Alberta’s lesser-known but significantly larger Jasper National Park is just north of Banff. The park is home to the Columbia Icefields, a collection of glaciers that straddle the Great Divide and are accessible by foot or tour bus. Driving up the Icefields Parkway towards the town of Jasper is usually a real treat.

So too are natural attractions like Maligne Canyon, which is the deepest canyon in the Rockies at more than 164 feet (50m) in places. However, the park suffered a devastating wildfire in 2024, its largest in a century, which burned through 81,663 acres of land. Full recovery is likely to be a lengthy process, and it's wise to check for updates before planning a visit.

Canada’s most beautiful national parks