I’ve been to Yellowstone National Park in the US and the situation is similar.  In fact, finding accommodations within Yellowstone National Park can be even harder than Jasper National Park.

As the saying goes, “it is what it is.”  If these great parks were full of hotels, they’d be cities.

Luckily, for the adventurous types, many hotel alternatives can give you a good enough place to sleep.

For travelers planning a visit to Jasper National Park, there are several alternatives to staying in hotels within Jasper:

1. Stay in Hinton, AB hotels on the eastern border of Jasper National Park.
2. Stay in Valemount, BC near Mt Robson Provincial Park, an hour from Jasper’s western border.
3. Stay in Banff National Park, on Jasper’s southern border.
4. Try camping in Jasper National Park in a tent or bring an RV.
5. Stay in a Jasper private home accommodation – Few travelers know about private home accommodations in Jasper National Park.  They are not heavily promoted and can be a bargain.

Or, do a combination of the above. Start on one side of the Canadian Rockies and then make your way across. Maybe start from Yoho National Park, spend a day or 2 in Banff National Park, then hit Jasper and maybe exit out at Mt Robson or head the other way to Edmonton.

There IS another way.

Hinton, Alberta is 47 miles (75 km) east of Jasper townsite and is home to several hotels providing a reasonable alternative to staying in Jasper. While 47 miles may seem far, keep in mind that the border of Jasper National Park is closer and only 10 or 20 minutes away.

Jasper’s top attractions like Miette Hot Springs, the Jasper Tramway, Maligne Lake and the best day hikes are all an easy commute from Hinton. For most Jasper attactions, staying in Hinton instead of Jasper village would only add an hour or so to the day’s driving. In fact, Miette Hot Springs is nearer to Hinton than it is to Jasper village. Soaking in Miette Hot Springs is a way to recharge after a day of Jasper activities and is easier to do for those staying in Hinton.

The downside to staying in Hinton is the long distance from Hinton to the Columbia Icefield at the southern end of Jasper National Park. The Columbia Icefield, one of Jasper’s top attractions, is a good 2 hours from Jasper townsite. It can be longer depending at the number of stops made at the many jaw-dropping scenic viewpoints along the way. Expect a long day of driving to the icefield and back to Hinton, but that is part of the adventure and the Canadian Rockies scenery makes it enjoyable. One way to avoid the long return ride from Columbia Icefield to Hinton is to combine a trip to Jasper National Park with a trip to Banff National Park, a common itinerary for those able to do a longer vacation.

Map of Hinton, Alberta Hotels

To find out availability, do a search on Orbitz, Travelocity, Kayak or similar.

The town of Hinton is a mini-destination itself and has shopping and restaurants. Learn about Hinton recreational activities, including the Brule Sand Dunes and Yellowhead Raceway, on the Town of Hinton official website.

Looking for other options? Read about Jasper Private Home Rentals as yet another Jasper National Park vacation hotel alternative.