Spring is the perfect time to experience many of Jasper's iconic sights and activities. From late March, through April and May and even into early June, popular attractions are quieter and more intimate without the peak-season crowds. There's often accommodation discounts to be had (such as this special spring promotion).
If you’re planning a short getaway, this 3 day itinerary will help you make the most of spring in Jasper. From scenic drives to classic Canadian wildlife, from one-of-a-kind tours to early-season adventures, spring combines the best of summer with the advantages of shoulder season.
Spring is one of the best times to see wildlife like elk in Jasper National Park.
3 day spring itinerary (short version)
Day 1: Jasper SkyTram + motorcycle tour + scenic dining
Day 2: wildlife viewing + rafting the Athabasca River + theatre show
Day 3: spa/glacial plunge + food tour + Jasper Planetarium
Potential add-ons or alternate activities:
- Early spring: spring skiing at Marmot Basin (open until May 3), photography tour, helicopter tour, Indigenous fireside chat, museum.
- Later spring (usually open sometime in May): canoeing, e-bike tour, guided fishing, guided hiking, golfing, hot springs, peak-nic experience, horseback riding, social cycle tour, whitewater rafting, glacier tour, rock climbing, Maligne Lake cruise.
- 2026 Spring Events: Jasper Pride Festival (Apr. 10-19), Taste of Spring (Apr. 24-May 3), Jasper Canadian Rockies Half Marathon (Apr. 25) UpLift Mural Festival (May 1-10), Gran Fondo Jasper (Jun. 6).
Day 1
Jasper SkyTram + Jasper Motorcycle Tours + Scenic Dining
Morning: Jasper SkyTram
Ride the Jasper SkyTram (2026 open dates: April 15 – October 25) up Whistlers Mountain for views of the townsite and multiple mountain ranges. Boardwalks surround the Upper Station, while a 1.4 kilometer dirt path leads to the tippity top of the mountain. Afterwards grab a light breakfast at the Summit Cafe.
Snowshoe rentals
Since snow is usually still present at higher elevations in the spring, the Jasper SkyTram gives the unique opportunity to snowshoe on a mountaintip! At the Upper Station you can grab rentals until mid-May. Available as an add-on when booking online or on-site.
- Further reading: 7 things to do at the Jasper SkyTram
- New promotion: For the first two hours of every open day, kids fly free! The SkyTram opens at 10 a.m. in the spring until May 15 and at 8 a.m. from May 16 to Sept. 6. *Each free child admission must be accompanied by a regular-priced adult. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
Afternoon: Motorcycle Tour
Feel the wind in your hair with a mini road trip down the Icefields Parkway on a Harley Davidson motorcycle and/or Harley Davidson sidecar with Jasper Motorcycle Tours (2026 opening day: Apr. 15). The adventure is so iconic that Destination Canada called it a “Signature Experience.”
Available tours lengths: 1, 2, or 3 hours (the longer the tour, the more extensive the sightseeing options).
How to stay warm on a motorcycle in spring
Staying cozy on this tour is surprisingly easy—even when it's raining! Before heading out on the road, all guests are kitted out in heavy leathers, including a heated jacket if necessary. Visors/sunglasses protect the face from wind, and those in the classic Harley Davidson sidecar are extra insulated.
Evening: Dinner at iconic Jasper restaurant
Digest the first day with a memorable meal set against a scenic backdrop. Spring evenings bring longer daylight hours, making it the perfect time to relax and take in the views.
For a truly gorgeous dining experience, consider a reservation at Aalto at Pyramid Lake Lodge, where enormous windows overlook the lake and surrounding peaks. The refined menu features many regional seafood, and the elevated restaurant is an unforgettable spot to watch the light shift across Pyramid Mountain as the sun begins to set.
If you prefer to stay in town, several restaurants offer settings as delicious as their food.
- Jasper Brewing Co. — Founded by three born-and-raised Jasperites, this community hub serves up delicious craft beer brewed on-site and upscale Alberta-inspired pub meals.
- Evil Dave's Grill — This funky, family-owned restaurant’s menu is inspired by Canada’s cultural diversity but focuses on fresh, regional ingredients. Sip locally-produced Alberta spirits.
- Cassio's Jasper — Combining local ingredients, traditional Italian techniques, and legendary hospitality, this family-run establishment also has a pet-friendly patio and cocktail bar.
- Ursidae Lair — Enjoy a dram from a selection of over 50 scotches in our intimate lounge. Featuring scotch cocktails, wine, non-alcoholic drinks and complimentary food options.
- Su Casa Mexican Lounge — Authentic Mexican cuisine in the heart of the mountains! Come for the elk tacos, stay for the mezcal, live music and daily specials.
- Olive Bistro & Lounge — Family-owned and operated offering local sustainable fare featuring small Alberta farms, artisan cocktails and a heated patio with mountain views.
- The Maligne Range — Discover this local whisky distiller's curated cocktails and upscale cuisine, highlighted by Canadian smoked meats and Canadian whisky.
- Terra — Like the seasons, their menus are constantly changing to incorporate unique and local ingredients. Try inventive, rich dishes and creative cocktails.
- Jasper Pizza Place — Enjoy two styles of pizza at this large, family-friendly, two-patio restaurant, which also serves burgers, salads, pasta, and more!
- Estio Jasper — Caribbean meets Canadian at this friendly, locally-owned cafe. Find fresh flavours and authentic Blue Mountain coffee on its carefully-crafted menu.
Day 2
Wildlife viewing tour + Rafting the Athabasca River + Theatre show
Morning: Wildlife viewing tour
As spring arrives in Jasper National Park, wildlife becomes more active—and more visible. One of the season’s most heartwarming sights is baby bears emerging from hibernation, playfully tumbling alongside their mothers in the dawn light. But bears aren’t the only animals on the move. From April through early June, visitors have excellent chances of spotting elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and other native species. This makes spring one of the best times to join a guided wildlife tour in Jasper National Park, which also happens to be one of the best places in North America to see animals in the wild.
Here’s a few of Jasper’s best companies with wildlife-viewing tours.
SunDog Tour Co. — year-round wildlife tours include guided transportation on mini-coach buses with oversized sightseeing windows — some even slide open, enabling unobstructed photography. Guests can also touch genuine horns and furs from local specimens.
Maligne Adventures — highly rated wildlife tours are offered after sunrise or before sunset from May 2 to October 4. Complimentary pick-up is available from select accommodations.
Jasper Hikes & Tours Inc. — Wildlife & Hike experience starts around 7 am and ends mid-afternoon with a picnic lunch provided for an additional fee. Offered in May, June, and September.
Jasper Food Tours — E-Bike Safari Eco-Tour passes through areas inaccessible by bus to observe wildlife from a distance.
- Further reading: See this full guide to spring wildlife viewing in Jasper National Park (including where to go, what animals to see, whether a wildlife tour is worth it, and how to stay safe when you see a wild animal).
Afternoon: Rafting on the Athabasca River
As the snow melts in spring, the water feeds into the rivers and speeds up the current. Rafting is one of Jasper's most popular summer activities, but thanks to the snowmelt boost, it's a great and exciting option in the spring too.
As the day heats up, hop aboard Jasper Raft Tours' gentle, scenic and fun float tour down the Athabasca River. Departing at noon and suitable for ages 3 to 99, this easygoing adventure spends approximately 60 to 75 minutes on the water with total tour time around 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on water levels.
With specially designed seven-metre-long orange rafts built for stability and comfort, and a route that follows a mostly calm stretch of river, the Athabasca River float tour is unlikely to get passengers too wet (though there are a few small rapids to keep things peppy, should passengers wish.) Experienced guides handle the rowing and share stories along the way, often pointing out wildlife along the shoreline. Tours operate rain or shine from May 1 through spring and include convenient transportation from Jasper town.
Other springtime Jasper experiences on the water (and their 2026 opening dates):
Rafting
- Jasper Rafting Adventures — May 7
- Jasper Whitewater Rafting — May 7
- Rocky Mountain River Guides — May 7
- Maligne Rafting Adventures — May 16
Fishing
- Jasper Park Fishing — May 1
- Currie’s Guiding — May 16
Canoeing
- Wild Current Outfitters — May 1
- Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge — May 15
Evening: Jasper Theater Productions
After a day of outdoor adventure, settle in for an evening of laughs with live theatre in downtown Jasper
Jasper Theatre Productions presents its signature show, From Jasper, With Love—a fast-paced, one-hour performance that’s equal parts comedy and love letter to the mountains. Framed as a playful guide to “avoiding” falling in love with Jasper, the show quickly does the opposite, winning audiences over with humour, storytelling and charm.
Through a cast of unforgettable characters and quick-moving scenes, the performance highlights some of Jasper’s most iconic experiences—from road trips and wildlife encounters to stargazing under dark skies. It’s an entertaining and accessible way to get to know the destination, whether it’s your first visit or your fifth.
Created by two Dutch expats who became Jasper locals, the show draws on real-life experiences and over a decade of onstage chemistry. Performances run from May 12 at The Stand Easy (Jasper Legion).
New for 2026: Jasper Mystery Tours
Part outdoor escape room, part scavenger hunt, this interactive experience offers a unique way to explore the town of Jasper.
Day 3
Spa/Glacial plunge + Downtown Foodie Tour + Jasper Planetarium
Morning: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Spa
Start your final day with a restorative wellness experience at the Spa at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, where treatments are inspired by the surrounding Rocky Mountain landscape.
One of the most unique offerings is the new Glacial Plunge & Sauna Experience—a guided, year-round offering that blends relaxation with invigoration. Begin with aromatherapy in a lakeside cedar-barrel sauna, followed by mindful breathwork and local storytelling, before finishing with an energizing plunge into the glacier-fed waters of Lac Beauvert.
For those looking to unwind further, the spa offers a full range of luxury spa treatments in Jasper, including massages, facials, body wraps, mineral scrubs, nail services and couples experiences.
Booking a treatment also earns you access to other premium amenities, including an outdoor heated pool overlooking Lac Beauvert, eucalyptus steam room, Finnish-style sauna, hot tub, fitness centre, yoga classes and a tranquil spa lounge. Honestly with tons of on-site dining and activity options you could easily spend the whole day at this luxurious resort.
Afternoon: Downtown Foodie Tour
Spend your afternoon exploring Jasper’s culinary scene on a guided Jasper food tour that samples some of the town's best restaurants. This Downtown Foodie tour by Jasper Food Tours is a delicious way to experience local flavours, stories and culture all in one outing.
Meeting daily at 2:30 pm on the Jasper Visitor Information Centre lawn, the three-hour tour visits four local restaurants, with stops at key points of interest along the way. At each location, guests enjoy a signature dish paired with a complementary beverage, offering a true taste of Jasper’s vibrant food scene.
Alongside the food, guides share stories about Jasper’s history, culture and community—making this experience just as appealing for history buffs and curious travellers as it is for food lovers.
More Jasper Food Tours experiences (starting May 1):
- E-Bike Safari Eco Tour – Explore Jasper’s natural surroundings on an electric bike with interpretive guiding along the way.
- Wildfire Peak-Nic – A unique and informative experience that pairs scenic viewpoints with a picnic lunch.
Evening: Jasper Planetarium
To experience stargazing in the Jasper Dark Sky Preserve without needing to stay up too late, head to the Jasper Planetarium—one of the top things to do in Jasper at night, rain or shine.
This interactive, year-round experience begins inside a 44-seat domed theatre, where a live astronomy guide takes you on a virtual tour of Jasper’s night skies. Learn about the aurora borealis, hear stories behind Indigenous constellations, and get expert tips on where to spot the stars in and around Jasper. There's also hands-on elements, like holding a real meteorite from the Planetarium’s collection—making it especially engaging for curious minds of all ages.
For an even deeper dive into the cosmos, pair the Planetarium Experience with the Telescope Experience and view the night sky through one of the largest telescopes in the Canadian Rockies.
Cloudy skies? No problem. Guests can still enjoy pre-recorded sky views through a video telescope, or take advantage of a flexible two-year raincheck policy.
Shoulder season travel tips
If you remember nothing else, remember the key to visiting the Canadian Rockies in spring is this: bring layers. Conditions are always changeable in the mountains but in spring the weather can shift quickly between sun to snow and back again.
What to pack: Bring clothes and gear that's easy to add or remove—think a warm jacket, waterproof outer layer, sturdy footwear, and sunglasses for bright alpine days. Forget something? Jasper's various shops likely have what you need.
Where to stay: There's a range of options with more availability and better rates than in peak summer months. In town hotels provide convenience and walkability, while many of Jasper's iconic cabins open for the season at the beginning of May.
Transportation: Drivers on the Icefields Parkway must have snow tires on their vehicle through the winter until April 1. SunDog Transportation and Tours has a fleet of buses and private charters that connect Jasper to Calgary, Edmonton and more. Shuttles are also available between downtown and the Jasper SkyTram, as well as Marmot Basin ski resort.
Further reading:
- Things to do in Jasper in April
- Visiting in early spring? This March/April guide includes spring skiing at Marmot Basin.
- More downloadable spring itineraries that focus on families, soft adventure, and hidden gems.
Continue reading
Spring Wildlife Viewing in Jasper National Park: How to See Bears, Elk, Moose, and more
Spring is one of the best times of year to see wildlife. Animals like black bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats become more active and easier to spot. This guide covers the best places, times, and tips for spring wildlife viewing in Jasper, along with important safety practices to help protect both visitors and animals.
