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The park is open 24 hours a day year-round, with daily adult admission costing $12.25. Visitors 17 and under always enter free.
Jasper National Park stays open 24 hours a day, year-round. Main travel routes are maintained through winter, though severe weather can force temporary closures. In-person help at the townsite Information Centre is available daily, with extended evening hours from mid-May through late September.
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| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 24 hours | Townsite Information Centre open 09:00–17:00 (extended to 19:00 from May 14–Sept 27). |
The park itself never closes for holidays. But the Jasper townsite Information Centre shuts down entirely on December 25. Further south, the Columbia Icefield Centre's Parks Canada desk operates on a strictly seasonal schedule, closing for the winter after September 27 and reopening May 14.
A daily adult pass costs $12.25 CAD. Families traveling together pay a flat rate of $24.50 per vehicle, while youth 17 and under always get in free. If you plan to spend more than a week exploring Canada's national parks, buy the $83.50 annual Discovery Pass instead.
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| Category | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18–64) | $12.25 CAD | Daily rate |
| Senior (65+) | $10.75 CAD | Daily rate |
| Youth (17 and under) | Free | |
| Family/Group | $24.50 CAD | Daily rate for up to 7 people in one vehicle |
| Discovery Pass (Adult) | $83.50 CAD | Annual entry to 80+ Parks Canada sites |
| Backcountry Camping Permit | $15.00 CAD | Per person, per night; requires advance booking |
Parks Canada is waiving all admission fees under the Canada Strong Pass through September 7, 2026.
Planning your visit to Jasper National Park? Find tours with free cancellation and skip-the-line options.
View All ToursLate May through June and September are the best months to visit Jasper. These shoulder seasons deliver 20°C highs and active wildlife while dodging the mid-summer rush. July and August bring peak crowds—accounting for the bulk of the park's 80% summer visitation rate—which guarantees congested parking at Maligne Lake and a higher risk of wildfire smoke.
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| Period | Crowd Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Early morning (Before 09:00) | Low | Drive the winding 44 km Maligne Road to Spirit Island before midday summer traffic clogs the route. |
| Midday (09:00–15:00) | High | The Jasper townsite Information Centre is open, but you'll hit congested parking at popular spots like Lake Annette. |
| Late afternoon (15:00–19:00) | Moderate | Soak in the 40°C Miette Hot Springs after a hike; just remember the Columbia Icefield Centre desk shuts down at 5 pm. |
| Night (19:00–06:00) | Low | Set up at Pyramid Lake to watch for the Northern Lights across the 11,000 km² Dark-Sky Preserve. |
Plan on two to four days to cover the townsite, drive the Icefields Parkway, and fit in a couple of hikes. Your timeline depends on how you explore. Booking guided excursions like the Columbia Icefield tours or Maligne Lake boat cruises takes more scheduled time than walking self-guided trails. A full week leaves room for multi-day backcountry trips.
Parks Canada is waiving daily admission through September 7, 2026, under the Canada Strong Pass. After that, buy an annual Discovery Pass online. It pays for itself if you spend seven days across the mountain parks.
The 44-kilometer drive to Maligne Lake gets badly congested by midday in July and August. Head out first thing in the morning. Alternatively, pre-book a boat cruise to Spirit Island to secure your spot.
The 2024 wildfire left thousands of unstable hazard trees. Recovery crews frequently close trails to remove them. Check the 'What's Open' page on the Parks Canada site before driving out to seasonal routes like Cavell Road.
Popular spots like Whistlers campground fill up fast for July and August. Reserve your site or $15 backcountry permit at reservation.pc.gc.ca well in advance. Your confirmation letter acts as your actual permit, so you skip the in-person registration.
Mountain weather changes fast. Higher elevations can see freezing overnight temperatures or sudden snow flurries even in July. Bring a warm layer and a waterproof shell for every hike.
Parks Canada is waiving admission fees through September 7, 2026, under the Canada Strong Pass. When regular rates resume, a daily adult pass costs $12.25 CAD and a family pass covering up to seven people in one vehicle is $24.50. Youth 17 and under always enter for free.
The park stays open 24 hours a day, year-round. Major travel routes are maintained through the winter, though severe weather can cause temporary closures. If you need to speak with staff, the Jasper townsite Information Centre operates from 9 am to 5 pm most of the year, extending to 7 pm between mid-May and late September.
Yes. Every overnight trip requires a backcountry permit, which costs $15 CAD per person, per night. You can book this online or by calling 1-877-737-3783, and your confirmation letter acts as your official permit so you skip in-person registration.
July and August bring the warmest weather and the heaviest crowds. About 80 percent of visitors arrive during the summer, which also carries the highest risk of wildfire smoke. For a better balance of clear trails and manageable traffic, aim for September or late May.
Most of the park has reopened, but recovery work continues. The July 2024 fire burned over 32,000 hectares, and crews are still removing thousands of unstable hazard trees. Always check the official trail-condition reports before heading out to avoid closed areas.
Recreational drones are strictly prohibited everywhere in Jasper. If you fly one, you risk a fine, and visitors are encouraged to report unauthorized flights to Jasper Dispatch. Commercial operators must submit a written proposal to the park superintendent to get a Restricted Activity Permit.
You must stay at least 30 metres away from elk, deer, and moose. For bears and other carnivores, the legal minimum distance is 100 metres. Carry bear spray on every hike, travel in groups, and make noise on the trails to avoid surprising an animal.
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