Jasper National Park Photography Location

Jasper National Park Photography Locations | Expert Guide

Curated by internationally aclaimed renowned photographer, Pamela Goodyer. Here are the best vistas in Jasper National Park that beckon to be photographed. We travel to Canada every year and bring you all the best locations.

This article is not AI-generated. We travel here, feet on the ground, exploring, documenting, and creating everything ourselves. We’ve been at this for fifteen years and will always keep doing it in person—no shortcuts, no digital tricks. All of our information is verified firsthand in person.

Situated in Alberta, Canada, Jasper National Park is a must-see destination and one of the most visited places in the country. This park ranks high among our favorite spots worldwide, and we’ve visited many locations. We even lead photography tours here. With its landscapes and abundance of hiking paths, campsites, and other recreational activities, this park offers something for everyone.

Sunwapta Falls is accessible via a short drive off the Icefields Parkway, which connects Jasper and Banff National Parks. The falls have a drop of about 18.5 meters. Sunwapta is a Stoney (Assiniboine) word that means turbulent water. It is most spectacular in the late spring when the spring melt is at its peak. This is the first stop when heading into the park.

There are two falls, a lower and an upper one. Most people see the Upper Falls, as access is easy. The lower falls are a short distance away.

PATRICIA LAKE

We went to the lake during the daytime and got some dynamic, colorful images. We returned at night and did some night photography at the boat dock. We weren’t sure if we’d find the Milky Way. But being so high up away from the equator, we did not; unfortunately, the lake is surrounded by mountains, forests, and meadows, providing various settings. Many animals, including elk, deer, and bighorn sheep, can be spotted around the lake.

MALIGNE LAKE

Maligne Lake, located in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, is an excellent destination. Renowned for its vivid, azure waters and majestic surrounding peaks, the lake offers incredible views. People often go to the picturesque Spirit Island, an iconic spot.

Positioned (27 miles) south of Jasper, the lake is easily reachable by car or shuttle from the town. Boat tours provide a closer look at Spirit Island from spring through fall.

MALIGNE CANYON

Maligne Canyon attracts countless visitors each summer, and for good reason. This trail offers a compact yet diverse array of sights. The views from picturesque bridges, marvel at the timeless beauty of ancient fossils embedded in rock and be mesmerized by the abundance of cascading waterfalls that seem to beckon your camera.

While you could easily spend hours exploring every nook and cranny, those pressed for time can still get the canyon’s essence in a quick half-hour trip. Focusing on Bridges 1 through 3 will reveal some of the best spots, ensuring your camera is well-fed with images.

Although it was not on our list of top spots for the park, we still would not pass up the experience.

ATHABASCA FALLS

(See also the main heading picture above)

The Athabasca Falls, reaching a height of 23 meters, may not be the tallest, but the sheer volume of water makes it great for photography. The water cascades over a resilient quartzite layer, eroding the softer limestone beneath, and has sculpted complex formations, including potholes and a brief canyon.

Due to the immense water volume cascading down, Athabasca Falls has powerful torrents. Even in the fall, when the Athabasca River recedes, the falls remain robust and mesmerizing. Renowned for its vistas and convenient location, Athabasca Falls is a prime destination for the natural splendor of the Canadian Rockies.

Beware—mist from the falls creates a slick, watery film on nearby rocks. Stay safe and refrain from crossing the railings while taking photographs of the area.

JASPER NATIONAL PARK INFO

Here are all the things you need to know about photography. Jasper National Park, located in Alberta, Canada, is one of the most popular destinations to visit. The park boasts beautiful scenery, numerous hiking trails, camping areas, and various other activities.

WHEN SHOULD I GO?

When to Go: Avoid the summer months and the bus people if possible. September and October are excellent times to go. Fall foliage can be unbelievably gorgeous in October. It gets cold in November, and ice and snow may arrive. After that, it’s a whole lot of cold. The thaw will begin in March, and the tourists will come after the first week of June. We would pick October as the best time for viewing the fall foliage.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS?

If you’re looking to take great images, there are a few locations you won’t want to miss. With its sweeping valleys, towering mountains, and pristine lakes, the park offers ample opportunity to see incredible natural beauty.

You MUST have an ND filter for waterfall images. See How to Shoot Waterfall Photography

Long Exposure Milky Waters

You must use a tripod to take your long-exposure running and milky water shots. There are many moving waters. Your settings will vary depending on the lighting and the neutral density filter you have. You may not get a milky water shot in the daytime if the sun is out and you don’t have an ND filter.

Shoot in Manual Mode for the milky waters.
ISO is always set to 100 or as low as your camera allows.
The aperture is always f/22 or the highest your camera goes.
Your shutter speed will vary depending on the light.
Use your camera’s built-in light meter to set your shutter speed.

Take some test shots to determine your shutter speed after attaching your neutral density filter. (It’s like sunglasses for your camera, stopping light from coming in.) Use your shutter release or your 2-second timer to prevent camera movement. Voila. You now have your milky water exposure.

SHOULD I BRING A NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTER?

To photograph running water, you want at least a 2-second exposure. If you don’t have a neutral density filter, you may not get more than 1/15th of a second in the sun. Visit our store to purchase your ND filter. We have a 3.0 for super-long exposures in the sunshine—you can go as long as 30 seconds. We have an ND 1.2 and an ND8 for shorter exposures.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE TRIP?

Be sure to pack appropriate clothing and gear for the weather conditions. Temperatures can vary greatly depending on the time of year. You’ll also want to ensure you have plenty of sunscreen and organic insect repellent. By following these simple tips, you’ll be sure to have a safe and enjoyable trip—and come home with some fantastic photos to boot.

WHAT GEAR SHOULD I BRING?

You’ll need a DSLR camera to take the best-quality shots. Still, even a point-and-shoot or smartphone camera can get some great shots, but a camera is a must. Pack your tripod, circular polarizing filters, camera backpack, zoom lens and wide-angle lenses. You’ll also want to pack many batteries and memory cards, as you’ll likely take many pictures.

Finally, don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure.

PLEASE SHARE

GIFTS

At my own expense, I offer all of this to you: a humble tribute to Mother Gaia. It is my hope that you will spread my art and message to others, uplifting and inspiring their souls.

May my works guide photographers, illuminating their path toward creating dynamic and impactful images that showcase the raw beauty and essence of life in all its transcendent glory. —Pamela Goodyer

Not AI generated with Pamela Goodyers picture

JASPER NATIONAL PARK DETAILS

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. It is located in the province of Alberta, north of Banff National Park and west of the City of Edmonton. The park includes the Columbia Icefield glaciers, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls, and mountains. Wildlife in the park consists of elk, caribou, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, black bears, coyotes, beavers, Rocky Mountain pikas, hoary marmots, gray wolves, mountain lions, and wolverines.

PHOTOGRAPHY IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Depending on how you cover the park, covering its main areas typically takes about 1-2 days. If you want to photograph every angle and every square inch, plan for at least two days.

Jasper is a four-hour drive up the Icefield Parkway from Banff. The Columbia Icefields Parkway is one of the world’s most scenic drives, stretching 144 miles between Lake Louise and Jasper. Along the ride up the Icefield Parkway to Jasper, you can stop and document many great things: Peyto Lake, the Columbia Icefields, the Glacier Walk, and Bow Lake (one of our favorite spots on Earth). Start your journey early up the Icefields Parkway towards Jasper. To see information on Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, go to our Canada Hot Spot Page.

There are several lakes in the National Park, and the main tourist attraction is Maligne Lake, a half-hour drive from the center of town. If you go in the summer, the lake is covered with tourists, and parking can be a hassle. Go early in the day.

There is also Maligne Canyon to hike, which allows for some compelling images. The Maligne lookout is just a lookout. We refer to these pictures as tourist shots from these types of locations. You can stop there and get some good images. Try to do something different than the same old shot of the island everyone in the world gets.

WATERFALLS

The highlight of this journey was the waterfalls. Athabasca and Sunwapta are the two best places not to miss. Lake Maligne, although beautiful, was often crowded with tourists in the summer. There are a few other lakes, Patricia and Pyramid, which are good.

WILDLIFE

Keep your eyes out for wildlife. Elk is abundant, especially early in the morning. We visited during a heatwave, when wildlife is known to retreat to the wilderness. We did see some bears on our journey. The National Park is home to many different animals. The most popular animals to photograph are the Grizzly Bears, Mountain Goats, and Bighorn Sheep.

HIGHLIGHTS OF JASPER NATIONAL PARK PHOTOGRAPHY

Jasper National Park is a photographer’s paradise. Here are a few of our favorite Jasper National Park locations:

1. MALIGNE CANYON

This dramatic canyon is one of the most popular locations in Jasper National Park. The canyon walls are covered in waterfalls, and the light filtering through the trees creates a magical atmosphere.

2. MEDICINE LAKE

This serene lake is excellent for reflections and tranquil scenes. The best time to head out with your cameras at Medicine Lake is early morning or evening when the light is softer.

3. PYRAMID LAKE

Another beautiful lake in Jasper National Park, Pyramid Lake, is known for its dramatic mountain views. The reflections in the water make for some great shots, especially at sunrise or sunset.

TRAVEL WITH PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE EXTRA

We run a photo tour to the Canadian Rockies

4. SUNWAPTA FALLS

These powerful waterfalls are one of the most popular attractions in Jasper National Park. The best time to go to Sunwapta Falls is in the late afternoon when the sun casts a warm glow on the falls.

5. ATHABASCA FALLS

The Falls are a natural masterpiece. They are sculptured by glacial ice and water. These impressive waterfalls are a popular destination for tourists visiting Jasper National Park. You can find them on the Icefields Parkway, between Jasper and Lake Louise. They make for some fantastic shots when surrounded by snow-capped peaks at dawn or dusk.

6. LAKE ANNETTE

Located south of Jasper, this gorgeous blue lake is perfect for those who want something unique and different for their images

7. PATRICIA LAKE

A beautiful lake with a boat dock and mountains makes for a great spot to stop to get the drama of the lake. See below.

JASPER NATIONAL PARK AREA INFORMATION

Here are some hotels, restaurants and park information.

HOTELS

Hotel Information:

Mount Robson Inn

– A hotel catering to year-round vacations

The Mount Robson Inn team takes pride in being a clean, comfortable, and affordable hotel accommodation. Their services go beyond just clean and comfortable hotel accommodations. Guests of the Mount Robson Inn enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast buffet, hot tub use, a guest laundry facility, and secure ski storage. They are also pleased to offer family-friendly amenities and room types for your family vacation. As a motorcycle-friendly hotel in Jasper, the Mt Robson Inn offers riders unique bike-friendly amenities. Go to their website.

Our Favorite Canadian Rockies Resort when in Banff National Park – Banff Rocky Mountain Resort – 1029 Banff Avenue, Banff – (800) 563-8764 in Canada/USA | +1(403)762-5531 Local – The Banff Rocky Mountain Resort is the perfect rocky mountain getaway for any traveler. They feature suites and condo-style accommodations in Banff National Park. Stay with them and enjoy the comforts of home and more. This picturesque location has a dining room, a deli, tennis courts, health facilities, a swimming pool, squash courts, and conference facilities. Take your vacation at Banff and live the mountain lifestyle.

Click here to go to their website.

NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE

Passes—You must have a pass to visit the parks. You can purchase one when you get there or before you go.

Click here to purchase in advance.

It provides entry to Jasper, Banff, Kootenay, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Waterton Lakes, and Elk Island national parks.

Jasper is a year-round camping destination and can accommodate anything from a one-person bivy tent to a 39-foot motorhome and everything in between.

At all campgrounds, firewood is included with the purchase of a fire permit, bear-proof lockers are offered for safe food storage, and log cookhouses are available in case the weather isn’t cooperating.

To maintain the family-friendly atmosphere that attracts millions here every year, quiet hours, including a liquor and fire curfew, are enforced by park wardens between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

2015 Parks Canada Reservation Service

Reserve your campsite!
1-877-RESERVE (737-3783)

You can reserve Whistlers, Wapiti, Wabasso, and Pocahontas campgrounds online at www.reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca or by telephone at 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783). All other roadside campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

For backcountry campsites, please check the campsite availability report and call the Trail Office at 780-852-6177 to make a booking.

FOOD & DINING

FAIRMOUNT JASPER PARK LODGE

Fairmount, located in Jasper National Park, offers Seasonal menus that blend the best of Canadian cuisine with Italian inspirations and classic steakhouse traditions. The chefs have crafted a dining experience that promises to satisfy every craving. Join them and taste the artistry of their culinary creations.