The vast wilderness of Jasper National Park is nearly twice the size of the more southerly Banff National Park. Both are part of the UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, but Jasper feels more tranquil, attracting far fewer visitors. The town of Jasper sits at the meeting point of Alberta’s flat plains to the east and the natural Yellowhead Pass through the Rockies to the west. Historically, this made it a vital trading post before the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway transformed it into a key stop along Canada’s rail network.

Despite its international status and importance to the national railway, Jasper has remained a small, quiet town. For much of the year, locals go about their day-to-day lives, but in summer, the town comes alive as visitors arrive by rail from Vancouver or use it as a base to explore the national park.

Nearby Maligne Lake is known for its stunning scenery, while the Miette Hot Springs are a favourite for relaxing in their soothing, mineral-rich waters. The park’s surroundings are ideal for walking and wildlife spotting, with black bears, coyotes, elk, and deer often seen. If you’re particularly lucky, you might even hear the eerie call of a wolf, though sightings are rare.