Jasper National Park – the Gentle Giant of the Canadian Rockies
Nestled in the heart of the spectacular Rocky Mountains, Jasper National Park offers unique experiences and some of North America’s most breathtaking scenery. Easily accessible from Edmonton, Calgary and Banff, Jasper’s soaring mountain peaks, vibrant glacial lakes and intriguing wildlife attract visitors from around the world.
Rich in Canadian History, the Jasper area has been inhabited for over 10,000 years. Its storied past can be explored at various historic sites throughout the park, set among the pristine mountains that make Jasper an irresistible Canadian Rockies destination year round.
Jasper National Park’s mountains, lakes and rivers provide a striking backdrop to unlimited recreational opportunities that create wonderful, life-long memories. During warmer months, visitors enjoy activities such as hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, golfing and fishing. Jasper’s picturesque rivers can be explored on rafting trips provided by Jasper Raft Tours and Rocky Mountain River Guides. Rent a mountain bike from Freewheel Cycle and explore the park’s sensational trails, or ride the unique Jasper Tramway for staggering views from 2,277 m (7,472 ft) above sea level. When winter hits, snow-sport lovers flock to Jasper for outstanding skiing and snowboarding at Marmot Basin. Magical ice walks at Maligne Canyon intrigue and amaze, and dog-sledding provides a uniquely Canadian experience. Sundog Tours offers year-round guided sightseeing tours and private charters, while Vacation Jasper takes care of all the details, providing complete vacation packages that include accommodation, guided tours, activities and transportation. From sightseeing trips to lake cruises to world-class golfing, Vacation Jasper can provide custom packages tailored to specific interests.
The action doesn’t stop at the Jasper town site. Brimming with restaurants, pubs, boutiques, gift shops and sporting outlets, downtown Jasper provides visitors with top-notch amenities and attractions. And there’s always something going on with a year-round schedule of fun events for the whole family. After a jam-packed day of exploring all that Jasper National Park has to offer, relax at the welcoming Mount Robson Inn, first-rate Jasper hotel accommodation just minutes from downtown.
If you are travelling through the Canadian Rocky Mountains consider staying at our hotel in Lake Louise – the Mountaineer Lodge. We are pleased to offer special rates to guests who stay at both the Mount Robson Inn in Jasper and at our hotel in Lake Louise.
Please check out these useful Jasper websites to help plan your holiday:
DiscoverJasper.com
JasperNationalPark.com
Visit-Jasper.com
ExploreJasper.com
And the comprehensive Tourism Jasper website
For More information on surrounding areas like Banff or Lake Louise please visit:
Canadianrockies.net
BanffNationalPark.com
BanffTravel.com
DiscoverLakeLouise.com
If you are travelling outside of the Canadian Rockies consider staying at these recommended properties;
Best Western Valemount in Valemount, Glacier Mountain Lodge in Blue River and the St. Albert Inn in St. Albert, all of which offer quality accommodation in British Columbia and Edmonton area along with friendly hospitality.
Jasper National Park History
Jasper National Park, in the Canadian Rockies is a landscape carved from glacial retreat and inhabited by many species of wildlife, has a long history of settlers. Evidence reveals that First Nations people have been living and surviving in the area for 12,000 years. It wasn’t until the 19th century that fur traders from Eastern Canada came west looking for passes through the Rocky Mountains to access fur in British Columbia.
Demand for fur prompted the need for surveyors and mapmakers to explore the area and consequently name many of the features such as mountains and lakes. Adventurers and climbers alike followed with ambitions of ascending some of these newly discovered peaks.
Uniting Canada through a cross-country railway in the early 20th century brought both the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and the Canadian Northern Railway into the Athabasca Valley. At this time in 1907 the federal government decided to create Jasper Forest Park, spanning an area of 13,000 square kilometres. Construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway began at Fitzhugh Station in 1911, establishing a small community. However, in 1913, Mr. Fitzhugh, vice president of Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and whom the town was named after, resigned. The town became Jasper, recalling a local 19th-century supply depot operated by a clerk named Jasper Hawes.
1930 marked a significant change with the passing of the National Parks Act. The Forest Park officially became Jasper National Park with an area of 10,000 square kilometres. The rest of the decade ushered in a new era of tourism with the construction of roads and facilities such as Miette Hot Springs. Local businessmen started to build and promote the downhill ski industry. 1937 marked the completion of an all-season road to Edmonton and the Icefields Parkway to Banff opened in 1940. With Jasper now easier to access, accommodations, restaurants, and tour operators began to open and help make Jasper the international tourist destination it is today.