Beautiful Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is filled with stunning hikes near waterfalls, but Athabasca Falls might just be one of the most beautiful waterfalls to visit. While it is not the tallest waterfall in the area, the incredible mountain views and turquoise waters make it a must on anyone’s list of places to visit in Jasper.

The waterfall is located along the sizeable Athabasca River, which creates such an intense flow of water that it makes Athabasca Falls one of the most powerful waterfalls in the area! The water flows down 24 meters of quartzite and limestone, carving out an exquisite canyon in the rocks. As the waterfall produces a mist that makes the rocks slippery, Athabasca Falls is only safely admired from one of the many viewing platforms in the area.

Continue reading to explore the incredible Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park!

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How to Get to Athabasca Falls

Athabasca Falls is located 30 kilometers south of the town of Jasper, Alberta, just off of the Icefields Parkway on Highway 93A. There is plenty of parking at the waterfall, but it can get quite busy during the summer months and on long weekends.

Note: The roads in this area can get quite treacherous during the winter months. Be sure to monitor the weather in the area and be sure to drive a vehicle suitable for these conditions, should you choose to visit during this time.

When to Visit Athabasca Falls

April to May: After the ice melts from the winter season, the falls will reach its highest volume and power. As it isn’t quite the summer season yet, you can escape the business of tourist season and enjoy the falls with fewer crowds.

June to August: The falls are always great to visit during this time due to the beautiful weather. But with that, it can get super busy so be sure to arrive early or right before dusk!

September to October: As the area starts to cool and weather becomes unpredictable, less tourists visit Athabasca Falls. Water evaporates by this time after the hot summer months, but this waterfall remains extremely powerful. This is a great time to visit to do some final fall hikes before winter hits.

November to April: Many side roads in this area are closed during the winter season due to unsuitable driving conditions. There are typically warnings about dangerous driving conditions during poor weather. But, with the proper vehicle, you can experience the amazing Athabasca Falls frozen over during winter. During this time you can expect very few people around, allowing you to admire the intricate natural ice formations from the waterfall.

Hiking Around Athabasca Falls

As soon as you exit your car at the parking lot, you will hear the sound of the roaring waterfall plunging off the cliff. You will be immediately greeted with the well-maintained paved trail that will lead you to the beautiful Athabasca Falls. The path makes for an easy walk, great for the whole family. It is quite flat, but there are some slopes along the way. As soon as you exit your car, you will hear the sound of the roaring waterfall plunging off the cliff.

After less than a 5-minute walk from the parking lot, you will come across the first stunning view in this area. The Athabasca River boasts a unique shade of blue and sits at the base of a large mountain. Here, you can admire the beauty of the landscape and photograph from a viewing area as the rocks are too dangerous to walk on.

After another quick 5-minute walk, you will be able to see the amazing Athabasca Falls. The power of the water flowing off of the cliff is mesmerizing, definitely causing you to stop and stare for a long time. Depending on where you stand, you may feel the mist from the water. There are a number of viewing platforms around the falls to take photos from different perspectives.

Fun Fact: Athabasca Falls completely freezes over in the winter, creating incredible ice formations. You can walk along the frozen river right up to the canyon!

After admiring the waterfall, you can continue on the hike around Athabasca Falls. This low-intensity hike is about 1 kilometer long and can take around an hour to do. The trail can get quite crowded, so it is best enjoyed earlier in the morning or before dusk.

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Things to Do Nearby

Valley of the Five Lakes Hike

This hike is definitely one of the most beautiful hikes in Jasper National Park. You hike by 5 stunning emerald green and turquoise blue lakes, with incredible mountain views all along the way.

Check out this complete guide to Valley of the Five Lakes!

Sunwapta Falls

Yet another stunning waterfall, located a bit further down the Icefields Parkway. Visiting both waterfalls makes for a great day exploring Jasper National Park!

Check out this guide to Sunwapta Falls!

Town of Jasper

After a long day of hiking and exploring waterfalls, head to the town of Jasper for a bite to eat. I recommend checking out Jasper Brewery Company for some great food and beer.

Have you been to Jasper National Park and Athabasca Falls? Let me know about your experience in the comments!

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You might also like:

• Exploring Sunwapta Falls, Jasper National Park
• Valley of the Five Lakes: One of the Best Hikes in Jasper National Park
• Taking Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island in Fall
• 16 of the Absolute Best Day Hikes In Canada

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