Hotel Alternatives: Jasper Private Home Accommodations

Looking for a unique and economical place to stay in Jasper National Park? Take a look at private home rentals.

The Jasper Home Accommodation Association website lists over 100 places to stay in Jasper. The listed properties are licensed and inspected private properties operated by individual homeowners. Most of the accommodations are guest bedrooms or 2nd floor suites because the park requires the homeowner to live on-site. Some are Bed and Breakfasts (B&B), offering a home-cooked morning meal.

Accommodations range from ‘a well-appointed room with a comfortable bed’ to a ‘large suite ideal for families’ to the more unique. One accommodation called ‘a little log house’ is a fully self-contained suite located on the second floor of a 1926 log house and within easy walking distance of the train station and downtown Jasper.

The amenities of the private accommodations vary greatly. When a simple room with a bed and a bathroom is all that a visitor needs, a private home accommodation should meet the visitor’s needs. Some accommodations may include a refrigerator, microwave, stove and fully equipped kitchen. Some places to stay have private decks or patios.

Search for private home accommodations on the Jasper Home Accommodation Association’s website here.

Benefits of Private Home Accommodations

My experiences with the “vacation rental by owner” type of accommodation in other parts of the world have been positive. These types of accommodations often have a one-of-a-kind charm that makes the experience a little more memorable.

Prices for private home rentals in Jasper are reasonable and bargains can be had. Local laws are such that taxes (4% Alberta Tourism Levy and 5% federal Goods & Services Tax) are not likely to be charged or required by private home accommodations – unlike hotels. And in many cases the amenities can be more desirable than a similarly priced hotel.

For traveler’s visiting from different environments and far away lands, staying in a home accommodation can be a better way to experience local culture and meet the locals as compared to hotels. The people who own these accommodations love Jasper National Park and made the park a part of their lives.

Limitations

For some travelers, a downside of private home accommodations stems from a lack of a 24-hour reception desk, room service or a hotel pool. Staying in private accommodations requires a sense of adventure, flexibility and a little bit of work.

The home accommodation renters must be contacted individually for availability. To make it easier, homeowner email addresses and phone numbers are listed on the association’s website.

Since private homeowners conduct operations, some can only accept cash as payment. Most require a deposit, usually equivalent to a day’s stay.

For visitors desiring a whole house rental, Jasper is not the place. Homeowners must reside on-site. The priority of the park is the wilderness and wildlife. Land use within the park is highly regulated. According to the Jasper Home Accommodation Association website:

“Because Jasper is in a national park, all development is strictly controlled. To ensure that the park remains as wilderness, the boundaries of the town are fixed; the town cannot grow any larger. Almost no land is available for further development, and housing is already scarce for those who live and work in the town. Consequently, all residential properties must be occupied by someone with a “need to reside” in the park – or by someone who worked in the park for at least five years before retirement.”

Looking for last minute accommodations?

The Jasper Home Accommodation Association website offers an at-a-glance chart that shows the availability of home accommodations in Jasper National Park for the next 7 days. View here. Last minute accommodations during July and August can be impossible to find on weekends and even weekdays. That’s when travelers should consider outlying towns such as Hinton, an hour or so away from Jasper Townsite, but only 30 or so minutes to the first attractions on the eastern side of the park.

For a much larger selection, plan a 3-4 months advance – the more in advance the better. Jasper private home accommodations can be an economical way to a unique Jasper National Park adventure.