25 Best Jasper Family Activities for Summer + Winter
Cavell Meadows hike is incredible in the early summer, even if you have to drag the kids!
There are few things more exciting than a family vacation in the Canadian Rockies, and as you see the mountains in the distance growing closer and closer, you can’t help but get butterflies thinking of all the fun activities that Jasper has to offer you and your family. It’s not uncommon to hear that vacations are never long enough, and that is why it is so important to make the most of your time in Jasper Alberta no matter the season, and to make memories for your family that will stay alive in your hearts forever. As local Jasper Family Photographers with a family of our own; we love a good family outing. Smiles, laughter, and togetherness; accidents, arguments, screaming, crying, and all! That’s why we’ve created this list of some great family friendly activities in Jasper for both the winter and the summer, and included a couple photos of our own adventures. There are countless things to do in Jasper, but here are a few unique experiences we love.
Our favourite free activities in Jasper during summer are going for a swim and a picnic at Lake Annette or Lake Edith, going for a bike ride on the many mountain biking trails around town, and going hiking! We also love to skate at Mildred Lake and explore Maligne Canyon in the wintertime.
Free activities and things for families to do in Jasper
Sometimes adventuring in our National Parks can be a little pricey, so it’s good to have some options for free activities that you and your family can enjoy without breaking the bank. It is important to keep in mind that visitors to Jasper National Park will be required to purchase a Park Pass on the way in, but once you are here then there are lots of ways to enjoy the Park for free. There are free options included in our summer and winter lists below, but as a general rule the best free outdoor activities in Jasper are: hiking, picnicking, swimming, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing. Another of our favourites is stargazing beneath Jasper’s dark skies! Keep in mind, there are lots of free family friendly activities during Jasper’s annual festivals; like the Dark Sky Festival, Jasper in January, and Jasper Pride and Ski Festival. Keep reading for some more inspiration.
With trails right out our back door, we love to get out mountain biking on the Pyramid Bench on the west side of town.
10 Awesome Jasper Family Activities in Summer
Day Hiking and Backpacking in Jasper: There are trails and backpacking trips for all skill levels and abilities; from short paved loops to multi-day backpacking trips. For many of the backcountry sites you will need to book well in advance!
Camping in the Rockies: Explore the incredible campgrounds along the Icefields Parkway, or stay close to town. Book tent and rv camping spots ahead of time to be sure of getting a spot!
Mountain Biking: Jasper has a great network of mountain bike trails for you to explore. Or join a guided bike tour!
Picnics and campfires at the Beach: There are lots of great picnic sites, although Lake Annette, Lake Edith, Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake all have the added bonus of lakeside fire pits.
Watersports at the Lakes: Jasper offers incredible opportunities for canoeing, paddle boats, SUP and paddleboarding rentals, and more.
Rock Climbing: For the brave and adventurous: join a guided rock climbing tour, or even try canyoning!
Whitewater Rafting Adventures: Get your hearts pumping with a whitewater rafting adventure. There are a variety of levels available for all preferred intensities.
Jasper Skytram: Take in incredible views of the mountains and valley below from atop Whistler’s Mountain.
Horseback Riding: The Jasper Riding Stables offer scenic rides around the valley.
Wildlife Viewing Tours: Wildlife is no doubt one of the big highlights for a lot of visitors, and joining a wildlife tour increases your chances of finding it!
And of course, number 11 would be:
Book a Family Photography Package from local Jasper Family Photographers!
Hiking is great anywhere, but our fam thinks it’s better in the alpine ;)
Whitewater rafting is one of those Jasper adventures that might not be for everyone…
Top 10 Jasper Winter Family Activities
Ice skating and shinny hockey: Pyramid Lake and Lake Mildred both clear scenic skating loops as well as hockey ponds for shinny, and they even provide nets and skate rentals (or you can get skate rentals in town).
Cross Country Skiing: Parks Canada provides set ski trails for all skill levels. Check out Marmot Meadows or other Cross-Country Ski Trails in Jasper here.
Snowshoeing: You can even get a guided snowshoe tour for the fam!
Go for a family Sleigh Ride on Pyramid Lake! Nothing says winter in Alberta Canada like a sleigh ride… except maybe for the next option. (P.S, you can get free sleigh rides at certain times during the Jasper in January festival!)
Dog Sledding Adventures: Choose from a variety of unique options for dog sledding in the Jasper Rockies, like the Ghost of Cold Fire Creek Dog Sled Tour, or the Little bit of Heaven Dog Sled Tour.
Skiing and Snowboarding at Marmot Basin in Jasper: Marmot Basin is an amazing, family friendly ski hill only a 25 minute drive from the townsite.
Fat Biking in Jasper: This is a relatively new activity out here, but it’s become very popular for a reason! You can rent fat bikes or join a guided fat bike tour.
Stargazing in Jasper National Park: Bundle up, it gets real cold at night! But wintertime is the best for stargazing as it gets dark early. You can even try and catch a meteor shower like the Geminids in November/December!
Picnic with a firepit! There are lots of great picnic spots in Jasper, but you’ll want to find one that has a fire-pit so you and your family can stay warm, and maybe roast some s’mores.
Ice Climbing: This isn’t for the faint of heart, but you can join a group tour or book a private guided ice climbing tour. Great for beginners!
And of course, we can’t forget number 11:
Family Photos in Jasper! Obviously this is one of our favourites ;)
Our fam loves a good cross-country ski trip down Maligne Lake to Hidden Cove. Having the Mike Wynn cabin as a warm up hut is great in case of wind or deep cold.
5 More Great Jasper Family Activity Ideas
Jasper has so many unique experiences to explore. It is part of what keeps families coming back year after year. Here are a couple more unique things to do in Jasper, just in case you’ve managed to tick everything else off your list ;)
Check out the Jasper Planetarium
Try world-class Golfing at the Jasper Park Lodge
Take in a Theatre show, or browse a museum or art gallery!
Whatever you decide to explore with your family while you are here in Jasper, we hope it is an experience of a lifetime. Who knows, maybe we’ll see you here in Jasper soon; on the trails, in the shops, or maybe even in front of our cameras ;)
Tips for families new to the mountains
It’s always good to bring an extra layer or two, no matter the time of year. Weather can change quickly in the Rocky Mountains, and with kids and parents, so do moods. Be prepared in case it gets colder all of a sudden.
Bring snacks. When there is food on hand it’s easier to stay a little longer at a place you are enjoying, or to give a little buffer time if you run off schedule.
Bring extra extra water. Despite the pristine mountains, there is very little freshwater available outside of the townsite, and filling up in creeks and rivers is not recommended. Stay hydrated out there!
If you are going out on the trails, it’s recommended to use proper footwear, like hiking boots or runners.
Always follow parks rules and regulations.
Teach your kids about the leave no trace wilderness ethic.
