Where to Stay in Jasper National Park
If Jasper is on your Canadian Rockies itinerary, you should start planning accommodation straightaway because this small town is often booked out well in advance. Read our travel guide on where to stay in Jasper, where we share the best hotels, hostels, or campsites in Jasper and the near surroundings.
Jasper is a small town in the heart of Jasper National Park, which is a popular destination among hikers and nature lovers, both in the summer and winter.
Although Jasper is surrounded by wilderness and once certainly was a sleepy little place, the time has changed.
Well, thankfully, the wilderness part hasn't changed at all, but the fact that Jasper sits only a few kilometers from the famous Icefields Parkway has caused that the town became one of the most sought-after destinations in the Canadian Rockies.
Add top attractions such as Maligne Canyon, Mount Edith Cavell, or Athabasca Falls, and you can't blame Jasper for its ever-increasing popularity.
When we look at the practical side of Jasper's popularity, it must be clear that the town has to cater to many travelers, and the number is many more times higher than the population.
Although the hotel selection is way bigger than it used to be, the demand still exceeds the supply, and all travelers planning their trip should simultaneously start thinking about where to stay in Jasper.
We road-tripped around the Canadian Rockies a few times already. Although we knew that it is essential to make a hotel reservation in Jasper as soon as we knew travel dates, we thought that the advice was exaggerated.
On our first visit to Jasper National Park, we were forced to spend a night about 50 kilometers from the town as we were not willing to pay more than 300+ dollars for a room. Next time, we learned from our mistakes.
This is how the situation with accommodation roughly looks like when the summer season is in full swing.
The town and all motels and B&Bs nearby are fully booked, or prices for budget travelers are ridiculous.
Although it is certainly an option to widen your search to the whole national park and not focus solely on where to stay in Jasper's center, it is always better to be the master of your choice and not be dragged by fate.
This is why we've created this travel guide on where to stay in Jasper based on our experience from recent visits.
Except for the tips on the best hotels in Jasper, we also share things you should know before making the reservation and information on how to get around and what to consider when booking the room.
HOW TO FIND CHEAP ACCOMMODATION IN JASPER
Although Jasper is a super-popular destination, it is still not that attractive as Banff, which is located on the other side of the Icefields Parkway. This is why the number of hotels in the town's center is not that large (yet) and by no means that varied.
Maybe thanks to it, Jasper still keeps its small-town vibe and pleasant atmosphere. In other words, it does not feel that touristy, but a traveler, in order to find accommodation, sometimes needs to look a bit further.
What should you know before booking a hotel in Jasper?
Prices tend to be quite expensive throughout the year, but the rule of thumb is that you always have a higher chance to secure a better deal when reserving the room first-moment.
It does not need to be a non-refundable deal, but believe us, the prices skyrocket closer to arrival day, and last-minute deals are usually costly, even for rooms that are not worth it.
If you are a budget traveler, you need to think carefully about where to stay in Jasper.
Personally, we found the best option to rent a car and sleep at a campground. It is important to know that camping spots in the most popular campgrounds are often booked out soon after the reservation system opens because of the lower price.
Hadn't we stayed at the campgrounds, we would have booked a room in a hostel. It often does not make sense to book a bed in a dormitory for a couple, but this is the way to go if you are a solo traveler.
Finally, having a rental car or campervan gives you the flexibility to look for accommodation within Jasper town and in the surrounding area and, by extension, in the whole national park.
Traveling in the Canadian Rockies by car opened for us new horizons, but it was also much more comfortable and cheaper to get a room as we were not dependent on anything and could search in the wider area.
As most of the top attractions are outside Jasper, you can also better plan where to stay the night depending on the next morning stop on your Canadian Rockies itinerary.
ACCOMMODATION IN JASPER
Before you make the final decision on where to stay in Jasper, there are a few questions you need to answer. Do you require a certain level of standards, or is it enough for you to find a reasonably clean bed?
Do you plan on spending more time in the hotel room, or is your itinerary packed to the brim with hikes (read more: Best Hikes in Jasper National Park), and you simply need a place to rest for a while?
Do you need bars, restaurants, and shops nearby, or you prefer cooking your own meals? Will you have a car to get around? Is an included breakfast in a hotel rate essential for you?
Once you answer these questions, it will be more clear what you're looking for - whether you want to stay in Jasper's town center or it is ok to travel a few more kilometers and stay outside the well-trodden path, but you must know the services will be limited.
Are you looking for a hotel, B&B, cabin in the wilderness, or campground?
Our guide to accommodation in Jasper got you covered.
HOTELS AND HOSTELS IN JASPER TOWN CENTER
Without any doubt, Jasper town is the first destination in the national park that fills up quickly, and once the place is booked out, the radius widens.
Jasper has everything you would have expected from the mountainous town popular with travelers.
Plenty of souvenir shops, coffee houses, restaurants, bars, and grocery stores. It is also an excellent base for day trips in the area, so if you want to stay here unconditionally, act fast.
Here's the list of top hotels in Jasper for every type of traveler.
Budget | Jasper Downtown Hostel - One of Jasper's best hostels. We are a bit reluctant to use the word budget, although it is certainly budget accommodation, at least in the Canadian Rockies' standards. If you like to socialize with fellow travelers, this is a place for you. The hostel has both dormitories and private rooms. Dormitories are priced quite reasonably; expect to pay around CAD 50 per night, but standard private rooms are more costly, and if you travel as a couple, we would have looked elsewhere.
Budget | HI Jasper - Another excellent property for budget travelers is HI Jasper. It belongs to the HI chain, hostels you can find across Canada, so you might already know what to expect. The same as the accommodation above, this hostel has shared dorms and private rooms, and among facilities belong barbeque, parking, or shared kitchen.
Mid-range | Jasper Inn and Suites - When you search accommodation online, you'll soon find out that most mid-range hotels in Jasper do not have very good reviews, and their evaluation is rarely higher than 8 out of 10. We think the problem is usually not in the facilities but in the price, which is fueled by the demand. If you want more than $200 for a room from customers, the service should be above average. But back to the point. Jasper Inn & Suites is one of the exceptions. Great location, clean, although a bit outdated rooms, famous on-site restaurant, indoor pool, hot tub, or sauna are the reasons to stay here.
Mid-range | Whistler's Inn - One of Jasper's most traditional lodgings has an atmosphere that will take you back in time. The hotel's location is within walking distance to the town's center, and the staff will help plan your day if you're overwhelmed by the number of hiking options.
Luxury | Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - As we've already mentioned, we could not find many hotels that could justify the high price tag. Still, it is possible to find an exception. For those of you looking for an extraordinary place to stay and for those of you who do not mind splurging, the Fairmont brand is one of the hotels where you'll feel like in a dream. The location, furnishing, and service are precisely worth every single cent.
CABINS AND LODGES NEAR JASPER
Another alternative to staying in Jasper is to look a bit further and choose from one of the cabins or lodges in the area. You can find in Jasper National Park anything from rustic lodges and bed & breakfasts, to luxurious retreats, so it is only up to your budget and preferences what will be your final choice.
Some of the lodges and cabins are only a few kilometers away from Jasper, while some are hidden deeper in the wilderness.
If there's one thing these accommodations have in common, they are a bit secluded, and it is a perfect fit for travelers looking for a peaceful place surrounded by nature.
One more thing. If you book a cabin or lodge, you will very likely need a car to travel from the lodge to top attractions nearby freely.
Budget | Pine Bungalows - If you want to stay close to the wilderness but do not want to give up any modern facilities, then Pine Bungalows are a great choice. First of all, the location close to Jasper is perfect, but you will be waking up every day with fantastic views of the greenery. The rooms' interior is very cozy, and for the price, we think this is one of the best options for all outdoor lovers out there.
Mid-range | Tekarra Lodge - To be honest, Tekarra Lodge does not look somehow splendid from the outside but look at the photos; you won't believe your eyes. Warm colores, excellent facilities, many cabin options, and the location close to the river are just of few features and the solid base for great reviews.
Luxury | Pyramid Lake Resort - Only about 5 kilometers from Jasper, on Pyramid Lake's shores, is this resort, where every single detail was thought through. The property is breathtaking, and we are not talking only about the rooms but also about the views and facilities. Guests can enjoy many activities here such as canoeing or hiking and in the evening dine in an on-site restaurant.
CAMPGROUNDS IN JASPER
Camping is one of the most popular options on where to stay not only in Jasper National Park but in the whole Canadian Rockies, among travelers on a budget or those who prefer sleeping in a tent or RV.
Camping in the Rockies is definitely a more adventurous alternative, but well worth it.
Jasper is dotted with a number of campgrounds run by the government agency Parks Canada. Although the selection is a bit limited than in Banff, hundreds of camping spots play a significant role in the region's tourism.
It is good to know that camping is not for everyone, especially in a challenging environment, which the area around Jasper definitely is, as the weather can change any minute. Our Canadian Rockies packing list also includes useful tips on camping in Canada.
It would be a false impression that finding a camping spot, especially in the season, is an easy task. Rather the opposite.
Every year, when the booking system opens up, the most popular dates and places are gone fast. Some of the remote and basic campsites still work on a first-come, first-served basis, but most of them require a reservation.
Most of the campsites cost from $16 to $50, depending on the location or season, but those of you who want to enjoy the fun of camping but still require a certain level of comfort can rent a tent for $120.
The largest and most popular campground in the Jasper area is called Whistlers Campground and can accommodate almost 800 motorhomes and tents.
Wapiti and Wabasso are other two large campgrounds in Jasper. Not all campgrounds are opened all-year-round, so plan accordingly, for example Wapiti Campground is closed in winter.
Facilities differ as well, but large campgrounds have tables, hot showers, and flushing toilets, while the basic ones have only pit toilets.
For more information and reservation, visit Parks Canada .
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
ACCOMMODATION ALONG THE ICEFIELDS PARKWAY
Jasper is often the first or the last stop on the iconic Icefields Parkway, and you might be wondering whether it is possible to either finish your day a bit earlier or have a head start.
The good news is that there are a few accommodation options, although they are not the cheapest ones. There are also a few basic campsites along Icefields Parkway, but the rest of the lodges are pretty expensive because of the unique and remote location.
Unsurprisingly, the combination of beautifully designed rooms and location close to the Canadian Rockies' wilderness is the reason why these lodges on the Icefields Parkway are often fully booked, and it is worth it to check the availability as soon as you know the travel dates.
We've hand-selected the best hotels that are still within driving distance from Jasper, and you can consider staying here at least one night.
Budget | Hi-Athabasca Falls - Very basic hostel, that on the other hand, offers one of the most stunning locations as it sits close to super-famous natural attraction, Athabasca Falls. The hostel is about 30 kilometers drive from Jasper, and you can choose a bed in the dormitory; the selection of private rooms is very limited.
Mid-range | Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge - This hotel offers mediocre accommodation for the price, but on the other hand, it is rustic, clean, and the staff is friendly. We would have booked this property because of the location, but we could not justify the rate.
Luxury | Glacier View Lodge - If you want to break the journey and stay in a tranquil place that features amazing views of Glacier, stop at Glacier View Lodge, which is about a 1-hour drive from Jasper. It does not matter if you travel to Banff or in the opposite direction; this outstanding property has a lot to offer.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
