the must-see attractions and had everything we needed for our trip.
If you have or can rent camping gear or a campervan, I highly recommend it because there are campgrounds close to Jasper National Park. If you are interested in renting a campervan, I highly recommend renting from Escape Campervans!
Jasper Hotels
Jasper Campgrounds
Best 3 Days in Jasper Itinerary
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.
You will spend your days exploring the many 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!
Day 1 in Jasper
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 love this spot because you get an epic mountain view, and you can walk down to the lake to get the classic Alberta shot - a blue lake with mountains in the background.
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 are looking to do a beautiful hike, I recommend Moose Lake Loop! The easy 1.7-mile trail brings you around 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.
If you are looking for something else to do, you can take a journey on 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!
If you would rather see the lake by yourself, you can rent a canoe, kayak, or rowboat. You can rent the boats anywhere from an hour to the whole day, so you have plenty of time to take in the beauty of this lake!
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! The best way to explore this beautiful canyon is to hike 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, you can hike a 2.3-mile loop to the fifth bridge. If you are looking for an easily accessible spot with beautiful views, there is a trail past the gift shop that will lead you to a magnificent 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, there is a beautiful 1.7-mile paved trail, bringing you around Lake Annette called Lake Annette Loop. 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 kayaking and paddleboarding. There is a cute little hut that offers rentals. You can enjoy exploring the lakes by water and taking in stunning views. 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 in Jasper
The second day in Jasper include f exploring the beautiful Icefields Parkway and its attractions. The Icefields Parkway will leave you in awe of its stunning views, so I recommend taking your time driving it!
We spent an entire day exploring the Icefields Parkway and were in awe of the views. It will quickly become one of your favorite drives in the Canadian Rockies.
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. No matter where you look, you have stunning mountain views!
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.
Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake is one of the deepest lakes in Jasper National Park and is surrounded by cliffs making it the perfect swimming hole. The water of Horseshoe Lake is also very clear! Even though it is a deep lake, we could see far into the water. It is almost crystal clear, which allows you to see all of the fish here.
An easy 1-mile hike from the parking area will bring you to the horseshoe-shaped lake, where you can enjoy the beautiful views or a swim. We loved hiking here even though we did not swim because the lake was stunning!
Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls is not a mind-blowing waterfall, but the backdrop is! Mt. Kerkeslin is right behind the falls and makes for a beautiful backdrop. 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.
This area is usually busy, so keep that in mind when visiting! We arrived around noon, and the parking lot was overflowing.
Athabasca Glacier
Athabasca Glacier is the most-visited glacier in North America and a popular attraction to visit when you are in Jasper. 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. We were in awe of the views when we visited!
There are many things to do near Athabasca Glacier, allowing you to choose how you want to experience it! You can hike the easy Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trail, which brings you close to the glacier. You cannot go onto the glacier from here because it is dangerous without a guide.
But if you want to explore the glacier, many tours allow you to get an up-close and personal experience with Athabasca Glacier and the nearby mountains, waterfalls, and lakes. 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
Peyto Lake is unworldly and the perfect spot for sunset! 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!
The easy 1.5-mile roundtrip trail brings you to multiple overlooks where you can watch the golden light shine over the lake and surrounding mountains. Most of the Peyto Lake trail is paved and easy to follow, so it is great for everyone!
Since Peyto Lake is one of the most popular places to visit near Jasper, it always has crowds. Sunset is a great time to visit because it will have fewer crowds.
Day 3 in Jasper
Your last day in Jasper includes exploring stunning mountain views and lakes. This final day in Jasper may become one of your favorite days because of the beautiful attractions. It has some of my favorite things to do near Jasper, and I know you will quickly fall in love with everything in your itinerary.
Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake
Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake are stunning lakes in Jasper and make perfect sunrise spots. You probably will spend more time at Pyramid Lake, so I recommend going there for sunrise before visiting Patricia Lake.
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. Do not worry! You do not have to swim to get here. It is only a short walk from the parking area over a bridge.
The best time to come here is during sunrise because the sun shines its beautiful morning glow on Pyramid Mountain. Your camera will be able to capture Pyramid Mountain in its prime with a beautiful reflection of it in Pyramid Lake. Sunrise is also a great time to see wildlife!
We were happy we visited during sunrise because the midday crowds are intense. We had the entire place to ourselves!
Jasper Skytram
If you want to experience some of the best views of Jasper National Park, I recommend riding the Jasper SkyTram! The Jasper SkyTram brings you to over 7,400 feet within ten minutes and gives you breathtaking views on your ride and when you reach the top.
If you want to hike, you can follow the Summit Trail from the station to Whistlers Mountain, which is over 8,000 feet tall. The hike is 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.
Beauvert Lake
If you are looking for a great spot to enjoy an afternoon picnic, Beauvert Lake is perfect! The stunning lake is emerald green and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
The best way to enjoy Beauvert Lake is to hike the 2.1-mile Beauvert Lake Loop Trail. If you do not want to hike, you can go for a swim, rent a kayak, or enjoy the views near the parking lot.
Valley of Five Lakes
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. It is also a great place to stop and take a break if needed on your hike because it has red chairs at the top of the lake, giving you the best views! The fourth lake is similar, with a deep blue/green color and a beautiful mountain view.
If you can hike the Valley of Five Lakes for sunset, I highly recommend it! The lakes are stunning in the golden sunset light, and the trail will be less crowded.
If you want to plan an incredible trip to Jasper, this guide is the perfect place to start! We spent our three days in Jasper exploring everything it offered, and I know you will love traveling here. This guide has everything you need to plan the best 3-day Jasper itinerary!
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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