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Explore the stunning Maligne Valley and cruise to Spirit Island with these guided excursions. These tours include round-trip transport from Jasper and a scenic boat cruise on Maligne Lake.
Free Cancellation Visit Medicine Lake’s limestone cliffs and take a 90-minute boat cruise to Spirit Island on this 6-hour valley tour.
Free Cancellation Cruise to the southern end of Maligne Lake to see glacial peaks and forests inaccessible by road.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Jasper National Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Most boat tours in Jasper focus on Maligne Lake and the journey down the 44-kilometer Maligne Valley road. You ride a minibus past glacier-fed rivers before boarding a motorized cruiser for a 14-kilometer trip to Spirit Island.
The boat covers 14 kilometers of glacial water lined by lodgepole pines. An external supplier operates the 90-minute ride to the lake's southern reaches.
Boats dock at the south end for a short walking loop. You get a direct view of the tiny, tree-topped island surrounded by 3,000-meter peaks.
Minibuses pause at this water body that drains through underground sinkholes every autumn. A short shoreline walk shows the fluctuating water levels against limestone cliffs.
The drive down Maligne Road cuts through prime habitat for bears, moose, and elk. Guides scan the roadside clearings so you can watch safely from the vehicle.
Temperatures drop significantly on the water. Even in July, you need a windproof jacket to stand on the boat's exterior viewing deck.
Booking a boat tour means securing both your transport down the Maligne Valley and your ticket for the cruise itself. The cruise portion is operated by a single park concessionaire, so schedules are strict.
Options range from basic 6-hour transport-and-cruise packages to 6.5-hour trips with hot lunches. All use minibuses for the road portion.
Tour prices do not cover your Jasper National Park entry fee. You must buy a daily pass for $12.25 CAD per adult or hold a valid Discovery Pass.
Operators pick up from specific Jasper townsite hotels like the Fairmont or Forest Park Hotel. If your rental is not listed, you must meet at the central Two Brothers Totem Pole on Connaught Drive.
You must be able to climb three steps to board the minibus. Foldable walkers fit in the vehicle, but the Spirit Island overlook involves unpaved walking paths.
The standard tour excludes food, requiring you to pack snacks or buy lunch at the Maligne Lake day lodge. The premium option includes a hot lunch.
Boats sail in rain or shine. Bring warm layers and an umbrella, as the Spirit Island viewpoint offers no shelter from sudden squalls.
Both major tour options offer a full refund if canceled at least 24 hours before departure. The cruise portion is subject to supplier delays outside the tour operator's control.
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| Standard Wildlife & Cruise | Premium Explore Jasper Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6 hours | 6.5 hours |
| Food Included | None (bring your own) | Hot lunch and snacks |
| Price from | $174 USD | $212 USD |
| Best for | Budget-conscious travelers wanting the classic route | Visitors who want a fully catered day |
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Jasper National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. All major travel routes are maintained through the winter.
The Jasper townsite Information Centre at 500 Connaught Drive operates from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm between May 14 and September 27. During the rest of the year, hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The center is closed on December 25.
Boat tours operate exclusively during the summer months, with schedules dictated by daylight and ice-off conditions on Maligne Lake.
Jasper sits 365 kilometers west of Edmonton via Highway 16. The drive takes about four hours.
There is no commercial airport in Jasper. Travelers fly into Edmonton, Calgary, or Vancouver, then drive or take a shuttle. SunDog Transportation runs daily connector shuttles from Edmonton and Calgary directly to Jasper.
VIA Rail operates regular train service to the Jasper station. If you drive from Calgary, the route follows the Icefields Parkway for roughly 415 kilometers.
June through September offer the warmest weather, with daily highs around 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. This window provides full access to high-elevation trails and all visitor services.
July and August are the busiest months. Roughly 80 percent of annual visitors arrive in summer, leading to congested parking at popular sites like Maligne Lake.
Late May and September are the best times to go. You get a balance of clear roads, active wildlife, and lighter crowds.
Tour minibuses require passengers to climb three steps to board. Guides can provide assistance, and foldable walkers can be stored on the vehicle.
The park maintains several wheelchair-accessible areas. The Lake Annette loop is a 2.4-kilometer paved path with no elevation gain. Whistlers and Wapiti campgrounds offer accessible campsites.
Many key viewpoints along the Icefields Parkway are drive-up with short, level walks. The Jasper SkyTram gondola provides mountain views without requiring a hike.
Central tour pickups happen at the Two Brothers Totem Pole on Connaught Drive. All-day paid parking is available beside the pole, near a public washroom building.
Maligne Lake has a day lodge where you can purchase food if your tour does not include a meal. There are no bathrooms on the tour boats.
The Jasper townsite serves as the park's main hub. It contains gas stations, grocery stores, outdoor gear shops, and restaurants.
You must buy a park pass. Daily adult admission is $12.25 CAD. Youth 17 and under enter for free.
Carry bear spray on all trails and know how to use it.
Yes. Tour prices exclude the $12.25 CAD daily adult admission fee for Jasper National Park. You must purchase a day pass or hold a valid Discovery Pass to enter the park.
No. Operators only pick up from designated hotels like the Fairmont or Chateau Jasper. If your accommodation is not on their list, you must meet at the Two Brothers Totem Pole on Connaught Drive.
It depends on the ticket. The standard tour requires you to bring food or buy it at the Maligne Lake day lodge. The premium option includes a hot lunch.
Tours operate in all weather. You need a rain jacket because the boat's exterior viewing deck and the Spirit Island walking loop are fully exposed to the elements.
The 44-kilometer drive down Maligne Road cuts through a major wildlife corridor. Sightings of black bears, grizzly bears, and elk are common, but they are wild animals and never guaranteed.
The Maligne Lake cruise takes about 90 minutes. This includes the 14-kilometer journey down the lake and the stop at the southern end.
The boat docks at the south end of the lake. You disembark for a short walk to a viewpoint that provides a direct look at the island, but you cannot walk onto the island itself.
Minibuses require you to climb three steps to board. Foldable walkers can be stored in the vehicle, but motorized wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on these standard group tours.
The park has reopened and Maligne Lake tours are operating normally. You will see burned areas along the drive, and you must stay on marked trails due to ongoing hazard tree removal.
The tour boats do not have restrooms on board. You should use the facilities at the Maligne Lake day lodge before the 90-minute cruise begins.
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The 6-hour loop through Maligne Valley stops first at Medicine Lake, where the water drains through underground sinkholes every autumn. You'll walk the shoreline under limestone cliffs to see how the water levels fluctuate. Keep your eyes on the roadside clearings during the drive. This stretch is a reliable spot to see elk, bighorn sheep, moose, or the occasional grizzly. It’s a lot of sitting. Bring a camera with a good zoom. At the end of the valley road, a 90-minute boat cruise travels the length of Maligne Lake to reach Spirit Island. The water is a bright, opaque turquoise. Glacial silt causes the color. You'll have about 15 minutes on the island's boardwalks to see the wall of peaks surrounding the narrows. Most people come just for this specific view. It's the only way to reach the island unless you're prepared for a 14-kilometer canoe trip.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
The tour travels from Jasper townsite to Maligne Lake for a boat cruise to the lake's southern reaches. Glacial peaks and lodgepole pines line the water’s edge along the 14-kilometer route. The boat stops at the south end for a walk to the Spirit Island overlook. You'd have to paddle a canoe for several hours to see this view otherwise. That's a long haul. Expect crowds at the docks during July and August. The weather at the lake is usually 5 degrees colder than in Jasper. Bring a jacket. If the water is choppy, the boat stays in the protected northern bays. That's the risk of booking on a windy afternoon.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English