Jasper National Park is one of Canada’s oldest and largest national parks. Established in 1907, Jasper was once seen as an island of civilization in a vast wilderness. In more recent times, it has become a haven for those seeking a respite from urban life and a place to reconnect with nature.
As one of 42 national parks, 4 national marine parks/reserves and 167 national historic sites protected and managed by Parks Canada, Jasper is the gentle giant of the Rockies, offering visitors a more laid-back mountain experience - with equal options for adventure, discovery and relaxation.
Jasper National Park is home to many large mammals, including grizzly bears and the rare woodland caribou - a species at risk and symbol of Canadian wilderness.
It takes strong relationships with visitors, residents and Indigenous groups to ensure that the park’s natural landscapes, and the wildlife these support, remain unspoiled and available for the enjoyment of all visitors, for all time.
- Jasper National Park was established in 1907 and comprises ~11,000 km2 of authentic Rocky Mountain wilderness.
- Jasper hosts diverse experiences for visitors. These include five-star dining, rafting, hiking, biking, camping, horseback riding, spas and shops and even world-class golfing at Stanley Thompson’s Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course.
- Along with Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho national parks, and the B.C. provincial parks of Hamber, Mt. Assiniboine and Mt. Robson, Jasper received UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1984. At over 20 000 km2 it is among the world’s largest protected natural areas.
- There are five national historic sites in Jasper National Park: the Jasper Information Centre, Athabasca Pass, Jasper House, Maligne Lake Chalet and Yellowhead Pass.
- Jasper has 69 species of wildlife, including: Grizzly: 60-80, Wolves, 80-100, Black Bear: 70-90, Elk: 600, Moose: 180, Bighorn Sheep: 1000, Mountain Goat: 250.
- 82 songbird species regularly breed in the park and an additional 44 species have been recorded.
- There are 5 native amphibian species, 14 native species of fish in Jasper, along with 4 non‑native species.
