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Important Update: Jasper National Park and the town of Jasper experienced severe wildfire damage. Limited services and attractions are available around Jasper and in Jasper town. Please refer to Jasper National Park’s page as well as this list of what’s open in the town of Jasper for updates before planning your trip.
Spanning roughly 11,000 square kilometers (6,835 square miles), Jasper National Park is the largest national park in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. So naturally, deciding where to stay within this huge park can be a challenge.
On top of that, accommodation options are very limited, especially if you compare them to the hotel options in Banff! Finding the right place to stay is essential to making sure you have the best trip possible, whether you’re looking to be right in the action downtown, plan a romantic national park honeymoon, or have a convenient and budget-friendly option.
I know all about the hotels in and around Jasper because I grew up in Edmonton (a big city just a three-hour drive from Jasper.) So, Jasper was a common weekend getaway for my family. Today, Daniel and I visit Jasper a couple of times each year and try to always stay in a different hotel. This way, we can give you are honest review and top choices for hotels in Jasper National Park.
To make sure you find the very best hotel for your type of travel, we put together this guide on the best hotels and areas to stay in Jasper!
Don’t have time to read the full article? If you want to book a hotel in Jasper right now, look no further! The Jasper East Cabins are perfect for a relaxing nature getaway! However, if you prefer to stay in the heart of town, you can’t pass up The Crimson Jasper.
- Where are the BEST Areas to Stay in Jasper
- Where to Stay in Jasper Town
- The BEST Hotels in Jasper Town
- Where to Stay in Jasper National Park (outside of town)
- Best Hotels in Jasper National Park Surrounded by Nature
- Where to Stay in Jasper on the Icefields Parkways
- Best Hotels in Jasper on the Icefields Parkway
- Where to Stay Just Outside of Jasper National Park
- Best Hotels Just Outside of Jasper National Park
- Activities to do While You're in Jasper
- Thanks for reading!
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
- Renting a Car in Alberta
Where are the BEST Areas to Stay in Jasper
This guide will give you a rundown on where to stay in Jasper as well as what you can expect in these locations particularly their surroundings, nearby public facilities, room views, costs, and others.
Even though Jasper is a small town, with a land area of only 924.06 square kilometers and a population of 5,200, every area in the place exudes a completely different atmosphere. Hence, it is important to consider what exactly you’re looking for during your stay.
- Downtown Jasper – If you wish to experience the vibrant nightlife of the community, staying in downtown Jasper is the best choice for you. Downtown Jasper is a convenient stay, as there are lots of shops, restaurants, and bars right at your fingertips. Even though I love getting out into nature, I always choose to stay in downtown Jasper because there is so much happening and you can still walk pretty much everywhere in town. You aren’t far from nature though, as downtown is still very accessible to the great outdoors of the national park!
- Jasper National Park – For those who are seeking quieter surroundings but within the vicinity of town facilities, you may book a hotel outside of town but still within the boundaries of Jasper National Park. This is ideal for those looking for a relaxing holiday, with nature right outside your doorstep, and the conveniences of town just a short drive away. There are a ton of luxury hotels and resorts in this area that provide gorgeous Rocky Mountain views, with great access to hikes and other adventure activities!
- Near the Icefields Parkway – Visitors who need easy access to the road can consider lodging along the Icefields Parkway. This is a fantastic option for travelers who want to explore more than Jasper National Park, as you’ll easily be able to explore Lake Louise, Banff, and beyond (there’s a lot to do in this area)! There are also many lodging options ranging in price, but almost all offer spectacular views, as this is one of the most scenic stretches of road in Canada.
- Just outside Jasper National Park – If you’re traveling on a budget, staying on the outskirts of Jasper National Park will be a great choice. You can still drive to downtown Jasper and all of the hikes and activities within the national park, as well as those outside of the park. Staying within the bounds means you have to purchase a Canada Parks Pass (more on that later) which can really add up. Plus, you’ll find a lot of tranquility by staying out of the main tourist areas, so you’ll have a relaxing stay!
Hot Tip: To ensure you get to stay in one of the best hotels in Jasper, be sure to book well in advance. Considering the limited hotels in Jasper, the best ones get fully booked FAST.
Where to Stay in Jasper Town
Best For – Convenient location, good budget hotels, and a fun nightlife
Jasper may be a small community but it offers a unique rustic charm, spectacular views of mountains, and a wide array of activities. I’d recommend staying in Jasper town for those who are looking for convenience and budget-friendly stays, those looking for a relaxing-nature centric hotel should look elsewhere.
Personally, whenever I visit Jasper I always choose to stay right in town. While I love getting out in nature, I also like having the amenities of a town nearby. This way, after a big day out exploring Jasper National Park, I can come back to town and enjoy a meal and a drink. I can also easily grab a coffee in the morning at one of the delicious Jasper cafes before I take off to hike or ski, and enjoy the bustling nightlife after!
Advantages of staying in downtown Jasper, Alberta
- The hotels are within walking distance of lots of stores, bars, and restaurants.
- Jasper town offers plenty of things to do including shopping, hiking, food tours, the museum, the theatre, and more.
- There are a variety of affordable hotels near downtown Jasper.
Disadvantages of staying in downtown Jasper, Alberta
- As they are priced at low rates, the hotels aren’t of the best quality. So, choosing downtown Jasper might not be a good move for those wanting a more luxurious stay.
- Since it is where all the main public facilities and businesses are located, Jasper town can be quite busy.
- The parking spaces in the downtown area can be a problem for those with personal vehicles, especially if you’re staying for one or two nights as parking is limited to only up to 2 hours plus it comes with a fee – make sure your hotel offers parking!
The BEST Hotels in Jasper Town
$$$ – Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Rated as a 4-star property, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge offers a luxurious accommodation experience to guests on the edges of Beauvert Lake located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. I personally like this resort as it has an award-winning golf course, eight on-site restaurants, and a 10,000-square-foot spa.
If you want a luxury stay in Jasper, the Fairmont is your safest bet.
Offering lake views, rooms at the hotel are all complete with a flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. Near the property, activities like ice skating and cross-country skiing are possible if you’re visiting Jasper in the winter, while you can swim in the outdoor pool and go horseback riding in the summer.
What I love the most about Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is its location. It is only a 9-minute drive from the VIA Railway Station and is just a couple of minutes’ drive from downtown. It isn’t walking distance from downtown, but only a very short drive which makes it a quiet nature escape still within close proximity to the amenities of town.
In terms of a luxury stay in Jasper town, it is the only option available. But thanks to being situated a little out of town, the resort still gives that kind of natural escape. The best of both worlds.
This is a great option especially if you’re planning a romantic occasion or honeymoon in Jasper!
Room rates here start at approximately $299 CAD a night but fluctuate with the seasons.
You can check the prices and availability for the Jasper Fairmont here.
Related Read: There is also a beautiful Fairmont hotel in Banff – one of the best hotels in Banff too!
$$ – The Crimson Jasper
Situated just a 10-minute walk from Jasper Railway Station downtown, The Crimson Jasper offers spacious rooms well-equipped with different amenities including free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, a coffee machine, an electric kettle, a microwave, and a refrigerator. A private bathroom is also available in each accommodation and it features a shower and a hairdryer.
The Crimson Jasper also houses a restaurant that serves gourmet dishes and a daily breakfast buffet. And, for additional convenience, a business center, a fitness center, and a free parking space are available on-site. Guests can also go for a swim or relax in the super spacious hot tub.
In addition to being within spitting distance from Jasper Railway Station, this hotel is also very close to Jasper Park Information Center and local restaurants.
A standard queen/king room starts around $135 CAD per night but prices do change based on the time of year and days of the week.
You can check prices and availability for The Crimson Jasper online here.
$$ – Jasper Inn & Suites
Jasper Inn & Suites is one of the best Jasper hotels because of its ideal location being in the heart of Jasper. Well-furnished, each room comes with a fan, a flat-screen TV with cable and Chromecast, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a fridge. Additionally, free Wi-Fi access is available in all accommodations.
This hotel is one of my favorites because of its facilities such as a sauna, steam room, indoor pool, hot tub, ski lockers, ski wax room, and free parking space. It even offers on-site dining and guests can fuel up with authentic Canadian cuisine. During the summer season, guests can relax on the outdoor terrace.
Sitting in the heart of Jasper, the hotel is within 30 miles of Maligne Lake and only 14 miles from Ski Marmot Basin. It is within walking distance of the main streets of downtown Jasper.
You can book a double room here starting from approximately $154 CAD per night, although prices do fluctuate seasonally. You can check prices and availability at the Jasper Inn & Suites here.
$ – Jasper Downtown Hostel
Located in Jasper’s city center, Jasper Downtown Hostel offers both dorm-style and private rooms, some of which come with private bathrooms. Each room is well-kept and complete with comfy beds with pillows and blankets. The price for one bed in a dormitory room here ranges from $47 to $90 CAD per night. Private rooms are more.
While staying at this budget-friendly hostel, guests can freely relax in the lounge or use the laundry facilities and a shared kitchen. Free parking is also available on-site. Other than that, free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the property.
In terms of nearby attractions, Jasper Downtown Hostel is only a short five-minute walk to most bars and restaurants – and there are a lot of great restaurants in Jasper!
Dan and I have stayed here many times. We love their private rooms and a large communal kitchen (perfect for when we want to cook something quick instead of always eating out).
You can check prices and availability for Jasper Downtown Hostel on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Where to Stay in Jasper National Park (outside of town)
Best For – A relaxing resort getaway surrounded by nature
It is not necessary to stay right in the town just to make the most of your visit to Jasper National Park. Some of the best places to stay in Jasper are remote, which are only a short drive from town but still settled in the magnificent National Park.
Without the busy streets, the outskirts of Jasper town are the ideal locations for peaceful escapes, resorts, retreats, or hotels with the best views. So, if you’re still unsure where to stay in Jasper, I’ll introduce to you the top accommodation options outside of town.
Advantages of staying outside of Jasper town:
- There are a vast array of beautiful resorts and hotels to choose from.
- Accommodations outside of town offer amazing views of the surroundings including the marvelous Rocky Mountains.
- You don’t need to go further to find outdoor activities as they are just at your doorstep.
- Located far from the bustling downtown Jasper, hotels and resorts are naturally quiet and peaceful
Disadvantages of staying outside of Jasper town:
- Rooms at hotels and resorts have steep prices.
- Clearly, you are far from the town and amenities, so staying in the outskirts of Jasper may not be a good choice for those who don’t like driving back and forth all the time.
- Limited options nearby for food and restaurants.
Best Hotels in Jasper National Park Surrounded by Nature
$$$ – Jasper East Cabins
Set just a 14-minute walk from Athabasca River, Jasper East Cabins is set on a beautiful property in Jasper National Park. Although a 40-minute drive from Jasper town, Jasper Cabins is only a short drive from one of Alberta’s best hot springs – Miette Hot Springs. There are also plenty of biking and hiking trails in the area offering stunning mountain views. You’ll only be a short 20-minute drive from the town of Hinton where you can find grocery stores, restaurants, and all other amenities you might need.
The property features a restaurant, a parking area with no charges, a terrace, and a garden. Couples and families can also make use of the communal picnic area. Ski and luggage storage are available here as well.
The cabins are beautiful too! Each cabin is spacious and comes with a fireplace, a seating area, a patio overlooking the terrace, a garden, and a view of the surrounding mountains – ideal for a honeymoon in Jasper! There’s also a kitchenette and a private bathroom with a shower, a hairdryer, towels, and free toiletries. What’s more, free Wi-Fi is available in each chalet.
A studio here is priced at almost $289 CAD per night. You can check the rates for your dates for Jasper East Cabins online here.
Related Read: Heading to Jasper from Edmonton? Check out our guide to the best stops on the drive from Edmonton to Jasper!
$$ – Pyramid Lake Resort
Pyramid Lake Resort, which is located at Pyramid Lake about a 15-minute drive from Jasper town, consists of rooms that provide either lake views or mountain views. They are also equipped with a cable TV, a coffee maker, a refrigerator, and a gas fireplace.
Aside from a fitness center and a hot tub, the resort has an in-house restaurant that not only serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner but also provides panoramic views of the property. Other than that, complimentary Wi-Fi is available in all areas of the resort.
I personally like this resort as it offers different activities to enjoy like canoeing, fishing, and hiking right from your doorstep. It even has a private beach and an on-site parking area and is near a road that will directly lead you to downtown Jasper, Jasper SkyTram, and the Marmot Basin ski area.
Many people say Pyramid Lake is one of the most beautiful places to visit in all of Alberta, so to stay right on its edge is nothing short of dreamy. On top of that, you really aren’t that far from Jasper town either (10-15 minute drive), so to me, this is the perfect area to stay in Jasper National Park.
Room prices here start at around $210 CAD/night. Check availability at Pyramid Lake Resort (it is often fully booked) online here.
$ – Pocahontas Cabins
Situated a 30-minute drive from Jasper town, Pocahontas Cabins is located at the entrance road to Miette Hot Springs. It is the perfect wilderness escape for those looking for a cozy cabin in Jasper National Park.
Cabins here all include a microwave, a coffee machine, and a fridge. The rooms are made comfortable by adding a sofa, a satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, and a gas fireplace. Additionally, some cabins offer full kitchen facilities.
In addition to cabins, a mini-market can also be found on-site. Here, you can purchase grab-and-go items and prepackaged meals for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. And, in case you decide to have a barbecue party, barbecue facilities are available for you to use.
For relaxation, Pocahontas Cabins offers a seasonal outdoor pool and a hot tub. It also provides free parking and easy access to Miette Hot Springs and the Jasper SkyTram – two of the best things to do in Jasper!
A deluxe log cabin here costs approximately $150 CAD per night. Like most hotels in Jasper, the price can fluctuate seasonally so be sure to check prices and availability of Pocahontas Cabins online here.
Where to Stay in Jasper on the Icefields Parkways
Best For – Amazing Rocky Mountain views and exploring the surrounding areas
Linking Lake Louise with Jasper, the Icefields Parkway houses a ton of must-see places, which make the double-lane highway one of the most scenic drives in the world (it’s one of the most Instagrammable places in Canada)! And of course, one of the best places to stay in Jasper National Park.
If you want to see additional attractions aside from Jasper National Park, or if you’re doing a road trip from Jasper to Banff or Jasper to Calgary, booking a hotel on the Icefields Parkways might be the best choice for you. There are also tons of attractions you can find along the 230-kilometer-long (143-mile) stretch of highway as it goes through both Jasper and Banff National Parks!
Advantages of staying along the Icefields Parkways:
- You will not run out of attractions to visit on the Icefields Parkway.
- Hotels offer amazing views of natural scenery including the Canadian Rockies.
- Complete peace is guaranteed in hotels on the Icefields Parkways.
- A good choice for travelers en route to Banff.
Disadvantages of staying along the Icefields Parkways:
- Hotels are quite distant from Jasper town.
- There are many hotels without cell reception.
- There are no nearby shops and hotels with on-site restaurants are limited.
- Not many hotel options can be found on the Icefields Parkways.
- Many hotels close during the winter season.
Best Hotels in Jasper on the Icefields Parkway
$$$ – Glacier View Lodge
Located an hour-long drive from Jasper town, Glacier View Lodge is a great spot to take in the splendid views of Athabasca Glacier and the Canadian Rockies, as well as to relax thanks to its tranquil surroundings.
At the lodge, the rooms are well-kept, spacious, and complete with a living room comprising a satellite TV and a comfy sofa bed.
For meals, you can head to the on-site restaurant which includes an all-day dining room and a lunchtime cafeteria that serves hamburgers and salads. And, concerning the services here, they provide shuttle service at an additional charge and assistance in hiking or fishing in Lake Fortress.
On top of that, Glacier View Lodge offers complimentary private parking and free Wi-Fi in all areas.
Glacier View Lodge is located right next to the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre, which is where you can book tours on the Athabasca Glacier. This makes it a super convenient place to stay if you plan on doing any glacier hiking or visiting the famous Skywalk.
Standard king rooms are about $430 CAD per night but it greatly depends on the season. It is important to note that this hotel is only open from May through October. You can check availability and book Glacier View Lodge online here.
Related Read: If you’re going to stay here, check out our guide on how to get from Jasper to the Columbia Icefields for driving tips or tour options!
$$ – Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge
Open seasonally from May to October every year, Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge can only accommodate visitors during the summer season in Jasper. I personally consider this lodge as one of the best Jasper hotels as is located just down the road from the stunning Sunwapta waterfall! In fact, you can walk there right from the hotel since it is only 650 meters away – how convenient!
What’s more, I love the beautiful scenery of the mountains – it’s a big bonus for everyone staying here. A gift shop is available on-site as well as an in-house restaurant serving regionally inspired cuisine.
When you enter your room, you will find various amenities including a satellite TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a fridge. There’s a comfortable seating area as well.
For additional convenience, Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge has a tour desk where whitewater rafting and other outdoor activities can be organized. You can also take advantage of the free public parking on site.
It is located about a 40-minute drive along the Icefields Parkway from Jasper town. To me, it’s a great location for exploring all that Jasper National Park has to offer!
Room rates here start at approximately $260 CAD a night, but prices can vary. Check the exact rates and availability for Sunwapta Lodge online here.
Related Read: If you love road-tripping, check out the best stops from Vancouver to Jasper!
$ – HI Rampart Creek Hostel
HI Rampart Creek Hostel is situated in the wilderness 144 km (89.5 miles) south of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway, so you can expect to be surrounded by nature. It is ideal for those who want to reconnect with nature as the hostel doesn’t provide electricity, running water, or cell service, guaranteeing a rustic experience to its guests.
Although pretty far from Jasper town, this is the perfect place to stay if you’re road-tripping between Jasper and Banff.
All dormitory rooms at the hostel have wooden furnishings and offer natural daylight. Linen is provided as well, but you may need to bring your own bedding. Regarding the facilities on-site, you can find a shared bathroom and lounge, a common kitchen, and free public parking. There’s also an outdoor fire pit ideal for relaxing after a day hike or wildlife viewing!
From HI Rampart Creek Hostel, Jasper town is a 2-hour drive away, while Banff is 146 km (91 miles) away. You can book a bed in a mixed dormitory room here at approximately $36 CAD a night.
This rustic hostel often books up well in advance, so be sure to book your stay in advance on Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Where to Stay Just Outside of Jasper National Park
Best For – A tranquil, yet budget-friendly area with great proximity to outdoor activities
Staying in Jasper National Park might not be the best choice for visitors with a small budget as it can be much more expensive than staying on the outskirts of town. Also, you are required to show a Canada Parks Pass for each day you plan to stay in the National Park, plus you need to pay $21 CAD per day per vehicle (or buy a year-long Discovery Pass for $145 CAD).
For these reasons, many people prefer to stay on the border of the National Park and travel into Jasper for daytime activities. If you’re one of these people, below are more hotel options I gathered so you can decide where to stay in Jasper better.
Advantages of staying outside of Jasper National Park:
- Accommodations at hotels located outside of Jasper National Park are generally cheaper.
- Hotels on the edge of the National Park have tranquil surroundings.
- Canada Parks Pass isn’t required.
Disadvantages of staying outside of Jasper National Park:
- Hotels are not actually in Jasper National Park.
- Accommodations are far from the town.
- Hotels are not close to the best attractions.
Best Hotels Just Outside of Jasper National Park
$$$ – Mica Mountain Lodge & Log Cabins
The last luxury hotel option on my list of hotels near Jasper is Mica Mountain Lodge & Log Cabins, where private cottages with mountain views, a private bathroom, and a kitchen are available for rent. Guests staying here can make use of an on-site fire pit and a picnic area.
Mica Mountain Lodge & Log Cabins is a perfect choice for those interested in visiting Mount Robson, which lies 13 kilometers (8.1 miles) away. It is also ideal for people wanting to visit Valemount, which is only 15 minutes away by car and full of restaurants and shops. You’ll be about an hour and fifteen-minute drive away from Jasper when staying at this property, but let me tell you, it is a really beautiful drive!
You can also easily visit Fraser River, known for its waterfalls and salmon fishing, from the lodge. Other than that, summer and winter tours in Jasper can all be arranged on-site.
You can rent one cottage here starting from around $235 CAD per night, but it generally books up quickly! Check availability and book Mica Mountain Lodge & Log Cabins here.
$$ – Black Cat Guest Ranch
Black Cat Guest Ranch is a family-owned ranch amid hiking trails and mountain scenery just 37 km (23 miles) from Jasper National Park. It houses an array of amenities and facilities including painting workshops, a spa, and murder mysteries.
A restaurant is also available on-site and serves complimentary breakfast family-style in the dining room, along with packed lunches for guests. At the ranch’s games room, there’s a small bar where you can grab some soft drinks. Alcoholic drinks are not available here.
Moreover, Black Cat Guest Ranch offers rustic-themed rooms complete with astounding mountain views. You can also find wood paneling, a work desk, and a private bathroom inside. There is free public parking and assistance in booking hiking or walking tours and cross-country skiing, as well.
Room prices here start at approximately $175 CAD a night. You can check availability and book Black Cat Guest Ranch here.
$ – Twin Pine Inn & Suites
Situated in the town of Hinton, Twin Pine Inn & Suites is not that far from Jasper. It takes only an hour to get to Jasper National Park from the inn. Also, it is only a five-minute drive from the Hinton Golf Club.
Talking about rooms, each one includes a coffee maker, a microwave, a desk, and a refrigerator plus complimentary Wi-Fi. Besides these amenities, you will also enjoy access to the Beaver Boardwalk which is a relaxing nature walk through the wetlands.
Within the property, you can find a restaurant and a lounge with games such as pool and ski ball, a free public parking space, laundry facilities, and a business center.
In terms of value for money, you can’t really go wrong here with a room going for as low as $89 CAD per night. With that said, you are quite a drive from the town of Jasper. It’ll be about an hour’s drive to the town of Jasper, with many attractions being slightly farther.
You can check availability and book the Twin Pine Inn & Suites online here.
Activities to do While You’re in Jasper
Jasper National Park is just filled with fun things to do and see! To make the most out of your time in this epic national park, here are my favorite activities in Jasper:
- Whitewater rafting – Jasper is one of the best places in Alberta to go whitewater rafting with a few different rivers nearby. For an adrenaline-filled rafting experience complete with class 3 rapids, opt for this rafting tour. It has nearly all 5-star reviews and costs $123 CAD per person. For something a little calmer and family-friendly but just as highly rated, choose this scenic rafting experience for only $89 CAD each.
- Spirit Island – Maligne Lake is arguably the most famous lake in Jasper National Park. At Maligne Lake you can hike, canoe on the lake, or eat at a lakeside restaurant. However, the best activity at the lake is this scenic Maligne Lake Cruise which takes you out on the water for the best vantage point. The cruise also takes you to the famous Spirit Island, which is so picture-perfect that you’ve likely seen it on Instagram before.
- Drive the Icefields Parkway – The Icefields Parkway is the super scenic stretch of road that connects Jasper with Lake Louise. There are tons of attractions on the Icefields Parkway including hikes, stunning blue lakes like Peyto Lake, as well as the Columbia Icefield. If you’ve ever wanted to walk on a glacier, you can do that at the Columbia Icefield on this guided hiking tour that takes you onto Athabasca Glacier. If you aren’t much of a hiker, join this bus tour onto the glacier instead – you’ll still stand on the glacier but no hiking is required!
- Explore Maligne Canyon – Located on the edge of Jasper town is the beautiful Maligne Canyon, where you can hike alongside and peer down into the deep canyon. There are also a few bridges you can walk on to really take in the views. For a winter tour option, we highly recommend doing an icewalk in the canyon where you put on ice cleats and explore frozen waterfalls, ice caves, and walk in the middle of the frozen canyon!
- Visit Pyramid Lake – Pyramid Lake is a calm lake that offers reflections of the surrounding mountains including the symmetrical Pyramid Mountain. In the summer you can swim, hike, canoe, and SUP on the lake. In winter, go ice skating or ride in a horse-drawn sleigh. For an extra special treat, spend the night lakeside at the Pyramid Lake Resort.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Parks Canada Pass Quick Info
If you plan on spending time in Canada’s national parks (including Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Kootenay, and more) then you’re going to have to pay for a Parks Pass.
Single Daily Admission:
This type of pass is valid for one person for one day. It is ONLY the best value if you are traveling alone and only plan to visit a national park for a couple of days.
- Adult (ages 18-64) is $11 CAD
- Senior (65+) is $9.50 CAD
- Youth/Child (17 or younger) is FREE
Group Daily Admission:
If you’re traveling in a group or with family, you can buy a single-day admission for your entire vehicle (up to 7 people in one vehicle.)
- $22.00 CAD gets your entire vehicle entry for one full day
Parks Canada Discovery Pass
The “Discovery Pass” is what Parks Canada calls their year-long (365 days from the purchase date), multi-park entry pass. This pass will give 365 days of access to all participating national parks in Canada. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke, and so much more.
- Adult (age 18-64) – $75.25 CAD
- Senior (65+) – $64.50 CAD
- Group/Family (up to 7 people in one vehicle) – $151.25 CAD
Hot Tip: Although more expensive up front, if you plan on spending more than 7 days in different parks in Canada within a 12-month period, then the Discovery Pass is actually the better deal!
Parks Canada Passes can be bought online here or at one of the Visitor Centers or booths at the entrance to many national parks.
Renting a Car in Alberta
If you’re arriving in Alberta via plane then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough. Canada is a large country and traveling between cities and even just getting out to some of the best places to visit in Alberta requires transport. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier.
Car rental in Canada isn’t super cheap, but it isn’t overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read our honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Check out my review of Motorhome Republic here for tips before you book.
Thanks for reading!
I understand that it can be quite hard to choose which hotel is best in Jasper, Alberta due to the different settings and prices, despite the town’s small size. So, I hope this in-depth guide helps you in picking the right hotel in or outside of the town! We love visiting Jasper and go as often as we can, in the summer or winter. Maybe we’ll even see you there next time!
As you plan your Canadian vacation, check out some of our other Alberta posts before you go! We have traveled this area extensively and even lived here, so we have all the details on the best things to do.
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