Exploring Sunwapta Falls, Jasper National Park

Sunwapta Falls is a stunning waterfall located in Jasper National Park, Alberta. It is a great stop on the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper! The falls consist of Upper and Lower Falls, which are fed by the amazing Athabasca Glacier. Around these falls, there are incredible hiking trails through the forest. You will find stunning views of mountains all around!

Sunwapta Falls is 18 meters in height and 9 meters in width. The water is a beautiful shade of blue and creates extremely calming sounds as the water falls off the cliff. As the falling water produces a mist that makes the rocks slippery, Sunwapta Falls is only safely viewed from one of the viewing platforms in the area.

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

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How to Get to Sunwapta Falls

Sunwapta Falls is located about 55 kilometers south of the town of Jasper, Alberta, just off of the Icefields Parkway. There is plenty of parking at the waterfall, but the lot can get quite busy during the summer months and on long weekends. The road to the parking lot is closed during winter.

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

When to Visit Sunwapta Falls

April to May: After the ice melts, the falls will reach its highest volume and power. Before the summer season, you can escape the chaos of tourist season and enjoy the falls with much fewer crowds!

June to August: The falls are always great to visit during this time due to the warm weather that is perfect for hiking. But with that, it can get super busy with tourists so arrive early or right before dusk!

September to October: As the area starts to cool down and the weather becomes unpredictable, fewer tourists visit Sunwapta Falls. Water evaporates a bit by this time after the hot summer, but this waterfall remains voluminous.

November to April: Many smaller roads in this area are closed off during the winter due to unsuitable driving conditions, including the road leading up to the parking lot. To access the falls, you will have to walk down the sideroad in the snow!

Hiking Around Sunwapta Falls

As soon as you leave your car, you will be greeted with the roaring sound of water falling off a cliff. You will only have to walk for 5 minutes at most along the paved path until you reach the first viewpoint of the beautiful blue waters. Here, you can admire the unique blue tones of the water surrounding a little tree-filled island. With the mountains in the distance, it definitely makes for an amazing photo location.

As you continue walking towards the falls, the sound of the water will continue increasing. The volume of water pouring over the cliff is certainly amazing! Within a few minutes, you will reach the Upper Falls, located right beside the pathway.

There is a pedestrian bridge crossing the water where you can stop and admire the beauty of Sunwapta Falls from above. This bridge is definitely the best photo location of the Upper Falls, as you can capture the entire waterfall with stunning mountains in the background.

Fun Fact: Sunwapta Falls completely freezes over in the winter, creating beautiful ice formations.

If you look off the other side of the bridge, you will find the canyon where the water continues flowing down. If you are afraid of heights, maybe avoid looking down into the canyon!

From here, you can continue hiking about 1.3 kilometers through the forest to get to the Lower Falls. It is a fairly steep hike, but it is definitely worth hiking the short distance to see the other waterfall in this area! The hike through the trees is definitely relaxing as well.

Check Out My Top Items to Bring Hiking:

Things to Do Nearby Sunwapta Falls

Valley of the Five Lakes Hike

This hike is certainly one of the most incredible hikes in Jasper National Park. You hike by 5 stunning emerald green and turquoise blue lakes, with jaw-dropping mountain views all along the way. It’s a great hike for the whole family!

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

Athabasca Falls

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

Check out this guide to Athabasca Falls!

Town of Jasper

After a long day of exploring Jasper National Park, head to the town of Jasper for food and drinks. I recommend checking out Jasper Brewery Company for some amazing food and beer.

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

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You might also like:

• Athabasca 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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