One of the best places to visit in Canada is Jasper National Park. Jasper is the largest of the national parks. It is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The area offers spectacular scenic views, is home to many species of wildlife and has many kilometers of hiking trails. The park has much to offer and adults and children alike will find it to be a wonderful and interesting place to visit.

No matter what your fitness level is you can find many fun things to do outdoors. The area abounds with wildlife and opportunities to see them. You can take a scenic drive or try a more adventurous hike. There are many kilometers of scenic hiking trails. Visit the Athabasca waterfalls, which require only a short hike. Down below the river offers more adventure. Try taking a whitewater rafting trip or a river float trip. Take a scenic drive on Icefields Parkway to see the Columbia Icefield. You can actually go on the glacier with an ice buggy.

Maligne Lake is just a short drive away and while there you can take a boat cruise, rent a canoe or even go fishing. Mount Edith Cavell is another scenic drive. There you’ll find a path that leads to the bottom of Angel Glacier. No trip to Jasper is complete until you take a soak in the natural warmth of the Miette Hot Springs. The springs offer clear and soothing mineral water that is naturally warm from inside the earth to give you a truly natural and relaxing experience.

Jasper National Park is home to many different species of wildlife. You’re bound to see many of them on even a short hike. You can even take a guided birdwatchers hike to see some bird species that you’ve probably never seen before. You can plan on taking any of the designated hikes through the park. Many are short enough to walk with children. The town of Jasper offers many eateries and pleasant shops.

When choosing accommodations you’ll find it easy to log onto HotelsCombined.com. This site offers the ease and affordable pricing options of all the popular hotel-finding sites such as Orbitz, Priceline, Travelocity and Hotels.com to name just a few. You’ll be able to choose from many different local hotels and resorts each with their own amenities. You will be sure to find a hotel that offers the features you want in the price range within your budget.

Spirit Island has been captivating Jasper National Park travelers for years. For anyone with a camera, this will be one of the best scenes your camera will ever have the pleasure of photographing.

To see the famous Spirit Island in person, take a cruise on Maligne Lake - a must do even without a camera. At the end of the cruise, the boat drops passengers off at a dock for a short break. Walk from the dock up a small path up to a vantage point looking out towards Spirit Island.

Here’s more Spirit Island photos from Webshots, a popular photo website.

(By bobp30)

(By pfjc)

Learn more about the Maligne Lake boat ride.

Great minds think alike.

Back in August, 2006 I wrote “Maligne Lake – World’s best 90 minute boat ride?” here on Jasper Journal.

Just recently, Reader’s Digest named the Spirit Island cruise as Canada’s Best Boat Cruise in the 2^nd Annual “30 Best of Canada”, calling Maligne Lake “Alberta’s turquoise jewel”.

(more…)

As one of the must-see destinations in Jasper National Park, Maligne Lake has enough activities to fill a day, from taking the cruise, to canoeing or kayaking, to lunch in the Lodge, to trout fishing. For travelers who like nature, the mountain air and great scenery, a visit to Maligne Lake will be rewarding.

“With so much to do at Maligne Lake, a full day of activities is in order that could include an itinerary of cruising Maligne Lake to Spirit Island and other popular Maligne Lake activities.” says Pat Crowley, CEO of Maligne Lake Tours, Ltd., the company that runs the only boat tour on Maligne Lake.

(more…)

Fed by water from glaciers, the murky-blue watered, iced-capped and mountain-lined Maligne Lake (pronounced “muh leen” by the locals) is the oldest attraction in Jasper National Park and has perhaps the world’s best 90 minute boat ride. A ride here makes any Canada travel experience complete.

(more…)

When driving to Maligne Lake, be sure to stop at Medicine Lake and take in the view. Medicine Lake is about 10 miles before Maligne Lake and there’s a small parking lot with a good vantage point.

(more…)