Jasper National Park has always been one of our favourite places to hike as a family. With lots of nature to explore close to the welcoming town of Jasper, kid-friendly adventures are easy to find. Picture the combination of mountain views, turquoise lakes, wildlife sightings and well-maintained trails, and that is what you’ll find in this list of kid-friendly hikes in Jasper.
If you’re planning a family trip to Jasper and looking for manageable, scenic, and engaging hikes for kids, these five trails are a great place to start. Before heading out, be sure to check the latest trail conditions and closures, as recovery efforts and access can continue to change throughout the park.
Visiting after the 2024 Jasper Wildfire
The landscape looks a little different following the 2024 Jasper wildfire. While some areas of the park were heavily impacted, many family-friendly trails have reopened and continue to offer incredible opportunities to experience the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. In fact, hiking in Jasper today provides a unique chance to witness the natural process of forest regeneration and see firsthand how resilient these mountain ecosystems can be.
During your visit, please respect closures and recovery areas. Always stay on designated trails and check Parks Canada updates before you head out into the wild. See what’s open in Jasper National Park.
Spend some time in town visiting the shops, cafes and restaurants. Support these local businesses so Jasper can continue to recover and thrive!
10 Kid-Friendly Hikes in Jasper
When selecting these hikes, we chose trails with short to moderate distances and limited elevation gain. We also considered features that will keep kids engaged and that have accessible trailheads. While there might be a little up and down on these hikes, you’ll still get scenic rewards without a strenuous climb.
1. Lake Annette Loop
The Lake Annette Loop is a wide, paved trail that circumnavigates peaceful and picturesque Lake Annette. This is a great choice for families with strollers, and if you want to combine your hike with a picnic, playground and time playing on the sandy beach. It’s only a few minutes out of town and is a great scenic walk in an area that offers lots to do as a family.
- Distance: 2.4 km loop
- Elevation: 25-90 metres, depending on the direction
- Time: 30 – 60 minutes
- Trailhead: Lake Annette Parking Lot. Turn onto Maligne Lake Road off Highway 16. Take your first right, and then follow the signs for Annette Lake. The trail is accessible at the lakeshore.
2. Old Fort Point
For easy-to-access views of the Athabasca River Valley and the Jasper townsite, head up Old Fort Point! You can make it a loop and enjoy a stroll through a beautiful forest, or head up the stairs and steep portion of the hill for a quick up-and-down experience. While it is steep, it is very short and doable for most kids. There are also bighorn sheep in the area. Get out your camera, but remember to keep your distance!
- Distance: 3.9 km loop, or 0.7 km straight up
- Elevation: 179 metres
- Time: 1-1.5 hours for the loop or 20 minutes straight up
- Trailhead: From Jasper, turn off Connaught Drive onto Hazel Avenue. You’ll cross the railroad and Highway 16. Shortly after crossing the highway, you’ll turn left at the intersection with signs for Old Fort Point.
3. Talbot Lake Lookout
The Talbot Lake Lookout is not an ‘official’ Parks Canada-maintained trail, but it is accessible and easy to find. The trail takes you through the unique sand dunes on the north end of Talbot Lake, and then up a hill to a rocky plateau. The views of the lake and Athabasca River are stunning, and there are plenty of rocks and boulders at the top that kids will love climbing on. Because it’s on the east end of the park, we often stop to do this short hike when heading towards Jasper from Edmonton.
- Distance: 1.6 KM round trip
- Elevation: 63 metres
- Time: 15-20 minutes to the top
- Trailhead: Pull out on the north end of Talbot Lake off Highway 16. It’s also marked as Jasper Sand Dunes on Google Maps.
4-5. Pyramid Lake Trails
The trail system around Pyramid Lake offers kid-friendly options for every activity level and age group. There are two hikes we recommend here, depending on your kids’ ages.
4. Pyramid Island Trail
This is the easiest and most scenic walk for families with young children. Starting at the Pyramid Lake Resort parking area, you can walk up a very short, flat trail that follows the shoreline to a wooden footbridge that leads to Pyramid Island. On the island, you’ll find short trails, interpretive signs and picnic tables.
- Distance: 1.2 km each way
- Elevation: None
- Time: 15-20 minutes each way
5. Pyramid Lake Overlook Loop
For kids with a lot of energy, this longer option offers breathtaking views of the Athabasca Valley and features famous Parks Canada Red Chairs for that family photo op. Because of its length, it’s more suited for older kids who have been on short mountain hikes.
- Distance: 5.3 KM loop
- Elevation: 75 m
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Trailhead: Pyramid Lake Road, with parking near Pyramid Lake Lodge. There is also a parking lot right at Pyramid Island a little further up the road from the lodge if you want a shorter walk.
6. Whistler’s Mountain Summit
If you’ve always wanted to take your kids to the top of the mountain and have them explore a summit, take the Jasper Skytram up Whistler’s Mountain. From the Upper Station, you can walk the summit trail to the very top and soak in unparalleled views of Jasper National Park from 2,463 metres above! The trail is rocky and steep in sections, but not very long. We have taken kids as young as 5 years old up to the summit, and they loved climbing on the boulders on the top!
- Distance: 2.8 km round-trip
- Elevation: 200 m
- Time: 1-2 hours, depending on how much time you spend on the top
- Trailhead: Take Highway 93 south of town and turn right on Whistlers Road. Follow the signs to the Jasper Skytram. You’ll see obvious signs and people walking up the summit trail at Upper Station.
7. Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls is less of a hike and more of a paved path to a tremendously powerful waterfall. You can see the falls from several levels on various bridges, offering views of the 23-metre cascade and the gorge it has created. While the path is paved, there are stairs to most viewpoints, so keep the stroller in the car. Also, this is a popular stop, so it’s best to arrive first thing in the morning or at the end of the day to avoid crowds.
- Distance: 0.8 loop
- Gain: 21 m
- Time: 30-60 minutes
- Trailhead: Athabasca Falls parking lot on the Icefields Parkway.
8. Valley of the Five Lakes
The Valley of the Five Lakes has always been a family favourite, and offers stunning views of five pretty, emerald-green lakes and wetlands. This trail was heavily impacted by the wildfires. Fortunately, thanks to the hard work of Parks Canada and volunteers, the trail has been rebuilt, restored and opened in the spring of 2026! The forest is already rejuvenating, and you’ll enjoy wide-open mountain views.
There are three trail options here. You can do one or combine them. If you want to see all five lakes, we recommend the Emerald Loop.
- Wetland Loop (easy, 1.8 km return)
- Emerald Loop (moderate, 5.4 km loop, 107 m gain)
- Valley Loop (moderate, 7.7 km loop)
- Trailhead: Take Highway 93 south for 9 KM and look for signs for Valley of the Five Lakes parking.
Mary Shaffer Loop – Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is one of the biggest lakes in the Rockies, and one of the most remarkable. Towering snow-encrusted peaks tower over the turquoise lake, and it’s a sight to behold. If you’re visiting with kids or beginner hikers, the Mary Shaffer Loops offer a little bit of everything. You’ll see the historic boathouse, mixed evergreen forest and pretty lake views as you make your way up the eastern shoreline and loop back to the parking lot through the woods.
- Distance: 3.2 km loop
- Gain: 80 metres
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Trailhead: Turn onto Maligne Lake Road from Highway 16 and follow it 40 km to the lake. Turn into the first Maligne Lake parking lot, take any path to the shoreline and make your way to a paved path going left along the lakeshore.
Toe of the Glacier – Columbia Icefield
Explore the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield on this moderate, kid-friendly hike in Jasper. The trail goes through glacial moraine and rock towards the leading edge of the ice, also known as the glacier’s “toe.” Along the way, you’ll see interpretive markers that show how far the glacier has receded over the years.
- Distance: 1.8 km return
- Gain: 60 m
- Time: 1 hour
- Trailhead: Take Highway 93 south of Jasper townsite. You’ll find the parking lot across the Icefields Parkway from the Icefield Centre at the end of Toes of the Glacier Road.
Note: The wind can rip across this area, and it gets chilly! Bring warm clothing and a windbreaker. NEVER walk on the glacier, as it is hollow and prone to collapse. Keep children close and on the trail.
Honourable Mentions: Maligne Canyon and Path of the Glacier Hikes
Both of these iconic Jasper hikes remain closed to the public while the areas are being rehabilitated following the 2024 wildfire. The area is still very unstable, and crews are working to make it safe for visitors again. For now, both remain closed for the 2026 summer season.
Maligne Canyon: Plunging up to 50 metres deep in some points, Maligne Canyon is the deepest gorge in the Canadian Rockies. The trail crosses the canyon several times, giving you a close-up look at the Devonian limestone, dramatic canyon features, rushing waterfalls, caves and fossils.
Path of the Glacier: This short, rewarding hike descends to a viewpoint overlooking Cavell Pond and the breathtaking Hanging Glacier above. The meltwater is bright green and is often filled with small floating icebergs.
Tips for Hiking in Jasper With Kids
A little preparation can go a long way when hiking with children in Jasper National Park. These simple tips can help make your family adventure safer, more enjoyable, and a lot less stressful for everyone involved.
Teach kids wildlife safety
Seeing wildlife is one of the highlights of visiting Jasper, but it’s important for children to understand that wild animals need plenty of space. It’s also important to teach kids never to feed wildlife. Human food can be harmful to animals and can change their natural behaviours, creating safety risks for both wildlife and visitors. Read these tips to respect wildlife and stay safe.
Before heading out, remind kids to stay calm if they spot wildlife and never approach animals for a closer look or photo. Keep a safe distance, stay on the trail, and supervise young children closely in areas where wildlife is commonly seen.
There are bears in Jasper National Park. Always carry bear spray, make plenty of noise on the trail and keep children close.
Pack snacks, and then pack more snacks
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from hiking with kids, it’s that snacks can solve almost anything. Whether you’re dealing with tired legs, a dip in energy, or a child who suddenly decides they’re done hiking, having plenty of snacks on hand can keep the day moving in the right direction.
Pack a mix of easy-to-carry options, such as granola bars, fruit, trail mix, and crackers, along with plenty of water. Even on shorter hikes, kids tend to burn more energy than expected when they’re climbing over rocks, exploring trails, and stopping to investigate every interesting stick and pinecone along the way.
Pack layers
Mountain weather can change quickly in Jasper, even on warm summer days. A sunny morning can turn into a windy afternoon, and temperatures often feel cooler near lakes or at higher elevations.
Dress kids in lightweight layers that can be easily added or removed throughout the day. A rain jacket, a warm sweater, and an extra pair of socks in your backpack can make a big difference if the weather changes unexpectedly.
Leave No Trace
Jasper’s landscapes are beautiful because they’re protected, and every visitor plays a role in helping keep them that way. Encourage kids to practice Leave No Trace principles by staying on designated trails, packing out all garbage, and leaving rocks, plants, and natural objects where they find them. Learn more about Leave No Trace and responsible travel.
This is especially important in areas recovering from the 2024 wildfire. Young plants and fragile ecosystems need time to regenerate, and staying on marked trails helps protect these recovering landscapes for future visitors. Hiking with respect for nature not only protects the park but also helps children develop a deeper appreciation for the outdoors.
