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Updated live from Wikipedia, last check: May 19, 2013 16:40 UTC (50 seconds ago)

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Jasper National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Jasper Park Location
Location Alberta, Canada
Nearest city Jasper
Coordinates 52°52′23″N 118°04′56″W / 52.87306°N 118.08222°W / 52.87306; -118.08222Coordinates: 52°52′23″N 118°04′56″W / 52.87306°N 118.08222°W / 52.87306; -118.08222
Area 10,878 km²
Established 1907
Visitors 1,988,600 (in 2006[1])
Governing body Parks Canada
World Heritage Site 304

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, spanning 10,878 km² (4200 mi²). It is located in the province of Alberta, to the north of Banff National Park and west of the city of Edmonton. The park includes the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and, of course, mountains. Wildlife in the park includes elk, caribou, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, black bear, beaver, Rocky Mountain pika, hoary marmot, gray wolf, mountain lion, and wolverine.

Contents

History

Jasper was named after Jasper Hawes, who operated a trading post in the region for the North West Company. Before this it was referred to as Fitzhugh. The park was established on September 14, 1907 as Jasper Forest Park, and was granted national park status in 1930, with the passing of the National Parks Act.[2]

In 2006, Jasper National Park had 1,988,600 visitors.[1]

World Heritage Site

This park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, together with the other national and provincial parks that form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, for the mountain landscapes containing mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, canyons and limestone caves as well as fossils found here.

Geography

Major river systems originating in the park include the North Saskatchewan River (part of the Hudson Bay basin), the Athabasca River and Smoky River (part of the Arctic Ocean basin).

Attractions

Fryatt Valley from the top of the head wall.

Some of the park's scenic attractions include Mount Edith Cavell, Pyramid Lake with Pyramid Mountain, Maligne Lake, Medicine Lake, and the Tonquin Valley. Other attractions are the Marmot Basin ski area, the Snocoach (bus-sized snowmobile) tours of the Athabasca Glacier, a distributary of the Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Falls, Maligne Lake, Whistler Sky-Tram the Jasper Tramway, and numerous other outdoor related recreational activities (such as hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, rafting, kayaking and camping). The Miette Hotsprings are located close to the northeast entrance. The Miette Hotsprings are created by an extremely hot spring cooled by the mountain to temperatures suitable for humans.

The Icefields Parkway is a highway 230 km (143 miles) in length from Lake Louise, Alberta in Banff National Park, to Jasper, Alberta. The highway parallels the continental divide, providing motor and cycle access to the mountains. The Athabasca and Snwapta Falls are both accessible by the road. An aerial view of the one of the falls can be seen here.

Photo gallery

Scene from Whistlers Mountain

Sunwapta Falls

Jasper from the Whistlers Mountain

Bighorn Sheep at Medicine Lake

Moose

View from the Icefields Parkway going North from Lake Louise, Alberta in Banff National Park

Lac Beauvert with part of the Jasper Park Lodge over on the North (right) shore

Panoramic view of Jasper, Alberta and surroundings from top of Whistlers Mountain

Scenic sunset in Jasper National Park

Cavell Glacier in Mount Edith Cavell

Athabasca Glacier

Lake Edith

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Alberta Tourism (2007). "Tourist statistics and revenue". http://www.alberta-canada.com/statpub/tourismStatistics/pdf/frequentlyRequestedABTourismStats_Oct2007.pdf. Retrieved 2007-12-06. 
  2. ^ Parks Canada (January 2004). "Jasper National Park of Canada Visitor Information". http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/visit/visit42_E.asp. Retrieved 2007-02-07. 

External links

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Travel guide

Up to date as of January 14, 2010

From Wikitravel

North America : Canada : Prairies : Alberta : Alberta Rockies : Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park [1] is in the Alberta Rockies region of Alberta, Canada. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain Parks, spanning 10,878 square kilometres (4200 square miles) of broad valleys, rugged mountains, glaciers, forests, alpine meadows and wild rivers along the eastern slopes of the Rockies in western Alberta. There are more than 1200 kilometres (660 miles) of hiking trails (both overnight and day trips), and a number of spectacular mountain drives.

Stunning scenery in Jasper National Park
Stunning scenery in Jasper National Park

Understand

History

During the winter, when energy is at a premium and food is more difficult to acquire, caribou need our consideration! Avoid skiing or traveling through areas where you have observed caribou or fresh sign of caribou.

Small numbers of caribou winter along Highway 93. Watch for roadside signs and slow down.

• Give them space. If you see caribou do not approach, observe them and move on. • Report observations to park staff. Include information on the number of animals observed, time, date, location, snow depth and condition and how the animals responded. • Leave your dog at home when you go into caribou country. • Don't follow caribou tracks. • Take photos only from a distance.

Flora and fauna

Jasper National Park protects over 10,800 square kilometres of the Rocky Mountain ecosystem which includes a diversity of wildlife,frogs, plants, rivers, lakes, glaciers, turtles and magnificent mountains.

Climate

Jasper is the largest and most northerly Canadian rocky mountain national park, part of a spectacular World Heritage Site. Comprised of delicate and carefully protected ecosystems, Jasper's scenery is non-the-less rugged and mountainous. In this special corner of Canada you can thrill to the thunder of Sunwapta Falls, enjoy the serene beauty of Mount Edith Cavell, connect with nature along 1,000-plus kilometres of trails, experience Athabasca Glacier up close or just resign yourself to a relaxing soak in Miette Hot Springs.

Map of Jasper National Park
Map of Jasper National Park

Car

Highway 16 (Yellowhead) bisects the park east-west. Hinton is 69 kilometers and Edmonton is 350 kilometers to the east. Valemount is 110 kilometers to the west. The only other way into the park is from Lake Louise in the south via the Icefields Parkway.

Train

Via Rail provides commercial rail travel from Edmonton and Vancouver. There is also the private Rocky Mountaineer tourist train.

Air

The closest International Airport is in Edmonton (IATA: YEG), 350 kilometers east of the park.

Fees/Permits

All visitors stopping in the park (even just for gas) require a park permit. If you are driving straight through the pass is not required. Day passes and annual passes are available.

  • Day pass: $8 adult, $4 youth, $7 senior, $16 family.
  • Annual pass: $55 adult, $27 youth, $47 senior, $109 family.

Additional variable fees are required for camping and backcountry exploration. See the official website for a current schedule.

Sleep

For lodging right in Jasper, please see the Jasper article.

  • Maligne Canyon Hostel, +1 780 852-3215. South-east of Jasper on Maligne Lake Road [2]. This is a rustic hostel nestled next to the beautiful Maligne Canyon. There is no running water or electricity. $15 HI members, $20 non-members.
  • Athabasca Falls Hostel, +1 780 852-3215. 30km south of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway [3]. Another rustic hostel with no running water, there is power however. Located near the spectacular Athabasca Falls. $15 HI members, $20 non-members.
  • Beauty Creek Hostel, +1 780 852-3215. 86km south of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway [4]. This is another rustic hostel. Award winning, and world famous for service and the pancake breakfast. Very close to the Columbia Icefield. $15 HI members, $20 non-members.
  • Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, +1 780 852-3301. [5] Follow the signs on Highway 16. Turn left (if coming from the east) or right (if coming from the west) onto the black steel bridge over Athabasca River and follow the road. This is the only full service hotel outside of Jasper Township. Has a world-class golf course on site, also a world-class restaurant. Expect to pay world-class prices.

Camping

There are 10 designated camping sites throughout the park. There is an interactive map [6] available online with information and fees. It is illegal to camp outside of designated areas without a special backcountry pass.

  • Whistlers, 3.5km south of Jasper.
  • Wapiti, 5.4km south of Jasper. This is the only campground open in winter.
  • Wabasso, 16km south of Jasper.
  • Pocahontas, 45km east of Jasper.
  • Snaring River, 13km east of Jasper.
  • Mount Kerkeslin, 36km south of Jasper.
  • Honeymoon Lake, 52km south of Jasper.
  • Jonas Creek, 78km south of Jasper.
  • Columbia Icefield, 106km south of Jasper.
  • Wilcox Creek, 107km south of Jasper.

Get out

Travel south on the Icefields Parkway to Banff National Park.

Routes through Jasper National Park
END ←  N noframe S  → Lake Louise (in Banff NP) → Cranbrook
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