Why Honeymoon in Jasper
The appeal is space. Jasper covers more than 4,000 square miles, larger than Banff, Yoho and Kootenay combined. You can drive for an hour and see more elk than people.
Maligne Lake is the park's signature sight, a long glacial lake ringed by peaks, with a boat cruise to tiny Spirit Island. Pyramid Lake and Lac Beauvert sit close to town and are ideal for paddling.
Jasper is also a dark-sky preserve, one of the largest in the world. On clear nights, the Milky Way stretches overhead. In autumn and winter the northern lights sometimes appear.
The drive in matters too. The Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise is one of the great scenic roads anywhere, passing glaciers, waterfalls and turquoise lakes for about 140 miles.
When to Go
Summer, from late June to mid September, is the main season. Days are long and warm, the Maligne Lake cruise runs and high trails are snow-free by July. It is busy by Jasper standards but far calmer than Banff.
September is excellent, with cooler days, golden aspens, elk bugling during the rut and fewer visitors. The Dark Sky Festival usually takes place in October.
Winter is cold, often below zero Fahrenheit at night, but beautiful. Marmot Basin offers skiing. The town is very quiet and lodges discount rates. The Icefields Parkway can close in storms.
April to early June is the shoulder season. Snow lingers at elevation, many trails are muddy and some facilities stay closed. Wildfire smoke can affect visibility in summer, so keep plans flexible.
Where to Stay
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge sits on the shore of Lac Beauvert a few minutes from town. It started as a tent camp in 1915 and now has log cabins and cottages spread across lawns where elk often graze. Ask for a lakeside cabin with a fireplace.
There is also a lodge on Pyramid Lake just north of town, with lake-view rooms and canoe rentals.
In town, a mix of hotels, inns and small lodges have reopened since the fire. Staying in town makes walking to dinner easy.
Outside town, rustic cabin resorts along the Athabasca River and the road toward Maligne Canyon offer more privacy. Book well ahead for July and August, since capacity is still lower than before 2024.
Romantic Things to Do
Take the boat cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island, a small tree-covered island framed by peaks. Morning sailings usually have calmer water and better light. Rent a canoe there for a quieter paddle on your own.
Drive the Icefields Parkway south to the Columbia Icefield. Walk to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier or ride an all-terrain bus onto the ice. Stop at Athabasca and Sunwapta falls on the way.
Ride the Jasper SkyTram up Whistlers Mountain for views over the town and valley.
After dark, find a pullout away from town and look up. The skies are among the darkest in the Rockies.
In summer, soak at Miette Hot Springs, about an hour from town, in pools surrounded by mountains.
Getting There and Around
Edmonton is the closest major airport, about four hours by car. Calgary has more US nonstop flights, from cities like Denver, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. From Calgary, drive through Banff and Lake Louise, then up the Icefields Parkway. Plan on five hours without stops; most couples spend the full day.
VIA Rail's Canadian, the cross-country train, stops at Jasper several times a week. The Rocky Mountaineer luxury train also runs between Vancouver and Jasper in summer.
A car is essential in the park. Gas stations are few on the Icefields Parkway, so fill up in Jasper or Lake Louise.
Everyone stopping in the park needs a Parks Canada pass. A Discovery Pass covers all national parks for a year and makes sense if you also visit Banff.
Food and Drink
Jasper's dining scene is small and has been rebuilding, but you will eat well.
Alberta beef is the star. Order a steak or bison burger, often paired with local craft beer. Jasper has its own brewpub, while Alberta breweries fill the taps around town.
The Fairmont has a range of restaurants, from a fine dining room to a lakeside lounge. For a special night, ask for a table with a view of Lac Beauvert.
For picnics, stock up at the grocery store in town and take sandwiches to Pyramid Lake or along the Maligne Road.
In winter, warm up with hot chocolate and Canadian butter tarts. Try a Caesar too, Canada's spicy cocktail made with clam-tomato juice. Book dinner ahead in summer, since restaurant capacity is still limited.
Honeymoon Tips
Check the Parks Canada website before you go. Some trails, campgrounds and sites have been closed or restricted since the fire. Maligne Canyon's main trails have had long closures. Status changes, so look close to your trip.
Carry bear spray on trails and know how to use it. Grizzlies and black bears live throughout the park.
Never approach elk. They look calm but can charge, especially cows with calves in spring and bulls during the autumn rut.
Cell coverage disappears on much of the Icefields Parkway. Download offline maps.
Bring your passports.
Pack warm layers even in summer. Nights at Maligne Lake and the Columbia Icefield can be near freezing.
