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Jasper National Park Itinerary - Jasper Day Trip

an elk walks across the highway in Jasper National Park

Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park offers countless activities for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The Park is huge! There is so much to do and so much to see; it can all be very overwhelming!


While 1 day won't be enough to see it all, it's certainly better than nothing! To make sure you get the most of your 1 day in Jasper National Park, we've crafted this perfect 1 day itinerary Jasper National Park.


Table of Contents


Day 1: Exploring Maligne Lake - Jasper Day Trip


a view of maligne lake at sunset

Morning


Your Jasper one day itinerary begins bright and early! Hitting the road early is not just a great way to beat the tourist crowds, but this is also a time when the wildlife is most active - particularly along the Maligne Lake Road. This is an excellent area to see black bears, moose, elk and sometimes mountain sheep. Also, be sure you stop at the beautiful Medicine Lake on your to Maligne Lake.



Ideally, you should be arriving at Maligne Lake around 10am - meaning you should be leaving Jasper by roughly 8:30am. Once there, take in the beautiful turquoise views and explore the local area. If you're up for it, hop on the Maligne Lake Boat Tour to see the famed Spirit Island - once of the most famous photograph locations in Canada. If you're on a tighter budget, there's a couple wonderful hikes nearby and no shortage of water activities.



spirit island, jasper national park

Afternoon


maligne canyon, jasper national park

Following your adventure on Maligne Lake, we recommend you have a picnic amidst the beauty of the area. There are several picnic areas in which you can relax and unwind - otherwise there are a few decent restaurants as well from which you can order.


Then, continue your jasper itinerary 1 day by heading to Maligne Canyon - one of the most popular and beautiful hikes in Jasper National Park. You'll get to traverse some rugged landscapes, rushing water, and beautiful limestone walls. Stop at some of the bridges and appreciate the overwhelming beauty and tranquility of Maligne Canyon.


Evening


After your hike through Maligne Canyon, we recommend you continue straight to Pyramid Island - another remarkable viewpoint in Jasper National Park. It is less than a 30min drive from Maligne Canyon and takes you very near the town of Jasper. Pyramid Island is a very short trail that features some great views of Pyramid Lake and Pyramid Mountain.


mount pyramid, jasper national park

If you're up for it, there are several trails in the area - one of our favorites being the Patricia Lake Trail. If not, enjoy some fine dining at the Pyramid Lake Lodge - one of our favorite restaurants in Jasper National Park. The food there is some of the best in Jasper, although fairly pricey. Return to Jasper for a wide variety of cuisine options if Pyramid Lake Lodge is of no interest to you.


Summary


A view from Overlander Trail in Jasper National Park

We hope that this 1 day itinerary Jasper was helpful for you in planning your trip! There are plenty of ways to spend 1 day in Jasper National Park, but we think this is about as good as it gets!


If you have questions, feel free to leave us a comment!






Frequently Asked Questions


Is two days enough for Jasper National Park?

In our opinion, no. 2 days is not enough time to spend in Jasper National Park. 3 days is what we recommend for Jasper, and if you plan on doing some hiking you might want to consider even 4.

How many days should I spend in Jasper National Park?

Can you get around in Jasper National Park without a car?


Comments


a happy couple posing while hiking

Hi there! We're Aidan and Sheryl, a young couple infatuated with hiking and everything related to the Canadian Rockies. We've traveled them extensively and just can't get enough. 

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We want to share our experience, advice and tips to make sure you have the best trip possible!

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