Jasper Summer Itinerary - 4 days, 3 nights

This is a real itinerary you can use to visit Jasper during the peak summer months. Perfect for first time, adventurous visitors.

Day 1:

Tour the Fairmont Jasper grounds and visit Pyramid & Patricia lake.

Drive 4 hours from Edmonton International Airport to Jasper. Make a pit stop in the neighboring town of Hinton to fill up on gas, buy groceries and stretch your legs. Hinton is only an hour drive from Jasper. Arrive in Jasper and stop at the Jasper Fairmont Hotel grounds to take in the beauty and dip your toes in the lake. Tour the hotel gift shop. Check into your hotel. Grab dinner. At dusk, take a drive up to Pyramid and Patricia Lake. This is a unique time of day to visit the lakes as it will be away from the crowds and very peaceful.

Note: You'll need to buy a Canada Park pass when you enter Jasper National Park. Also, the entrance to the park is about a half hour drive from the actual townsite so enjoy the beautiful drive!

Day 2:

See Athabasca Falls, Leech Lake, Edith Cavell Trail and Angel Glacier.

Grab breakfast at the hotel. Pack a lunch. Drive 25 minutes to Athabasca Falls. Hike down to the water level, build an inukshuk and watch the river rafters. Drive 4 minutes and stop at Leach Lake to take pictures and dip your toes in the lake. This is a perfect spot to have a peaceful lunch. Drive 50 minutes to Edith Cavell Trail. This drive will initially take you back towards the Jasper townsite but you will make a turn to ascend to Mt. Edith Cavell. Hike the trail down to the Angel Glacier. Head back to the townsite for dinner.

Day 3:

See the Jasper SkyTram, Valley of the Five Lakes and Maligne Lake.

Pack a lunch. Grab breakfast at Bear's Paw Bakery. Drive 12 minutes to the Jasper SkyTram and take in the views. Drive another 12 minutes to the Valley of the Five Lakes. Hike the circuit and take a dip in Lake #1 and sit in the big red chairs at Lake #5. Drive 7 Minutes to Becker's Chalets. Eat lunch on the river's edge while watching the rafters go by. Drive 1 hour up to Maligne Lake. Grab a refreshing drink at The View and relax. Have dinner at Syrah's back in the townsite.

Note: Bring bear spray, bear spray and lots of water on the Valley of the Five Lakes hike. While usually full of people, it's not uncommon to see them! Also, make sure you have a full tank of gas before setting off for the day.

Day 4:

Tour the shops in the townsite, drive back to YEG.

Grab breakfast at the hotel. Check out of your hotel and walk the townsite. Go shopping. Have lunch at Famoso. Drive back to Edmonton International Airport.