7 Beautiful Waterfalls In Jasper National Park

The Canadian Rockies provides a great place to go chasing waterfalls. While Banff may have the most cascades, don’t discount the waterfalls in Jasper National Park. It may have fewer examples, but two of them outweigh the rest.

While you can visit the Rockies year-round, winter prevents accessibility to some areas, and waterfalls are often frozen. However, by the summer months, the snow melt creates a torment of water runoff, adding to the waterfall’s appeal.

You can find some waterfalls close to the Icefields Parkway, while you may need to complete a hiking trail to view others.

Best Time To See Waterfalls In Jasper National Park

Late spring or early July provides the best time to see waterfalls if you want to view them at their flow peak. With temperatures rising, melting snow contributes to rising rivers and heavily flowing waterfalls.

Although, sometimes heavy meltwater can turn the most powerful waterfalls into muddy torrents. Expect muddy trail conditions if you need to take a short hike in late spring.

While August brings the crowds to the parks, hotter weather and lack of rain can turn some cascades into a trickle.

So, if you’re planning a road trip to Jasper, check out these beautiful cascades during your travels.

Athabasca Falls

Located 32 km south of Jasper, Athabasca Falls might be the most visited waterfall in this National Park, and for a good reason. This breathtaking natural wonder commands attention with its sheer power and beauty. 

You can reach a few viewing points with a short walk from the large parking lot. From the bridge, you can watch the turbulent water drop from the top of the falls into the boiling pot below, creating a misty cloud.

While the waterfall isn’t high at 23 meters (75 feet), the incredible volume of water that flows over it makes it so impressive. Imagine 566 cubic meters (20,000 cubic feet) of water per second thundering over the falls.

While not quite Niagara Falls, its commanding force is a prime example of why visitors should respect Mother Nature.

The powerful spectacle creates a thunderous roar and is the reason that makes Athabasca Falls an irresistible destination for nature enthusiasts and travelers alike. Behind the falls, Mount Kerkeslin provides a lovely backdrop for photos.

The falls are easily accessible, free to visit, and their well-maintained pathways lead to stunning vantage points. A short trail leads through an ancient canyon to view a large pothole and the lower portion of the Athabasca River.

To enjoy the falls’ grandeur and the surrounding natural beauty, stay away from the edges to ensure your safety. Close to the raging falls, a plaque notes “step off the trail and you risk your life.”

Sunwapta Falls

Travelers who stop at Athabasca Falls also visit Sunwapta Falls, 24 km south. If you’re making the road trip between Jasper and Banff (or vice versa), you can add both stops to your travel route. 

Be sure to stop at the Goat Lick close nearby for an opportunity to view mountain goats.

From the Icefields Parkway, you’ll find the turnoff by the Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge. This location has a small parking lot that fills up fast.

While not quite at voluminous as Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta captivates with its raw beauty and roaring cascade. The falls originate from the Sunwapta River, which flows from Athabasca Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefields.

The active glacial processes in the region contribute to the stunning turquoise hue of the water, contrasting the often muddy waters of its larger neighbor.

By visiting Sunwapta Falls during the summer season, you’ll enjoy a myriad of vibrant wildflowers. 

From the upper falls, a 1.3 km trail leads to the lower falls. While less impressive than the upper one, it provides a great way to stretch your legs.

Late morning or early afternoon provides the best time of day for viewing Sunwapta Falls. The sunlight during these hours casts a magical glow on the falls.

Maligne Canyon Falls

Maligne Canyon provides one of the area’s most popular hikes and is suitable for hikers of all abilities. The canyon was created by the relentless force of the Maligne River cutting through the limestone bedrock. 

The result is a breathtaking chasm with sheer rock walls that plunge up to 55 meters deep, creating a series of picturesque cascades and deep gorges.

Getting to Maligne Canyon is easy, and there are several parking lots to start your hike. Four bridges cross the deep canyon, with two more bridges downriver as the canyon opens up.

You can choose to start at the top and hike down, leaving the uphill portion for the end of your hike. Alternatively, starting at the bottom and doing the uphill section first gives you an easy walk back.

If you prefer a shortened route, you can start at the top and hike a loop that includes two to three bridges and takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on your route.

However, at the top, the narrow gorge prevents views of the water below in most areas. If you want to see the waterfalls, they are further downstream. The example below can be found between the 4th and 5th bridges.

The hike through Maligne Canyon is a thrilling experience, and the well-maintained pathways provide many lookout points. After heavy rainfall, you’ll need suitable footwear with traction, as the trail may have slippery sections.

As one of the best hikes in Jasper, this canyon offers a bit of everything, underground springs, sinkholes, wildflower meadows, and beautiful cascades.

Stanley Falls

Stanley Falls might be Jasper’s most picturesque hidden gem. Located 2 km south of the Beauty Creek Hostel, the trail can be challenging to find, but it’s worth the effort.

Back in the 1990s, when I first hiked the trail, this trail was relatively unchartered. But even today, it remains unknown compared to the crowded Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park.

Once you find the small parking area off the Icefields Parkway, you’ll begin the hike by crossing Beauty Flats. With a right turn, you’ll continue on an old road and onto a trail that follows Beauty Creek.

Expect to take about one hour to complete this 3.2 km out-and-back hike, rated easy.

Unlike Johnston Canyon, this trail isn’t well traveled, well marked, or has any guard rails. However, you’ll enjoy the tranquil sights and sounds of ten cascades along its route.

This unmaintained trail is in bear country, so it’s essential to carry bear spray, stay alert, and make noise as you hike.

At the end of the trail, you’ll enjoy the stunning views of Stanley Falls – a secluded and peaceful cascade contrasting that of Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls.

Tangle Falls

You can reach Tangle Falls on the drive along the renowned Icefields Parkway. Located approximately 28 kilometers south of the town of Jasper, the falls are easily accessible from the road.

Upon arrival, the breathtaking sight of water tumbling down the rocky slopes greets you. The multi-tiered waterfall gets its name from the tangled rocks which surround it.

During the summer, meltwater adds to the water flow, providing the perfect opportunity for avid photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Punchbowl Falls

Punchbowl Falls may not be the most impressive waterfall in Jasper, but it takes a very short walk through a forested area to reach it. 

Located near the Pocahontas Campground, the water from this narrow waterfall has carved smooth bowls into the rock.

This 0.2 km trail connects to longer routes, so you can walk further if you need a workout. In the summer, you’ll often encounter a lot of mosquitoes, so be sure to use bug repellent.

Path Of The Glacier Trail

The drive to Edith Cavell provides a scenic set of switchbacks unsuitable for RVs. Its road is not accessible in the winter months due to heavy snow.

At the end of the road, the majestic views of Mount Edith Cavell provide a backdrop to the parking area.

From here, take the 1.6 km looping trail to Cavell Pond. The Path of the Glacier Trail provides terrific views of the mountains and Angel Glacier the closer you get.

Angel Glacier, named so by its once “angel shape,” no longer looks angel-like due to glacial retreat. However, this rapidly receding glacier has a beautiful angel-hair waterfall beneath it as it melts into the pond below.

While this one doesn’t compare to Athabasca Falls, the beauty is in the area, not the cascade. Learning the story of Edith Cavell, a British nurse who helped hundred of soldiers escape a war-torn country, adds to the area’s charm.

It’s not unusual to see giant icebergs floating in the pond during the summer. In 2012, a large chunk of the neighboring Ghost Glacier broke off, causing widespread flooding.

Due to the risk of another breakage, the pond is off-limits to those who visit. For aerial views of Angel Glacier and Cavell Pond, take the uphill trail to Cavell Meadows. The meadows are pretty in summer when the wildflowers are in bloom.

Beyond The Waterfalls

While Jasper National Park may not attract the crowds like Banff, visiting its waterfalls and natural wonders with fewer people is very appealing. Beyond the waterfalls, the drive to Maligne Lake provides a wonderful day trip and a chance to see wildlife.

If your goal is to see animals, Jasper provides the best place for viewing since the park doesn’t use animal fencing along its roadways.

So, whether you want to chase waterfalls, explore its numerous trails, or just enjoy the great outdoors, Jasper National Park should be on your travel list.