nature, Photography

Should I Visit Jasper National Park?

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The answer to that question is a resounding yes! Although in the summer of 2024 Jasper National Park suffered a terrible forest fire that resulted in the destruction or serious damage of a third of the townsite and the loss of 325 square kilometres (202 sq miles) of park forest, it is recovering well and appropriately.

Rocky Mountains in the distance.

When we recently visited we saw that all heavily damaged buildings or the remains of destroyed buildings, vehicles, and other items have been removed from Jasper townsite and rebuilding and new construction are moving along at an accelerated pace. Other than the lots made vacant by the fire (and that are now being prepped for reconstruction) there is little evidence that a major fire occurred.

Jasper, August 1, 2024. Photo courtesy of Parks Canada

Some parts of the Maligne Lake area of Jasper Park were very significantly damaged with, in some areas, trees completely destroyed right down to the ground.

No ash, no burned trees left, only stumps.

The fire was at times so hot that it generated its own weather system, a swirling tornado of flames, gases and heat. Essentially, many of the trees were cooked until nothing was left.

A large area of burned forest.

When we visited in late May/early June, a few of the trails remained closed due to fire damage and unsafe conditions. However, the vast majority of the trails, even through the burned areas, are open. Hiking through the burned areas is also an education about the forces of nature: we saw grasses, wildflowers, weeds, and even very tiny trees growing again; the forest will recover.

This photo gives a sense of how far the fire extended as well as a contrast with the healthy forest in the background.

Many people have thought that they shouldn’t visit Jasper this year, that it’s perhaps too soon. But the people of Jasper townsite and the employees of the park, hotels, restaurants, outfitters and all the others who rely on tourism for their livelihood will welcome you. They have worked very hard to prepare the townsite and to reopen the trails, and of course, the vast majority of the national park escaped the fire. 95% of it is as beautiful and iconic as ever.

Here are a few of those iconic views.

Maligne Lake
Maligne River
Patricia Lake
Pyramid Lake
Athabasca River
Athabasca Falls

We very much enjoyed our visit and felt that spending our money there was well worth it so yes, if you’re thinking of going, you should.

Happy Thursday.

48 thoughts on “Should I Visit Jasper National Park?”

  3. Thanks for adding your voice Lynette. We have been banging the Jasper drum for months telling people to go and enjoy the park and support the economy. Unfortunately, the message seems to be getting lost, as some say “why would I go look at burned trees?” Education as to why and how the fire happened and about what climate change can do to our environment is critical to changing our attitudes and actions. Wildfires are part of nature, yes, but when they become too big a part, we are all at risk. I will be adding a few posts over the next few days and then a series of winter posts in a few weeks. We love our Jasper. Happy Thursday Allan

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    1. Thanks Allan, and you’re welcome. I find that the media leans toward hyping the awful and tragic and to some extent this can lead people to believe that that’s all there is. I’m reminded of that Don Henley song Dirty Laundry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwgJgTL5JmE Dirty Laundry – YouTube). Of course, only about 5% of Jasper burned but that doesn’t garner viewers.

      I agree that there should have been more emphasis on why the fire occurred. Agreed; fires happen on a regular basis, but all these fires that we’re experiencing all the time? Every year? That’s climate change. You’re right; it’s all about the balance and we’re not seeing that now. The media now talks of “fire season” a horribly ironic throwaway label that ignores the terrible underlying reasons.

      Having had my little rant, I’m looking forward to your posts. Cheers.

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      1. And our illustrious separatist leader, seized on the term “wildfire season” to push our next election back from May to October. How thoughtful of her. Trouble is we will be the ones getting burned.

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        1. Oh Allan. That person is a fascist wannabe who’s trying to cause as much trouble for this country as possible. Burning all of us is her goal. Someone should just pack her in a box and send her to Trump’s office where she will fit right in.

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  13. The wild fires seem to get more intense and devastating each year, which as you mentioned, is a direct result of climate change. It’s good to know that Jasper is recovering and rebuilding. I would love to visit, particularly to see Patricia Lake! 😉 Excellent photography, Lynette!

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    1. Thank you very much, Tricia. Patricia Lake is stunning and the bungalows available nearby are comfortable and well-equipped. We very much enjoyed our stay. I agree that the fires are becoming worse. Much of our country has been burning for the last three weeks while people blithely accept such terms as “forest fire season.” The irony kills me. Ugh.

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  18. It’s great to hear how quickly Jasper is recovering from the fire and that many of the buildings that were damaged have been removed and that new construction is well underway. You’re really making me want to return to Jasper now. We were there for a few days in 2023 on our way back to Edmonton from the Yukon.

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    1. It’s well worth a visit, Linda. During our recent visit Jasper townsite showed little evidence of a massive fire other than the vacant sites and all the construction that’s taking place. 95% of Jasper escaped, so most of that tremendous beauty is still there, but it’s also worth it to hike through some of the burned areas, too, to see how nature is handling it.

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  19. You had blue sky weather, and that always amplifies the natural beauty! I was concerned there wouldn’t be enough services and hiking, but it seems that’s not the case.

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    1. Oh yes, those blue skies definitely do that! We found that everything was fine, Bernie. 95% of the park escaped the fire and the vacant lots and construction are the only signs of the fire at the Jasper townsite. That stunning beauty is still there and always worth a visit. Cheers.

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  20. It’s touching to hear how much effort has gone into welcoming visitors again. Behind every reopened trail or business is someone who’s poured their heart into restoring normalcy.

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    1. Thank you very much for your kind comments, Mrs W. it’s very true that people worked very hard to get the park back to a form of normalcy and were very successful, as well. The rest of the fire damage in the forests is a reminder of what climate change can do and how nature is working to overcome it.

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