SUMMER 2019 Visitor Guide Également offert en français Discovery trail Jasper National Park Canadian Rocky Mountain Dark Sky Preserve Parks World Heritage Site In 2011, the Royal In 1985 the United Nations Astronomical Society of Educational, Scientific and Cultural Canada (RASC) designated Organization (UNESCO) designated Jasper National Park as a Jasper, Banff, Yoho and Kootenay Welcome to Jasper National Park Dark Sky Preserve. national parks, as well as Mount Robson, Mount Assiniboine and Our commitment to Hamber provincial parks as the We respectfully acknowledge that Jasper National Park is located in Treaty 6, protecting our dark skies in Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks partnership with the town of World Heritage Site. Treaty 8 and the traditional territories of the Beaver, Cree, Ojibway, Shuswap, Jasper and outlying properties Stoney and Métis Nations. We mention this to honour and thank these nations over the last 8 years ensures This 29 990 square kilometre site that the natural rhythms exemplifies the striking natural beauty for their past, present, and future contributions to the protection, preservation of nocturnal animals and of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and presentation of Jasper National Park. humans are protected. This through prominent examples of the way residents and visitors glacial and geological processes in Jasper National Park will that shape it. The Burgess Shale in always be able to experience Yoho National Park holds exquisitely You are among travellers drawn to the human history. Jasper entices visitors from the wonders of a dark sky. preserved Cambrian fossils and continues to give important scientific mighty peaks of the Athabasca Valley from all around the world to travel here, like you. insights into early life and evolution the earliest of times. Indigenous peoples, on earth. fur traders, railway workers, mountaineers, With your arrival you too are now part of and more, are part of the rich cultural the rich history of Jasper National Park. history of Jasper National Park. While you are here, join our friendly Parks Contents Canada staff at the Information Centre, Spanning over 11 000 square kilometres, at Parks Canada-led experiences and Welcome 3 A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE Jasper is the largest national park in events, or simply share in a conversation Jasper Wildlife 4 the Canadian Rockies; a place of vast when you see us anywhere in the park. Jasper’s Top 5 Regions 6 wilderness, majestic mountains, abundant We are here to assist you and hope your Jasper National Park Map 7 wildlife, outstanding natural beauty and rich visit is safe, enjoyable, and memorable. Around Town 8 Area Map 9 Town Attractions 10 Townsite Map 11 Maligne Valley 12 Jasper East and Miette Hot Springs 14 Directory Icefields Parkway and Area 16 PARKS CANADA TOURISM JASPER GENERAL Icefields Parkway Driving Guide 18 JASPER INFORMATION CENTRE 780-852-6236 • jasper.travel Jasper weather: 780-852-3185 Edith Cavell and Wabasso Road 20 500 Connaught Drive weather.gc.ca Species at Risk 21 780-852-6176 FRIENDS OF JASPER NATIONAL PARK Road conditions: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasper Maps and guide books: Mountain Pine Beetle 22 511.alberta.ca • drivebc.ca 780-852-4341 • friendsofjasper.com Campgrounds 24 SOCIAL MEDIA Fort St. James National Historic Site EMERGENCY 26 JasperNP PARKS CANADA RESERVATIONS Dial 911 Medicine Lake Park Regulations 27 1-877-737-3783 Cell phones are not always reliable. JASPER TRAIL CONDITIONS REPORT parkscanada.gc.ca/reservation 780-852-3100 (satellite) 2 parkscanada.gc.ca/jaspertrails 3 Protecting Wildlife Wildlife Identification & Populations NO DISTINCTIVE Human Food and Garbage Kills Wildlife. SHOULDER SHOULDER HUMP SMALL LARGE OR GRIZZLY? HEAD HUMP HEAD BLACK BEAR NEVER LEAVE FOOD UNATTENDED. Wildlife that eat human food or garbage become aggressive with people. This puts SHORT TALL M.Bradley Photo: ROUNDED both people and wildlife at risk of being hurt or killed. McCormick J. Photo: EARS EARS LONG 220 110 CLAWS BLACK BEAR 17 cm 12 cm SHORT CLAWS BEAR GRIZZLY Wildlife quickly find any food, scented items or This puts you and others in danger. If your food or garbage that is left unattended. garbage is not properly stored, wild animals will Note: Black bears and Grizzly bears come in a variety of colours. Once a taste for human food and garbage has developed, enter picnic areas, or campsites in search of more food and garbage. they become aggressive in their search for more. Characteristics Characteristics Medium-sized dog; Built like a large German Photo: R. Gruys R. Photo: Give Wildlife Space. thick, bushy tail, greyish- Shepherd, with longer legs. brown in colour. Colour can vary from white Photo: M.Bradley Photo: to black. DO NOT APPROACH OR ENTICE WILDLIFE. Where to find Valley bottoms. Well- Where to find Following, crowding or startling wildlife can lead to aggressive encounters, ? adapted to humans. 60-80 Mainly valley bottoms. 7 cm which can put you and others in danger. When viewing wildlife: 12 cm Coyote Wolf y le 100 m/330 ft d a r Characteristics • Stay at least 100 metres away from bears, B S . Y U M R : G o Brown body, darker . t Characteristics coyotes, wolves and cougars. R o : h O P T O F neck and large tan H White rump and light brown emale P 30 m/100 ft • Stay at least 30 metres away from elk, rump patch. Backwards Female fur and horns. Males: thick bighorn sheep, moose and deer. slanting antlers. curled horns. Females: short narrow horns. Where to find Photo: M. Bradley M. Photo: Photo: M. Bradley M. Photo: Valley bottoms and open Where to find If you see wildlife on the road always slow down. Stopping is not Near steep rocky terrain. 300 areas. Commonly seen 1200 recommended for your safety and the safety of wildlife. If you chose to stop: around townsites. 11.5 cm 9 cm 9 • Pull over where it is safe to do so. • Quickly observe, take a photo and move on. Elk Bighorn Sheep • Use your hazard lights to alert others. • Move on if a traffic jam develops; • Stay in your vehicle. It is unsafe for people and wildlife. Characteristics Long legs, shoulder hump, Characteristics built like a horse with a large Narrow black horns, beard, head, shovel-like antlers. long white hair. KEEP PETS ON A LEASH Where to find Where to find • Pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Wet and marshy areas. Near steep rocky terrain. • Pets attract wildlife and may be attacked if they are left unattended. • Do not leave pet food out. If you walk away, store food dishes – empty 180 250 or full. Always store food dishes at night. 13 cm Moose Mountain Goat 8 cm 4 1 = Wildlife Population ? = Insufficient Data 5 Legend 0 5 10 20 km Jasper National Park Suggested summer routes Hot Springs Easy trail SkyTram Moderate trail Canoe rental Difficult trail Boat tour S Grande Cache ver n Ri a k Grande Prairie Boat launch n e a i Easy trail d I In n Scenic route e d Restaurant ak ia n n to Alaska Moderate trail S R iv e Accomodation r Difficult trail Trail not maintained Backcountry camping ALBERTA Hinton by Parks Canada BRITISH COLUMBIA er sca iv ba R Edson Canoe camping a h National park boundary t Pocahontas Edmonton JASPER A 2 F Trail marker No dogs id NATIONAL dle R iv PARK er 3.3 Distance (km) No biking MOUNT Information TOP 5 Miette No horses ROBSON Talbot REGIONS S Hot Springs n Jasper Lake Lake Toilets a Red chairs r Prince George PROVINCIAL in TO EXPLORE g Parking Fort St. James R Closed area (page 25) PARK iv Prince Rupert er Roc Parking with trailhead Wildlife movement Overlander ky Ri corridor-Closed area Falls Snaring ve r Accessible parking Rearguard Marsh Falls Campground Bridge Valemount Miette River Frontcountry camping Kamloops Pyramid Lake (Small and Large RV) Highway Pyramid Maligne Canyon Vancouver Lake The best way to explore this incredible Picnic site Road Beach Loose surface Jasper closed to vehicles landscape is to take a day and explore Lookout Wapiti Medicine each of its top 5 regions. Whistlers Lake Exhibit CLOSED FOR Valley of THE SEASON Five Lakes Marmot A 4. ICEFIELDS PARKWAY AND AREA (pg. 16) t 1. AROUND TOWN (pg. 8) Basin ha b a s Enjoy the wilderness at your door. Hundreds of Winding 232 kilometres through the heart of Jasper c a Wabasso R kilometres of trails, beaches, picnic sites and beautiful and Banff national parks, the Icefields Parkway has iver vistas are just minutes from town. Walk about, fill your been called one of the most scenic drives in the Maligne Edith Lake day with activities and let your vehicle rest. world. Glaciers, waterfalls, picnic spots and hikes are Cavell Maligne M found along this magnificent parkway. Athabasca a Lake l i Falls g n e Kerkeslin R i v e 2. MALIGNE VALLEY (pg. 12) 5. EDITH CAVELL AND WABASSO ROAD (93A) (pg. 20) r JASPER IS A NO DRONE ZONE The scenic drive along Maligne Road takes you through The newly revamped Edith Cavell day use area will be Honeymoon Lake one of the most stunning valleys in the park. Visit open in mid-June sporting improvements to the road, Taking off or landing a drone for recreational use is Maligne Canyon, look for wildlife along the shores of parking lot, main trail and viewpoint. Explore the Path Sunwapta Falls prohibited in Jasper National Medicine Lake, gear up for a challenging hike or go for a of the Glacier trail or venture higher into the Cavell Park (and may result in law paddle on Maligne Lake.