5 Best Sights in Jasper National Park, Alberta

Athabasca Falls

At 23 meters (75 feet), these falls are not the highest in the Canadian Rockies, but they are the most powerful. The Athabasca River carries more water than any other in the Rocky Mountains, and all of it is funneled over this cascade and into a narrow gorge, creating a powerful surge. The falls are especially dramatic in late spring and early summer when the river is at its highest. Trails and overlooks provide good viewpoints. Do not climb past the guard rails: the rocks and vegetation are very slippery, and people have died trying to get a photo of themselves standing closer to the falls.
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Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Overlander Falls

Beautiful Overlander Falls was named for the Overlanders Expedition of 1862. The Overlanders were a group of about 150 settlers (including one woman) who traveled from Fort Garry (now Winnipeg, Manitoba) to the interior of British Columbia for the Cariboo Gold Rush. Just west of Overlander Falls, the group split, with half continuing on to the gold rush and half abandoning the dream of gold and returning down the river to Fort Kamloops. There are two ways to get to the falls, one short and one long. The short route to the falls, 0.6 km (0.4 miles) round-trip, begins at a highway pullout about 2 km (1.2 miles) east of Mount Robson Visitor Centre. The longer trail, 4.5 km (2.8 miles), begins at Robson Meadows Campground. Moderate. 

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Overlander Falls, Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada

Sunwapta Falls

"Sunwapta" is the indigenous Stoney word for "turbulent river." There are two sets of falls at this site, but most people just see the Upper Falls, which are a short walk from the parking area. Though smaller than the Athabasca Falls to the north, they have a drop of about 18½ meters (60 feet) and are prettiest in the late spring when the spring melt is at its peak. The second set of falls is just a 3.2-km (2-mile) hike from the first set.

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Sunwapta Falls Parking lot, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

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Tangle Falls

This beautiful 48-meter (157 foot) tall multi-tiered waterfall lies right off the Icefields Parkway, but it's easy to miss. Look for a small roadside pullout north of the Glacier Skywalk. The waterfalls are across from the parking area.  

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Tangle Falls, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Weeping Wall

Located about 126 km (78 miles) southeast of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway, the Weeping Wall is a series of cascading waterfalls partway up the western base of Circus Mountain. This is truly a mountain that cries; its main waterfall is even called Teardrop. The best view of the wall is from the roadside pullout. Watch for ice climbers in winter.

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Weeping Wall viewpoint, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada