Jasper National Park tours at a glance
Most Jasper National Park tours are tied to a season and to the weather. The lake boat, the glacier trip and the rafting runs all stop in autumn, and some parts of the park are closed to everyone, with or without a guide. A tour does not open an area that Parks Canada has closed.
Day trips start in the town of Jasper, in Alberta. Banff is a long drive south on the Icefields Parkway, so plan tours from the Jasper side unless you travel the whole route. Our guide to the Icefields Parkway explains that drive.
Our picks: tours compared
The valley day with a lakeshore hike suits walkers, the boat day adds Spirit Island, and the glacier hike is for people who want to be on the ice with a guide. Rafting and the Skywalk are the ones to add on a second day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Maligne Valley wildlife and Spirit Island boat tour
- Professional guide
- Boat tour on the lake
- Pickup included
Six hours with a professional guide and a boat tour on the lake; Spirit Island is a view from the boat, with no landing. Pickup is included, and the exact spot shows once you choose a date.
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Guided hike on the glacier with spikes
- Guide on the glacier
- Microspikes
- Transfer to the trailhead
Three hours on the ice with a guide, only ever with a guide. Microspikes are provided, and rain gear, poles, boots, gloves and a hat if you need them; bring your own warm layers.
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Family whitewater rafting, Class 2+
- Wetsuit and full gear
- Certified river guide
- Return to town centre
About 1.5 hours on the water with a certified river guide, a safety briefing and all the gear: wetsuit, booties, paddle jacket and life jacket. The ride back to the town centre is included.
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Maligne Valley with a guided lakeshore hike
- Lakeshore hike 2 to 3 km
- Medicine Lake stop
- Hotel pickup
Six hours with a guide: stops at Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake and an easy hike of 2 to 3 km along the lakeshore. This one has no boat trip.
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Evening or morning wildlife drive
- Guide with commentary
- Minibus
- Hotel pickup
Three hours in a minibus with a guide who explains the animals along the way. No sighting is promised; the early and late hours are simply when animals are most active.
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Skywalk entry with audio guide
- Skywalk entry
- Multilingual audio guide
- Return shuttle
Entry to the glass-floored Skywalk above the valley, with a multilingual audio guide and the shuttle there and back. It does not include a ride onto the glacier, and the Skywalk is a summer attraction.
Check availability →Jasper National Park tours and day trips
Boat trips, glacier outings, rafting and wildlife tours, with live prices and availability.
Jasper tours compared
Lengths and seasons for 2026. Check the dates for your year before you plan.
| Tour | Length | Season 2026 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maligne Lake boat trip | About 1.5 hours | Late May to mid October, weather permitting; check dates | Goes to a viewpoint near Spirit Island; you cannot walk on the island |
| Glacier trip at the Columbia Icefield | 2 to 3 hours | 1 May to 12 October, weather permitting | Runs on the Athabasca Glacier, one outlet of the icefield |
| Skywalk at the Columbia Icefield | 1 to 2 hours | 1 May to 12 October, weather permitting | Separate visit with its own opening hours |
| Whitewater rafting | – | May to September, depending on the stretch | Classes II and III; age limits differ by stretch and company |
| Jasper SkyTram | About 90 minutes between ride up and ride down | Spring to autumn, weather permitting; check dates | The upper station is at 2,263 m; the summit is a further 1.4 km on foot |
| Miette Hot Springs | – | The 2026 season ended on 12 October | 61 km from the town; entry is separate from the park pass |
Season dates change from year to year, so always read the year on the booking page. For most visitors with one full day, the lake boat in the morning and a second stop such as Pyramid Lake or the Athabasca Falls works better than a rushed second tour. With two or three days, add the glacier trip or a rafting run.
The tour types in detail
What each one involves.
Boat trips on Maligne Lake
The lake is 22 km long and Spirit Island lies about 14 km from the northern start. There is no road or trail to it. The classic trip lasts about 1.5 hours. Plan at least 90 minutes of driving from Jasper and arrive about an hour before departure. Booking ahead secures a departure time.
Maligne Lake guide →Glacier outings
Guided glacier walks with certified mountain guides and glacier bus tours are the usual ways onto the ice. Do not step onto a glacier without suitable guidance. Hidden crevasses have caused fatal accidents.
Columbia Icefield guide →Rafting
The guided runs cover Athabasca River stretches rated class II and a Sunwapta River stretch rated class III. Life jacket, helmet and cold protection are part of the guided runs. Water zone rules for the park apply as well.
Rafting guide →Wildlife outings
Guided wildlife tours follow the same distance rules as everyone else: at least 100 m from bears, cougars and wolves, and at least 30 m from elk, moose, caribou, sheep and goats. No tour can promise a sighting.
Wildlife guide →Cable car and summit
The SkyTram climbs from 1,315 m to 2,263 m. Whistlers summit is at 2,463 m and needs the extra walk of 1.4 km, which is not wheelchair accessible. Tickets are for a time window up and down and can also be bought on site if seats are free.
SkyTram guide →Maligne Canyon
The canyon trails and the surrounding ground are closed in 2026, and winter ice walks in the canyon are included in the closure. A guide does not change that. The Fifth Bridge day-use area and the path to the Sixth Bridge are open separately.
Maligne Canyon guide →What to check before you book
The park, not the tour company, sets many of the rules.
Park pass
The day pass costs CA$12.25 for adults aged 18 to 64 and CA$10.75 for seniors from 65. A vehicle group of up to 7 pays CA$24.50. Youths up to 17 enter free. A Discovery Pass is CA$83.50 for adults, CA$71.50 for seniors and CA$167.50 for a family or group. Extras such as camping or the hot springs cost more.
Date, product and meeting point
Check that the date, the product and the departure point match. Distances in the park are long, and a tour from another town adds hours of driving to your day.
Weather and closures
Operations are weather dependent, and some trails and roads are closed after the 2024 wildfire. Check the current status on the day, especially in spring and autumn.
Water gear
Since 31 July 2026 the park applies water zone rules. Clean, drain and dry any boat or paddling gear before it goes into park water.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the tours fit.
Things to do in Jasper
Lakes, glaciers and wildlife beyond the tours.
Weather and best time
Which month suits which activity.
Getting to Jasper
From Edmonton by car, shuttle or train.
If you want to add the town of Banff to your trip, see Banff for that side of the Rockies.
Jasper National Park tours: frequently asked questions
Is this the official Jasper National Park website?
No. This is an independent guide and is not run by Parks Canada, the Municipality of Jasper or any tour company. For passes and closures, use the park's own information.
Which Jasper tour is best for a first visit?
For most visitors the Maligne Lake boat trip is the first choice, because it reaches the area near Spirit Island that has no road. Add the glacier trip at the Columbia Icefield if you have a second day.
Can I walk on Spirit Island?
No. The island may not be entered. The boat trip goes to a viewpoint nearby.
Are there ice walks in Maligne Canyon?
Not in 2026. The canyon trails are closed, including for winter ice walks.
Can I walk on the Athabasca Glacier by myself?
You should not enter a glacier without suitable guidance. Parks Canada warns about hidden crevasses and points to certified mountain guides for glacier walks.
Do I need a park pass for a tour?
You need a valid pass for the national park. Check whether your tour price includes it or whether you buy it separately.