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Jasper Family-friendly activities

Our most recommended Jasper Family-friendly activities

Jasper: Wildlife & Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise

1. Jasper: Wildlife & Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise

Following a pick-up from your accommodation in Jasper, climb aboard a 21-seat tour bus for a comfortable drive up the valley. Your first stop will be at Maligne Canyon. Enjoy an easy 30-minute walk and see the deepest portion at 164 feet, including a thundering waterfall. Re-board your bus and drive on through stunning landscapes en route to Medicine Lake. Here the tour will make a 10-minute stop for photos, and your guide will explain why this is known locally as the "disappearing lake." Continue on to Maligne Lake and take a 90-minute scenic cruise to Spirit Island. Throughout the day, look out for Canada’s famous wildlife, such as abundant moose, the odd black bear, and even a grizzly.

Jasper: Columbia Icefield Skywalk and Ice Explorer Ticket

2. Jasper: Columbia Icefield Skywalk and Ice Explorer Ticket

Enjoy an adventure at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Center. Get a guided tour around the Athabasca Glacier on Ice Explorer, admire the stunning mountains and glaciers and listen as your guide informs you of all the facts and history. Meet your guide, who will take you to the Athabasca Glacier. At the scheduled time, board your Ice Explorer, a massive vehicle designed explicitly for glacial travel, and set off on an exciting ride. During your ride, hear stories and facts about the Columbia Icefield and the glaciers around you. Once on the Glacier, hop off the vehicle to walk on the thick, 25,000-year-old ice and drink cold, pure water from the glacier itself. This is an experience you will never forget. Then, take a short ride to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Heighten your senses by walking on a platform where only glass separates you from a 918-foot (279-meter) drop. Marvel at the spectacular views of the mountains, glaciers, and the Sunwapta River with its waterfalls.

Jasper National Park: Evening or Morning Wildlife Search

3. Jasper National Park: Evening or Morning Wildlife Search

Discover the beauty of the Jasper National Park on this guided wildlife watching tour from Jasper aboard a spacious coach. Enjoy stunning natural landscapes while looking for creatures in their native habitats.  Benefit from pickup at your hotel or guesthouse in Jasper and travel by comfortable coach down into the valley. Look out of the large windows to get stunning views of the mountains and surrounding wilderness. Travel on paved roads, searching for the many species of animals found in the Jasper National Park. Your guide selects the route based on seasonal wildlife movements, giving you the best chances of finding animals in their natural habitat.  Encounter amazing creatures at the time of day when they are most active. Take stunning photos from inside the minibus or during occasional short walks, at the discretion of your guide. Get valuable insights into the challenges of managing and protecting wildlife within the national park. Ask your guide any questions you may have about the animals that you spot. Return to your hotel in Jasper at the end of your tour. 

Athabasca Falls: Class 2 White Water Rafting Adventure

4. Athabasca Falls: Class 2 White Water Rafting Adventure

The Athabasca Falls trip is probably our most scenic. After a 30-minute bus drive from town guests are suited up in our wetsuit gear. After a safety talk there is a 5-minute portage to the river. This river trip starts with a bang. Once out in the main current the first set of rapids is only seconds way. Once these rapids have soaked everyone in the raft the rafters find themselves in a canyon. For the next 30-minutes there are no trails or roads next to the river it is just the river and you. The canyon ends with another set of rapids and spectacular views of the Athabasca River valley. Once back at the highway it is about 20 minutes to the take out. There are more sections of rapids but also flat section to enjoy and learn about the natural surroundings. All trips are in 8-person rafts with a licensed river guide.

Jasper: Columbia Icefield Skywalk

5. Jasper: Columbia Icefield Skywalk

Get an entry ticket to Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a cliff-edge walkway 918 feet (279 meters) above the valley floor. See giant glaciers perched above you and the spectacular Sunwapta Valley below with this experience. Make your way to the Columbia Icefield Discovery Center in Jasper, then board the shuttle to get to the skywalk. Upon arrival at the observation platform, collect your audio guide and embark on your adventure. Step onto the glass floor of the Columbia Icefield Skywalk to begin the scenic 1-kilometer walk, surrounded by fantastic views. Marvel at crystal-clear waterfalls, admire the mountains and glaciers above and keep a lookout for wildlife native to the Candian Rockies.

Jasper National Park: 2-Hour Whitewater Rafting

6. Jasper National Park: 2-Hour Whitewater Rafting

Take on the grade 2 whitewater rapids on the Athabasca River while taking in the fresh air and scenic mountain views. Start your tour in the town of Jasper and head only 8 km south to the put-in point. After suiting up in wetsuits and a safety talk, it's off to the river. Begin with a 10-minute float to get comfortable in the raft, experience the river environment, and admire the 360-degree Mountain View. After, embark on the grade 2 rapids which guarantee a splash without the likelihood of falling in. You can choose to swim in the glacial water if you feel brave enough. After 4 or 5 sections of rapids, the Miette River joins the Athabasca and the trip ends just around the corner at Old Fort Point. All trips are in 8-person rafts with a licensed river guide.

Jasper National Park Family Friendly Rafting Adventure

7. Jasper National Park Family Friendly Rafting Adventure

Raft the Athabasca River on a thrilling, family-friendly 2-hour adventure set against a backdrop of dramatic alpine mountains, rushing glacial waters, grazing moose, and other wildlife. While you sign your waiver form at the Jasper office, watch highlights of your adventure to come on 8 big TV screens. Then transfer by minibus for the short 15-minute drive to your rafting start point. On arrival, guides will distribute wet suits and safety equipment, and give an instructive and entertaining safety talk to ensure everyone is comfortable. Once on the river, go through a serious of paddle commands and practice on the flat water before you hit the rapids. Paddle and splash 5 miles down river, heading to Old Fort Point and back towards Jasper. Along the way, you will encounter no less than 5 sets of class-2 rapids of splashy white water, ideal for first timers and children aged 5 and up.

Jasper: Canyon Run Family Whitewater Rafting

8. Jasper: Canyon Run Family Whitewater Rafting

Begin the tour with a 30-minute bus ride to the river at the base of Athabasca Falls. Get geared up with all the necessary equipment and change into your wetsuit. Your highly experienced, certified guide will give an overview of all rafting and safety procedures before you jump onboard the 6-passenger, self-bailing raft. As you embark, hear the thundering of Athabasca Falls plunging behind you. Your raft will join a turbulent stir of whitewater whisking you downstream as your guide expertly navigates the river, surrounded by the high rock walls of the Athabasca Canyon. In the first part of the 12-km ride, punch through consistent sections of exhilarating Class II rapids before the river mellows giving you a chance to relax. Take in spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies and perhaps even spot some local wildlife on the shoreline of this pristine environment. All technical equipment will be supplied including paddles, wetsuits, neoprene booties and paddle jackets. You will need to wear a swimsuit or a t-shirt and shorts under your casual clothes and be prepared to get wet. Bring dry clothes, a towel and on cooler days, wool socks to wear inside the booties and a warm jacket to put on afterward. You are also welcome to bring snacks and water to enjoy on the bus to and from the river. These trips do not require any previous experience and are suited for individuals aged 5 years and above, looking for an introductory whitewater adventure.

Jasper: Jasper National Park Easy 2-Hour Rafting Trip

9. Jasper: Jasper National Park Easy 2-Hour Rafting Trip

Relax and enjoy an afternoon that you'll never forget. This is a true Canadian outdoor experience. Take a fun and scenic trip down the Athabasca River, a designated Canadian Heritage River.A National Park-licensed guide will provide commentary on the human and natural history of Jasper while navigating you along the same route used by the fur traders over 200 years ago. The specially designed, 7-meter- or 25-foot-long, oar-powered rafts come equipped with life jackets, and provide a safe, comfortable ride through a few small sets of rapids and calm stretches that any first-time rafter will enjoy. Don’t worry - the guides do all the rowing. All you have to do is sit back and relax while you take in the spectacular scenery.  You can spot various local wildlife, including elks, deer, moose, coyotes, wolves, eagles, ospreys, mountain sheep, and bears.

Other Sightseeing Options in Jasper

Want to discover all there is to do in Jasper? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Jasper

Just about the right amount of time on the glacier. Very well organised and not much time hanging around waiting. Facilities at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre good. Clean and tidy. Don’t expect to get breakfast before 10:00 though.

My husband, son & daughter-in-law went 10/7 to the Skywalk - we made reservations…which is a must. It was spectacular - our DIL is afraid of heights, but she did walk for me.

Great scenic journey, experienced and knowledgeable crew and easy with pickup from Jasper town.

Fun tour! The booking process with GetYourGuide made the process and communication so easy.

We had a blast, it was a very memorable experience and just wonderful all around trip