Join our emailing list

Caribou Program Snapshot Autumn Newsletter

Follow caribou conservation in Jasper National Park! Join our mailing list to receive newsletters each season.

New to the caribou recovery program? Learn more at parkscanada.ca/caribou-jasper.

Highlights in this newsletter:

• Impacts of the Jasper Wildfire on caribou conservation
• Deer density monitoring post-wildfire
• Wolf monitoring during the wildfire
• Construction progress
• Annual caribou population surveys
• Indigenous lichen collection for Jasper’s conservation breeding program
• Caribou Relations Group
• New staff at the Conservation Breeding Centre

Impacts of wildfire on caribou conservation

Life in Jasper National Park changed dramatically on July 22, 2024, when lightning ignited several wildfires that would combine and eventually burn through nearly 33,000 hectares of forest and parts of the town of Jasper.

The human, social, economic and ecological effects are as vast as the wildfire perimeter. Parks Canada’s priority is working together with the Municipality of Jasper to support the recovery and rebuilding of the community and national park. This includes continuing important science and conservation programs.

While Jasper’s caribou were not directly affected, Parks Canada is closely monitoring how habitat changes caused by the wildfire in the Athabasca Valley might affect them in the future.

Landscape changes caused by wildfires create favourable early-succession habitats for species like deer, which are prey for predators like wolves and cougars. An increased density of deer can significantly affect predator population growth, which is of particular concern when such areas are near caribou habitat.

To estimate the deer population in Jasper and monitor changes in density, monitoring staff collected tens of thousands of images of white-tailed and mule deer from remote wildlife cameras in random, off-trail locations in the Athabasca Valley in winter 2017–18 and again in winter 2021–22 and 2022–23. We retrieve image data from the cameras annually in summer, checking for damage and changing out old batteries.

Unfortunately, the Jasper Wildfire destroyed a quarter of our deer-monitoring cameras, including the images taken over winter 2023–24. This will affect the completeness of our data and the ability to compare data over time. These cameras will hopefully be replaced in spring 2025 to continue wildlife monitoring in the Athabasca Valley. In the wake of the large-scale landscape changes caused by the fire, monitoring how deer populations respond over the next few years will be key to understanding how predator-prey dynamics may change.

Tracking wolves with GPS provided a unique opportunity to observe their movements during the July wildfire.

To understand where wolves are spending time in relation to caribou habitat, and to monitor wolf predation on caribou, Jasper National Park currently has four GPS radio collars on four separate wolf packs in the Athabasca and surrounding valleys.

Like many species, wolves can move out of the path of fire to escape harm. GPS data from collared Wolf 262 in one of our monitored wolf packs, the Sunwapta pack, shows that they moved north to a safer area ahead of the fire for a few days before returning to their usual territory (18 km roundtrip) within the burn.

When lightning struck around Leach Lake and Athabasca Falls Hostel on the evening of July 22, the Sunwapta wolf pack was only a few kilometres away. As the fire moved northward, the wolves stayed ahead and went to the slopes of Whistlers Mountain just above Whistlers Campground, then abruptly turned uphill toward Marmot Basin.

By late the following day, they were near Eagle Ridge at Marmot Basin before moving farther uphill on Marmot Mountain. Overnight and into the early hours of July 24, the wolves quickly descended to the Icefields Parkway (93N) and returned to where they were on the day the Jasper Wildfire started, just south of Wabasso Lake. How many wolves were with Wolf 262 and whether all wolves survived the fire is unknown.

Though the landscape of their home range is vastly different now, the wolves will adapt to their new environment and benefit from carcasses of animals that didn’t survive the fire.

Construction progress

The wildfire caused substantial damage to the Caribou Conservation Breeding Centre.

When re-entry was allowed, the contractor returned to the Caribou Conservation Breeding Centre in mid-August to assess wildfire damage to structures and equipment, begin cleaning and repairs, and resume construction. Fortunately, the buildings (administration, storage and barn) and handling system components built to date are undamaged and nearly complete.

However, almost all forested parts of the site intended as habitat for future caribou were burned. Many fences were damaged and most feeding structures were destroyed. The overhead power line that connected the facility to the provincial electricity grid will require significant repairs.

The contractor is quickly completing the remaining fences on the site. All wooden fence posts and slats that burned in the wildfire have been replaced. Caribou handling equipment like gates and squeeze chutes, which allow staff to move caribou within the breeding centre and provide veterinary care, have been installed.

Over the next few months, the contractor will place topsoil and hydroseed on disturbed areas and test and adjust building systems to ensure they perform as efficiently as possible. A team of tree planters has started vegetation restoration work in pens that were least affected by the fire.

Before the Jasper Wildfire, construction was expected to be complete by the end of 2024, with the first caribou being welcomed at the Conservation Breeding Centre in early 2025.

We are assessing how much this event will impact the timeline; however, construction will likely be delayed by only a few weeks. We are consulting with partners and experts on restoring the burned habitat, so the pens are safe and supportive for future caribou residents.

The Conservation Breeding Centre area is closed during construction. Once operational in 2025, the breeding centre will not be open to the public. Parks Canada’s priority is the health and welfare of animals that will eventually be in our care.

Geraldine Road will remain closed to public access until construction on the breeding centre is complete.

Restricted travel on Geraldine Road is currently in effect until December 31, 2024, and will be adjusted as needed.

Research and monitoring

Annual caribou population surveys

Autumn is in full swing, high mountain areas have the first snows of the year, and caribou rutting season is underway. This means the caribou monitoring team has been surveying caribou from the air—counting caribou, gathering more information about the composition of the herds, and collecting scat on the ground for DNA analysis.

The team flew three days during the first week of October, earlier than the previous two years when snow didn’t cover the ground until the end of October.

Conditions on the first day in the Tonquin caribou range were good, while strong winds and precipitation on the second day made flying challenging and reduced visibility. The monitoring team saw 29 caribou (a minimum count) in the Tonquin population on October 3 and collected scat DNA the following day.

On October 6, the team attempted to locate caribou in the Brazeau caribou range. No animals or tracks were observed due to low snow cover and the small number of caribou in the population. Later that day, the team flew north of the Chaba River where caribou have been observed in previous years (and DNA has linked them to the Tonquin population) and found both caribou tracks and scat to collect.

In the next newsletter, we will update the minimum counts for 2024 and provide a summary of this year’s survey. DNA results from the genetics laboratory take up to six months to receive, so final population estimates for 2024 will be available next summer.

Collaboration and engagement

Indigenous lichen collection for Jasper’s conservation breeding program

Aseniwuche Winewak Nation, Kelly Lake Cree Nation, and Mountain Cree have started programs to collect lichen in their territories for the future caribou living in the Caribou Conservation Breeding Centre. We received our first lichen delivery of 26 bags from Kelly Lake Cree Nation this fall! A reliable lichen supply for captive caribou will be important for their general nutrition, helping transition them to and away from pellet food and motivating them to move between pens.

Caribou Relations Group

A group of interested Indigenous partners and the Caribou Recovery Team began meeting regularly at the beginning of 2024. The purpose of this Caribou Relations Group is to guide the implementation of the conservation breeding program and more broadly, how Indigenous partners can support caribou recovery in Jasper National Park. The name of this group reflects the importance of relationships in caribou recovery, including relationships between Indigenous partners and Parks Canada, between Indigenous Nations, and between people and caribou.

Team expanding to staff the breeding centre

Since June, we have welcomed a site manager, a veterinary technician and a maintenance person to staff the Caribou Conservation Breeding Centre. Scott Taylor, with over 30 years of experience managing wild and captive mammals at the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the breeding centre.

Together, Scott and veterinary technician Louise Dykslag will ensure the well-being of the caribou that will eventually be in our care. Louise is coming from Banff National Park where she worked in wildlife conservation and bison reintroduction. A dedicated maintenance person will join the team later this fall to keep the operation running smoothly by maintaining buildings, utilities, equipment and kilometres of fences.

Read more

• Caribou Recovery Program Snapshot: Summer Newsletter 2024
• Archived Newsletters

Contact us

Do you have a question or comment?
Email us at caribou@pc.gc.ca.

Caribou Program Snapshot Summer Newsletter

Highlights in this newsletter:

• Say cheese! Sharing camera monitoring techniques with partners
• Taking a liking to lichen: Indigenous partners supporting lichen collection
• Updated Tonquin population estimate
• Cougar specializing in caribou prey
• Conservation breeding centre construction progress

Follow caribou conservation in Jasper National Park! Join our mailing list to receive a newsletters each season.

New to the caribou recovery program? Learn more at parkscanada.ca/caribou-jasper

Collaboration and engagement

Say cheese! Sharing camera monitoring techniques with partners

Indigenous partners from Kelly Lake Cree Nation and Mountain Cree spent two days in the field with the Caribou Recovery Team to learn how we set up and maintain remote wildlife cameras. We visited ten different cameras over the two days in Jasper.

Taking a liking to lichen: Indigenous partners supporting lichen collection

Caribou living in the Conservation Breeding Centre will require a lichen supply for their general nutrition, to help transition caribou to and away from pellet feed, and to passively move caribou within the breeding centre. While lichen is present in the breeding centre site, the caribou that first live there will quickly eat it and lichen is very slow to re-grow.

Indigenous partners to Jasper National Park are working with Parks Canada to create lichen collection programs in their communities so that they can harvest lichen to feed caribou in the Conservation Breeding Centre. These programs can bring together members of the community of all ages, especially Elders and youth, to connect with the land and each other.

In early June, twelve Indigenous partners and biologist Carmen Richter of Saulteau First Nations joined Jasper National Park staff to discuss techniques for sustainably collecting lichen and to put those techniques into practice.

Lichen is a vital winter food source for caribou and takes many years to regenerate. For this reason, choosing where to collect lichen and picking sustainably is important to ensure lichens remain on the landscape.

“It brings me great joy to see my kids and my wife out there, you know, working together, being proactive... It's like picking berries. It's soothing. It's comforting. It's relaxing… It's uplifting, really [that Indigenous knowledge is being prioritized within this project.] It's invigorating… It's traditional, inherent knowledge that existed in this element, in this realm, for a long time and that's why us as First Nations, we're created to bring balance to this natural environment…”

“...[Parks Canada] is going to have a fairly large mama herd to maintain, when [they] finally get everything up and running. So if all the nations help out in their areas over the years to help sustain [the program], that would be wonderful. I've met so many other people from different nations around Alberta, B.C. and I'll get to see them next time around. And then you kind of form a bond with some of them because we're all working towards the same goal.”

Research and monitoring

Updated Tonquin population estimate

A minimum of 34 individual caribou were observed during the most recent visual survey in fall 2023. Further analyses using all available data to estimate the Tonquin population’s size, including scat DNA, indicate there are 45 caribou (95% credible interval of 42 to 47) with an estimated 10 reproductive females (95% credible interval of 7 to 13).

The Tonquin population is showing a declining trend for 2023 and 2024 after several years of a stable-to-increasing trend. Population growth is expected to be slower in the coming years due in part to a randomly high number of male calves born in 2022 and recent cougar predation leading to lower survival rates for adult females.

Brazeau population estimate

The Brazeau population is too small to use statistical modelling. During aerial surveys in October 2023, only caribou tracks and scat were spotted near McGuire Lake.

In November 2023, one male and one female caribou near Poboktan Pass were observed from a helicopter. Though scat was collected at both locations, the samples came back as the same two individuals, a male and a female. Despite setting up two small-scale feeding sites with remote cameras, we did not observe caribou at either location this winter.

Cougar preying on Tonquin caribou

Following the deaths of two collared caribou this spring (one pregnant female on April 27 and a male on May 3, 2024), Parks Canada has identified specialized hunting behaviour by a single cougar family in the Tonquin caribou range.

This cougar family has now been linked to the mortalities of four collared caribou in the Tonquin, using data from satellite collars, field investigations and DNA sampling. Investigations show that a female cougar with two kittens killed a caribou cow in August 2022. Her young male offspring then preyed on a caribou cow in September 2023 and the collared female and male this spring. (See our winter newsletter for more information about caribou mortality monitoring.)

These mortalities are unusual in Jasper. Only one caribou carcass of the 39 Parks Canada investigated between 2000 and 2022 is linked to cougar predation, and that one occurred at very low elevation.

Cougars are known to specialize in hunting one type of prey and passing their hunting knowledge to their offspring, which can put a small prey population like caribou at significant risk. Given the repeated predations in the Tonquin area, this young cougar likely learned from its mother to hunt caribou specifically.

The Tonquin herd cannot afford to lose more females – with fewer than 10 adult cows, losing one individual represents a 10 percent decrease in reproductive females. Every female caribou currently on the landscape is critical for recovering populations in Jasper National Park.

To protect the survival of the Tonquin caribou, a species at risk, Parks Canada is attempting to locate the male cougar involved in the most recent mortalities. Cougars are difficult to track, and their territories may span hundreds of square kilometres of wilderness, which makes finding a specific individual very challenging. Parks Canada continues to try to locate this individual cougar and adapt to changes in predation risk on caribou in Jasper National Park.

Conservation breeding centre

Construction progress

Major milestones have been accomplished at the Conservation Breeding Centre since the last newsletter in April. With warmer temperatures and the ground finally snow-free, work has resumed preparing the pens for their future caribou residents.

Fence posts for the breeding centre’s three-kilometre perimeter fence have been installed, along with a chain link “dig barrier.” This barrier prevents predators and other wildlife from getting in by digging underneath the perimeter fence. Once the dig barrier is installed, the contractor will then install wire mesh fencing on the posts.

Over the summer, the contractor will install 16 kilometres of fencing for the 36 caribou pens inside the perimeter fence. Watering stations (“drinkers”) have been installed in each pen to provide the caribou with drinking water year-round.

Roofing and siding have been installed on the three buildings.

Over the summer, work will continue finishing the interiors and installing equipment. Other structures are also being built, including caribou feeding stations and shelters next to the handling barn and yearling pens (where caribou will enter for veterinary care and monitoring).

Traffic control on Geraldine Road June 9 to October 1

To ensure the safety of visitors to Geraldine Lakes and Fryatt Valley, travel on Geraldine Road is allowed by vehicle only from June 9 to October 1, 2024.

During working hours (typically 7 am to 7 pm), visitors must use the radio in the entry kiosk to request an escort for their vehicle through the first 1.44 km of Geraldine Road that is in the construction zone. During non-working hours, the road is open to all users. Use caution when traveling through the construction area.

Read more

• Caribou Recovery Program Snapshot: Spring Newsletter 2024
• Archived Newsletters

Contact us

Do you have a question or comment? Email us at caribou@pc.gc.ca.

Caribou Program Snapshot Spring Newsletter

Follow caribou conservation in Jasper National Park! Join our mailing list to receive a newsletters each season.

Highlights in this newsletter:

• In the lab: sharing monitoring technologies
• Source population working group
• Researching caribou genetics and nutrition
• Caribou population monitoring
• Update on the small-scale feeding site in Brazeau caribou range
• Wolf population monitoring
• Conservation breeding centre construction progress

New to the caribou recovery program? Learn more at parkscanada.ca/caribou-jasper

Collaboration and engagement

In the lab: sharing monitoring technologies

Members of Kelly Lake Cree Nation and Mountain Cree joined the caribou recovery team for two days in December 2023 to talk about caribou and wildlife monitoring. They shared the monitoring and remote camera work they are using in their communities and learned more about Parks Canada’s remote camera monitoring.

Together we discussed approaches to placing cameras and sorting, tagging and analyzing the large quantity of images the cameras take each year. The partners spent time in the lab learning how Jasper National Park collects, stores and swabs caribou scat for DNA analysis. This two-way knowledge-sharing highlights the importance of a collaborative approach to caribou recovery in the region.

Source population working group

Establishing a captive breeding population requires capturing wild (source) caribou and moving them to live in the Caribou Conservation Breeding Centre. Details on how many caribou will be captured, and from which populations, are not yet confirmed. Decisions will be based on the best available information about genetic and behavioural suitability, the impacts of removing animals from wild populations, and discussions with provincial, federal and Indigenous partners. It is imperative that source populations not be imperilled by moving females into the breeding program.

Parks Canada has formed a Source Population Working Group — together with Alberta’s Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas, British Columbia’s Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and Environment and Climate Change Canada — to evaluate options for sourcing caribou for Parks Canada’s conservation breeding program.

With facilitation, technical expertise and the best available statistical tools and models from the not-for-profit Biodiversity Pathways, this working group is evaluating the potential impact on southern mountain caribou populations in Alberta and British Columbia if animals were moved to the conservation breeding program. When more technical information is available, we will continue discussions with Indigenous partners and the working group to request further guidance about capturing caribou from source populations.

Recovery strategy amendment workshop

Members of the caribou recovery team attended Environment and Climate Change Canada’s workshops with Indigenous partners in Edmonton, Alberta and Prince George, British Columbia, to discuss proposed amendments to the Recovery Strategy for southern mountain caribou.

These workshops were an important opportunity to hear Indigenous partners’ perspectives on the proposed amendments, to hear from several Indigenous communities about the work they are doing in support of caribou recovery, and to share Parks Canada’s conservation breeding program.

Alberta Chapter and Canadian Section of The Wildlife Society conference in Jasper

The Alberta Chapter and Canadian Section of The Wildlife Society held a Wildlife Research in Action Conference in Jasper in early March 2024.

The caribou monitoring team presented the conservation breeding program and deer monitoring project to 250 colleagues from universities, governments, consultancies and other environmental organizations. This conference was also a great opportunity to gain information on current research and techniques in ungulate and monitoring ecology.

Research and monitoring

Researching caribou genetics and nutrition for conservation breeding

Jasper National Park is partnering with genetics researchers at the University of Calgary to better evaluate and track the genomics (fine-scale genetics) of southern mountain caribou in the region. This foundational work will ensure we have the best knowledge of wild caribou genetics to effectively manage caribou in the conservation breeding centre.

Parks Canada is also working with a researcher on a project to collate information on captive caribou diet and nutrition requirements. This report will be used to inform future animal care protocols in the conservation breeding centre.

Caribou population monitoring

Fieldwork for the winter season is complete! The team completed aerial surveys in the Brazeau, Tonquin and À la Pêche caribou ranges to obtain a minimum count of animals and to collect scat for DNA analysis. Over 350 scat DNA samples have been swabbed and sent to a genetics laboratory to identify individual caribou. While we wait for those results, the team is working on a progress report for the years 2021 to 2023. Stay tuned!

Update on small-scale feeding site in Brazeau caribou range

For many years, fewer than 10 caribou have been counted in the Brazeau caribou range. In an effort to improve our ability to locate caribou in the Brazeau population, the monitoring team and Frank Roan from Mountain Cree distributed pellet feed at two sites in high-altitude caribou habitat in November 2023.

After three months, no caribou have been detected on the remote wildlife cameras at the feeding sites. This highlights the difficulty of monitoring a small population over a large area. Any feed left undiscovered will be removed before the end of winter.

Wolf population monitoring

Monitoring predators in Jasper National Park, particularly wolves, is a critical component of caribou monitoring and management. Wolves are a keystone species with an important role in the natural environment. Scientists in Jasper use remote cameras and radio collars to understand how this important predator uses habitat in the national park. Wolf density near caribou habitat can significantly impact caribou population growth and is estimated yearly using images from over 110 remote cameras.

Over the winter, the monitoring team reviewed images from July 2022 to July 2023 to calculate an estimated wolf density of 1.6 wolves in a 1000 km² area, among approximately eight or nine main wolf packs.

Many factors make tracking and capturing wolves challenging. In January and March of this year, specialists contracted by Parks Canada were able to add radio collars to wolves in three different packs using the Athabasca, Miette and Whirlpool river valleys.

Conservation breeding centre

Construction progress

Work on the Caribou Conservation Breeding Centre has steadily progressed throughout the winter. The recent aerial image above helps illustrate the full footprint of the 65-hectare site and is very close to what the breeding centre will look like once complete. The wide clearing visible around the perimeter of the breeding centre is a 30-metre fireguard to mitigate the risk of wildfire.

Mechanical forestry work was completed in January 2024, with dead pine trees being split into campground firewood. Since then, crews have been cleaning up and burning the fine woody debris left behind.

Burning debris piles has proven challenging this winter with the unusually low snowpack; snow is crucial to burning safely. This forestry work will mitigate the risk of wildfire affecting the breeding centre while retaining the younger forest regeneration layers within the caribou pens and reducing the risk of injury from deadfall.

The three buildings needed to operate the centre — the administration building, handling barn and storage shed — are taking shape!

The metal roofing and siding are almost complete, and on the inside, the walls are up with utilities and drywall installation progressing quickly.

Once the snow melts and the ground thaws, the contractor will begin installing watering stations in the caribou pens, installing many fences and gates, and preparing the alleyways and corral systems. ATCO will return to rehabilitate the ground disturbance where a buried high-voltage power line has been installed along Wabasso Road (93A) from the breeding centre towards Wabasso Campground.

Geraldine Road is closed to traffic for the winter season

Public access on the first 1.44 km of Geraldine Road is restricted to ensure safety during construction. Geraldine Road will be accessible to vehicles beginning on June 9, 2024, using the same radio kiosk and escort system as last year. This ensures that visitors can safely move through the construction zone during working hours.

Travel on Geraldine Road during construction of the Conservation Breeding Centre

Read more

• Caribou Recovery Program Snapshot: Winter Newsletter 2023
• Archived Newsletters

Contact us

Do you have a question or comment? Email us at caribou@pc.gc.ca.

Parks Canada is working with Indigenous partners to identify and initiate opportunities for collaboration on this exciting program! Are you an Indigenous partner with a story to share? We can work with you to include your story in an upcoming newsletter. Email us at caribou@pc.gc.ca.

Caribou recovery program snapshot: Winter newsletter

Follow caribou recovery in Jasper National Park! Join our mailing list to receive the newsletters each season.

New to the caribou recovery program? Learn more here: parkscanada.ca/caribou-jasper

In this newsletter:

• Lichen collection pilot program
• Site visit with government partners
• Caribou Reproduction Workshop at Toronto Zoo
• Minimum population count
• Finding Brazeau caribou
• Caribou mortality monitoring
• Predator monitoring in Tonquin caribou range
• Conservation breeding centre construction progress

Collaboration and engagement

Lichen collection pilot program

Jasper National Park is in the early stages of developing a lichen collection program with Indigenous partners. Caribou will require lichen as part of their diet in the future conservation breeding centre. While there is some lichen at the site, caribou will eat it quickly.

A small group of Indigenous partners joined the caribou recovery team in November 2023 to discuss what a lichen collection program for Jasper might look like. Indigenous communities experienced in organizing lichen collection programs, like Aseniwuche Winewak Nation, will be key partners in the development of this program. We continue to work together, along with biologist Carmen Richter who specializes in sustainable lichen collection, towards the goal of having the first collection in spring 2024.

Site visit with government partners

In October 2023, Parks Canada invited colleagues in conservation from the governments of Alberta and British Columbia and Environment and Climate Change Canada to visit the conservation breeding centre, currently under construction. The group discussed details of the program, including the design of the breeding centre, the science and monitoring aspects of the program, and ways to work together to support shared caribou recovery goals.

Caribou Reproduction Workshop at Toronto Zoo

Jasper National Park caribou biologist Lalenia Neufeld attended the Toronto Zoo’s Caribou Reproduction Workshop from November 29 to December 1, 2023. The workshop was a great opportunity to present Parks Canada’s conservation breeding program and network with researchers, practitioners and Indigenous community members with common goals and an interest in caribou reproduction.

Research and monitoring

Minimum population count of Tonquin and Brazeau caribou

Each autumn, biologists survey caribou by flying over caribou habitat in a helicopter and counting the number of caribou they see. Despite delays due to low snow again this year, we conducted aerial surveys and collected caribou scat for DNA sampling at the end of October. Caribou and their tracks are easier to see when snow on the ground.

The monitoring team confirmed a minimum of 34 caribou in the Tonquin population as of October 2023.

During the survey, the team observed 33 caribou, including caribou c99 (or c73) — the oldest known caribou in the park — who is a minimum of 17 years old. A collared male not observed during the survey, though known to be alive from his collar signal, is also included in the count. The team identified 19 males, 10 females, two yearling females and two female calves. Although these are much lower calf numbers than we have observed in the past, it is positive that all the young caribou are female.

During the October survey, only tracks and scat were spotted in the Brazeau caribou range. Later in November, the monitoring team observed one male and one female caribou near Poboktan Pass. Remote wildlife cameras in the Winston Churchill Range on the west side of the Brazeau caribou range have captured caribou on camera several times; however, the images indicate no more than three or four animals.

The Brazeau population has declined from an estimated 45 animals in the 1980s to a minimum of four known animals in 2022. Although small populations can persist for many years, their survival is precarious. We plan to bring the remaining animals to the conservation breeding centre when it is operational to potentially increase their chances of survival.

Finding Brazeau caribou

Due to the small number of caribou in the Brazeau population, it is difficult to locate them in the wild reliably. Jasper National Park is testing the use of a small-scale feeding site to help locate and improve our understanding of how many caribou are in the Brazeau population. Together with Frank Roan of Mountain Cree, the monitoring team placed pelleted feed and harvested lichen in high-altitude caribou habitat at a site where we have recorded caribou before. They installed a remote camera to observe whether caribou come to feed and to count any that come by the site. Any feed left undiscovered will be removed before the end of winter.

The group took the opportunity to do a secondary survey of the Brazeau caribou range. They located a male and female near Poboktan Pass. After the caribou had moved on, the monitoring team and Frank collected scat for DNA sampling and Frank led the group in a smudge ceremony.

Caribou mortality monitoring

Parks Canada began to use satellite-based GPS collars to monitor adult females in the Tonquin population in 2021. One of the uses of these collars is to help us better understand how, when and where female caribou die. As populations decline, they become more vulnerable to natural threats such as predation, disease and accidents. Information about caribou mortalities may help Parks Canada prevent deaths in a critically small caribou population and will be valuable for the success of Parks Canada’s new conservation breeding program.

We are already learning from the three collared caribou females that have died since we began GPS monitoring. One caribou was preyed on by a cougar in August 2022. A second caribou’s collar notified biologists of a mortality in May 2023. The cause of death is unknown because the collar and carcass were in an unsafe area to walk into; however, evidence viewed at the site later indicated a grizzly bear had eaten the carcass. In September 2023, another collared female was preyed on by a cougar. The caribou monitoring team removed the caribou carcass for future necropsy and health analyses.

Predator monitoring in the Tonquin caribou range

Jasper National Park uses a network of remote cameras to monitor large mammals like caribou, deer and moose and predators like cougars, grizzly bears and wolves. As part of the conservation breeding program, we particularly want to understand current predator populations in the Tonquin Valley and monitor them to see how they may or may not change when caribou are eventually reintroduced from the conservation breeding centre into the wild.

We have started a pilot study using remote cameras to specifically monitor the number of predators in the Tonquin caribou range. These cameras are set up at random wilderness locations in the Tonquin Valley away from trails. Images will be used to estimate the abundance of predators.

Conservation breeding centre construction

Construction progress

Parks Canada is making significant progress towards building the caribou conservation breeding centre. Aerial images show how the site is starting to look like the design drawings. With snow on the ground, it’s easier to see the outlines of the future caribou pens, alleyways and sorting corrals.

Most of the site is being prepared for caribou to eventually live and reproduce in the conservation breeding centre.

Throughout the winter, forestry work will continue to remove dead pine trees and vegetation and clean up woody debris.

This is critical to protecting caribou from the risk of wildfire and injury within the pens. Smoke will be visible from the construction site as pile burning continues throughout the winter.

Foundations and framing for the three buildings needed to operate the centre — the administration building, handling barn and storage shed — are complete. This winter, the three buildings will have metal roofing and siding installed and work will continue on the interiors.

The contractor has installed underground utilities needed to power the buildings and provide water to the pens throughout the site. ATCO has also begun to install a buried high-voltage power line along Wabasso Road (93A) from the breeding centre towards Wabasso Campground.

Geraldine Road closed on October 1 for the winter season

Public access on the first 1.44 km of Geraldine Road is restricted to ensure safety during construction. Fryatt Trail is accessible from Athabasca Falls on a user-set winter route along the Athabasca River, once the wetlands and lake it crosses are frozen. This route is not a maintained trail.

• Travel on Geraldine Road during construction of the Conservation Breeding Centre
• Accessing Fryatt Trail in winter

Read more

• Caribou Recovery Program Snapshot: Fall Newsletter 2023
• Caribou Recovery Program Snapshot: Summer Newsletter 2023
• Archived Newsletters

Contact us

Do you have a question or comment? Email us at caribou@pc.gc.ca.

Parks Canada is working with Indigenous partners to identify and initiate opportunities for collaboration on this exciting program! Are you an Indigenous partner with a story to share? We can work with you to include your story in an upcoming newsletter. Email us at caribou@pc.gc.ca.

Caribou conservation breeding centre: Construction update

Construction of the Jasper National Park caribou conservation breeding centre began in March 2023 and is expected to be completed as early as 2025. The future conservation breeding centre is located 30 km south of the Jasper townsite along Geraldine Road. Athabasca Falls is located a few kilometres south of the site.

The contractor completed the 2023 portion of selective vegetation clearing and removal of hazardous trees in the spring. Removing dead and dying pine trees, most of which were affected by mountain pine beetle, is critical to protecting caribou from injury within the pens and from the risk of wildfire.

The conservation breeding centre is starting to take shape. Concrete foundations and underground utilities for the three buildings are nearly complete. Throughout the summer, crews installed potable water reservoirs, water mains and service lines to the eventual buildings.

One of the challenges encountered this summer was the discovery of shallow bedrock in several areas. The bedrock must be broken and excavated to ensure water lines are buried deep enough to protect them from freezing in winter.

In September and October, the contractor is framing the buildings and continuing to install water mains, water service lines and underground power lines. Landmark Solutions will also restart vegetation thinning and woody debris clean-up now that the migratory bird nesting period has closed for the year. Later in the fall, ATCO plans to begin installing a buried power line on Wabasso Road (93A) towards the breeding centre.

What to expect

Safety is a shared responsibility and a top priority for Parks Canada. To protect the safety of the public and workers, there is an area closure at the construction site and public access to Geraldine Road is limited. Potential hazards include falling trees, heavy equipment and vehicle traffic in the area.

Geraldine Road closes to the public on October 1, 2023, for the winter season

Geraldine Road is an unpaved road used to access Fryatt and Geraldine Lakes trailheads in summer. It is typically open from mid-June to late September. High-clearance vehicles are recommended. Trailers and RVs are not permitted.

Starting October 1, 2023: Geraldine Road is closed to all public traffic for the winter.

• Once the ground is frozen, Fryatt Trail will be accessible from Athabasca Falls using snowshoes or skis on the user-set Athabasca River winter route. (See map ⬇️). This route is not a maintained trail and crosses wetlands and a lake. In winter, be sure to check avalanche conditions and have the necessary knowledge, experience and avalanche safety gear.


• Experienced boaters with proper equipment can cross the Athabasca River just south of the Goats and Glaciers Viewpoint on the Icefields Parkway and cut 7 km from the hike. Note: The Athabasca River is fast and very cold (4–6 °C). The crossing is not recommended for novice paddlers. In winter, ice thickness can vary along the river. Parks Canada does not monitor the ice – it is up to you to assess the thickness of the ice. Stay off the ice if you are unsure.

Construction vehicles and equipment on the Icefields Parkway (93N) and Wabasso Road (93A).

• Travellers on 93N and 93A may encounter construction vehicles and equipment and are advised to drive and bike with care.
• Note: Wabasso Road (93A) from Geraldine Road to Whirlpool River closed to vehicle access for the winter season on September 20, 2023. Cyclists are welcome to enjoy motorist-free biking until November 30, 2023.

Visible smoke along Geraldine Road and near Athabasca Falls.

• Contractors will be clearing and selectively removing trees from the construction site.
• Later this winter, the resulting debris piles will be burned. Controlled burning will only be permitted on days when conditions are safe.
• There is no need to call 911 or emergency services to report smoke.

Plan ahead

All work is weather-dependent and construction timelines are subject to change. Always check 511.alberta.ca or dial 511 for the latest road conditions and closures.

• Important bulletins
• Seasonal road updates
• Trail conditions

Learn more

The Government of Canada’s investment in Parks Canada’s caribou conservation breeding program aims to restore caribou populations in Jasper National Park and support Canada’s biodiversity goals.

• Discover how Parks Canada is working to protect and recover caribou in Jasper National Park.
• Join our subscription mailing list.

Media inquiries

Media Relations
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Caribou Recovery Program Snapshot: Fall Newsletter

Follow caribou recovery in Jasper National Park! Join our mailing list to receive the newsletters each season. Share with caribou-loving friends!

In this newsletter:

• Fieldwork with Kelly Lake Cree Nation and Mountain Cree
• Visit to the Klinse-Za maternity penning project
• Whistlers Campground summer speaker series
• Caribou population monitoring update
• Deer density monitoring
• Conservation breeding centre construction progress
• Indigenous awareness training and plant harvesting
• Geraldine Road information

Collaboration and engagement

Over the summer, Parks Canada met with interested Indigenous partner communities to discuss opportunities for collaboration on the conservation breeding program. Throughout the fall, there are plans for partners to come to the park for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and ceremony.

Fieldwork with Kelly Lake Cree Nation and Mountain Cree

In July, Shelley of Kelly Lake Cree Nation and Frank of Mountain Cree joined Parks Canada caribou technician Madeline to move and install wildlife cameras as part of ongoing wolf monitoring in the park.

Shelley and Frank shared stories about wildlife and plants in the area and their work to support caribou recovery in their territories. Madeline shared information about the remote camera monitoring work Parks Canada is doing.

“Working with the caribou team at Jasper National Park recognizes the need for continued collaborative efforts. We look forward to sharing recovery work measures for southern mountain caribou that our nations are doing independently with the Jasper caribou team.” - Shelley

It was a great day spent together on the land. We are excited to continue working with these nations and others on other fieldwork and learning together.

Visit to the Klinse-Za maternity penning project

The Caribou Recovery Team visited the Klinse-Za caribou maternity pen near Mackenzie, B.C. in July. The maternity pen is a partnership between the West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations and Wildlife Infometrics to reverse declines in the Klinse-Za caribou population. Maternity pens protect cows and calves from predators during calving season. The team learned about fence design, daily management of caribou and collaboration with partners. The two programs will continue to exchange information and lessons learned in the future.

Whistlers Campground summer speaker series

The Whistlers Campground summer speaker series featured caribou technician Madeline in August. An audience of around 50 visitors attended to learn about the state of caribou in the park and how biologists keep track of animals in the field. Adults and children alike had the chance to come up afterwards to test out monitoring equipment and take a closer look at photos and antlers.

Research and monitoring

Autumn is rutting season

In fall, mountain caribou gather together in larger groups for the rutting (or mating) season. Mature males round up groups of females above the tree line where it is easier to keep watch. A dominant bull spends a lot of time and energy chasing away younger competitors – these big guys barely have any time to eat or rest. When nobody backs down, they will battle it out to see who is strongest.

The rut is also an important time for Parks Canada’s monitoring program. It is easier to spot caribou when they are gathered in larger groups and with snow on the ground. Biologists take to the skies by helicopter to conduct an annual aerial survey and collect scat.

Caribou population monitoring

A new monitoring and research web page is now published on the Jasper National Park website. It features updated population estimates and information about caribou monitoring methods and research in Jasper National Park.

Despite poor survey conditions during the first round of scat collection in the fall of 2022 (no snow on the ground), we were successful in finding samples from which usable DNA could be extracted. Over the summer, we received DNA data from those samples from our partnering laboratory and analyzed the information to estimate population size.

Tonquin population estimate

A minimum of 44 individual caribou were identified by both scat DNA and the visual survey in 2022. Further analyses using all available data to estimate the Tonquin population’s size indicate there are 50 caribou (47 to 54), including an estimated 11 reproductive females (8 to 14), with a 95% confidence interval.

We collected DNA from 15 females (and observed another known female but did not get a sample of her scat). Although used primarily to inform population size, DNA findings inevitably provide other interesting results!

• In 2022, we collected DNA from female Caribou 178 after three years of finding no samples of her scat.
• We collected DNA from female Caribou 235 for the ninth year in a row.
• We can estimate the minimum ages of these females because we have been collecting scat DNA for so many years. Six females are 2 to 3 years old, five are between the ages of 6 and 8, and three long-lived females are 12, 14 and 16 years old (at minimum)!

The Tonquin population has had a stable-to-increasing trend since 2015, indicating good ecological conditions within the range during these years. This is also reflected in annual average survival rates of 93% for adult females based on monitoring data. However, due in part to a high number of male calves born in 2022 (eight of ten total calves), we expect slower population growth in the coming years.

Brazeau population estimate

The Brazeau population is too small to use statistical modelling. During aerial surveys in October 2022, monitoring staff counted a minimum of two individuals as well as tracks from additional caribou. The minimum count from scat DNA for the Brazeau is four individuals, of which three are male.

Deer density monitoring

The density of deer near caribou habitat can significantly affect predator population growth. Landscape changes such as prescribed fires and wildfires create favourable habitat for species like deer, which in turn provide food for predators such as wolves and cougars.

A pilot study to monitor deer density surrounding the Jasper townsite was conducted from November 2017 to May 2018 using 36 remote cameras in random, off-trail locations in the valley. The study estimated 124 white-tailed deer and 75 mule deer in the study area. Additional remote cameras were added (for a total of 84) in winter deer ranges around Jasper townsite in 2021 to get more refined population estimates and monitor changes in deer density.

Images from the remote cameras were collected in late 2022. The cameras recorded over 1.4 million photos including more than 15,000 photos of white-tailed deer and 11,000 photos of mule deer. The images are being reviewed throughout the fall and a density estimate is expected to be available in early 2024.

Conservation breeding centre construction

Construction progress

The conservation breeding centre is starting to take shape. Concrete foundations and underground utilities for the three buildings are nearly complete. Throughout the summer, crews installed potable water reservoirs, water mains and service lines to the eventual buildings.

One of the challenges encountered this summer was finding shallow bedrock in several areas. The bedrock must be broken and excavated to ensure the water lines are buried deep enough to protect them from freezing in winter.

In September and October, the contractor will begin framing the buildings and continue to install water mains, water service lines and underground power lines. Landmark Solutions will also restart vegetation thinning and woody debris clean-up activities now that the migratory bird nesting period has closed for the year. Later in the fall, ATCO plans to begin installing a buried power line on Wabasso Road (93A) towards the breeding centre.

Indigenous awareness training

Parks Canada provided Indigenous awareness training to roughly 20 employees and contractors of Landmark Solutions and Greyback Construction working on the breeding centre construction. The training aimed to broaden their understanding of Indigenous connections to the lands that are now Jasper National Park and the importance of caribou recovery to the Indigenous partners. Several of the employees and contractors commented on how meaningful this job was to them because of the conservation purpose of the project.

Plant harvesting

During consultations in 2022, Indigenous partners requested an opportunity to harvest plants at the construction site. It is a common practice to facilitate harvesting culturally important plants before they are destroyed or disturbed by construction projects. Parks Canada and Landmark Solutions are facilitating safe access to the site so Indigenous partners from five different communities can harvest plants in September 2023.

Balancing visitor experiences

Access to the Fryatt and Geraldine Lakes trailheads was maintained throughout the summer. Trail users were safely escorted through the construction site by Landmark Solutions.

Geraldine Road closes to the public on October 1 for the winter season. The road reopens in May 2024.

For more information visit Jasper National Park’s important bulletins.

Contact us

Do you have a question or comment? Email us at caribou@pc.gc.ca.

Parks Canada is working with Indigenous partners to identify and initiate opportunities for collaboration on this exciting program! Are you an Indigenous partner with a story to share? We can work with you to include your story in an upcoming newsletter. Email us at caribou@pc.gc.ca.

Follow caribou recovery in Jasper National Park! This summer newsletter is the first of Parks Canada's new quarterly updates about all things caribou in Jasper National Park. Join our mailing list to receive the newsletters each season. Share with caribou-loving friends!

Collaboration and engagement

Ceremony

Bighorn Chiniki Stoney Nation conducted a pipe ceremony in March to guide the conservation breeding centre construction. We are grateful to the pipe holders for ensuring construction began in a good way.

Conversations with Indigenous partners about how they would like to collaborate on the conservation breeding program took place during the Jasper Indigenous Forum in April and will continue throughout the program.

Knowledge exchange

In May, Jasper National Park caribou biologist Lalenia Neufeld and caribou recovery program manager Jean-François Bisaillon presented at the North American Caribou Workshop in Anchorage, Alaska. They were able to share with and learn from an international group of people working together to protect and conserve caribou and other arctic ungulates.

In May and June they also visited and exchanged knowledge with colleagues from the R.G. White Large Animal Research Station at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Wildlife Service Finland’s MetsäpeuraLIFE (Wild Forest Reindeer) Program. The Large Animal Research Station is a 130-acre research facility primarily studying musk oxen and reindeer. MetsäpeuraLIFE is a program reintroducing wild forest reindeer to their native habitat in southern Finland.

Research and monitoring

Caribou population estimate

Parks Canada uses a statistical model (developed with the University of Montana) to calculate an annual population estimate for the Tonquin herd. The model combines all the data we collect to generate more accurate population information than any one method alone. Based on data in 2021, the Tonquin population is estimated to be 45 to 50 individuals. During aerial surveys in October 2022, monitoring staff counted a minimum of 44 individuals in the Tonquin caribou range, with 8 to 13 reproductive females.

The Brazeau population is too small to use statistical modelling, but we can use aerial surveys and scat DNA analysis to estimate the minimum number of animals. The Brazeau population is estimated to have fewer than 10 individuals. During aerial surveys in October 2022, monitoring staff counted a minimum of 2 individuals as well as tracks from additional caribou.

Caribou scat DNA analysis

Investigating animal scat is a great way to get useful information without bothering the animals too much. Scat was collected in the Tonquin and Brazeau caribou ranges in October 2022 and in the À la Pêche caribou range in February and March 2023.

Almost 400 scat samples were swabbed for DNA and are currently at a laboratory for analysis. The lab can identify individual caribou by analyzing their genetic makeup. Results from DNA samples collected this past fall and winter are expected back in the fall of 2023. The genetic data will then be put into statistical models to update population estimates.

Caribou mortality

Ten adult female caribou in the Tonquin population were fitted with satellite-based GPS collars in March 2021 and 2022. Newer technologies can provide quick notifications about mortalities and movements. When a caribou dies, the collar sends an instant notification to a cell phone. Monitoring staff can then go to the site to determine the cause of death.

Since deploying the GPS collars, two caribou have died. One collared female was preyed on by a cougar in August 2022. Another mortality notification was received in early May 2023. Monitoring staff quickly flew to the location, but sighting conditions were poor, and it was unsafe to land. The team returned to the carcass on foot a couple of weeks later to find clear evidence that a grizzly bear ate the caribou and cached the remains. It is uncertain but likely that the bear killed the caribou.

Wolf population density

The density of wolves near caribou habitat can have a significant effect on caribou population growth. Wolves in Jasper National Park are primarily monitored using remote cameras. Individual wolves can be identified by the colours and markings on their fur. This past winter the monitoring team reviewed images of wolves (taken between July 2021 and July 2022) from more than 110 remote cameras. Using this information, the estimated wolf density for 2021-2022 is 1.9 wolves in a 1 000 km² area.

Over the 2022–2023 winter, there were likely eight main wolf packs using habitat in and around Jasper National Park. One female wolf in a pack close to the Brazeau caribou range was fitted with a GPS collar in January 2023. The monitoring team attempts to collar wolves each winter, but many factors make tracking and capturing wolves challenging.

Conservation breeding centre construction

Construction progress

Construction of the caribou conservation breeding centre in Jasper National Park is well underway. The majority of the centre’s 65 hectares will be forested pens for different combinations of males (bulls), females (cows), and newborns (calves).

In the spring, most of the work involved selectively removing and thinning trees and vegetation.

This will protect caribou from injury in the pens and reduce wildfire risk. About 10 hectares were cleared to prepare the areas where buildings, utilities, access roads and fences are being built.

Throughout the summer, the contractor is installing underground utilities including water, sewer and electricity. They are also beginning to construct buildings—starting with soil excavation and concrete foundations.

Indigenous participation

This spring, Indigenous businesses completed a substantial portion of the log-hauling and vegetation clean-up work on the construction project. Later in the project Indigenous businesses and community members will provide services in fence construction, carpentry and the work camp.

Parks Canada and Landmark Solutions are committed to providing subcontracting, labour and training opportunities to Indigenous partners. Progress on these commitments will be reported on in the fall newsletter.

Balancing visitor experiences

Geraldine Road has been graded and compacted to make the surface safe for public and construction traffic. Parks Canada and Landmark Solutions are working together to ensure safe access to backcountry hiking and camping at Geraldine Lakes and Fryatt Valley. A kiosk with a radio is available for motorists to request an escort through the construction zone during work hours.

For more information visit Jasper National Park’s important bulletins.

Contact us

Do you have a question or comment? Email us at caribou@pc.gc.ca.

Parks Canada is working with Indigenous partners to identify and initiate opportunities for collaboration on this exciting program! Are you an Indigenous partner with a story to share? We can work with you to include your story in an upcoming newsletter. Email us at caribou@pc.gc.ca.

Caribou conservation breeding centre: Construction update

Construction of the Jasper National Park caribou conservation breeding centre began in March 2023 and is expected to be completed as early as 2025.

The groundwork for the future facility is in preliminary stages. Topsoil has been stripped from areas where utilities will be installed, and the contractor is preparing excavations to build concrete footings for the three buildings on site. Framing of the buildings will begin once foundations are completed.

Geraldine Road has been graded and compacted to fortify the surface and make it safe for public and construction traffic. Installation of deep utilities has begun, including the trenching and installation of the water supply main next to Geraldine Road, and construction of a septic field next to the future buildings. Progress on these activities will continue through the summer months.

Safety

Safety is a shared responsibility and a top priority for Parks Canada. To protect the safety of the public and workers, there is an area closure at the construction site, and public access to Geraldine Road is limited. Potential hazards include falling trees, as well as heavy equipment and vehicle traffic in the area

Construction vehicles and equipment on the Icefields Parkway (93N) and Wabasso Road (93A)

Travelers on 93N and 93A may encounter construction vehicles and equipment and are advised to drive and bike with care.

Limited access to Geraldine Road

Geraldine Road is an unpaved road used to access Fryatt and Geraldine Lakes trailheads in summer. It is typically open from mid-June to late September. High-clearance vehicles are recommended. Trailers and RVs are not permitted.

• From June 9 to September 30, 2023, public access to Geraldine Road will be open to vehicle traffic only during working hours (typically 7 am to 7 pm). Vehicle access will be subject to restrictions and managed by the construction contractor to maintain safety. Delays are expected and work schedules are subject to change without notice. All vehicles are required to follow direction given by traffic control personnel.
• For public safety, no pedestrian, bike, e-bike or equestrian access will be permitted on Geraldine Road during working hours (typically 7 am to 7 pm).
• During non-working hours, Geraldine Road will be open to all users. Extra caution is required as there will be roadside hazards such as steep slopes and open excavations.
• The Geraldine Road access restriction will occur again in 2024, from mid-June to late September.
• A Restricted Activity Order and Area Closure Order are in place to ensure the safety of the public in areas where crews and equipment are operating.

All work is weather-dependent and construction timelines are subject to change. Always check 511.alberta.ca or dial 511 for the latest road conditions and closures.

Updates

As construction proceeds, updates will be shared to the Jasper National Park subscription mailing list and on the Jasper National Park website.

Plan ahead

Road conditions, traffic information and updates:

• 511.alberta.ca or dial 511 (Alberta)
• Seasonal road updates (Parks Canada)

Jasper National Park trail conditions, warnings and closures:

• Trail conditions
• Important bulletins

Learn more about Jasper National Park’s caribou recovery program

Parks Canada, in collaboration with partners, is working to protect and recover caribou in Jasper National Park. The Government of Canada’s investment in Parks Canada’s caribou conservation breeding program aims to restore caribou populations in Jasper National Park and support Canada’s biodiversity goals.

Media Relations

Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Caribou conservation breeding centre update - Construction along Geraldine Road to begin soon in Jasper National Park

Parks Canada recently announced plans to build a conservation breeding centre for caribou in Jasper National Park. Following a public tendering process, Landmark Solutions has been awarded the contract to construct the 65-hectare conservation breeding centre over the next several years.

The future conservation breeding centre will be located about 30 km south of the Jasper townsite. It is being constructed along Geraldine Road, a seasonal road used by people visiting the Fryatt Valley and Geraldine Lakes area, which is accessible from Wabasso Road (93A). Athabasca Falls is located a few kilometres south of the site.

The next steps in the construction project include staking out the building plans at the site, clearing vegetation and removing hazardous trees. Removing dead and dying pine trees, most of which were affected by mountain pine beetle, is critical to protecting caribou from injury within the pens and from the risk of wildfire.

What to expect

Safety is a shared responsibility and a top priority for Parks Canada. To protect the safety of the public and workers, an area closure at the construction site will be in place and public access to Geraldine Road will be limited. Potential hazards include falling trees, heavy equipment and vehicle traffic in the area.

Limited access to Geraldine Road

Geraldine Road is an unpaved road used to access Fryatt and Geraldine Lakes trailheads in summer. It is typically open from mid-June to late September. High-clearance vehicles are recommended. Trailers and RVs are not permitted.

• Construction activities could start as early as March 13, 2023. Once construction starts, Geraldine Road will be closed to all public access until mid-June 2023.
• From mid-June to late September in 2023 and 2024, public access to Geraldine Road will be open to vehicle traffic only. Vehicle access will be subject to restrictions and managed by the construction contractor to maintain safety. Delays are expected. For public safety, no pedestrian or bike access will be permitted on the road during this period.
• Fryatt Trail is accessible from Athabasca Falls using snowshoes or skis on the user-set Athabasca River winter route until the ground thaws in spring. Fryatt and Geraldine Lakes trailheads will be accessible by vehicle from mid-June to late September.

Construction vehicles and equipment on the Icefields Parkway (93N) and Wabasso Road (93A)

Travelers on 93N and 93A may encounter construction vehicles and equipment and are advised to drive and bike with care.

Visible smoke along Wabasso Road (93A) and near Athabasca Falls

Contractors will be clearing and selectively removing trees from the construction site. The resulting debris piles will be burned. Controlled burning will only be permitted on days when conditions are safe. There is no need to call 911 or emergency services to report smoke.

Regular updates

Updates will be shared to the Jasper National Park subscription mailing list and on the Jasper National Park website as more information becomes available.

All work is weather-dependent and construction timelines are subject to change. Always check 511.alberta.ca or dial 511 for the latest road conditions and closures. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Plan ahead

Road conditions, traffic information and updates:

• 511.alberta.ca or dial 511 (Alberta)
• Seasonal road updates (Parks Canada)

Jasper National Park trail conditions, warnings and closures:

• Trail conditions
• Important bulletins

Learn more about Jasper National Park’s caribou recovery program

Parks Canada, in collaboration with partners, is working to protect and recover caribou in Jasper National Park. The Government of Canada’s investment in Parks Canada’s caribou conservation breeding program aims to restore caribou populations in Jasper National Park and support Canada’s biodiversity goals.

Media Relations

Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Government of Canada invests in reversing biodiversity loss through conservation breeding program for caribou in Jasper National Park

First-in-Canada caribou breeding program in Jasper National Park has the potential to restore caribou populations and support Canada’s biodiversity goals

The protection and recovery of species at risk across the country is an important part of our shared natural and cultural heritage. At COP15 last December in Montreal, the Government of Canada joined the world in recommitting to halting and reversing biodiversity loss.

Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced plans to move forward on a new caribou conservation breeding program to support southern mountain caribou recovery in Jasper National Park. The program’s goal is to rebuild dwindling caribou populations in Jasper National Park that are too small to recover on their own.

As a result of today’s announcement, Parks Canada is taking the first steps toward implementing this first-of-its-kind caribou conservation breeding program. Steps include constructing a breeding facility in Jasper National Park, establishing collaboration agreements with Indigenous partners, continuing discussions with federal and provincial partners to determine the best approach to source additional caribou from other populations, and developing more detailed operational plans to ensure the health and wellbeing of animals involved in the program. Each aspect of the program strives to work collaboratively with Indigenous peoples. Indigenous partners have been and will continue to be involved in this conservation effort.

Parks Canada considered comprehensive research and consultation before deciding to move forward with the conservation breeding program. Guidance from experts in caribou ecology and conservation breeding, discussions with provincial jurisdictions, feedback from Indigenous partners, stakeholder and public consultations and a detailed impact assessment informed this decision.

Efforts to protect caribou and critical habitat for caribou in Jasper National Park are part of a broader effort by federal and provincial governments and Indigenous partners, peoples and communities to support the recovery of caribou across Canada.

Quotes

“Every child in Canada can recognize a caribou from the iconic image engraved on our 25-cent coins. Preserving this species is an important aspect of our shared cultural and natural heritage in Canada. Moving forward with the next steps on the caribou breeding program in Jasper National Park will include the construction of a breeding facility and further collaboration with Indigenous partners and other federal and provincial partners. This initiative supports the Government of Canada’s commitments to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, protecting species at risk and supporting a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples. It is critical in the protection and recovery of this beloved and culturally significant species at risk.”

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

“This investment in the protection of the Caribou is not only critical to the ecological integrity of Jasper National Park, but also for future visitors to our national parks across Canada. Restoring the caribou herds to Canada’s mountain landscapes will create opportunities for Canadians and visitors from around the world to learn and experience the ecological and cultural importance of this species at risk.”

The Honourable Randy Boissonnault
Minister of Tourism, Associate Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre

“The Government of Canada is committed to fighting biodiversity loss and without intervention, the Brazeau and Tonquin caribou will disappear. We can only achieve this goal by working together, and it’s why our government supports on-the-ground initiatives for species at risk protection across the country.”

Terry Duguid
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Information

News release: Government of Canada invests in reversing biodiversity loss through conservation breeding program for caribou in Jasper National Park - Canada.ca

Jasper National Park: parks.canada.ca/caribou-jasper

Contacts

Kaitlin Power
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environme
nt and Climate Change
819-230-1557 kaitlin.power@ec.gc.ca

Media Relations
Parks Canada
1-855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca

Coming soon: What we heard during consultation on Jasper National Park’s proposed conservation breeding program and a decision in early 2023

Parks Canada is proposing a conservation breeding strategy to rebuild caribou populations in Jasper National Park. This proposed program is supported through the Government of Canada’s Nature Legacy investment.

In the spring and summer of 2022, Parks Canada formally consulted on the proposed conservation breeding program and a draft detailed impact assessment of the proposal. Indigenous and government partners, stakeholders and the public were invited to learn about the proposed program and to share their feedback through meetings (both virtual and in-person), in writing, online and through the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry. Parks Canada received a significant amount of feedback on the draft proposal and detailed impact assessment.

The questions, concerns and recommendations received during consultations have been summarized, analyzed and used to revise and strengthen the program proposal and detailed impact assessment. Whether an idea was expressed once or multiple times, Parks Canada considered each piece of feedback on an individual basis.

Combined with previous research and analysis, all feedback from consultations and a revised impact assessment will be used as the basis for Parks Canada’s decision on whether or not to proceed with the proposed conservation breeding program in Jasper National Park.

Although formal consultations on the proposed conservation breeding program and impact assessment have ended, Parks Canada will continue to engage and work together with Indigenous and government partners, stakeholders and the public on caribou recovery in Jasper National Park.

Parks Canada thanks all those who took the time to share their comments, concerns, ideas and connection to caribou in Jasper National Park.

Coming in 2023

A “what we heard” report summarizing all consultation feedback will be published online in January 2023. Information regarding whether or not Parks Canada will proceed with the caribou conservation breeding program will be made public in early 2023.

Visit parkscanada.gc.ca/caribou-jasper to learn the reasons caribou have declined in the national park, the steps Parks Canada has taken to reduce threats to caribou, and the proposal Parks Canada has for supporting caribou recovery.

Contact

Caribou Recovery Program
Jasper National Park
Email: caribou@pc.gc.ca

Reminder: Seasonal closures for caribou conservation take effect November 1

Seasonal closures in the Tonquin, Brazeau, and À la Pêche caribou ranges of Jasper National Park take effect from November 1, 2022, through to May 15, 2023.

In Jasper National Park, caribou and their habitat are protected under Canada’s National Parks Act and Species at Risk Act.

Closing critical habitat for caribou in winter prevents the creation of packed snow trails from the valley bottom to high-elevation areas. In winter, caribou are protected from predators by their high-elevation habitat, where the snow is too deep for wolves to move around without sinking. Research shows that trails packed by snowmobiles, backcountry skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers can lead wolves to prey on caribou in the very places caribou go to avoid predators.

For maps of the seasonal closure areas, visit our website at parkscanada.ca/caribou-winter-access.

The Tonquin, Brazeau, and North Boundary areas reopen to backcountry recreation between May 16 and October 31.

Parks Canada, in collaboration with partners, is working to protect and recover caribou in Jasper National Park

The number of caribou in the Tonquin and Brazeau herds is very low. Although their population has stabilized since 2015 and is no longer in a steep decline, their ongoing survival is precarious and could change quickly. When caribou herds get too small, the herds become more vulnerable to natural threats such as predators, disease, and accidents.

Parks Canada is currently assessing comments received from Indigenous partners, stakeholders and the public on a proposed conservation breeding strategy to rebuild small caribou herds in Jasper National Park. A final decision on proceeding with the caribou conservation breeding proposal is expected in 2022.

Seasonal closures in winter caribou habitat will remain in place whether or not the proposed conservation breeding program moves forward. While no new long-term closures related to caribou conservation are planned, there may be occasional, temporary or short-term closures.

For more information about Parks Canada’s conservation breeding proposal, visit our website at parkscanada.gc.ca/caribou-jasper.

Contact

Caribou Recovery Program
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-883-0391
Email: caribou@pc.gc.ca

Your input matters: Comment on caribou recovery in Jasper – now online

Parks Canada is currently seeking feedback from all Canadians on a proposed conservation breeding strategy to rebuild small caribou herds in Jasper National Park.

A final decision on whether to proceed with a caribou conservation breeding program is expected in fall 2022.

Visit parkscanada.gc.ca/caribou-jasper to learn the reasons caribou have declined in the national park, the steps Parks Canada has taken to reduce threats to caribou, and the proposal Parks Canada has for supporting caribou recovery.

Parks Canada wants to hear from you!

After reviewing information about the proposed caribou conservation breeding program, send questions, comments and concerns by:

• filling out the feedback form online or
• emailing caribou@pc.gc.ca.
• Parks Canada will accept public comments on the proposal until September 2, 2022.

Information

Website: parkscanada.gc.ca/caribou-jasper
Email: caribou@pc.gc.ca

Media inquiries

Public Relations and Communications
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca
Telephone: 780-852-6109

Changes to seasonal closures in the Tonquin Valley and other caribou ranges in Jasper National Park

October 8, 2021

Parks Canada is a recognized leader in conservation and takes actions to protect and contribute to the recovery of southern mountain caribou.

Without action, the only two caribou herds remaining entirely within Jasper will disappear. Parks Canada is focusing our efforts where they can make the most difference – in the Tonquin and Brazeau herds.

It is important to increase our efforts to protect caribou in the Tonquin and Brazeau caribou ranges and to maintain the ecological conditions needed to support a potential conservation breeding program. New conservation actions include extending the seasonal closure in the Tonquin Valley from November 1 to May 15 and discontinuing private horse use in the Tonquin Valley.

Changes to seasonal closures in the Tonquin Valley and other caribou ranges

This year, seasonal closures in the Tonquin, Brazeau, and À La Pêche caribou ranges of Jasper National Park again take effect on November 1 but will remain in place later than previous years. Access to these backcountry areas in critical habitat for caribou will be prohibited between November 1, 2021, and May 15, 2022.

In addition to extending the dates of the seasonal closures in all occupied caribou ranges, there are changes to the closure boundaries in the Maligne and Brazeau caribou ranges:

• In the Brazeau caribou range, boundaries will be expanded on the west side of Highway 93 (in the Winston Churchill mountain range) to include areas where caribou have been observed in surveys and on remote cameras over the past five years.
• The Maligne caribou range will have no access restrictions because there is no evidence that caribou remain in the Maligne herd. If caribou are observed in the Maligne caribou range in the future, the closure will be reassessed and reinstated if appropriate. Critical habitat for caribou in the Maligne range remains protected under the Canada National Parks Act and Species at Risk Act. The northern portion of the Brazeau caribou range that was historically used by both Maligne and Brazeau herds remains closed.

For a full description of the closure areas and to view detailed maps of the seasonal closures please visit: parkscanada.gc.ca/caribou-winter-access

These new measures represent stronger protection for the Tonquin and Brazeau herds and increase the likelihood of successfully rebuilding caribou herds in Jasper National Park.

This year’s changes to seasonal closures for caribou are based on ongoing research and monitoring by Parks Canada and recommendations from a scientific review of Parks Canada’s conservation breeding proposal in January 2021.

Budget 2021 made over $24 million available through the Nature Legacy program for caribou conservation in Jasper National Park. Following consultation and completion of an impact assessment, Parks Canada will decide whether or not to move forward with building a conservation breeding facility in Jasper National Park. If built, young animals born in the facility would be released into the wild Tonquin herd.

Background

Parks Canada has a responsibility to protect critical habitat for caribou under the Species at Risk Act. Seasonal closures and access restrictions are just one way that Parks Canada is protecting caribou.

Closing critical habitat for caribou in winter prevents the development of packed trails into high elevation caribou habitat.

Research shows that trails packed by backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers from the valley bottom to high elevation areas can lead wolves to prey on caribou in the very places caribou go to avoid predators.

Parks Canada continually reviews and evaluates conservation measures to adapt to changing conditions using the best available information and science.

While Parks Canada has taken steps to reduce many of the threats to caribou and create better conditions for their survival and recovery, populations are now so small that they cannot recover on their own. When caribou herds get too small, the herds become more vulnerable to natural threats such as predators, disease, and accidents.

The current predation risk to caribou from wolves is low, but wolf distribution can change quickly and have large impacts on small caribou herds in a very short time. For example, until this summer, Parks Canada had not documented wolves entering caribou habitat at high elevations at any time of year since 2016. However, GPS collars on the Sunwapta wolf pack showed the pack spending time in the Tonquin caribou range in August and September 2021.

Caribou numbers are low and their survival is precarious. Losing any of the few female caribou left in the Tonquin and Brazeau herds is one step closer to local extinction.

Current conditions in Jasper National Park support rebuilding caribou populations.

Jasper National Park has abundant habitat for caribou and ecological conditions are favourable to support caribou recovery. Using information gathered from sightings, surveys, and GPS collars, we have confirmed that there are at least 9 females in the Tonquin herd. We have also confirmed that three of these females are with calves born this spring, and there are likely four more pairings of cows and calves. This is a good indication that the Tonquin caribou are doing well despite their low numbers.

This fall, Parks Canada will continue to find out more about the Tonquin and Brazeau herds when we collect remote camera images from the last several months and conduct annual aerial surveys in October.

The long-term recovery of caribou in Jasper National Park requires a collaborative effort between Parks Canada, provincial governments, Indigenous peoples, and park users. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, nor is there one approach guaranteed to restore nature’s balance. Continued caribou monitoring and research will guide how Parks Canada adapts its conservation measures, based on changing ecological conditions and threats to caribou survival and recovery.

Information

To learn more about caribou in Jasper National Park:

Visit parkscanada.ca/caribou-jasper
Email caribou@pc.gc.ca
Join our mailing list to receive information about the caribou conservation program in Jasper National Park, including research, monitoring, conservation breeding, and consultation. Sign up on our website at parkscanada.gc.ca/jasper-mailing-list.

Media Inquiries

Neil McInnis
External Relations Manager
Tel: 780-883-0481
Email: neil.mcinnis@pc.gc.ca

Government of Canada making additional investments to support the recovery of woodland caribou in Jasper National Park

News release: www.canada.ca/en/parks-canada/news/2021/08/government-of-canada-making-additional-investments-to-support-the-recovery-of-woodland-caribou-in-jasper-national-park.html

August 10, 2021

The Government of Canada is committed to protecting biodiversity conservation and undertakes important initiatives to assist species at risk recovery and ensure that these species remain an important part of our shared natural and cultural heritage.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced plans to move forward on new and additional measures to support woodland caribou recovery in Jasper National Park. Budget 2021 has made over $24 million available through the Nature Legacy program for caribou conservation initiatives in the park.

Parks Canada wildlife specialists have been working for many years to protect habitat and support the recovery of woodland caribou herds in Jasper National Park. These specialists have collaborated with experts from universities, provincial governments, and conservation groups to explore additional measures that can help to support woodland caribou recovery. One of these is a proposal for a conservation breeding program to help rebuild caribou populations as part of the broader Multi-Species Action Plan for Jasper National Park.

As a result of today’s announced funding, Parks Canada will move forward on several fronts, including advancing detailed design work for a conservation breeding facility which will allow Parks Canada to inform the impact assessment process. Ecological integrity is Parks Canada’s first priority. Impact assessments are used to manage the impact of infrastructure projects and, when possible, increase ecological gains for park ecosystems.

Plans are also being finalized for consultation on the initiative with Indigenous partners and the general public beginning as early as fall 2021. If approved following consultation and completion of the impact assessment process, the conservation breeding facility would be built nearby in favourable caribou habitat, south of the Jasper townsite.

Parks Canada is committed to continuing to involve Indigenous peoples early and in the planning stages of the proposed conservation breeding program and to facilitating ceremonies throughout the process. Moving forward, Parks Canada will work with Indigenous partner communities to formally review the proposal and will consult Indigenous peoples about how to incorporate traditional knowledge and Indigenous ways of knowing into the proposed conservation breeding program in Jasper National Park.

Efforts to protect caribou and critical caribou habitat in Jasper National Park are part of a broader effort by federal and provincial governments as well as Indigenous partners, peoples and communities to support the recovery of woodland caribou across Canada.

Quote

“The woodland caribou is an iconic species that is an important part of the natural and cultural history of Canada. Through this important initiative, the Government of Canada is moving forward with concrete action to assist the species in its recovery within the boundaries of Jasper National Park – a special protected place that provides the best scenario for a successful conservation effort. This funding will support Parks Canada to take further action to protect ecological integrity and contribute to the recovery of species at risk.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

Information

News release: www.canada.ca/en/parks-canada/news/2021/08/government-of-canada-making-additional-investments-to-support-the-recovery-of-woodland-caribou-in-jasper-national-park.html

Jasper National Park: parkscanada.gc.ca/caribou-jasper

Contacts

Joanna Sivasankaran
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-790-1907
joanna.sivasankaran@ec.gc.ca

Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.medias-media.pc@canada.ca

Amélie Rivera
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Jasper National Park
780-883-0020
amelie.rivera@canada.ca

Parks Canada is focused on long-term caribou recovery in Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is fortunate to be home to one of Canada’s most iconic wildlife species, the woodland caribou. Caribou that live in Jasper National Park are part of a subset of woodland caribou herds called southern mountain caribou. Many of these herds have been getting smaller over the last several decades and both the Maligne herd and Banff herd have disappeared.

Caribou continue to persist in small numbers in the Tonquin and Brazeau herds of Jasper National Park, and in larger numbers in the À La Pêche herd on Jasper’s northern boundary.

An ongoing conservation program has helped to identify and reduce threats to this species-at-risk. Parks Canada is implementing actions set out in the Multi-Species Action Plan for Jasper National Park (2017) to support caribou conservation and recovery. Parks Canada is using the best science available to make evidence-based decisions about the actions that will most benefit caribou.

Caribou recovery in Canada requires diverse actions that will vary according to local populations' habitat conditions and status

Efforts to protect caribou and critical caribou habitat in Jasper National Park are part of a broader effort by federal and provincial governments as well as Indigenous partners, peoples and communities to support the recovery of woodland caribou across Canada.

In 2020, the Government of Canada reached agreements for the protection of southern mountain caribou with the Saulteau and West Moberly First Nations of British Columbia, and with the Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.

Parks Canada is committed to building strong and mutually beneficial working relationships with Indigenous peoples. Jasper National Park is located in Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 territories, as well as the traditional territories of the Beaver, Cree, Ojibway, Shuswap, Stoney and Métis.

More than twenty Indigenous communities, representing six unique linguistic and cultural groups, have a historical connection to Jasper National Park including First Nation, non-Status, and Métis groups in Alberta and British Columbia. Together, we address common interests and work on achieving common goals that support healing and reconnecting to the land.

Parks Canada is working with Indigenous peoples, provinces and territories to protect, manage, and recover caribou across the country, including in Jasper National Park. Recovery actions for caribou in Jasper are guided by the Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou, Southern Mountain population (2014) and the Multi-Species Action Plan for Jasper National Park (2017), both of which were developed in cooperation with Indigenous partners, local and regional stakeholders, and provincial and federal agencies.

Critical caribou habitat throughout Jasper National Park is protected under the Canada National Parks Act and Species at Risk Act

Critical habitat for Woodland Caribou, Southern Mountain population is identified within the Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou, Southern Mountain population in Canada (2014).

Environment and Climate Change Canada is currently leading a process to update this Recovery Strategy to better include Indigenous Knowledge and language, and to clarify the identification of critical habitat (including the development of more fine-scale maps).

Parks Canada has mapped and protects the different types of critical habitat in Jasper National Park that are identified within the Recovery Strategy. This includes the core ranges that caribou use and surrounding habitat, called matrix ranges, where changes to predator and prey species like wolves, deer, elk, and moose have important influences on caribou.

Parks Canada is collaborating with Environment and Climate Change Canada to include these fine-scale maps of the critical habitat that is protected in Jasper National Park in the upcoming amended Recovery Strategy.

There is strong scientific support for using conservation breeding to rebuild caribou populations in Jasper National Park

Working with partners and experts, Parks Canada has developed a proposal to rebuild the Tonquin and Brazeau caribou herds, and eventually the Maligne herd, in Jasper National Park through conservation breeding.

In January 2021, Parks Canada hosted a virtual workshop to review the scientific evidence that Parks Canada had developed towards conservation breeding in Jasper National Park, facilitated by Foundations of Success.

A group of nearly 50 specialists in caribou ecology and conservation breeding came together from academia, environmental non-governmental organizations, research institutes, international conservation organizations, zoos, and federal and provincial governments and Aseniwuche Winewak Nation, a steward community of the À La Pêche herd on Jasper’s northern boundary.

As a result of this scientific review, Parks Canada is confident that there is strong scientific support for using conservation breeding as a way to increase caribou populations in Jasper National Park.

Following the scientific review, Parks Canada is confident that:

• without our help, the Tonquin and Brazeau herds will disappear and caribou will not return to the historic Maligne Range
• other strategies to increase the population size of caribou herds in Jasper National Park are not likely to be effective
• the threats that originally caused the decline of caribou populations in Jasper National Park have been reduced as a result of our conservation actions and long-term changes to elk and wolf populations in the park
• current conditions in Jasper National Park support rebuilding caribou populations

The proposed conservation breeding program is feasible, as long as:

• Parks Canada can secure suitable sources of wild caribou
• predators and long-term climate changes are monitored and mitigated
• Parks Canada continues to review conservation actions to support caribou recovery, including mitigations for winter activities in the Tonquin Valley
• the program is adapted based on what is learned along the way

The scientific review workshop helped to identify areas that require more consideration, including:

• where source animals will come from
• how to give caribou the best chance of survival once they are released back into the wild
• how to protect a conservation breeding facility from wildfire
• how to mitigate the long-term effects of climate change

The broad support of the scientific community suggests that Parks Canada is on the right track with its measures to support caribou recovery in Jasper National Park. While science is the basis for decisions about caribou recovery, it is just one piece of a puzzle.

Parks Canada is committed to continuing to involve Indigenous peoples early and in the planning stages of the proposed conservation breeding program and facilitating ceremony throughout the process.

Moving forward, Parks Canada will work with Indigenous partner communities to:

• formally review the conservation breeding proposal
• consult on ways to integrate Indigenous Knowledge into the proposed conservation breeding program
• ensure there are economic and employment opportunities throughout the construction and operation of the proposed conservation breeding program
• ensure there are opportunities for Indigenous peoples to participate in decision-making in the program’s proposed governing committees

Parks Canada has a solid foundation to move forward with other pieces of the puzzle, including reviewing our current conservation measures, increasing monitoring of the Tonquin herd, securing suitable source animals for conservation breeding, addressing areas identified in the workshop that require more consideration, assessing the environmental impact of the project, consulting Indigenous peoples and Canadians, and refining the details of the conservation breeding and herd augmentation proposal.

Research and monitoring: How do we know what we know?

Decisions made by Parks Canada regarding caribou recovery rely on scientific evidence and are based on the knowledge that Parks Canada biologists have acquired as part of a dedicated research and monitoring program for caribou in Jasper National Park.

Jasper National Park uses a variety of methods to collect information about caribou, deer, elk, and wolves. This information helps us understand the relationships between these animals, how they use habitat in the park, and trends in their populations over time.

Populations are now too small to calculate population estimates in the Brazeau herd, but we are able to determine a minimum number for the herd based on the number of animals seen and the results from DNA genetic analysis of caribou scat.

Aerial surveys

• Aerial surveys of caribou are done by flying over caribou habitat in a helicopter and counting the number of caribou that are spotted.
• Biologists can collect information from this count about the minimum number of caribou that they saw and the number of calves and cows.
• This data is critical to helping us understand how the population is changing.

Scat samples

• Scat samples are collected during the survey to help estimate population size, survival, the ratio of males and females, and the number of calves.
• Frozen scat carries the animal’s DNA and allows us to identify individual caribou by comparing their genetics.
• Scat DNA takes time to collect, process, genotype, and then run through statistical models, which means the results are typically delayed by a year.

Remote cameras

• We use images from nearly 100 wildlife cameras to understand how animals are using their habitat within the park.
• From these images, we can learn a lot about where caribou and wolves spend their time and at what time of year, how many wolves are in a pack, and when wolves are spending time in caribou habitat.

Radio collars/GPS tracking

• Radio collars are used to monitor a variety of species in Jasper National Park. The collars collect animal location data and transmit data to biologists via satellite.
• Parks Canada previously collared caribou in JNP between 2003 and 2010. Parks Canada stopped collaring after 2010 to use less invasive monitoring techniques including aerial surveys, scat DNA analysis and remote cameras.
• In order to collect additional information about caribou in the Tonquin range, Parks Canada worked with experienced professionals to fit six female caribou in the Tonquin with GPS collars in March 2021.
• Using collars again will allow us to understand the current causes of mortality in the Tonquin herd (where, when and how), and will help us better understand how to prevent caribou deaths. GPS monitoring is also needed to inform a potential conservation breeding program.

Population modelling

• Parks Canada worked with the University of Montana to develop an Integrated Population Model for caribou data.
• This means that we can put together all of the data we have collected about caribou to get better information about the number of animals in the herds, the survival and reproductive rates of males and females at different life stages, and population trends.

Parks Canada is reviewing both the boundaries and dates of winter access restrictions in caribou habitat for winter 2021–2022

In addition to year-round conservation measures and habitat protections, seasonal closures in all caribou ranges have been in place from November 1 to February 15 in the Tonquin range and March 1 in the Maligne-Brazeau and À La Pêche ranges since 2014.

In winter, caribou are protected from predators by their high elevation habitat, where the snow is too deep for wolves to move around without sinking. Area closures prevent people from packing down trails into caribou habitat. Wolves can then use to access areas that are naturally less accessible to them in winter.

The reopening dates between February 15 and March 1 were selected in consultation with experts and stakeholders in 2013. Parks Canada's considerations included information about caribou populations and habitat use, wolf behaviours and habitat use, and opportunities for people to access the backcountry in Jasper National Park.

Parks Canada has always maintained the possibility of adapting winter access restrictions in response to changing conditions. Caribou populations and the density of wolves and how they use habitat in Jasper National Park have changed since closures were first implemented in 2009 and then expanded in 2014.

Wolf populations are dynamic and play an important role in caribou conservation.

Data about wolf habitat use collected through radio collars and remote cameras shows that wolves are spending most of their time in the valley bottoms where they find their primary prey of elk, deer, and moose. As a result of winter habitat closures and declining wolf numbers, we have not documented wolves entering caribou habitat at high elevations at any time of year since 2016. The current predation risk to caribou from wolves is lower than ever.

It is important to know, however, that wolf distribution can change quickly and have large impacts on small caribou herds in a very short time. While wolves in Jasper National Park are currently using lower elevation habitat, we continue to see wolves travelling on packed trails throughout the park and any trails into caribou habitat can increase the risk of caribou encountering a wolf.

The number of caribou in the Tonquin and Brazeau herds is very low, and although their population has stabilized since 2015 and is no longer in a steep decline, their ongoing survival is precarious and could change quickly.

While the current winter access restrictions are effective and have support and compliance from recreation users, caribou in Jasper National Park are still in danger of extirpation. Parks Canada is reviewing both the boundaries and dates of winter access restrictions in caribou habitat for 2021–2022 to ensure our efforts are focused on what is most effective.

Parks Canada would like to thank the individuals and experts from the following organizations and groups for their contribution to the caribou program and the scientific review workshop:

• Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada
• African Lion Safari
• Calgary Zoo Foundation
• Canadian Wildlife Service
• Caribou Conservation Breeding Foundation
• DeerLab
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• fRI Research
• Government of Alberta
• Government of British Columbia
• International Union for Conservation of Nature
• Kirby Smith, Borealis Wildlife Services Ltd.
• Korkeasaari Zoo
• Metsähallitus
• Oso Mono Ltd.
• Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
• Speedgoat Wildlife Solutions
• The Wilds
• Toronto Zoo
• University of Alaska Fairbanks
• University of British Columbia
• University of Calgary
• University of Montana
• University of Northern British Columbia
• United States Fish & Wildlife Service
• WildForestReindeerLIFE
• Wildlife Preservation Canada
• Wildlife Service Finland
• Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
• Yukon Wildlife Preserve

More information

To learn more about caribou in Jasper National Park visit our website at: parkscanada.ca/caribou-jasper Email: pc.caribou.pc@canada.ca

Join our mailing list

If you would like to receive information about the caribou conservation program in Jasper National Park including research and monitoring and conservation breeding please sign up on our website at: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasper-mailing-list

Media inquiries

Steve Young, Public Relations and Communications Officer
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: steven.young@canada.ca

Parks Canada is committed to preserving national parks and protecting the wildlife that are an integral part of these places

Jasper National Park is fortunate to be home to one of Canada’s most iconic wildlife species, the woodland caribou. An ongoing conservation program has helped to identify and reduce threats to this species-at-risk. This caribou research and monitoring program provides Parks Canada with the ability to make evidence-based decisions, using the best science available, to assist in caribou recovery.

Parks Canada has acted to reduce many of the influences on caribou decline in Jasper National Park, including:

• handling roadkill differently to prevent predator population growth;
• restricting access to occupied caribou ranges in winter so human trails and roads don’t give wolves easy access to the herds;
• protecting caribou from being disturbed by drones and aircraft;
• protecting caribou from traffic incidents with reduced speed zones.

Taking these steps created better conditions for caribou survival as well as caribou recovery. Research and monitoring now indicate that current conditions in Jasper National Park can support larger caribou populations, however, the remaining herds are too small to recover on their own.

Caribou recovery in Canada requires diverse actions that will vary according to the habitat condition and status of local populations.

Caribou continue to persist in small numbers in the Tonquin and Brazeau herds of Jasper National Park, and in the À La Pêche herd on Jasper’s northern boundary. Parks Canada has determined that a fourth herd, the Maligne, is no longer present.

Parks Canada is implementing actions set out in the Multi-Species Action Plan for Jasper National Park (2017) to support caribou conservation and recovery, including assessing the feasibility of additional measures to enhance protections for caribou and their habitat and to augment caribou populations in Jasper National Park towards self-sufficiency.

Parks Canada has been investigating the feasibility of developing a caribou conservation breeding program and is now at the point where a proposal will undergo a review by external experts.

Efforts to protect caribou and critical caribou habitat in Jasper National Park are part of a broader effort by federal and provincial governments as well as Indigenous partners, peoples and communities to support the recovery of woodland caribou across Canada.

The Government of Canada is working with provinces and Indigenous peoples to stabilize caribou populations and help them recover. The government is investing in measures to preserve critical habitat and, in February 2020, finalized two agreements for the protection of Southern Mountain caribou with the Province of British Columbia and the Saulteau and West Moberly First Nations. The Government of Canada also announced on October 23, 2020, that a conservation agreement under the Species at Risk Act has been signed with the Province of Alberta that commits to taking actions required to support woodland caribou recovery in Alberta.

Caribou in the Maligne Valley persisted with less than ten animals for nearly 15 years until they were last observed in 2018.

There is no evidence that caribou remain in the Maligne Range. Six separate aerial surveys of the Maligne Range (three in fall 2018, two in 2019, and most recently in October 2020) have not located any caribou or caribou tracks. In Jasper National Park, annual surveys of caribou are done by flying over caribou habitat and counting the number of caribou that are spotted. This number is a minimum count – biologists can say for certain that there is at least the number of caribou that they saw. This is done in the fall when there is snow on the ground and caribou or their tracks are most easily seen in the alpine.

The Maligne herd experienced its most rapid decline between 1998 when biologists counted 68 caribou, and 2005, when the herd consisted of less than five females and ten animals total. While this very small herd of caribou persisted in the area for nearly 15 years, a population with less than 10 reproductive females is considered functionally extirpated.

In October 2017, DNA evidence and observations in Hardisty Pass indicated that the Maligne herd had four members, consisting of an adult female called C118 and three younger animals. Five months later, in March 2018, the adult female was found dead of unknown causes. C118 was the last collared caribou in the Maligne herd and was ten years old at the time of her death. It was unknown how many other caribou remained, but tracks and scat at the site offered evidence that other caribou were present with the collared female. Surveys in the years following found no signs of caribou in the Maligne Range.

Adding to year-round conservation measures and habitat protections, seasonal closures in important winter caribou habitat come in to effect on November 1.

Winter closures protect over 3200 km² of winter habitat for caribou in Jasper National Park from November to March. The purpose of these closures is to prevent people from creating trails that wolves can use to prey on caribou in places that are otherwise inaccessible. Research shows that trails packed by backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers can lead wolves to prey on caribou in high elevation areas where caribou go to avoid predators.

Since seasonal closures in caribou winter ranges were first implemented in 2009, Parks Canada has collected data about wolf habitat use through radio collars and remote cameras. This tracking data shows that wolves are more likely to use caribou habitat and valleys when trails exist and that because of closures and declining wolf numbers, fewer incursions into caribou habitat have been documented. Seasonal closures remain an important conservation tool in all occupied caribou habitat in Jasper National Park.

For maps of the seasonal closure areas, visit our website at parkscanada.ca/caribou-winter-access.

Boundaries of the winter caribou habitat closure in the Maligne Range will change for the 2020-2021 season.

Parks Canada reviewed the closure boundary based on the evidence that no caribou remain in the Maligne Range. Considerations included the likelihood that caribou remain in the Maligne Range, patterns of caribou and wolf use in the area, the number of wolves in the park, Parks Canada’s responsibility to protect critical caribou habitat under the Species at Risk Act, high compliance with the existing closure, and feedback from environmental organizations and park users.

As of November 1, 2020, the boundaries of the winter caribou habitat closure in the Maligne Range will change to allow some limited opportunities for recreation, while maintaining 96% of the area of the Maligne-Brazeau seasonal closure that keeps a large area of the park free from human disturbance for four months of the year.

This means that winter access to some terrain in the Bald Hills and the area between Big Shovel and Little Shovel Passes is no longer restricted. Two trails allow access to these two separate areas:

• Jeffery Creek Trail, accessed by crossing the Maligne River at Rosemary’s Rock
• Bald Hills Trail, accessed from the parking lot at the end of Maligne Lake Road

Travel along the Skyline Trail between Little Shovel Pass and the Bald Hills will not be permitted until after March 1, 2021.

Critical caribou habitat throughout the national park remains protected under the National Parks Act and Species at Risk Act.

In the event that caribou are observed in the Maligne Range in the future, the closure will be reassessed and reinstated at any time if appropriate. There is no change to seasonal caribou closures in the Brazeau, Tonquin or À La Pêche Ranges from 2019-2020.

Dogs remain prohibited from all alpine environments in the Maligne Range year-round, including the Bald Hills and Skyline trails. For the safety of visitors, dogs and wildlife, dogs are not allowed in some backcountry areas of national parks to protect sensitive environments.

Information
To learn more about caribou in Jasper National Park visit our website at parkscanada.ca/caribou-jasper.

Media inquiries
Steve Young, Public Relations and Communications Officer
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: steven.young@canada.ca

Wildfire Update, July 22, 2024 @1930

Parks Canada fire crews and the Jasper Fire Department are responding to a wildfire around the transfer station, located approximately 9 km northeast of the Jasper townsite.

Fire specialists are on site assessing the situation. We will provide an update when new information is available.

Utopia wildfire July 22, 2024

Fire crews are out on the ground again today working on the Utopia wildfire perimeter, establishing control on two sides and working towards connecting them. The heat, steep grade and technical terrain make moving people and gear challenging. The only water supply for fire hoses is from a water tank reservoir that is being continually filled by helicopter buckets.

While crews are making steady progress each day, firefighting efforts will continue for at least several more days. No significant open flames have been observed in recent days due to fire crew’s direct suppression efforts.

Information continues to be available on the Jasper National Park website and Facebook and X.

Regional wildfire situation

Jasper National Park and Alberta Wildfire are partners in wildfire response and communicating daily about fire behavior, weather forecasting and available resources.

There are active wildfires in the Edson Forest Protection Area adjacent to Jasper National Park. Overall, there is increased wildfire activity in Alberta and British Columbia. For information and updates visit Alberta Wildfire and BC Wildfire.

Throwback: Water bucketing training

Wildfire readiness and response is an ongoing activity in Jasper National Park. It turns out a water bucketing training exercise on July 16 was timely practice and training for new crew members!

Water bucketing is a fire suppression technique that involves dropping water from a helicopter to target hotspots and prevent wildfire spread.

The training included practicing water drops using a 100' long line and bucket from an Astar B3 helicopter. Crews focused on communication between the ground crew and the pilot to coordinate line drops, spot drops, and precise water drops.

Stay informed

• Jasper National Park fire information and updates
• Closure and restrictions: parks.canada.ca/jasper-alerts
• Alberta fire bans: albertafirebans.ca
• Smoke forecast: firesmoke.ca
• 511AB: 511.alberta.ca

Contact: jnpfireinfo@pc.gc.ca

Wildfire update July 21, 2024

Parks Canada fire crews extinguished the Needle Creek wildfire at 2:00 p.m. today.

Current conditions in Jasper National Park are smoky. Smoke is drifting in from wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia. For air quality information, visit Environment Canada's weather and air quality alerts.

A fire ban remains in effect in Jasper National Park due to the extreme fire danger rating and persistent hot and dry weather.

Ongoing wildfire activity

Fire crews continue to work towards containing Utopia wildfire in Jasper National Park. There are no immediate threats to the town of Jasper or nearby communities from the Utopia wildfire.

Utopia wildfire remains less than 2 hectares in size, with no significant fire growth or spread since the initial response on July 19.

Fire crews are making progress on establishing a controlled perimeter despite hot temperatures and steep terrain. Today, crews cleared a helicopter landing spot, set up a portable water tank, removed dangerous trees and cleared access points.

The fire continues to smoke, smoulder and burn deeply into forest fuels and the soils. No significant open flames were observed yesterday, or today, thanks to direct suppression from water bucketing and crews pumping water on to the perimeter.

Ready to respond

Parks Canada firefighters conduct daily smoke patrols by helicopter to monitor for new wildfires and quickly respond to any new wildfire starts. Report any wildfires, illegal campfires, or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch at 780-852-6155 or call 9-1-1.

Miette Hot Springs area

Miette Hot Springs and Fiddle Fiddle River Valley backcountry are temporarily closed to the public due to the location of the wildfire about 2 kilometres away and to allow fire crews to safely operate in the area.

Parks Canada has proactively installed a high-volume sprinkler system to protect the Miette Hot Springs pool facilities, utilities, and Miette Bungalows.

Open:

• Miette Hot Springs Bungalows and Restaurant
• Miette Campground
• Miette Mountain Cabins

The Miette Road is only accessible to guests and staff at Miette Hot Springs Bungalows, Miette Campground, and Miette Mountain Cabins.

Closed:

• Miette Hot Springs Pool Facilities
• Sulphur Skyline Trail
• Source of the Springs Trail
• Ashlar Ridge
• Utopia Campground
• Slide Creek Campground
• Whitehorse Campground

Photos from the field

What’s it like to fight wildfires? Hot? Physically demanding? Rewarding? Parks Canada wildland fire management personnel are highly trained professionals in wildfire readiness and response. Here are some images captured by firefighters on the ground.

Park your drones at home

Using unauthorized drones in the park is illegal and can result in a fine of up to $25,000.

Unauthorized drones interfere with firefighting efforts and create hazards for aircraft, staff and contractors. Drone use can force aircraft to be grounded, delaying firefighting response. Careless drone use endangers the lives of our wildfire response teams, both in the air and on the ground.

Stay informed

Updates will be provided daily and as new information becomes available.

• Jasper National Park: facebook.com/JasperNP
• 511AB: 511.alberta.ca
• Smoke forecast: firesmoke.ca
• Closure and restrictions: parks.canada.ca/jasper-alerts
• Alberta fire bans: albertafirebans.ca
• Alberta Wildfire: wildfire.alberta.ca

Join our fire information mailing list

Email: jnpfireinfo@pc.gc.ca

Wildfire update July 20, 2024

Parks Canada fire crews are making progress towards containing three wildfires in Jasper National Park. All are located more than 50 km (driving distance) from the Town of Jasper and pose no immediate threat to the community or nearby communities at this time.

Parks Canada has 40 staff and four helicopters dedicated to extinguishing these fires. The Bald Hills wildfire is now extinguished and Needle Peak wildfire is under control.

Jasper National Park remains open except Miette Hot Springs and Fiddle River Valley backcountry are closed to the public. It is important to be aware of firefighting operations and to check Jasper National Park social media and important bulletins for the most up-to-date information about wildfire response, closures and restrictions.

Utopia wildfire

• Estimated size: 2 hectares
• Location: High above Utopia Pass, about 2 km from Miette Hot Springs
• Cause: Lightning
• Reported: By staff at 10:30 pm on July 18, 2024
• Response: Jasper National Park monitored the Utopia wildfire throughout the night with satellite infrared imaging. On Saturday, ground crews will be able to support firefighting efforts in steep terrain with continued bucketing. Structural protection is in progress on facilities at the Hot Springs and Miette Bungalows. This area is under a proactive evacuation alert.
• Restricted access: Miette Hot Springs Road is only open to guests and staff of Miette Bungalows, Miette Campground, and Miette Mountain Cabins.

Needle Peak wildfire

• Size: 0.3 hectare
• Location: Remote Simon Creek drainage in the Whirlpool Valley
• Status: Under Control
• Cause: Lightning
• Reported: By staff on a smoke flight at 8:30 pm on July 18, 2024
• Response: Ground firefighters and helicopter bucketing are working to extinguish this wildfire.

Bald Hills wildfire

• Size: 0.2 hectare
• Location: Bald Hills area west of Maligne Lake
• Status: Extinguished
• Cause: Lightning
• Reported: By staff at 8:00 pm on July 19, 2024
• Response: Helicopter bucketing was deployed within 20 minutes of receiving the report. On Saturday, a helicopter bucketed the wildfire from small water bodies south of the summit of Bald Hills with support of ground crews.

Closures and openings

Closed:

• Miette Hot Springs Pool Facilities
• Sulphur Skyline Trail
• Source of the Springs Trail
• Ashlar Ridge
• Utopia Campground
• Slide Creek Campground
• Whitehorse Campground

Open:

• Miette Bungalows
• Miette Campground
• Miette Mountain Cabins
• Maligne Lake Road and Maligne Lake

Safety of people and property is always Parks Canada’s priority

Parks Canada fire personnel continue to monitor for new wildfires and are ready to respond to any new starts.

• You are responsible for your own safety. Backcountry hikers should be aware of current fire danger and check trail condition reports.
• It is illegal to fly a drone in a National Park. In a wildfire situation, drones pose unacceptable risks to aircraft, Parks Canada staff and contractors. Being caught flying a drone can result in a court appearance and fine of up to $25,000.

Sunny weather and dry temperatures are expected to keep the fire danger rating extreme through the weekend. Do your part to prevent human-caused wildfires.

• A fire ban remains in place for all of Jasper National Park and the Town of Jasper until further notice.
• Do not throw cigarettes on the ground. Put them out and discard them in a bin.
• Report any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch: 780-852-6155 or call 911.

Stay informed

Updates will be provided as the situation develops.

• Jasper National Park: facebook.com/JasperNP
• 511AB: 511.alberta.ca
• Smoke forecast: firesmoke.ca
• Closure and restrictions: parks.canada.ca/jasper-alerts
• Alberta fire bans: albertafirebans.ca
• Alberta Wildfire: wildfire.alberta.ca

Join our fire information mailing list

Email: jnpfireinfo@pc.gc.ca

Wildfire update July 19, 2024

Parks Canada fire crews are responding to three wildfires in Jasper National Park. All are located more than 50 km (driving distance) from the Town of Jasper and pose no immediate threat to the community or nearby communities at this time.

A new wildfire reported at 8:00 pm on July 19, 2024 is approximately 2 km west of Moose Lake Loop at Maligne Lake. The wildfire is about 0.2 hectares in size. Parks Canada is using two helicopters with water buckets to contain the fire. We will provide an update when new information is available.

Utopia wildfire

Utopia wildfire was reported Thursday evening, July 18, high above Utopia Pass and about 2 km from Miette Hot Springs. This lightning-caused wildfire is about 2 hectares in size, burning near treeline on steep slopes. Parks Canada is using helicopter bucketing to contain this wildfire.

Miette Hot Springs and Fiddle River backcountry closed

Due to how close the wildfire is to Miette Hot Springs, and to support firefighting efforts, an evacuation alert has been issued for Miette Hot Springs and Miette Bungalows.

Parks Canada has closed Miette Hot Springs, Sulphur Skyline Trail, Source of the Springs Trail, Ashlar Ridge, Utopia Campground, Slide Creek Campground, and Whitehorse Campground. This closure is happening out of an abundance of caution and to enable Parks Canada fire operations to stage out of the Miette Hot Springs area.

Miette Hot Springs Road is accessible only to guests and staff at Miette Bungalows, Miette Campground, and Miette Mountain Cabins.

Needle Peak wildfire

Last night’s lightning started a second wildfire in the Simon Creek drainage, on the slopes of Needle Peak in a remote valley of the park. Firefighters on the ground and helicopter bucketing are holding this wildfire at less than one hectare in size. No people, trails or infrastructure are impacted by this wildfire.

Safety of people and property is always Parks Canada’s priority

Hot and dry conditions persist and more lightning occurred today. Parks Canada fire personnel continue to monitor for new wildfires and are ready to respond to any new starts.

Additional regional Parks Canada resources, including Incident Management Team members and Initial Attack crews, can be mobilized within hours, and national resources within 2 days, to assist with managing large wildfire events.

Sunny weather and dry temperatures are expected to keep the fire danger rating extreme through the weekend. Do your part to prevent human-caused wildfires.

• A fire ban remains in place for all of Jasper National Park and the Town of Jasper until further notice.
• Do not throw cigarettes on the ground. Put them out and discard them in a bin.
• Report any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch: 780-852-6155 or call 911.

Stay informed

Updates will be provided as the situation develops.

• Jasper National Park: facebook.com/JasperNP
• 511AB: 511.alberta.ca
• Smoke forecast: firesmoke.ca
• Closure and restrictions: parks.canada.ca/jasper-alerts
• Alberta Fire Bans: albertafirebans.ca
• Alberta Wildfire: wildfire.alberta.ca

Join our Fire Information mailing list

Email: jnpfireinfo@pc.gc.ca

Fire ban in Jasper National Park

Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper are coordinating efforts to implement a fire ban in Jasper National Park.

Effective July 12, 2024, a fire ban will be in place in Jasper National Park and the Jasper Municipality until further notice. This measure aims to prevent human-caused wildfires.

Currently, there are no active wildfires in Jasper National Park. However, hot and dry weather has increased the Fire Danger Rating to EXTREME. The low precipitation in spring has led to unseasonably dry conditions, further elevating the risk of wildfires.

To ensure safety, a dedicated team of fire personnel and a helicopter are ready to respond to any wildfires. They conduct helicopter patrols daily to monitor the park for any signs of wildfires. Implementing the fire ban reduces the likelihood of human-caused wildfires, helping to protect visitors, residents and wildlife in the park.

Report any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch: 780-852-6155 or call 911.

Fire ban information

The decision to implement a fire ban is based on an assessment of local fire hazards, current and forecasted weather conditions, the amount of moisture in vegetation, the regional wildfire situation, and the availability of responders and equipment. This list is available online at parks.canada.ca/jasper-fire-ban

Fire ban in Jasper townsite

The Municipality of Jasper is implementing a fire ban in the Town of Jasper starting July 12, 2024. The Fire Chief has the authority to issue a fire ban in the Town of Jasper. For more information about the fire ban in the municipality, visit: Municipality of Jasper - (jasper-alberta.ca).

More information

• Jasper National Park: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate
• Alberta Wildfire: wildfire.alberta.ca
• Alberta Fire Bans: albertafirebans.ca
• Join our Fire Information mailing list
• Email: jnpfireinfo@pc.gc.ca

Wildfire preparedness

Parks Canada takes wildfire preparedness seriously and protects communities from wildfire through risk reduction programs, prescribed fires, specialized training, response planning and practice scenarios.

Jasper National Park and much of Western Canada experienced unusually warm and dry weather this winter. The annual snowpack at the valley bottom measured about 50% less than average. This trend, along with consecutive years of low snow levels, underscores the importance of managing landscapes to be more resilient to climate change.

In response to these conditions, a team of fire personnel are ready and available to respond quickly to wildfire incidents in the Jasper National Park. When the fire danger is elevated, fire crews conduct regular patrols to check for wildfires, smoke and illegal campfires. The safety of people is the top priority for Parks Canada in all fire management operations.

Current conditions

There are currently no active wildfires in Jasper National Park.

The current fire danger is MODERATE. Although Jasper National Park has received scattered showers combined with cool nighttime temperatures this past month, long term dry conditions can rapidly increase the fire danger and the likelihood of human-caused wildfire in the park.

As conditions change, the updated fire danger level can be found on the Jasper National Park website at parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate.

Parks Canada firefighting preparedness

Jasper National Park’s wildfire management team is equipped and ready for the upcoming season. The team includes two initial attack crews, each with approximately four members, supported by a fire and vegetation specialist, a fire management officer and two fire technicians. These professionals monitor weather stations, maintain and test technical equipment, analyze data and develop plans for prescribed fires, wildfire risk reduction and overall wildfire preparedness.

To ensure comprehensive readiness, fire crews complete extensive planning and preparation activities including the following:

• Maintain physical fitness, review annual training materials and test equipment;
• Update emergency and evacuation plans in collaboration with the Municipality of Jasper;
• Maintain annual training requirements, including Incident Command System courses, Basic Wildland Fire Management, chainsaw operation and first aid; and
• Hold pre-season meetings with provincial partners from Prince George, British Columbia, and Edson, Alberta, to align on emergency response protocols.

Preparedness levels are adjusted based on current wildfire conditions and how dry the ground cover is with Parks Canada proactively ensuring that all resources are in place and fully equipped, and that personnel are trained for the challenges the wildfire season may present.

Sharing resources

The key to wildfire preparedness is collaboration. Parks Canada collaborates with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners and local communities to ensure appropriate wildfire readiness and response.

Parks Canada maintains dedicated teams of fire personnel across the country that can be deployed quickly to assist in managing wildfires anywhere in Canada. Additional resources may be acquired as needed through Parks Canada’s Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre partners and contract service agreements. Parks Canada supports provincial wildfire management efforts to the best of our ability when asked.

Collaborative Efforts in Action: Joint Emergency Tabletop Evacuation Exercise

This spring, Jasper National Park and the Municipality of Jasper engaged in a collaborative tabletop exercise, a structured simulation crucial for practicing and refining community-wide emergency evacuation procedures. This exercise assembled diverse teams from both organizations, enhancing strategic planning and bolstering intergovernmental coordination, each of which are essential components of emergency preparedness.

“This type of exercise is invaluable to emergency preparedness,” says Katie Ellsworth, a fire management officer at Jasper National Park. “It allows our team to fully understand different roles within the incident management framework, identify any gaps in our evacuation plan, and critically assess the necessary resources—both personnel and equipment—required for a large-scale evacuation.”

These joint efforts are essential for ensuring that both Jasper National Park and the community are prepared for hazards and emergencies.

Be prepared for wildfire season

Wildfires are a natural and frequent part of Canada’s mountain national parks. Here’s how to be prepared in the event of a wildfire:

• Fuel up: Have enough fuel in your tank to get to your next destination.
• Know where you are: Know your location to better understand directions.
• Communicate: Share your travel plans with friends or family.

Want to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies? Visit getprepared.gc.ca for tips from the Government of Canada and jasper-alberta.com for local resources.

More information

• Jasper National Park: parks.canada.ca/jasperfireupdate
• Join our Fire Information mailing list
• Municipality of Jasper: Emergency Information
• Government of Canada: Get prepared
• Alberta Wildfire: wildfire.alberta.ca
• Alberta Fire Bans: albertafirebans.ca
• Alberta Emergency Alerts: Alberta Emergency Alerts
• Road conditions and closures in Alberta: Alberta 511

Report any sign of wildfire to Parks Canada Dispatch at 780-852-6155 or call 911.

Wildfire Preparedness Information Session

Join us on April 24, 2024
Jasper Activity Centre, Multi-Purpose Hall (303 Bonhomme Street)
Doors open at 6:30 pm
Presentations start at 7:00 pm
Question and answer period to follow

Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper are inviting residents to an information session on wildfire preparedness, mitigation and response efforts in Jasper.

Presentation topics will include:

• Wildfire risk reduction plans and FireSmart initiatives
• Equipment and training
• Wildfire response and emergency management
• Alerts and communications

Presenters:

• Landon Shepherd, Fire and Vegetation Specialist, Parks Canada
• Katie Ellsworth, Fire Management Officer, Parks Canada
• David Argument, Resource Conservation Manager, Parks Canada
• Christine Nadon, Director of Protective & Legislative Services, Municipality of Jasper
• Mathew Conte, Fire Chief, Municipality of Jasper
• Greg Van Tighem, FireSmart Program Coordinator, Municipality of Jasper

"Following the events of summer 2023, we understand that wildfire is on people’s minds, and we want to answer questions from the public directly and openly before the 2024 fire season picks up. Significant wildfire risk reduction work has been completed in Jasper National Park over the last few years to reduce the risks to residents and visitors, and to mitigate the potential impacts of wildfires. This information session is an opportunity for residents to come and ask questions directly to fire specialists – the people on the ground."

"Our team’s commitment to community safety and wildfire preparedness has never been stronger. We have been working diligently to improve our community’s readiness and resilience by investing in equipment and training, enhancing our wildfire response and emergency management capacity, and streamlining alerts and communications. Please join us on April 24 to engage with our staff, understand the current plans and processes, and learn how your own preparedness contributes to our collective safety."

Highlights of topics discussed will be shared after the event.

Information and media enquiries

• jnpfireinfo@pc.gc.ca
• parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate
• jasper-alberta.ca/p/emergency-information

Parks Canada
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Municipality of Jasper
Amanda Stevens
Communications Manager
astevens@jasper-alberta.ca

2023 Wildfire Season Summary

Thank you to our dedicated wildfire personnel

As the end of 2023 approaches, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the remarkable efforts of wildland firefighters, incident management staff, support staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to protect people and communities during Canada’s most challenging wildfire season. Thank you to all wildfire personnel whether firefighting is part of your daily job or not, you answered the call and helped in a time of great need. You made a critical difference to affected communities and national parks across the country, and your contributions during this record-breaking emergency fire season are deeply valued.

Incident Management Teams

Parks Canada’s National Incident Management Teams (NIMTs) consist of a diverse group of skilled personnel dedicated to managing complex wildfire and natural hazard events. These teams provide emergency management response across the network of national parks and national historic sites and support provincial and territorial partners when they are in need.

In response to the unprecedented wildfire season of 2023, Jasper National Park contributed 14 fire specialists and an additional 17 trained firefighters to support emergency incidents across Western Canada. Many Jasper National Park team members went on multiple deployments to northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories from the beginning of May until the middle of October.

Impacts of climate change on the 2023 fire season

Snow now covers the mountain tops in Jasper National Park, marking the arrival of winter. It is a serene contrast to the recent summer events where Canada experienced its most devastating fire season on record. According to Natural Resources Canada, wildfires burned a staggering 16.5 million hectares of land in 2023, surpassing the previous 1989 record and covering an area larger than Greece.

Within Parks Canada’s protected areas, 1,013,000 hectares were burned – also surpassing the previous 1981 record where 747,500 hectares were burned (though there were fewer national parks in 1981). This year’s wildfires spread further, burned faster and lasted longer than anticipated by climate experts. In Canada and around the world, wildfires burned at an unprecedented rate, highlighting the escalating risk of wildfires associated with the impacts of climate change.

Despite global weather that was hotter and dryer, Jasper National Park experienced favourable conditions in 2023. While the rest of the province had an early start to the fire season, Jasper received just enough precipitation throughout the spring and summer to keep the fire danger low to moderate for most of the season. Even with lower fire danger compared to previous years, fire crews responded to a high number of wildfire starts this year.

Most of these wildfires were small and extinguished promptly or within just a few days thanks to the quick actions of fire personnel and skilled helicopter pilots.

Learn what you can do to better prepare for a wildfire: Wildfires – Get Prepared

Summary of 2023 wildfires in Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park’s fire crews managed and extinguished 15 wildfires within the park this summer. Three of them were over 0.5 hectares in size and required more than 12 hours of suppression work.

Thanks to early smoke reports from members of the public, all these wildfires were detected and suppressed quickly.

Wildfires of note

Snaring Overflow wildfire
Date: June 1, 2023
Location: 9 km north of the Jasper townsite
Size: 0.2 ha
Fire personnel: 6
Helicopters: 1
Ignition source: Likely started by industrial activities
Extinguished: June 2, 2023

Portal Creek wildfire
Date: June 3, 2023
Location: 10 km south of the Jasper townsite
Size: 1.7 ha
Fire personnel: 14
Helicopters: 2
Ignition source: Likely started by a bear cub that was electrocuted and found at the wildfire source beneath a power pole
Extinguished: June 7, 2023

Minaga Creek wildfire
Date: July 22, 2023
Location: 22 km west of the Jasper townsite
Size: 0.6 ha
Fire personnel: 12
Helicopters: 3
Ignition source: Lightning-caused
Extinguished: July 25, 2023

Corral Creek wildfire
Date: September 1, 2023
Location: Along the Athabasca River, approximately 20 km northeast of Jasper townsite
Size: 2.4 ha
Fire personnel: 10
Helicopters: 1
Ignition source: Lightning-caused
Extinguished: September 4, 2023

Chaba Creek wildfire
Date: September 17, 2023
Location: Near Chaba Glacier, approximately 35 km southwest of the Icefields Parkway (93 N), and 70 km south of the Jasper townsite (at an elevation of 2 054 m)
Size: 1.5 ha
Fire personnel: 1
Helicopters: 1
Ignition source: Lightning-caused
Status: Being monitored

More information

Follow Fire and Vegetation Management in Jasper National Park! Join our fire information mailing list to receive the latest information on all things fire! You can also email us at jnpfireinfo@pc.gc.ca.

Media Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Wildfire risk reduction work resumes in Jasper National Park

Throughout this fall and continuing into the winter, Parks Canada is resuming wildfire risk reduction work within Jasper National Park. Most of this year’s fuel reduction work will focus on maintaining and reinforcing the Community Fireguard as well as removing vegetation near facilities upwind of the community. Crews will reduce forest fuels by hand-thinning vegetation and burning debris onsite, conditions permitting.

Residents and visitors can also expect to see Parks Canada crews and other contracted crews conducting wildfire risk reduction work at multiple locations this winter. Work will largely depend on site conditions and snowpack.

Manually removing dead or dying trees in strategic areas is one of the ways Parks Canada continues to reduce the risk of wildfire and manage the impacts of mountain pine beetle in Jasper National Park. Wildfire risk reduction work is based on a larger wildfire risk evaluation and has undergone both environmental and cultural impact assessments.

Community Fireguard

Maintenance work is already underway on this wide-open fuel break on Pyramid Bench, along Cabin Lake fire road. This fireguard acts as a barrier to slow the spread of wildfire, reduces fire intensity close to the community and is a line of defence for responders controlling a wildfire. Work includes selectively removing vegetation, brushing, and burning debris piles as conditions allow. Regular forest thinning is needed to maintain these areas and sustain the benefits of the fireguard.

Safety is always the top priority in all fire management operations

Operations will take place Monday to Friday and may continue past daylight hours. Visitors and residents can expect to hear chainsaws and see crews working.

These projects will continue until March 31, 2024, as long as the ground remains frozen, and site conditions are favorable.

Smoke from burning debris will be visible

Smoke from pile burning may be visible and may occasionally blow toward town. These are controlled fires and there is no need to call emergency services to report smoke in the area.

People with respiratory ailments are encouraged to contact local health professionals for advice if they have concerns.

More information

Follow Fire and Vegetation Management in Jasper National Park! Join our fire information mailing list to receive the latest information on all things fire! You can also email us at jnpfireinfo@canada.ca.

For more information on the Jasper National Park Fire Management Program, prescribed fire, or wildfire risk reduction projects, please visit pc.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate.

Government of Canada: Wildfire smoke and your health
Government of Alberta: Wildfire smoke and your health

Media Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Jasper National Park's 2023 Wildfire Preparedness

Jasper National Park has been experiencing extreme weather this spring. From extended periods of hot and dry weather early this spring, to wet and heavy snowfall in the middle of June, the wild weather is a reminder of our need to adapt to the future impacts of climate change and create healthier landscapes that are more resilient to the changing climate.

The 2023 wildfire season started earlier than normal due to the below-average snowpack and unseasonably warm weather. Parks Canada’s fire specialists are closely monitoring conditions. A team of fire personnel are ready, and helicopters are available to respond quickly to wildfire incidents in the park. When the fire danger is elevated, they are conducting regular patrols to check for wildfires, smoke and illegal campfires. The safety of people is always Parks Canada’s number one priority.

Current conditions

The fire danger rating is now LOW. There are currently no active wildfires in Jasper National Park.

From June 18 to the early morning of June 20, 2023, the park has received 102 mm of rainfall. Combined with cooler temperatures, this has reduced the fire danger and the likelihood of human-caused wildfire starts in the park.

As conditions change, the current fire danger can be found on the Jasper National Park website at parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate.

Impacts of climate change on 2023 wildfire season

Seasonal weather forecasting is inherently difficult and based on scientific modelling.

Although it indicates climate change will continue to lead to longer, hotter and drier periods across Canada, the lower-than-average winter precipitation and rainfall we receive throughout the winter will play a large role in the upcoming wildfire season.

Upper atmospheric patterns tend to determine our lower elevation weather.

The mountains surrounding Jasper can create different localized weather patterns than our neighbours due to the topographic influences and different daily cooling patterns.

Update on Chetamon Wildfire

On April 29, 2023, Parks Canada completed a high-resolution infrared scan of the north perimeter of the Chetamon wildfire to look for any current fire activity held over from last fall. Leading into the winter months, the north perimeter was the most active and was considered the head of the wildfire. Smoke was observed on the wildfire on March 20, 2023, at the north end. Since then, no fire activity has been reported or noted.

The infrared scan was conducted twice over the entire north end of the fire perimeter and did not detect any remaining hotspots.

Considering these results, the lack of smoke or fire activity and the rainfall of the last few weeks the Chetamon wildfire is now considered ‘Extinguished’.

Parks Canada firefighting preparedness

Jasper National Park’s wildfire management team is prepared for the upcoming season. The team includes two initial attack crews of four members each, supported by a fire management officer, an assistant fire management officer, a fire specialist and two fire technicians.

Fire personnel monitor weather stations, ensure technical equipment is tested and ready to use, and analyze data. They also develop plans for prescribed fires and models to assist in wildfire risk reduction and wildfire preparedness.

Extensive planning and preparation are ongoing to ensure Parks Canada is prepared to respond to wildfire incidents, including:

• Fire crews maintain physical fitness, review preseason material and test equipment.
• Fire bans may be used, as well as other tools such as area closures, to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.
• Emergency and evacuation planning are updated with our partners at the Municipality of Jasper and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.

Preparedness levels vary throughout the season as they are based on wildfire conditions and fuel receptivity, but Parks Canada is preparing by ensuring all resources are in place, fully equipped, and training requirements are fulfilled for the upcoming wildfire season.

Sharing resources

Parks Canada maintains dedicated teams of fire personnel across the country that can be quickly deployed to assist in managing wildfires anywhere in Canada.

Additional resources can also be acquired as needed through Parks Canada’s Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre partners and contract service agreements Parks Canada has in place.

Parks Canada has been and will continue to support the provincial wildfire management efforts to the best of our ability when asked. The key to wildfire preparedness is collaboration. Parks Canada collaborates with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners and local communities to ensure appropriate wildfire readiness and response.

Be prepared for wildfire season

Wildfires are a natural and frequent part of Canada’s mountain national parks.

Here’s how to be prepared in the event of a wildfire:

• Fuel up: Have enough fuel in your tank to get to your next destination.
• Know where you are: Know your location to better understand directions.
• Communicate: Share your travel plans with friends or family.

Want to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies?

Visit getprepared.gc.ca for tips from the Government of Canada and jasper-alberta.com for local resources.

More information

Jasper National Park: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate
Alberta Fire Bans: albertafirebans.ca
Alberta Wildfire: wildfire.alberta.ca

Join our fire information mailing list
Email: jnpfireinfo@canada.ca

Report any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch: 780-852-6155 or call 911.

Media Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

The fire ban in Jasper National Park has been lifted effective today, June 15, 2023.

Current conditions

The fire danger rating is now MODERATE. There are currently no active wildfires in Jasper National Park.

Over approximately 24 hours, the park has received 27 mm of rainfall. Combined with cooler temperatures, this shift in the weather has not only given us a much-needed reprieve, it also has reduced the fire danger and the likelihood of human-caused wildfire starts in the park. The fire ban for Jasper National Park has been lifted today, June 15, 2023.

Current fire danger can be found on the Jasper National Park website at parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate.

Do your part to prevent human-caused wildfires. Use fire responsibly.

• Campfires are only allowed in fire pits or boxes provided by Parks Canada. Campfires must be attended at all times.
• Completely extinguish your campfire with water. Soak it, stir it, and soak it again until it is cool to the touch before leaving it.
• Campfires are not allowed in some backcountry campgrounds. Check the backcountry camping information or ask at the park visitor centre before setting out on your hike.
• Do not throw cigarettes on the ground. Put them out and discard them in a bin.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada is visible and may affect visitors and residents in Jasper.

Children and the elderly are most vulnerable to smoke. Please check the smoke forecast and air quality report before heading outdoors.

Air quality alerts, smoke forecast and wildfire information

• Daily Air Quality Statement for Jasper National Park from Environment Canada
• Government of Canada’s Air Quality Health Index
• National Wildfire Smoke Model and Forecast
• Jasper National Park’s Fire Information Page

Report any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch: 780-852-6155 or call 911.

More information
Jasper National Park: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate
Alberta Fire Bans: albertafirebans.ca
Alberta Wildfire: wildfire.alberta.ca

Join our fire information mailing list
Email: jnpfireinfo@canada.ca

Media Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Effective June 9, 2023: Fire ban in all day use areas, picnic sites, backcountry campgrounds and unsupervised frontcountry campgrounds within Jasper National Park.

Current conditions

The current and extended heatwave has elevated the fire danger in Jasper National Park to EXTREME. This means that vegetation can easily ignite, and a fire could spread quickly and be difficult to control.

Weather forecasts for the next week are unsettled and may produce clouds that look like smoke columns, as well as possible thunderstorms.

Parks Canada’s fire management specialists are monitoring current and forecasted conditions daily and coordinating with our municipal and provincial partners as well as the other mountain parks.

A team of fire personnel and a helicopter are ready to respond in the event of a wildfire. They are conducting twice-daily patrols to check for wildfires, smoke and illegal campfires.

Lighting or maintaining campfires in all day-use areas, picnic sites, backcountry campgrounds and unsupervised frontcountry campgrounds is strictly prohibited as of June 9, 2023.

The following areas still allow campfires in designated fire pits:

• Jasper townsite;
• Outlying Commercial Accommodations;
• Whistler, Wapiti, Wabasso and Miette campgrounds.

This fire ban includes all open fires in these areas except, provided they are under an adult’s direct supervision and Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) approved or Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certified, the following devices are permitted:

• gas or propane stoves and barbeques, designed for cooking or heating
• propane or gas-fuelled lanterns (enclosed flame)

For a full list of prohibited and exempt devices:

• Visit our website at parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate
• Stop by a Parks Canada Visitor Centre

Campfires are still permitted in supervised frontcountry campgrounds (Whistler, Wapiti, Wabasso and Miette), as long as they are in the designated fire pit or box provided by Parks Canada and are attended by an adult at all times. You can be prepared for a full fire ban by bringing a propane stove or barbecue for cooking.

Fire bans are based on local fire hazards, current and forecasted weather conditions, the amount of moisture in vegetation, the regional wildfire situation, and the availability of responders and equipment.

Do your part to prevent human-caused wildfires

In the national park, most wildfires are ignited from industrial activities, illegal campfires that are not in designated fire pits or carelessly discarded cigarettes.

• Random campfires are never allowed.
• If you see a random ash pit, it is from someone having an illegal campfire, or from pile burning as part of our FireSmart program.
• Campfires must be in metal fire pits or boxes provided by Parks Canada.
• Do not throw cigarettes on the ground. Put them out and discard them in a bin.
• Park your vehicle only in designated parking areas or pull-offs. Parking on the side of the road is dangerous. Not only does it damage vegetation, but it can also ignite a fire on dry grass and brush.

Report any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch: 780-852-6155 or call 911.

More information

• Jasper National Park: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate
• Alberta Wildfire: wildfire.alberta.ca
• Alberta Fire Bans: albertafirebans.ca
• Join our Fire Information mailing list
• Email: jnpfireinfo@canada.ca

Media Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

The fire ban in Jasper National Park has been lifted effective today, May 24, 2023.

Current conditions

The fire danger rating is now Low. There are currently no active wildfires in Jasper National Park.

Rain showers from the last few days, combined with cooler temperatures in the forecast, have reduced the fire danger and the likelihood of human-caused wildfire starts in the park. The fire ban for Jasper National Park has been lifted today, May 24, 2023.

Current fire danger can be found on the Jasper National Park website at parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate.

Do your part to prevent human-caused wildfires. Use fire responsibly.

• Campfires are only allowed in fire pits or boxes provided by Parks Canada. Campfires must be attended at all times.
• Completely extinguish your campfire with water. Soak it, stir it, and soak it again until it is cool to the touch before leaving it.
• Campfires are not allowed in some backcountry campgrounds. Check the backcountry camping information or ask at the park visitor centre before setting out on your hike.
• Do not throw cigarettes on the ground. Put them out and discard them in a bin.

Smoke from wildfires in Western Canada is visible and may affect visitors and residents in Jasper.

Children and the elderly are most vulnerable to smoke. Please check the smoke forecast and air quality report before heading outdoors.

Air quality alerts, smoke forecast and wildfire information

• Daily Air Quality Statement for Jasper National Park from Environment Canada
• Government of Canada’s Air Quality Health Index
• National Wildfire Smoke Model and Forecast
• Jasper National Park’s Fire Information Page

Report any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch: 780-852-6155 or call 911.

More information

• Jasper National Park: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate
• Alberta Fire Bans: albertafirebans.ca
• Alberta Wildfire: wildfire.alberta.ca


• Join our fire information mailing list
• Email: jnpfireinfo@canada.ca

Media inquiries

Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Effective May 11: Fire ban in Jasper National Park

Effective May 11, 2023, Jasper National Park and the Municipality of Jasper announced that a fire ban will be in place until further notice.

The fire ban will help firefighting resources be more readily available where they are needed most and reduce the likelihood of any new human-caused wildfires.

Parks Canada understands this is a difficult time for communities affected by the Alberta wildfires. Wildfires near communities resulting in evacuating residents and loss of property are especially challenging. Several of the active wildfires are east of Jasper National Park.

There are no wildfires burning in Jasper National Park. A team of fire personnel and a helicopter are ready to respond in the event of a wildfire. They are conducting twice daily helicopter patrols to check for wildfires. At this time, spring prescribed fire have been postponed.

Report any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch: 780-852-6155 or call 911.

Fire ban information

Fire bans are based on local fire hazards, current and forecasted weather conditions, the amount of moisture in vegetation, the regional wildfire situation, and the availability of responders and equipment.

This list is available online at parks.canada.ca/jasper-fire-ban

Fire ban in Jasper townsite

“The Municipality of Jasper is implementing a fire ban in the Town of Jasper starting at 7:00am on Thursday, May 11th.
The Fire Chief has the authority to issue a fire ban in the Town of Jasper.”

For more information about the fire ban in the municipality, visit: Municipality of Jasper - (jasper-alberta.ca)

For more information about emergency preparedness, join Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper today, May 10, 2023, for an "Emergency Preparedness Week" open-house from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Emergency Services Building. Come by to ask questions, pick up an updated Evacuation Guide, sign up for the Municipal emergency alert system, and enjoy a hot dog.

Information for residents

The transfer station is no longer accepting any burnable items. All bins are full and unable to be burned during the fire ban.

Information about travel on the Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway (93N) is open and may experience higher traffic volumes due to the wildfires in Alberta. Overweight commercial vehicle access is no longer permitted as there are suitable detours for Highway 16 at this time. Once you leave the Town of Jasper and head south on the Icefields Parkway there are limited services open and cell phone coverage is limited to a small area around the Icefields Centre (102 km south of Jasper). Patience and defensive driving helps keep yourself and others safe. Please monitor 511.Alberta.ca frequently for updates.

More information

• Jasper National Park: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate
• Alberta Wildfire: wildfire.alberta.ca
• Alberta Fire Bans: albertafirebans.ca
• Join our Fire Information mailing list
• Email: jnpfireinfo@canada.ca

Media Inquiries

Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Information for residents of Jasper and Yellowhead County wildfire evacuees in Jasper National Park

Western Canada is experiencing an unprecedented wildfire season. A number of municipalities in Alberta have been evacuated due to multiple wildfires. To find out more about active wildfires in Alberta visit https://www.alberta.ca/wildfire-status.aspx

Parks Canada understands what a difficult time communities affected by these wildfires are going through. Wildfires in close proximity to communities, forcing people from their homes, are especially challenging for residents and fire personnel.

Information for residents

From the Municipality of Jasper

"Jasper may lose power due to wildfires in Yellowhead County
The Municipality of Jasper is working closely with our counterparts at Alberta Wildfire. This is a quickly evolving situation we do not have an estimate on when or if a power outage may occur at this time.

Attention all evacuees
Yellowhead County and Town of Edson Evacuees are advised to prepare by filling up with fuel and getting basic supplies.

If you are in Jasper and continue to need assistance or information, the Reception Centre at the Jasper Activity Centre (305 Bonhomme Street) remains open.

If you have been evacuated and you have not yet registered, please call 1-833-334-4630 to do so. If you have registered in person at an Evacuee Reception Centre, either in Hinton (Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre, 805 Switzer Drive) or Jasper (305 Bonhomme Street) you do not need to call and register.

For information on what is happening in Yellowhead County and the Town of Edson, visit:
Yellowhead County website https://yhcounty.ca/
Yellowhead County Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/yellowheadcounty
Town of Edson Website https://www.edson.ca/
Town of Edson Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/townofedson
Alberta Emergency Alert page https://www.alberta.ca/emergency.aspx "

Information for evacuees

Any evacuees passing through Jasper National Park will be issued a free good neighbour pass at the gates.

The Icefields Parkway (93N) is open and may experience higher traffic volumes due to evacuations in Alberta. The Nigel Creek Bridge is reduced to single lane of traffic to accommodate essential commercial vehicle access. Once you leave the Town of Jasper and head south on the Icefields Parkway there are limited services open and cell phone coverage is limited to a small area around the Icefields Centre (102 km south of Jasper). Patience and defensive driving helps keep yourself and others safe. Please monitor 511.Alberta.ca frequently for updates.

One loop at Whistlers Campground is set aside for evacuees at no charge. Evacuees with livestock can park their trailers at Snaring Overflow Campground. No grazing of livestock is permitted and all animals must be under control at all times.

All camping must be in one of these two campgrounds. Campgrounds provide the waste management and other services required for a safe stay and to protect the environment.

Information for everyone

Parks Canada firefighting preparedness

Parks Canada firefighters are conducting regular smoke patrols by helicopter. Smoke patrols will continue through the weekend. Parks Canada’s fire management team is prepared to respond quickly to wildfire incidents in Jasper National Park. The safety of people is always Parks Canada’s number one priority.

Jasper National Park is always under a fire restriction

Unlike other jurisdictions, where open fires on public land are sometimes permissible, Parks Canada does not allow random fires anywhere in Jasper National Park at any time. In this way, provincial government bans on open fires on public land never apply to Jasper National Park, because the only fires permitted within the Park are in designated metal fire pits or boxes. All other fires are illegal. Because of this, Jasper National Park is considered to be under a permanent fire restriction.

Sharing resources

Parks Canada is a member of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), which includes federal partners and provincial and territorial fire agencies and collaborates with them to exchange information, equipment, and personnel when required. Requests are made to this coordinating agency. At this time, two fire management personnel from Jasper National Park are in Edson supporting the firefighting efforts there. Parks Canada will continue to support the provincial wildfire management efforts to the best of our ability if asked.

Media Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Start of prescribed fire season in Jasper National Park

Prescribed fires reduce the wildfire risk to our communities, help restore forest and grassland ecosystems, and enhance wildlife habitat.

Spring (March to June) and fall (mid-August to November) are typically the best seasons for prescribed fires. Fire prescriptions are very detailed lists of the conditions that must be met before burning, such as required temperatures, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, and fuel conditions. During spring and fall, when the fire danger is usually lower than in the summertime, required conditions can often be met. Prescribed fire operations are only conducted when predetermined weather and site conditions are met and allow for safe burning conditions.

Prescribed fire plans for 2023

Parks Canada has plans for two prescribed fires in Jasper National Park in 2023. These prescribed fires will be conducted this year as long as we have the resources and conditions for them to be completed safely and effectively. The following prescribed fires are listed in order of likelihood. We will send out notices before we move ahead with any of these plans.

Douglas-fir Hillsides

The Douglas-fir Hillsides prescribed fire is composed of seven sub-units located west of Jasper townsite, in an area known as Pyramid Bench. These prescribed fire units are close to town, the nearest one being on the border of the northwest edge of the townsite, leading to Pyramid Bench. This spring, if conditions are right we plan to burn a sub-unit (one of seven) located approximately 1 km northwest of town, along Mina Lake.

The objectives of this prescribed fire are to restore the Douglas-fir forest and to enhance the landscape-level fireguard around town. This burn will build on the success of mechanical thinning in the area and will further protect Jasper townsite from wildfires.

Southesk

The Southesk prescribed fire includes approximately 925 hectares in the southeast corner of Jasper National Park, upstream of a 2006 wildfire in the valley in 2006. The ecological objective of this prescribed fire is to promote the natural regeneration of the lodgepole pine forest. Lodgepole pine is a fire-dependent species which requires periodic fire to remain healthy and become resilient to future pine beetle infestation. The Southesk Valley contains a mature pine forest largely unaffected by mountain pine beetle.

Prescribed fire operations and smoke

Parks Canada fire specialists make every effort to limit smoke during prescribed fire operations. Prescribed fires will only be carried out if weather, wind, and venting conditions allow smoke to disperse into the atmosphere.

Additional information
For more information on Parks Canada prescribed fires:
Planned prescribed fires in the mountain national parks
Jasper National Park fire protection and restoration projects

Media Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Planting the Future: Saving whitebark and limber pines

Parks Canada is proud to present Planting the Future. This short film tells the story of whitebark and limber pine conservation in the mountain national parks, and what #ParksCanadaConservation specialists are doing to safeguard and recover the future of these incredible trees for present and future generations.

Whitebark and limber pines are keystone species in mountain ecosystems. This means that these unique trees play a crucial role in their environment. Not only are these high-elevation five-needled pines iconic, they also provide food and shelter for wildlife, stabilize steep mountain slopes and hold onto the snowpack. Water then becomes available to other plants and helps create a gradual release of meltwater stems the likelihood of flooding in the spring.

An increasingly important service to ecosystems in an era where the timing of mountain snowmelt is inconsistent every year.

Despite being an integral part of the mountain ecosystems, these special trees are in trouble and need our help. Whitebark and limber pine are in decline across most mountain landscapes in North America and are at risk of extinction. They face many challenges, including white pine blister rust (a non-native fungus), historical forest-fire suppression, mountain pine beetle, and climate change.

To help mitigate the multiple threats these trees face, seven mountain national parks have joined forces to share knowledge and take action to save whitebark and limber pines from extinction. Identifying trees that show natural resistance to whitebark pine blister rust, collecting cones and planting seedlings are among several methods Parks Canada uses to help restore whitebark pine and limber pine.

Increased awareness of and interest in these species at risk will improve their chances of survival. Please share this short film with others, including in classrooms, nature centres and visitor centres.

Learn more

• Planting the Future: Saving whitebark and limber pines
• Whitebark pine conservation in Jasper National Park
• Species at risk public registry - species profile: Whitebark pine
• Species at risk public registry - species profile: Limber pine
• Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada

Media Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Wildfire risk reduction work around Pyramid Lake Resort

Parks Canada is continuing wildfire risk reduction efforts in Jasper National Park. Beginning this week, tree removal activities are starting around Pyramid Lake Resort, including along a section of trail 2. Pyramid Lake and Pyramid Lake Resort are located near the base of Pyramid Mountain, approximately 7 km north of the Jasper townsite. This work is expected to be completed within the next three to four weeks.

To ensure safety from tree-felling operations, trail 2, between the junction of trails 2g and 15a, will be closed to the public.

This closure is in place to ensure the safety of the public while crews and equipment are operating. For closure details and up-to-date information, visit parkscanada.gc.ca/jasper-alerts.

Removing dead or dying trees in strategic areas is one of the ways Parks Canada continues to reduce the risk of wildfire and manage the impacts of mountain pine beetle in Jasper National Park. Crews will selectively remove dead pine trees while protecting Douglas fir and other deciduous trees.

Smoke will be visible in the area.

The burning of brush piles is undertaken and controlled by Parks Canada fire crews. Burning will only be permitted on days when conditions are safe. All reasonable efforts will be made to minimize smoke production.

There is no need to call 911 or emergency services to report smoke.

Ensuring people's safety is Parks Canada’s top priority.

Through safe and effective fire management, Parks Canada is reducing the risk of wildfire to the public, critical infrastructure and property.

Please keep an eye out for crews at work and adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails and roads.

More information is available:

• Jasper National Park: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate
• Join our Fire Information mailing list
• Email: jnpfireinfo@canada.ca

For more information on the fire management program, prescribed fire, or wildfire risk reduction projects, please visit parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate.

Media Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Wildfire risk reduction work continues in Jasper National Park

Starting this week, Parks Canada will begin wildfire risk reduction work near Signal Mountain. This is a continuation of work that was done in the area last year to build a new fireguard along the base of Signal Mountain. The fireguard will link natural wet areas with more fire-resilient deciduous tree stands along the base of the mountain. Combined with Jasper National Park’s Community Fireguard, this new fireguard will further improve Jasper townsite’s protection from wildfire.

The work area is located within the Signal Mountain wildlife corridor and extends from the Keith Lakes area on Maligne Lake Road to the southwest-facing slopes of Signal Mountain (See map for details).

This project will continue until March 15, 2023, as long as the ground remains frozen.

Mechanical thinning equipment will be used to selectively remove dead pine trees (killed by mountain pine beetle) and spruce trees. Mechanical thinning allows Parks Canada to improve community wildfire protection and remove mountain pine beetle-killed trees when conditions for prescribed burning may not be cost-efficient or may be unsafe or unlikely to be effective for reducing wildfire risk. Mechanical thinning also helps create conditions for safer, less complex, and more efficient prescribed fires in the future.

Unlike the wide-open Community Fireguard, the Signal Mountain fireguard will consist of narrow bands where the fuels have been significantly reduced between fire-resistant trees such as Douglas-fir and aspen. Fuel reduction and forest-thinning activities can improve the effectiveness of fire suppression techniques, limit fire intensity, and reduce the potential for spot fires from wind-blown embers.

Safety is always the top priority in all fire management operations.

Public access to the area is prohibited. Operations will take place seven days a week, and will continue past daylight hours. Motorists should expect traffic disruptions on Maligne Lake Road. Traffic disruptions will be minimal and limited to periods of single-lane alternating traffic or short two-way closures. Motorists are reminded to respect traffic control personnel and obey all posted road signs and reduced speed zones.

Smoke from burning debris will be visible.

Smoke from this project will be present and may occasionally blow toward town. These are controlled fires and there is no need to call emergency services to report smoke in the area. People with respiratory ailments are encouraged to contact local health professionals for advice if they have concerns.

More information is available:

• Jasper National Park: Area Closure – Signal Mountain Wildlife Corridor
• Government of Canada: Wildfire smoke and your health
• Government of Alberta: Wildfire smoke and your health

For more information on the fire management program, prescribed fire, or wildfire risk reduction projects, please visit parkscanada.gc.ca/jasperfireupdate.

Media Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Sharing the Stage with Indigenous partners

Indigenous traditions, stories and knowledge have shaped the history of what is now known as Jasper National Park. To honour the contributions of these First Nations and to celebrate their influence on the region since time immemorial, Parks Canada has invited Indigenous partners to share the stage at Whistlers and Wabasso campgrounds this summer.

On selected evenings in July and August, visitors and community members will hear directly from Indigenous partners through meaningful and engaging interpretive programming. These presentations will cover a range of topics that will offer insights into the history, stories and traditions of local First Nations. Programs will include the early fur trade in the Athabasca Valley, settlement in the area, and a session that will teach the traditional Red River Jig. There is no better way to learn about the human history of the park than from the First Nations people who helped to shape it.

Programs are free of charge and everyone is welcome to attend!

Calendar of Events

The People Who Shaped the History of the Athabasca Valley

Saturday, July 6 and Saturday, August 17 at 7:30 pm
Whistlers Campground Theatre

Join Elder Ken Groat, descendant of the Moberly family, as he shares stories and histories of the people who lived in this iconic valley from the 1790s to modern times.

From Our Own Voice: The Oral History of the As’in’i wachi Neyiyuk

Saturday, July 13 and Thursday, August 1 at 7:30 pm
Whistlers Campground Theatre

Join Shelley Calliou of Kelly Lake Cree Nation as she presents the oral history of the As’in’i wachi Neyiyuk and their connections to Jasper House.

The Story of the Rocky Mountain Cree

Saturday, July 20 and Saturday, August 24 at 7:30 pm
Whistlers Campground Theatre

Join Frank Roan of the Mountain Cree as he uses stories and song to chronicle the history of the Rocky Mountain Cree in Jasper through trade, barter and kinship.

Métis Jigging Workshop

Saturday August 3 at 7:30 pm
Wabasso Campground Campfire Circle

Join us for the good medicine of Métis jigging. Lisa Shepherd, Métis artist, will teach a traditional jig step, the Red River Jig and some community dances. Be ready for an uplifting and joyful experience as you engage in the original social networking.

Other Interpretive Programs

The "Sharing the Stage" program complements Jasper National Park’s full suite of regular summer interpretive programs, including theatre shows, family presentations, interpreters on trails and more. Programs are offered Wednesday through Monday from Saturday, June 29 to Sunday, September 1, 2024. See the complete schedule of programs here: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/decouvertes-tours.

Media enquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

National Indigenous Peoples Day

Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper respectfully acknowledge that Jasper National Park and Jasper townsite are located in Treaty 6 and 8 as well as the traditional lands of the Anishinabe, Aseniwuche Winewak, Dene-zaa, Nêhiyawak, Secwépemc, Stoney Nakoda, Mountain Métis and Métis. We acknowledge the past, present and future generations of these nations who continue to steward the land.

Jasper National Park is honoured to host Elders, community members and visitors for National Indigenous Peoples Day, an important day to recognize and celebrate Indigenous peoples and cultures. This year’s events are hosted jointly with the Municipality of Jasper, who will present a series of activities and programs throughout the day.

Everyone is welcome to join in this day of celebration and education. Be sure to save the date and attend!

Schedule of events

Date: June 21, 2024
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Locations: See below

9:00 a.m.
Flag raising: Jasper Emergency Services Building, 518 Geikie Street

10:30 a.m.
Community presentation: Habitat for the Arts, 500 Robson Street

11:00 a.m.
Indigenous Artisan Market (11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.):
Robson Park (Robson Street across from Jasper Municipal Library)

11:30 a.m.
Movie screening “Long Road Home”: Habitat for the Arts

1:30 p.m.
Speeches: Robson Park

2:00 p.m.
Powwow demonstration: Robson Park

Please visit the Parks Canada website for more details on the schedule of events.

A big thank you to all involved:

Indigenous Partners:

• Kelly Lake Cree Nation
• Mountain Cree
• Mountain Métis
• Bighorn Chiniki Stoney Nation

Indigenous Artisan Market Vendors

• Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada
• Ermineskin Cree Nation
• Kelly Lake Cree Nation
• Métis Nation of British Columbia
• Mountain Cree

Community Partners

• Friends of Jasper National Park
• Jasper Community Habitat for the Arts
• Jasper Park Lodge
• Jasper Yellowhead Museum & Archives
• Municipality of Jasper
• Pursuit Jasper
• Rotary Club of Jasper
• Tourism Jasper
• Government of Canada

We look forward to seeing you on June 21, 2024!

Jasper Indigenous Exhibit Grand Opening Ceremony

Save the date: September 7 and 8, 2024

“The mountains are sacred and we’ve known that for a very long time. We come here to the mountains because we know there is good energy here and we do some of our ceremonies and harvesting over here in the mountains. The Exhibit is going to say we’ve been here since time immemorial. We have our own stories, and we want to share them.”

The Jasper Indigenous Exhibit is designed to present and commemorate Indigenous histories, connected to the area now known as Jasper National Park, for present and future generations. Indigenous communities connected to this place have been working with Parks Canada to create an immersive, artistic and truth-telling space in the park since the early 2000s. The Exhibit, located in the heart of Jasper at Athabasca Park adjacent to the Visitor Information Centre, is an example of Indigenous partners coming together with Parks Canada to work towards reconciliation.

Central to the stories being told within the Exhibit is the forced removal of Indigenous people and the impact this history has on Indigenous communities to this day. The Indigenous Exhibit Working Group, comprised of representatives from Indigenous communities connected to Jasper, led the Exhibit design, artwork selection, drafting of text and planning for the opening ceremony.

As the final elements of the Exhibit are completed and when the site is safe for pedestrian use, Parks Canada will remove the perimeter fence. The opening ceremony, to commemorate the meaningful relationships and elements built through the completion of the Exhibit, is scheduled for September 7 and 8, 2024.

To learn more, visit Parks Canada – The Jasper Indigenous Exhibit and join us for the grand opening in September 2024.

“The new Indigenous Exhibit is the culmination of a years-long dream for Indigenous peoples with close ties to the lands encompassed by Jasper National Park. The Jasper townsite is an important place from which to convey the rich history and legacy of this land’s original Indigenous peoples. We join Parks Canada and our fellow Nations and communities in inviting Albertans, Canadians, and the broader world to learn about our distinctive pasts and presents in Jasper National Park.”

“I want a non-Indigenous world to finally see my world, to come and recognize that my people have been here since time immemorial and all the changes we’ve had in history have affected us. We’ve been brushed aside, we’ve been forgotten, it was OK to harm us. It is still OK to harm us. But I want people to start seeing my history, my viewpoint, and to start understanding the mountains, this land, and the water as being something other than a resource to be exploited or manipulated because these are life-giving forces. I think people need to start recognizing life, well-being, and you get those by being in the mountains, in the water. This project was really important because finally we are creating a space for us again here in our homelands and we want to share properly with the world how we view the Indigenous world. We are still alive. We are not dead. Our connections are still here. I really want people to come and view Jasper in a different way.”

“The Indigenous worldview will be promoted at the Exhibit. It’s all about the different languages and different timelines, some that have just arrived and some that have left. There are other Indigenous people coming in and learning their history. With this Exhibit, they can find out their ancestors were here and say, 'Yes, I am Indigenous, and I am proud, I have a language and I have territory.' It’s part of them.”

Parks Canada would like to sincerely thank all the Indigenous Exhibit Working Group members for their immense contributions to this project:

• Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation
• Bighorn Chiniki Stoney Nation
• Ermineskin Cree Nation
• Lac Ste. Anne Métis Community Association
• Métis Nation of British Columbia
• Mountain Cree
• Simpcw First Nation

Media enquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Indigenous Treaty reawakened in Jasper National Park

Parks Canada respectfully acknowledges that Jasper National Park is located in Treaty 6 and 8 as well as the traditional lands of the Anishinabe, Aseniwuche Winewak, Dene-zaa, Nêhiyawak, Secwépemc, Stoney Nakoda, Mountain Métis and Métis. We acknowledge the past, present, and future generations of these nations who continue to steward the land.

Parks Canada worked with Simpcw First Nation and Stoney Nation this fall to facilitate the reawakening of a treaty between the two nations. The agreement shows the longstanding relationship between the two nations and illustrates their mutual commitment to sharing resources. The gathering and associated fauna harvest were completed safely and with a priority on conservation thanks to the Simpcw First Nation, Stoney First Nation, Parks Canada and RCMP efforts.

“Today times have changed and we’re back here today. There’s a big grey area where the residential schools, where everything took place, covered us with this humiliation from putting us away. However now we’re at a point where we are rekindling, it’s a new start. It’s to bring back our young people to teach them and go back, back to these mountains and particular areas where the animals are.”

Parks Canada staff and RCMP were honoured to participate in a pipe ceremony to mark this reconnection to the land now known as Jasper National Park.

“That pipe brings us together in ceremony and that’s the best way we can move forward and ground ourselves in ceremony. Once you are in that ceremony everything has to be done in a good way, everything has to be done honestly and it can’t be broken. This one is going to last another thousand years. It took a while to revive it, but we are here now. We are reviving the ceremonies that we used to do on these lands forever.”

Indigenous partners young and old reconnected to the land through ceremony, crafting, sharing meals and a hunt.

“We’re close to the Snaring River, to me, the Snaring works with our pipe ceremony. The Snaring is like a path. We can tell the mountains are really powerful, so is the river and this is why it is called Snaring River. They snare us together here and we move forward from here on, working together.”

Harvesting occurred over two days and the area closure is now lifted. There were three bull elk, one white-tail deer and one big horn sheep ram harvested.

Each step forward on the path to reconciliation with any of the more than 20 Indigenous partners is important work. Reintegrating practices like harvesting, in alignment with shared conservation objectives allows Indigenous partners to reconnect to their territories and honours Indigenous rights and cultures.

This specific ceremonial reawakening of a treaty between the Simpcw First Nation and Stoney Nation, that predates the establishment of Jasper National Park, was time specific and it does not manage or incorporate Indigenous harvesting long term.

Indigenous harvests part of the future of Jasper National Park

The 2022 Jasper National Park Management Plan identifies the re-incorporation of Indigenous harvesting as an objective. Parks Canada is dedicated to continuing transparent and important conversations with Indigenous partners on ways we can further reconnection to Jasper National Park, including through Indigenous practices like harvesting plants and animals.

Reconnection looks different for each nation. This recent gathering saw reconnection to the land through ceremonies, crafting, sharing meals and a hunt. For others, it’s strong involvement in the Caribou Recovery Program or the Fire Management Program, for others it is sitting on the working group for the Indigenous Exhibit or conducting Indigenous awareness training with staff.

More information

• Skim the surface of Indigenous history and connections to Jasper: Indigenous connections - Jasper National Park (canada.ca).
• Review Key Strategy 3 and the entire management plan for Parks Canada.
• Explore Indigenous connections across the network of protected places in Canada.

Media inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Upcoming Indigenous harvest in Jasper National Park

Parks Canada respectfully acknowledges that Jasper National Park is located in Treaty 6 and 8 as well as the traditional lands of the Anishinabe, Aseniwuche Winewak, Dene-zaa, Nêhiyawak, Secwépemc, Stoney Nakoda, Mountain Métis and Métis. We acknowledge the past, present, and future generations of these nations who continue to steward the land.

Parks Canada is working with Simpcw First Nation and Stoney Nation to facilitate an Indigenous fauna harvest in Jasper National Park. Reintegrating practices like harvesting, in alignment with shared conservation objectives allows Indigenous partners to reconnect to their territories and honours Indigenous rights and cultures.

For more information about the harvest, please review the update from Simpcw First Nation.

Area closure to ensure public safety

Conservation and safety are shared goals for both Parks Canada and Indigenous partners. Parks Canada, Simpcw First Nation and Stoney Nation are committed to ensuring the three-day harvest supports the ecological integrity of the national park and the safety of members of Indigenous partners, Parks Canada staff and the public. A temporary area closure will be in place from October 23 to November 13, 2023 covering the areas east of Snaring River, north of Highway 16 and the Athabasca River.

Indigenous harvests part of the future of Jasper National Park

In the 2022 Jasper National Park Management Plan, Parks Canada consulted and gained widespread support to facilitate opportunities for Indigenous partners to sustainably harvest fauna that is also aligned with the maintenance and improvement of ecological integrity. Parks Canada believes a properly planned and managed re-integration of Indigenous harvesting activities into parks like Jasper, where these activities were banned for decades, will support the ecological integrity goals of the park.

A naturally functioning ecosystem can accommodate Indigenous harvesting activities, as Indigenous harvesting activities helped shape the natural environment prior to park establishment when Indigenous people were forcibly removed and excluded from this part of their territories.

Historical context

The creation of the first national parks disconnected Indigenous peoples from the land. Important land, cultural and livelihood connections were severed as a result of past policies which included the forcible removal of Indigenous peoples who call this land home – the land we now call Jasper National Park.

This has led to intergenerational harm, and loss of Indigenous knowledge, culture and identity. The cultures and identities of Indigenous peoples are rooted in the land; honouring and revitalizing connections to place are central to advancing reconnection and to renewing the relationships with Indigenous people, communities and Nations.

Modern context

Parks Canada has successfully supported Indigenous harvesting activities in protected heritage places across the country, and recognizes these activities are expressions of Indigenous cultures, rights, and responsibilities for their territories and ancestral homelands. The Simpcw First Nation has been communicating with Parks Canada for a number of years of their plan to harvest on their territories within the boundaries of Jasper National Park and Parks Canada facilitated a fauna harvest in October 2017.

Interest from Indigenous peoples in reconnecting with their cultures and heritage through their territories and homelands, including through Indigenous practices on lands administered by Parks Canada, is anticipated to continue growing.

Fauna harvest recommendations

Harvest recommendations were agreed upon in collaboration with Simpcw First Nation and Stoney Nation. Parks Canada wildlife specialists recommended this area of Jasper National Park can sustainably accommodate the harvesting of up to six white-tailed deer, four elk, two bighorn sheep, one moose and two black bears.

More information

Skim the surface of Indigenous history and connections to Jasper.

Review Key Strategy 3 and the entire management plan for Parks Canada.

Explore Indigenous connections across the network of protected places in Canada.

Media inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Road maintenance - July 22 to 27, 2024: Expect short delays

Road maintenance, including asphalt patching, crack sealing and pothole filling, is scheduled for a number of roads within Jasper National Park. This work is weather-dependent and is expected to take place between the hours of 7 am and 10 pm from July 22 to July 27, 2024.

Drivers should expect short delays as travel may be restricted to single-lane alternating traffic at times.

Areas of work include:

• Pyramid Lake Road
• Miette Road
• Maligne Lake Road – including Bald Hills parking lot and Opal Hills parking lot
• Old Lodge Road – between Maligne Lake Road and Lake Annette/Edith access road
• Wabasso Road (93A)
• Marmot Basin Road
• Wapiti Campground – entrance and access roads
• Cottonwood Creek Road – to the intersection at the water treatment facility
• Connaught Drive – from Highway 16 and Cottonwood Creek Road to Jasper townsite

Your safety is our priority.

Please obey reduced speed limits in construction areas and follow the directions of traffic control personnel.

Plan your trip and check 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date road conditions and statuses.

Media inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Moberly Bridge Repairs: Expect Short Delays Thursday June 27, 2024, 6am – 11am

Repair work on the Moberly Bridge deck will take place between 6:00 am and 11:00 am on Thursday June 27, 2024. Moberly Bridge is located on Maligne Road near the Junction of Highway 16 and spans the Athabasca River.

Motorists should expect delays of up to 15 minutes in either direction.

Your safety is our priority.

Please obey reduced speed limits in construction areas and follow the directions of traffic control personnel. Plan your trip and check 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date road conditions and status.

Media Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Maligne Road Construction Notice
Expect Short Delays – June 18 to June 25, 2024

Parks Canada will be conducting grading work to widen an existing pullout 2.7 kilometers along Maligne Road near the turnoff to Sixth Bridge Day Use Area. This work is weather dependent and is planned to take place between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm beginning June 18 until June 25, 2024.

Drivers should expect short delays as traffic may be restricted to a single lane alternating traffic.

Your safety is our priority.

Please obey reduced speed limits in construction areas and follow the directions of traffic control personnel. Plan your trip and check 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date road conditions and status.

Media Inquiries

Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Athabasca Falls day-use area – partial trail closure

Athabasca Falls is the largest waterfall by volume in the Canadian Rockies and potentially the most iconic in Jasper National Park. To ensure public safety, visitor infrastructure at the falls - one of the most popular attractions in the park - requires repair.

Between June 10 and 16, 2024, a partial closure of the trail leading to Athabasca Falls will be in effect in order to replace the concrete stairs at the pedestrian bridge. This partial closure is required for public safety and will provide crews and equipment the space needed to pour concrete and allow it to set properly.

During the repairs, the Athabasca Falls day-use area will remain accessible, and visitors may view the falls from the trail between the parking area and the pedestrian bridge. The trail is expected to fully reopen on Monday, June 17, 2024.

The safety of visitors and Parks Canada team members is our highest priority. Please obey posted signage and the directions of personnel on site.

Media enquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Closures and delays along electrical distribution lines in Jasper National Park

Expect short delays February 26 to April 14, 2024

ATCO is undertaking work to bury electrical distribution lines in Jasper National Park. Work will take place between the hours of 7 am and 6 pm beginning February 26, 2024, until April 14, 2024, along Edith Lake Road, some portions of Maligne Lake Road and Sixth Bridge Road. Closures will be in place to half of the Sixth Bridge parking lot and the unofficial trail following the existing overhead line west of Edith Lake. There will also be a detour around a temporary closure of the eastbound turn-off to Jasper Park Lodge.

Drivers should expect short delays as traffic may be restricted to single-lane alternating.

Your safety is our priority.

Please obey reduced speed limits in construction areas and follow the directions of traffic control personnel.

Plan your trip and check 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date road conditions and status.

Media inquiries
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Rebuilding after the fire: Government of Canada announces rent relief for Jasper National Park lessees and licensees

News release: Up to $15.2 million in rent relief for affected businesses and the Municipality of Jasper allowing them to redirect financial resources towards recovery and rebuilding efforts

Residents and local business owners of Jasper are doing their best to get back on their feet in the face of the devasting impacts from the wildfire that went through Jasper in July 2024. The Government of Canada is working hard to help the community rebuild after the fire to restart economic activity and deal with the costs they face.

Today, in his new role as Ministerial Lead to Jasper, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced rent relief for Parks Canada administered leases and licences in Jasper National Park. This rent forgiveness of up to $15.2 million provides financial relief to business owners, tenants and residents impacted by the wildfire.

The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada, along with the Government of Alberta and the Municipality of Jasper, have been coordinating efforts from the initial incident response to the subsequent recovery and rebuilding efforts in Jasper. In early August, Parks Canada announced a pause to all rent collection from lessees and licensees in Jasper and began working towards providing more formal rent relief measures. While most leases and licences within the Town of Jasper have a nominal annual rent, with no money formally exchanged with Parks Canada, this rent relief will be of significant benefit to the Municipality of Jasper and lessees and licensees outside of the townsite allowing them to redirect resources towards recovery or rebuilding efforts, rather than on immediate financial obligations. In parallel, Parks Canada jointly with the Municipality of Jasper are working to ensure efficient processes that will lessen the burdens and stresses related to the loss of residential homes and commercial businesses.

Rent relief is another important step in delivering on the Government of Canada’s commitment to support the community and local businesses in the National Park as they rebuild over the coming years. In mid-September, the Government introduced new legislation to enable the transfer of land use planning and development authorities to the Municipality of Jasper, aimed at giving the town, businesses and residents greater control to shape the future of Jasper, in partnership with Parks Canada.

“The Jasper wildfire has caused hundreds of millions of dollars in direct property damage and firefighting costs and will continue to have negative economic effects on tourism revenues that are a major economic driver for local businesses and residents. The rent relief will play a pivotal role in maintaining cash flow for businesses affected by wildfire, providing some financial relief as they navigate the operational challenges due to damage, disruption and reduced visitation as Jasper National Park recovers and rebuilds.”

“Through Parks Canada, the federal government is working with the Municipality of Jasper and all Jasperites to ease the burden they face while rebuilding their community. This rent relief will support lessees and licensees who are experiencing financial hardship and unexpected costs to rebuild or repair properties damaged by the wildfire.”

“We understand the challenges faced by those holding leases and licenses within Jasper National Park, especially during this incredibly difficult period of structural and economic loss and recovery. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for demonstrating their commitment to supporting our community by providing rent relief to ease the financial burden. By continuing to work effectively together, we can ensure that our local businesses and residents have the supports they need to help in our recovery process."

Contacts

Oliver Anderson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-962-0686
oliver.anderson@ec.gc.ca

Media Relations Parks Canada
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca

Stop the spread of invasive plants

Invasive plant species threaten ecosystems and wildlife. Jasper residents can help.

Invasive plant species pose a serious threat to native ecosystems, species and people. Introduced by human activity, these plants are the second largest threat to biodiversity worldwide, after habitat loss. These plants will soon spread their seeds in Jasper National Park, posing a significant risk to the park's natural balance.

Jasper National Park’s vegetation field staff are working to manage these invasive plants. Jasper residents and businesses can help by removing two invasive species currently in bloom in and around the townsite of Jasper: oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) and meadow hawkweed (Hieracium caespitosum).

Parks Canada uses multiple techniques and an integrated approach to manage invasive species throughout the park. By removing flower heads in your yards, you are assisting in the overall management of oxeye daisy and meadow hawkweed within the Jasper townsite.

Removing flower heads is a specific method for controlling these species that is limited to within the Jasper townsite. Do not remove plants beyond the townsite of Jasper.

How you can help

1. Identify the plants:
   
   • Oxeye daisy: Similar to a common daisy with white petals and a yellow centre.
   • Meadow hawkweed: Resembles a tall, multi-flowered dandelion.

   If you are unsure about plant identification, Parks Canada vegetation staff can provide a consultation. Call or text 780‑852‑7904 for assistance.

2. Remove the flower heads:
   
   • Carefully pick the flower heads, including a bit of the stem if possible. This won't kill the plants, but it will prevent their seeds from spreading. Over time, this will help native plants re-establish and outcompete invasive species.
   • Place the flower heads in a bag or pail. Do not leave them on the ground or they will seed and spread quickly.
3. Call the vegetation program for pickup:
   
   • Text your address and leave the bag or pail in your front yard. Our team will collect it.

Look-alikes:

Be aware of native plants that might look similar to invasive alien plant species. Please do not pick these. If unsure, call 780‑852‑7904.

Special instructions for residents who live along Pyramid Bench:Special instructions for residents who live along Pyramid Bench:

Residents who live along Pyramid Bench are encouraged to pick oxeye daisy and meadow hawkweed heads in their backyards up to the boundary of the Discovery Trail.

Vegetation program contact: 780‑852‑7904

By participating in preventing the spread of these invasive plants, you’ll help protect the biodiversity and ecosystems that are special to Jasper National Park.

For more information on how Parks Canada manages invasive species, visit the Parks Canada invasive alien species website.

Fruit Tree Replacement Program

By removing bear attractants, we are enhancing safety for residents and giving bears the best chance of survival

Since its launch in March 2024, the Fruit Tree Replacement Program has reduced bear attractants in the Jasper townsite by replacing non-native fruit trees with native, non–fruit-bearing species. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to manage human-wildlife interactions and discourage bears from entering the townsite.

This spring, local Jasper leaseholders voluntarily removed approximately 10% of non-native fruit trees from the Jasper townsite.

Parks Canada would like to thank community members for their ongoing stewardship. The success of this program relies on the active participation and collaboration of the Jasper community.

Progress by the numbers

Trees removed:
Approximately 340 non-native fruit trees have been removed from the Jasper townsite, including about 110 trees this spring (2024) and 230 trees between 2019 and 2023.

Tree distribution:
A total of 300 replacement trees will be distributed in May 2024.

Trees remaining:
Approximately 700 non-native fruit trees remain in the Jasper townsite.

Replacement tree distribution schedule

Residents: From May 23 to May 25, 2024, approximately 140 trees will be delivered to Jasper residents.

Schools: On May 25, 2024, thirty trees will be delivered to École Desrochers and to Jasper Elementary School. These will all be native tree species, specifically trembling aspen and paper birch.

Municipal areas: From May 27 to May 31, 2024, seventy trees will be distributed to various municipal areas within the town. These trees will include a mix of columnar aspen, trembling aspen and silver maple.

Residents who have requested help with planting will be contacted individually to arrange for assistance between May 23 and May 31, 2024.

Community impact

The Jasper community has been highly supportive of the Fruit Tree Replacement Program. Residents and local businesses, recognizing that they play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and beauty of Jasper, have shown significant enthusiasm for the program.

Tracy McKay, Ecologist Team Leader for Jasper National Park Wildlife Management, states,

"We are excited to be launching the Fruit Tree Replacement Program and the community’s response has been tremendous. This is an important step towards making the Jasper townsite safer for people and bears. We hope that providing replacement trees for Jasper residents will offset the loss of trees in town. We will be adding around 300 new trees to the townsite!"

Participation: How to sign up

Parks Canada will continue to take requests for fruit tree removals throughout the summer of 2024. The Fruit Tree Replacement Program will also continue in 2025. Interested residents are encouraged to sign up early to ensure they get their preferred replacement tree species. To participate, please contact Parks Canada by email at jasperwildlife-jasperfaune@pc.gc.ca or by phone at 780-820-0191.

Important considerations:

• Bird nesting window: During the bird nesting window, between April 19 and August 13, tree removals are restricted unless a comprehensive nest survey confirms there are no active nests. Regular removals will resume after August 14, 2024.
• Planting instructions: Detailed planting instructions will accompany each tree. Please be sure to "click before you dig" by visiting utilitysafety.ca for information on underground utility lines.

Report bear sightings

If you spot a bear in the Jasper townsite, report it immediately to Jasper Dispatch at 780-852-6155. Prompt reporting helps ensure public safety and deters bears from returning to the area.

Thank you for your continued support in making Jasper a safer place for both humans and wildlife.

Jasper National Park launches a fruit tree replacement program

Remove a fruit tree – receive a replacement tree

Parks Canada is introducing a Fruit Tree Replacement Program for Jasper residents and businesses in the spring of 2024. Parks Canada’s human-wildlife coexistence team responded to over 400 bear-related incidents in the Jasper townsite in 2023. The main cause was bears being drawn to non-native fruit trees, leading to safety risks as bears foraged in residential areas, including near schools and playgrounds.

This new initiative will provide leaseholders who remove a non-native fruit tree with a replacement non–fruit-bearing tree. Managing fruit trees and other attractants is the only viable approach to keeping bears out of town, reducing the risk to human safety within the Jasper townsite and supporting ecosystem health.

Tracy McKay, Ecologist Team Leader for Jasper National Park Wildlife Management, urges the community to collaborate with Parks Canada in this new initiative.

“We hope that providing replacement trees will encourage residents to remove their fruit trees and make Jasper a safer place for people and bears. Additionally, planting more trees will add some green and beautify the town.”

Program highlights

Who is eligible?

• Jasper residents and businesses who removed non-native fruit trees from their properties between 2019 and 2023 will be given priority for replacement trees.
• Residents and businesses who remove fruit trees in 2024.

What types of trees are available and how many will there be?

• A total of 270 trees are available for the spring 2024 launch, with plans to expand the program in 2025.
• Six tree species will be available: native trembling aspen, paper birch and non–fruit-bearing columnar aspen, spring snow flowering crabapple, Amur maple and silver maple.
• Replacement trees will be approximately 6 feet tall and 1–1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring a strong start for growth.
• Delivery of trees is scheduled for late May or early June 2024. Recipients are encouraged to plant their trees within two weeks of delivery to ensure optimal establishment.

How to participate:

• To participate, contact Parks Canada by email jasperwildlife-jasperfaune@pc.gc.ca or call 780-820-0853. You can also sign up at the Annual Public Forum on March 12, 2024.
• Parks Canada staff may be able to assist with the removal of existing fruit trees and the planting of new ones, to be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on tree size, complexity and staff availability.

Media enquiries

Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Jasper National Park 2024 Resident Passes now available

The Resident Pass provides access to your residence through a park gate without charge and is valid from January 1 to December 31 each year. A Resident Pass is available to you if you live in Jasper and your vehicle registration displays your address in Jasper.

To request your Resident Pass in person at the Jasper National Park Administration Office, or online by visiting our website, you will need to provide the following:

• identification with your name, physical street address and/or mailing address;
• valid vehicle registration showing expiry date, license plate number and address; and
• proof of employment in Jasper (such as confirmation-of-employment letter from employer, most recent pay stub, staff ID, etc.). If applying online, upload photos of required documents; for your privacy, obscure any mentions of your SIN and banking information.

Resident Passes requested online will be available for pick up two business days after submitting a complete application:

• Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm at the Jasper National Park Administration Office, 607 Connaught Drive – west entrance.
• Saturday and Sunday at the Jasper National Park Information Centre, 500 Connaught Drive. Click here for the current hours of operations.

People working in the park who live outside the park or reside in Jasper temporarily for work are eligible to receive a Work Pass. Work passes are valid from April 1 to March 31 each year.

For more information, contact Realty and Municipal Services at 780-852-6220 or jasperreception@pc.gc.ca.

Parks Canada is seeking public input on how land use planning and development services are delivered within the Town of Jasper

Share your thoughts on how Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper could work together.

News release: Consultations on Land Use Planning and Development in the Town of Jasper

The Municipality of Jasper, located in Jasper National Park, requested that the services delivered by the Municipality within the town boundaries be expanded to include responsibility for land use planning and development.

Parks Canada is currently responsible for administering and delivering these services to residents and businesses, while ensuring Jasper National Park is protected for present and future generations.

Parks Canada is inviting input from Canadians on sharing responsibility with the Municipality of Jasper for the delivery of land use planning and development services, and whether a new model should be explored. This includes determining who should carry out what land use planning and development responsibilities within the Town of Jasper, and how the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada could work together in the delivery of these services.

Between March 6, 2023, and April 3, 2023, interested members of the public are invited to contribute to the discussion and provide their feedback directly to Parks Canada. Have your say on this topic online or by attending one of two public information sessions in Jasper on Thursday, March 16, 2023. During the facilitated events, participants will have an opportunity to provide their opinions on potential impacts within the national park’s community, including: Parks Canada’s responsibility to manage commercial development; how to ensure that ecological integrity remains the first priority; planning approvals; community planning; and how to protect Jasper’s unique town character. Visit Let’s Talk Mountain Parks for more details.

Following consultations, a What We Heard Report will be published. The report will summarize the feedback received and outline the next steps for Parks Canada to respond to the request from the Municipality of Jasper.

Quotes

“Parks Canada is committed to working with other jurisdictions, Indigenous partners and stakeholders to explore and advance improvements and efficiencies in offering services to residents and businesses in Jasper, while helping Canadians and visitors from around the world to enjoy the park now and in the future.”
Ron Hallman
President and Chief Executive Officer for Parks Canada

Information

News release: Consultations on Land Use Planning and Development in the Town of Jasper

Public consultations: www.letstalkmountainparks.ca

Contacts

Kaitlin Power
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-230-1557
kaitlin.power@ec.gc.ca

Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.medias-media.pc@canada.ca

Reminder to pick up a Park pass

Parks Canada would like to remind Jasper residents and those working in Jasper National Park that a valid Park pass must be displayed in your vehicle at all times. We are now well into 2023, and many residents have not yet renewed their passes.

Resident Passes are available to Jasper residents whose vehicles are registered in Jasper. They ensure access to your residence without charge, and are valid from January 1 to December 31 each year.

Work Passes are available to people working in Jasper National Park who may live outside the Park, or who reside in Jasper temporarily for work. Work Passes are valid for the period of your employment. Documentation, such as a letter of employment, is required.

The plan presents objectives and targets to guide park management and decision making. The new plan includes six key strategies and two management areas:

You may pick up your pass in person at the Jasper National Park Administration Office, or online by visiting our website.

• your name, physical street address and mailing address;
• your valid vehicle registration showing expiry date, license plate number and registered Jasper address; and
• your proof of employment in Jasper (such as confirmation-of-employment letter from employer, most recent pay stub, staff ID, etc.). If applying online, upload photos of required documents; for your privacy, obscure any mentions of your SIN and banking information.

The Jasper National Park Administration Office (west entrance at 607 Connaught Drive) is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

For more information, contact Realty and Municipal Services at 780-852-6220 or jasperreception@pc.gc.ca.

Parks Canada seeks feedback on updated Private Home Accommodation proposal

Parks Canada is requesting feedback regarding proposed changes to the Town of Jasper Land Use Policy for Private Home Accommodation (PHA). The intent of the proposed PHA amendments is to address previous permitting inconsistencies and to facilitate clear, consistent and fair implementation of the PHA permitting process, for the benefit of current and future PHA operators, the community and visitors.

The proposed policy changes may be reviewed here: Jasper National Park Public Notices. Interested parties may provide feedback to jasperdevelopment@pc.gc.ca until January 31, 2023.

Background

In March 2019 Parks Canada began an extensive public consultation on a number of issues—including PHAs—pertaining to residential housing shortages in the Jasper townsite. The What We Heard Report was made available to the public in September of that year, and informed several action items for Parks Canada to implement.

Following the public consultation, draft amendments to the PHA requirements in the Town of Jasper Land Use Policy were developed. The proposed policy changes included life safety requirements, policy clarity, and protection of residential spaces within the community. The proposal was shared with the Jasper Home Accommodation Association (JHAA), PHA operators, the Municipality of Jasper, and the public in March 2022. After hearing concerns, including those raised by JHAA and PHA operators, Parks Canada withdrew the proposal.

In July 2022 Parks Canada met with the JHAA to better understand the association’s concerns and to seek their input for the development of a revised policy. In addition, the Municipality of Jasper (as the PHA business licence authority) was invited to provide input to be considered in the development of a revised policy.

On December 15, 2022 Parks Canada shared the revised policy proposal with the JHAA and posted the proposed changes on the Jasper National Park website.

Next steps

Feedback pertaining to the current PHA proposed policy changes will be publicly available and a What We Heard report will be prepared and posted on the Jasper National Park website under Public Notices.

The feedback will be reviewed and evaluated to formulate a PHA land-use policy amendment package for submission to the Planning and Development Advisory Committee (PDAC). PDAC meetings are open to all and provide a formal public hearing process. Anyone affected by a development being considered by the committee may ask to speak at the public hearing. Information on how to participate in a PDAC meeting may be found here. Following the meeting, the PDAC will submit written recommendations to the Jasper Field Unit Superintendent.

The PHA land-use policy amendment package is expected to be on the agenda of the March 16, 2023 PDAC meeting. Public notices of upcoming PDAC meetings and agenda items are published on the Jasper National Park website and in the Fitzhugh newspaper a minimum of two weeks in advance.

Pending the outcome of the PDAC meeting, Parks Canada anticipates the PHA land-use policy amendments being completed by March 31, 2023, and to resume accepting new PHA development permit applications shortly thereafter.

Media Inquiries

Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Development permits issued for rental apartment buildings on Connaught Drive

Parks Canada has issued development permits for construction of two 72-unit rental apartment buildings at 801 Connaught Drive and 821 Connaught Drive (formerly known as “Parcel GB”) in Jasper. The two buildings would be mirror images of each other and could be finished as early as 2024.

Background

Through extensive community consultations to determine community needs and best use of available land, the Connaught Drive parcels were identified as preferred locations for the development of additional housing to meet community demand.

For more information on the Parks Canada approval process for the rental housing development, click here.

Questions? Contact Realty and Municipal Services at 780-852-6123 or jasperdevelopment@pc.gc.ca.

Jasper National Park 2023 Resident Passes now available

Parks Canada is pleased to announce that 2023 Resident Passes are now available. You may apply for your pass in person at the Jasper National Park Administration Office, or online by visiting our website.

A Resident Pass is available to you if you live in Jasper and your vehicle is registered in Jasper. The Resident Pass ensures access to your residence without charge, and is valid from January 1 to December 31 each year.

To obtain your Resident Pass, you will need to provide the following information:

• your name, physical street address and mailing address;
• your valid vehicle registration showing expiry date, license plate number and registered Jasper address; and
• your proof of employment in Jasper (such as confirmation-of-employment letter from employer, most recent pay stub, staff ID, etc.). If applying online, upload photos of required documents; for your privacy, obscure any mentions of your SIN and banking information.

The Jasper National Park Administration Office (west entrance at 607 Connaught Drive) is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

For more information, contact Realty and Municipal Services at 780-852-6220 or jasperreception@pc.gc.ca.

*Updated* Rental Housing Development - Parcel GB - 801 Connaught Drive - Parks Canada Approval Process

Over the past months, Parks Canada has received a number of comments related to the potential rental housing project on Parcel GB. We appreciate the questions and would like to take this opportunity to clarify some misconceptions and answer your questions.

Background

Affordable, comfortable housing is necessary to the long-term sustainability and vitality of the community of Jasper and its residents. In recent years, the Jasper Community Housing Corporation (JCHC) has been working on advancing the development of new housing in Jasper. Through extensive community consultations to determine community needs and best use of available land, the Connaught Drive parcels (GA, GB and GC) were identified as preferred locations for the development of additional housing to meet community demand.

In 2017, in an effort to get more housing into the community as swiftly as possible, Parks Canada and the JCHC agreed to enable Parcel GB to be released for potential development, with the conditions that the units be high density (more housing), and rentals only, not for purchase. Parks Canada began the process of advertising Parcel GB for purchase across Canada. In 2020, a developer entered into an agreement to lease Parcel GB; Parks Canada has been working with them since that time to get to the development permit stage.

To enable the development of new housing, Jasper Municipal Council approved a project to install municipal utility services in the area, including water, sewer and stormwater (deep services). Complete parcel servicing of other utilities (non-municipal), including gas and electricity, is also planned, so the parcel can be ready for development. This project is anticipated to be completed in November 2021; approximately half the cost will be borne by any projects that are constructed on the GB or GC parcels.

Review and approval by Parks Canada

In June 2021, the Planning and Development Advisory Committee (PDAC) advertised and held a public consultation meeting on the requested variances for the development of Parcel GB. Many members of the public, municipal representatives, and the builder were present and made comments.

The variances listed below were requested by the developer. After hearing from the developer and those in attendance at the meeting, PDAC recommended that the variances be accepted with some conditions. Parks Canada approved the proposed private development variances based on PDAC’s recommendations. To ensure the public has accurate information, we have explained below the details of each variance.

A. Exceedance of maximum building height, as measured from grade level by 3.67 m.
Building height is measured from where the grade meets the building. Although the proposed building technically exceeds the maximum height by 3.67 m, based on the slope of the lot, the roofline is actually at the same elevation of a 3-storey building when viewed at street level on Connaught Drive. This approach enabled the proponent to create a walkout basement level suitable for additional rental units that would not be visible from the street.

B. A conditional reduction in parking stalls from 159 to 125.
This variance was granted with the condition that the developer work with the Municipality to identify opportunities to provide more parking stalls. The proponent reasoned the proximity of the apartments to the town’s central business district and services would attract residents with less need of a vehicle as has been done in many other communities. It is common in many municipalities to reduce parking requirements for developments close to downtown and in our community, active transportation will play an increasingly important role to help to resolve the housing crisis.

C. Reduction to the size of the units from 90 m2 to 76.38 m2.
This variance was granted to enable an increase in the overall number of new housing units the development would deliver.

D. The exceedance of maximum eave height by 3.45 m to 10.05 m.
This variance was granted for the same reasons as the maximum height variance described above in A.

Summary

The review and approval of the proposed variances on Parcel GB followed the established process and procedures set out by Parks Canada. This development will follow the Land Use Plan in all other respects, including the Architectural Motif Guidelines for the Town of Jasper. These approvals were for variances only and the project still needs to be granted development and building permits in order to proceed.

For more information, please visit the Realty and Municipal Services section on our website by clicking here. On this page, you can view upcoming public hearings of the Planning and Development Advisory Committee, notices of decision, and other announcements.

Changes to the Town of Jasper Land Use Policy – Parks Canada

News release: In collaboration with the Municipality of Jasper, Parks Canada updates the Town of Jasper Land Use Policy to guide the recovery of the community.

Hundreds of Jasper homeowners are navigating the choices for rebuilding their homes after the Jasper Wildfire ignited structures in the town of Jasper in July 2024. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting residents as they rebuild, working side-by-side with the Municipality of Jasper.

Today, Ministerial Lead for Jasper Recovery, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, released updates to local land use policy in the town of Jasper. The changes simplify the process of rebuilding for anyone who lost structures within the townsite. This builds on the momentum of Bill C-76, passed unanimously in Parliament to enable the transfer of some development authorities from Parks Canada to the Municipality of Jasper.

The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada, with the Municipality of Jasper, have been working closely together through the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre. Together, they outlined a 5-phase approach to rebuilding Jasper.

Today’s launch of the Rebuilding Guide marks the completion of Phase 1. This guide summarizes updates to the Town of Jasper Land Use Policy and Architectural Motif Guidelines to simplify the rebuilding process.

The land use policy changes focus on making rebuilding easier for Jasperites, rebuilding with wildfire in mind, increasing housing options, climate resilience and sustainability. Individual changes are increasing community resilience to wildfire by requiring the use of noncombustible materials on the exterior of new buildings being rebuilt, and that the 1.5 m area around them are noncombustible.

Key changes to support housing include allowing leaseholders with lots formerly zoned for single-detached dwellings to build either one or two primary dwelling units on a lot, reduced parking requirements, making subdivision easier and more options for accessory dwellings. Newly established minimum standards and guidance for those who wish to go beyond the minimum standard encourage a balance between safety and increased housing. This approach will provide the flexibility for innovation by homeowners while promoting essential safety and resilience while maintaining the unique character of the national park community.

Backgrounder: Updates to Parks Canada policies will ensure community of Jasper is better prepared for future challenges while maintaining the unique character of the town

Our Government is simplifying process and policies to help Jasperites rebuild their homes and businesses as quickly and efficiently as possible. We are in this together, and for as long as it takes, to get Jasper back to its former glory. Streamlining things will help the community recover now, while strengthening their resiliency for any future threats that come from a changing climate.

By making these changes quickly and in close collaboration with the Municipality of Jasper, Parks Canada is making it easier for people to get back in their homes and for businesses to open their doors. We are cutting red tape to empower Jasper to lead its own recovery, with the full support of the Federal Government, while working closely with the province.

Rebuilding Jasper is about more than restoring lost structures; it’s an opportunity to reimagine our future with a focus on sustainability and resilience. By collaborating with Parks Canada, we can ensure that Jasper rebuilds in a sustainable way, integrating innovative practices that better protect our homes, our businesses and the environment, enhancing our community for residents and for our essential visitor economy. Together, we can create a more vibrant community that thrives on resilience, innovation, and unity, forging a path forward toward a brighter future for all.

Contacts

Oliver Anderson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-962-0686
oliver.anderson@ec.gc.ca

Media Relations Parks Canada
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca

Reopening attractions to welcome visitors for the winter season – Parks Canada

News release: Reopenings support businesses and residents whose livelihoods rely directly and indirectly on hosting and guiding visitors to Jasper National Park

This week, some of the most visited places in Jasper National Park are reopening! Visitor experiences that have reopened since the Jasper Wildfire Complex required closing the entire park include: Miette Hot Springs, the Columbia Icefields, Sunwapta Falls, Pyramid Lake, Athabasca Falls, Old Fort Point and Lake Annette.

Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, as Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and in a newly appointed role as Ministerial Lead to Jasper, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced fall and winter backcountry camping availability, an update on winter activities expected in Jasper, and the reopening of Maligne Road on Friday, October 11, 2024. The Parks Canada Reservation System will have select backcountry sites available to book on October 10, 2024 at 14:00 p.m. MST.

The economy of Jasper depends on visitors and the Government of Canada is committed to welcoming tourists to Jasper National Park following the Jasper Wildfire Complex. As one of the hardest hit areas during the wildfire, Maligne Road is a significant reopening—in addition to all the incredible work to open many other popular areas. Parks Canada will continue to reopen areas of Jasper National Park as soon as it is safe to do so.

The reopening of the major visitor experience areas within Jasper National Park ensures that Jasper residents, Canadians and international visitors alike can make plans to enjoy this iconic winter destination.

Winter activities this year in Jasper will include many of the beloved experiences the park is known for, including winter events and outdoor recreation experiences like cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, skating, and flat-packed trails for walking and fat biking.

Visitors are encouraged to plan their trip in advance. Jasper National Park has launched an interactive map of what's open to simplify trip planning. While in Jasper, visitors can stop by the Jasper National Park Visitor Information Centre in the heart of downtown for advice and recommendations on making the most of their of their Parks Canada experience.

“Jasper National Park’s reopening this winter is a testament to the resilience of our ecosystems and the dedication of our communities. We are committed to protecting these natural treasures while ensuring they remain accessible for everyone to enjoy”

“Jasper National Park is home to some of the most beautiful and most visited places in Canada. Visitors and locals alike are planning their winter holidays and today’s announcement signals to the world that Jasper National Park is open for business. I saw firsthand the devastation wrought by the wildfire and it broke my heart. Returning today for the third time since the fire, I can assure visitors that the views will still take your breath away. Anyone who has ever had a connection to Jasper and those who have yet to experience this wonderful place are invited to come check it out for themselves.”

"As we prepare to welcome winter in Jasper, we celebrate the remarkable teamwork that continues to fuel our recovery efforts, enabling us to offer a vibrant array of winter tourism options. Thanks to the dedication of our local partners, businesses, and recovery teams, we are excited to present a winter experience that highlights the breathtaking beauty of Jasper’s mountain landscape and reflects our enduring resilience as a community."

“A fully operational winter season in Jasper is a testament to the resilience of our community and the natural beauty surrounding us. We’re excited to welcome visitors to experience the magic of the fall and winter here, made possible by the dedication of our local partners and strong business community. Visiting our community is essential to sustaining local employment and driving economic stability. This season reflects the strength of Jasper and our commitment to making this truly unique place open and enjoyable for all.”

Contacts

Oliver Anderson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-962-0686
oliver.anderson@ec.gc.ca

Alice Hansen
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, and Ministerial Lead for Jasper
alice.hansen@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Media Relations Parks Canada
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca

Media Statement – Thursday, August 29, 2024

Collaborative work is underway by Parks Canada, the Municipality of Jasper, the Province of Alberta, tourism partners and local businesses as we look to the future, together, and build a plan to reopen.

An important step taken last week was the establishment of the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada Joint Recovery Co-ordination Centre (JRCC). This collaborative working group will be guiding the community through the recovery process.

The JRCC’s first priority is to facilitate a smooth recovery for staff, residents, essential services, and businesses within the Jasper townsite and Jasper National Park as quickly as possible.

Facilitating building faster in a resilient way

We are working in several ways to support Jasperites and local businesses in the park to help relieve some of the stress by facilitating a streamlined system for the rebuilding process. Parks Canada is working with all orders of government to reduce administrative requirements for homeowners and commercial businesses looking to rebuild. We are fast tracking the recovery process by:

• implementing with the Municipality of Jasper a blanket approval process for demolition of impacted residential properties in collaboration and in accordance with insurance requirements and provincial regulations.
• developing a similar approach for commercial, where practical,
• streamlining approvals for temporary structures, including interim housing.
• expediting residential and commercial rebuilds done on a like-for-like basis (with any code related updates) to advance them on a faster path than what would be expected for new-build.
• streamlining Outlying Commercial Accommodation (OCA) properties that advance like-for-like proposals in accordance with direction provided in OCA Guidelines.

Parks Canada has brought in a team to undertake the reduction of administrative burden and to expedite rebuild. This team has already reached out to contractors (e.g., surveyors, safety code inspectors, etc.) and others who will be instrumental to the process of rebuilding. We will leverage their expertise to inform and streamline our approach and boost their readiness to meet anticipated demands for services.

Additionally, Parks Canada is consolidating permit applications and types, waiving the period for notification of intent to rebuild, waiving documentation fees, including costs associated with issuing new business licences or for producing copies of leases for insurance companies until further notice.

We have paused all rent collection from lessees and licensees in Jasper until further notice.

Visitor offer at Jasper National Park

The JRCC consults with tourism operators and businesses on how current processes can be adapted to meet their needs throughout the road to recovery. This dialogue will be on-going and will greatly influence important decisions to come on how to build faster in a resilient way.

To date Parks Canada has opened public access to:

• Miette Hot Springs
• guided tours of the Athabasca Glacier
• a portion of the Pyramid Lake Road and adjacent trails

Reopening visitor offers requires removing hazards such as fallen trees, repairing infrastructure, and restoring several services, including emergency response services, garbage collection, washroom cleaning, maintenance. This work has begun, but these activities take significant expertise and resources.

Therefore, all remaining campground and associated reservations for this season will be cancelled and those with bookings will be fully refunded.

Parks Canada is continuing to contact visitors to return camping gear, personal belongings and vehicles that were left behind. This process includes ensuring the safety of sites from hazards before belongings may be retrieved. If you have not yet retrieved your property, please continue to standby. When it is safe to return, you will be contacted.

Updates for the 2025 camping season will be communicated and shared on Jasper National Park’s website and social media channels when available.

For media enquiries about Jasper National Park, email pnjmedia-jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca.

For media enquiries about the wildfire, email jnpwildfire-incendiepnj@pc.gc.ca.

Those with reservations and additional questions can visit https://reservation.pc.gc.ca/ or call the reservation line at: Phone: 1-877-737-3783 · Phone: 1-519-826-5391 outside of North America.

Engagement on Visitor Use Management

Over the past decade, visitation to Jasper National Park rose 20% and is expected to continue to increase. More people than ever before are visiting and connecting with this special place. Higher numbers of people on the landscape are causing issues like congestion, crowding, human-wildlife conflict, and impacts to ecosystems.

In managing national parks, Parks Canada maintains or restores ecological integrity, and provides Canadians with opportunities to discover and enjoy them. The Jasper National Park Management Plan (2022) sets out a strategy to facilitate sustainable, high-quality visitor experiences that are rooted in the park’s distinctive nature and culture.

Today, Jasper National Park is launching the first step in the development of a Visitor Use Management Plan to adapt to increasing visitation in the park. This work will contribute to meeting commitments in the Jasper National Park Management Plan and focuses on busy areas of the park during the May to September period, when approximately 80% of visitors arrive.

Visitor Use Management Planning Focus Areas:

• Lake Annette and Lake Edith
• Maligne Canyon
• Mount Edith Cavell
• Old Fort Point
• Pyramid and Patricia Lakes
• Valley of the Five Lakes

The visitor use management planning process may be extended to other locations and times of year in the future.

We want your feedback!

Engagement with you, the public, Indigenous partners and stakeholders will be open through to September 13, 2024.

You can share your thoughts on challenges and opportunities with increasing visitation by visiting our engagement website at letstalkmountainparks.ca or writing to us at opinion-jasper@pc.gc.ca.

Highlights from Jasper National Park’s Annual Public Forum

Parks Canada hosted its Annual Public Forum for Jasper National Park in-person on March 12, 2024 and virtually on March 13, 2024. Presented for more than 20 years, the Annual Public Forum provides an opportunity for Parks Canada to report on progress towards park goals and objectives outlined in the Jasper National Park Management Plan, and to hear from members of the public about the priorities for Jasper National Park in the year ahead.

To learn more about what was heard at the 2024 Annual Forum, check out the highlights webpage for details! Full highlights of work in the park in 2023, can be reviewed in the 2023 Annual Report.

The in-person forum welcomed 100 people who provided more than 200 written comments, along with countless conversations with staff. At the virtual session, more than 40 participants asked over a dozen questions which were answered during the hour-long question and answer period.

At eight tables, attendees of the in-person event were invited to learn about and discuss aquatic invasive species, dogs in the park, fire, bears in the Jasper townsite, Indigenous relations and cultural heritage, trails, and visitor use management. The feedback shared by attendees is outlined below, along with Parks Canada’s response to some of the issues raised.

Where possible, comments are presented as shared to accurately convey the ideas expressed, in other instances, similar comments have been grouped together to reflect multiple comments heard on similar ideas. Comments are summarized by the table-topic themes and include responses to prompted questions relating to each topic.

Attendees provided creative and insightful comments that speak to the challenge of ensuring the environment of Jasper National Park is protected, while ensuring opportunities for enjoyment and education for Canadians and visitors to experience the remarkable natural and cultural heritage of the Rocky Mountains.

All feedback received at the Annual Public Forum, and throughout the year, informs and shapes how Jasper National Park is managed into the future. Thank you to everyone for sharing your input on important issues.

Media enquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

You’re invited to the Jasper National Park Annual Public Forum

Annual Report available

Join Parks Canada for the Jasper National Park Annual Public Forum taking place in person on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, and virtually on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. The forum is your opportunity to connect with members of the Parks Canada team and learn about progress towards achieving the vision outlined in the Jasper National Park Management Plan. Highlights of this work are presented in Jasper National Park’s 2023 Annual Report, which is available online.

In-person Annual Public Forum: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Jasper Activity Centre

During the open house, speak with Parks Canada staff on park planning and operations in an informal setting. Following a year in review presentation, table talk discussions will provide the opportunity to engage with staff on various topics including bears in Jasper townsite, dogs in Jasper National Park, Indigenous Relations and Cultural Heritage, preventing Aquatic Invasive Species, trails, visitor-use management planning, and wildfire risk reduction.

Kid-friendly activities will be offered by the Palisades Stewardship Education Centre and the human resources team will be available to chat about Parks Canada employment opportunities and to provide tips for job applications.

6:00 pm Open house drop-in with refreshments
6:30 pm Year-in-review presentation
7:00 pm Table topic discussions

Save the date: Virtual Annual Public Forum: Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm

Microsoft teams meeting link

6:30 pm Year in review presentation
7:00 pm Question and answer session

We look forward to seeing you in person or online.

Media inquiries
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Jasper National Park Annual Public Forum

Save the date: March 12 (in-person) and March 13 (virtual), 2024

Jasper National Park’s Annual Public Forum provides the opportunity for Parks Canada to share highlights of the past year. It’s also a great opportunity to speak to Parks Canada staff on upcoming priorities for the park for the year ahead.

Save the date: In-person, Tuesday, March 12 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Jasper Activity Centre multi-purpose hall (305 Bonhomme Street)
6:00 pm Open house drop-in
6:30 pm Year-in-review presentation
7:00 pm Table topic discussions

Save the date: Virtual, Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Microsoft teams
6:30 pm Year-in-review presentation
7:00 pm Question and answer session

“A lot of significant progress was made in 2023 and we look forward to hearing directly from participants who care about Jasper National Park. This year’s annual forum format allows for participants to join us in person or virtually, the first time both options are available. We hope to reach more people this way and I encourage anyone who lives in, has an interest in, or has visited the park to participate.”
– Alan Fehr, Jasper Field Unit Superintendent

More details on the table topic discussions and the 2023 Annual Report will be shared and made available on the Jasper National Park website prior to the Annual Public Forum.

Media inquiries
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Jasper National Park 2023 Review: A Year of Moments and Milestones

Thank You

As we close this year's chapter, Parks Canada extends its gratitude to each member of our team, and to dedicated Jasper community members, Indigenous partners, local businesses, visitors, non-profit organizations, stakeholders and external partners. Your collective efforts, rooted in a commitment to stewardship, have been instrumental in nurturing our community's vitality. Through collaborative actions, volunteer efforts, sustainable operational practices and innovative local initiatives, we are collectively ensuring the preservation and protection of Jasper National Park’s environmental and cultural heritage for generations to come.

As we wave goodbye to 2023, let's embark on a journey through Jasper National Park's eventful year, filled with nature's marvels, community spirit and remarkable achievements.

January 2023: Kicking off with winter wonders

The year started on a high note with the Jasper in January festival. Visitors indulged in the “Lighter Side of Winter,” enjoying everything from a poutine showdown to the first-ever Mountain Malanka – a New Year's Eve revelry of Ukrainian culture. And don't forget the Parks Canada tent, where avalanche safety and winter travel were the hot topics.

Jasper in January returns in full force in 2024 from January 12 to 28. Don’t miss the famous retro street party on Saturday, January 27, 2024, and look for the Parks Canada tent! Learn more.

February 2023: A land of ice and adventure

February was a winter enthusiast's dream come true. The Friends of Jasper National Park (Friends of Jasper) kept 50 km of trails pristine for hikers and snowshoers, while Parks Canada's trail crew groomed 40 km into a sublime cross-country ski haven. Ready to join the frosty escapades? Check the latest trail conditions here and dive into the wintry bliss! Back again for 2024, the Pipeline cross-country ski trail!

Avalanche Awareness Story Night at the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives featured daring stories of high alpine rescue from Jasper National Park’s Visitor Safety team and Marmot Basin operators. This event went beyond sharing tales—it fostered community spirit and safety awareness, all while raising funds for Jasper Crisis Services.

March 2023: Spring awakenings

Parks Canada released the short film "Planting the Future," capturing conservation efforts for whitebark and limber pine in the mountain national parks. It’s a must-watch for nature lovers!

March marked the start of construction of the caribou conservation breeding centre, with the initial phase of building forested pens and installing essential utilities. This pivotal project flourished with significant contributions from Indigenous businesses and communities, showcasing a collaborative spirit in wildlife conservation. Learn more.

Rounding out the month, Parks Canada’s fire and vegetation experts captivated audiences at the Jasper Municipal Library's spring gardening speaker series. This event was a gem for gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, highlighting the importance of native flora in our ecosystem.

Spring sprung into action at Parks Canada on March 31 with our first bear sighting of the season! It was a timely reminder for everyone to revisit their bear safety skills.

April 2023: Conversations and connections

On April 19, Jasper National Park hosted its first in-person Annual Public Forum since the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions buzzed with insights into trails, wildlife and more, setting the stage for an engaging year. Learn more.

Trailblazing got an upgrade! A new online trail condition report launched in April, offering real-time updates. Now, trail enthusiasts may easily check the latest conditions and plan their adventures with ease.

In 2023, the Palisades Education Centre was a hub of excitement and learning, reaching 11,700 students through dynamic virtual programs and on-site adventures. Covering hot topics like wildfire, caribou conservation and leadership, the centre hosted 48 groups and connected with over 700 students at the Marmot Learning Centre.

Jasper Pride & Ski Festival, launched on April 23, brought a burst of colour and inclusivity to the Rockies. Parks Canada showed its support for this unique celebration, the only gay ski week in the Canadian Rockies, hosting an afternoon of family activities at Lake Annette on April 22, including nature games, exploring and family fun.

Public consultation on land use planning and development in the town of Jasper wrapped up in April, following online, in-person and Indigenous consultations. Read the What We Heard Report.

The majestic bald eagles soared back to their nest at Medicine Lake, a yearly delight for locals and visitors.

May 2023: Community spirit and nature's call to action

Parks Canada delivered great news: The Chetamon Wildfire was extinguished! A thorough infrared scan confirmed no hotspots, marking a significant success in wildfire management. Community-Wide FireSmart Day saw Jasperites uniting to reduce fire risk. Supported by Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper, everyone from apartment dwellers to homeowners cleared combustible materials, showcasing a community dedicated to safety.

The 2023 wildfire season saw fire crews actively involved in both local and national wildfire management efforts. Nationally, the park contributed 14 fire specialists and an additional 17 trained staff to support regions across Western Canada. Learn more.

As the ice melted on Maligne Lake, paddlers rejoiced, readying their life jackets and refining their J-strokes. It was a return to beloved waters and a signal of adventurous days ahead.

Fort St. James National Historic Site kicked off its season on May 20 with pancakes, kite decorating and chicken races! The Home Stretch Diner reopened with a new menu, and three adorable baby goats joined the Fort’s furry population.

June 2023: Or was it “Junuary”?

June in Jasper took a surprising twist with a “Junuary” snowstorm—a rare meteorological event! Locals and visitors watched in awe as over 100 mm of rain and a blanket of 55 cm of snow transformed the landscape. This unseasonal spectacle brought its share of challenges: Parks staff rescued hikers stranded on backcountry trails and roads, and businesses experienced hardship due to necessary closures to repair roads damaged by mudslides. Jasper National Park’s trail crew and the Highways team were instrumental in the clean-up effort. Learn more.

The Traffic Congestion Management team made their debut this month, expertly easing motorists’ journeys at Lake Annette and Maligne Canyon. Paired with JasperNow, our handy web map for parking updates, exploring Jasper’s hotspots became a breeze.

On June 13, Parks staff gloved up for Stewardship Day as part of National Public Service Week, enthusiastically combing through Jasper to pick up litter. This collective effort not only fostered camaraderie but also kept our beloved park looking its pristine best!

Jasper National Park, in partnership with host First Nation Simpcw (People of the River), celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. This vibrant event showcased the culture of the Simpcwúl’ecw, from the Secwépemc Nation, through songs, dances and workshops on plant knowledge, language and traditional skills. Learn more.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride trotted into Jasper for the first time since 1974. The “Return of the Ride,” orchestrated by a committee including the Jasper Chamber of Commerce and the local RCMP detachment, was highly anticipated. Despite tumultuous weather, the troop of more than two dozen horses and riders met with the public in their temporary stable at the Jasper Arena and performed two rides through town to give the community a glimpse of the majestic presence of the horses.

The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) prevention program in Jasper National Park launched in 2023. The AIS team conducted 944 “effectiveness monitoring surveys” and 114 hot washes from June to October, with a significant focus on Maligne Lake, where they engaged with more than 450 visitors, emphasizing the importance of “Clean, Drain, Dry” practices. Learn more.

July 2023: Summer adventures and festivities

Canada Day celebrations abounded in Jasper National Park on July 1. Parks staff proudly designed parade floats while Parka, our beloved beaver mascot, made a celebrity appearance at “Picnic in the Park.” Thank you to the Municipality of Jasper, the Canada Day Committee and volunteers for an event-packed day!

Fort St. James National Historic Site celebrated Canada Day with a fur trade skills competition, birthday cake and a name-the-baby-goats contest!

Park interpretation programs kicked off on the July long weekend, featuring theatre productions, activity stations, campfire events and a speaker series, captivating 23,000 visitors with over 200 programs during July and August. Simultaneously, the wildlife patrol team managed 460 “wildlife jams” and educated 19,000 individuals about responsible wildlife viewing.

Fort St. James National Historic Site put a call out to all foodies to join them for the “Best Salmon Chef in New Caledonia Salmon Cook-Off”! The event celebrated the historical significance of salmon at this iconic site and invited community members to show off their culinary skills.

Parks Day, hosted by Friends of Jasper, was a hit! The community and visitors enjoyed a day filled with guided hikes, outdoor activities, artist displays and family fun. Parks Canada added to the excitement with engaging activity booths at the lively celebration in Robson Park, highlighting the value of our parks and historic sites. Thanks to the Friends of Jasper and volunteers for a magical day!

The Glacier Gallery in the Icefields Centre reopened! Visitors explored the fascinating exhibits and watched the award-winning short film, Through Ice and Time.

During Shark Week, the AIS prevention team happily reported on social media that no sharks or invasive species had been detected in Jasper’s waters.

A “Teddy Bears’ Picnic”? Not quite! On July 24, a grizzly bear family of mom and two cubs accessed a visitor’s picnic at Lake Annette day-use area, prompting wildlife specialists to close the area to track down the bears and relocate them, for bear—and public—safety.

Fort St. James’s baby-goat-naming campaign came to an end, introducing “Oreo,” “Cookie,” “Latte” and “Cashew” to the world. Participants whose name suggestions were not chosen tried not to let it “get their goat.”

August 2023: Trailblazing achievements and cultural celebrations

In 2023, the Jasper National Park trail crew were trailblazing heroes! They skillfully maintained routes like the Pyramid fire road, built four nifty new bridges in the Tonquin Valley, and gave the Moab Lake bridge a fantastic facelift. Not to forget, they impressively managed 51 backcountry poo barrels! Learn More.

Celebrating their 40th anniversary, the Friends of Jasper have significantly impacted their favourite park with initiatives like the Pyramid Island, Whistlers Mountain, and Cavell Meadows restoration projects. Their unique programs, including Junior Naturalist and Full Moon hikes, coupled with a popular gift shop, showcase their commitment to nature and community. This small team demonstrates how passion and dedication can lead to remarkable achievements. Thank you, Friends of Jasper, for making Jasper National Park the vibrant place it is!

Fort St. James National Historic Site invited the public to join them for the Celebration of Nak’azdli Salmon on August 24. The event was hosted by Nak’azdli Whut’en Health Centre and included a salmon offering ceremony at the Chief Kwah Memorial, followed by a salmon feast, a presentation from the Nak’azdli Fisheries Department and a theatrical performance of The Legend of Salmon Boy. Learn more.

Whistlers Theatre speaker series engaged visitors eager to get a “behind the scenes” look into park operations and environmental conservation. Featured presentations by Visitor Safety, vegetation restoration, and Jasper’s caribou recovery team demonstrated the passion and highly specialized work of our Parks Canada staff.

The velvet came off and the elk rutting began! Coinciding with the start of the elk rut in late August, the wildlife patrol team stepped up their efforts in delivering safety messages to the public and local community.

Fort St. James National Historic Site celebrated Caledonia Day on August 26. Visitors bid in the pie auction and enjoyed games for kids, exhibitions, tournaments and live music. Parks Canada staff were on hand to gather feedback from the public and stakeholders for the Fort’s new Draft Management Plan. Learn more.

In 2023, Jasper townsite became a bear hotspot, with around a dozen curious bears, lured by non-native fruit trees and tempting yard goodies, stirring up safety concerns. It’s a wild problem, but solving it is a team sport! Since 2019, Parks Canada staff have been on a tree-removal mission, uprooting over 200 fruit trees from residential, commercial and public lands. Joining the bear-busting brigade, owners of at least 10 trees voluntarily removed their trees themselves. Thank you to residents, businesses and the Municipality of Jasper who worked with Parks Canada to remove fruit trees and other bear attractants. Learn more.

September 2023: New beginnings and commemorative steps

Jasper National Park’s Miette Hot Springs, known for the hottest mineral waters in the Canadian Rockies, reopened to hot-spring aficionados’ delight on September 1, after a closure caused by a June snowstorm-induced mudslide which damaged the road. More info.

Parks Canada worked with the Municipality of Jasper on their Jasper Transit initiative, which launched on September 5. This new fixed-route service is not just a ride; it helps to alleviate congestion at popular day-use areas and offers a sustainable public transportation option for locals and visitors alike.

Thanks to public reports and rapid response, Jasper’s fire crews efficiently managed and extinguished 15 wildfires this summer, with three of them over 2 ha in size and requiring more than 12 hours of suppression activities. Learn more.

On September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was commemorated by Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper. This event served as a remembrance of the residential school legacy. In the 30 days leading up to September 30, the Jasper National Park Indigenous Relations and Cultural Heritage team collaborated with Municipality of Jasper staff to create a ReconciliACTION Calendar with daily activities and resources to promote cultural awareness and advance reconciliation.

The Happy Little Trees Project was brilliantly led by Snape’s Hill historian Danny Frechette, in partnership with Parks Canada and Trans Mountain. This team skillfully transplanted Douglas-fir trees from Lake Annette to rejuvenate areas devastated by mountain pine beetle. The project attained an impressive 93% success rate, with the transplanted trees flourishing in their new environment.

October 2023: Starry nights and ecological endeavours

From May to October, vegetation restoration field technicians planted 2,880 Douglas-fir seedlings and 1,564 native forbs and grasses, and transplanted 340 Douglas-firs, to combat invasive species and aid ecological restoration. They also implemented various techniques like native grass seeding and willow staking across 17 sites. Learn more.

Simpcw First Nation and Stoney Nation approached Parks Canada to express their intent to renew a territory sharing agreement. Their original agreement pre-dated the establishment of Jasper National Park. As a partner, Parks Canada responded by working with Simpcw First Nation and Stoney Nation to facilitate a gathering this past October, which included a ceremony and a faunal harvest to observe the renewed territory sharing agreement. This event, aligned with shared conservation goals, supports Indigenous partners to reconnect with their territories and honours their rights. Learn more.

October in Jasper National Park sparkled with the annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival, a signature event organized by Tourism Jasper and elevated by the dedicated efforts of partners and volunteers. This celebration brought the community and visitors together with an innovative drone light show, a safer choice than traditional fireworks, minimizing wildfire risks and being more accessible for those with noise or light sensitivities. Stargazing enthusiasts also enjoyed laser-guided constellation tours at Marmot Meadows with Parks Canada interpreters and celebrated "International Observe the Moon Night" at Commemoration Park.

November 2023: Safeguarding and inspiring

In November, Jasper National Park began conducting wildfire risk reduction work, focusing on the Community Fireguard on Pyramid Bench and surrounding areas. The efforts included hand-thinning vegetation and controlled burning of debris to mitigate wildfire risks and manage the impact of mountain pine beetle. Residents and visitors may notice increased activity and smoke from these essential and safety-focused operations until March 31, 2024. Learn more.

Parks Canada took steps to advance avalanche safety by evaluating new tools and procedures for avalanche control. This initiative, critical for ensuring visitor and staff safety in avalanche-prone areas, was skillfully executed by the Parks Canada Visitor Safety team. Know before you go when traveling at any time of the year; check 511Alberta for the most current road conditions throughout Jasper National Park.

On November 11, Remembrance Day was observed by Parks Canada, the Municipality of Jasper, Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 31) and the community at large, as we honoured Canada’s war veterans and peacekeepers, and remembered those who lost their lives in military service. There was a moment of silence at 11 a.m. in tribute to those who have served and continue to serve our country during war, conflict and peace.

November 16 saw Grade 9 students exploring Parks Canada careers during “Take Our Kids to Work Day.” Engaging in activities like wildlife tracking and conservation efforts, they gained valuable insights, inspiring their future paths. A big thanks to the students and staff who made this day a success!

November 17 marked “National Take a Hike Day” and our Parks staff celebrated by hitting the trails for some rejuvenating fresh air. Want to connect with nature today? Check trail reports here and take a hike!

December 2023: Lighting up winter

Fort St. James National Historic Site sparkled with joy during the “Light up the Fort” event from December 9 to 23. Visitors embraced winter's magic, capturing “picture perfect” moments and sharing them under #LightuptheFort, fostering a warm sense of community and celebration.

Social media highlights

Jasper National Park’s social media channels connected millions of Canadians and visitors from around the globe in 2023. Here are the top five most engaging posts:

1. Happy #Thanksgiving everyone! (October 9, 2023) - 8,156 likes
2. After recent rain and an assessment of the Celestine Road, the Chetamon Wildfire area closure has been lifted (May 26, 2023) – 1,455 likes
3. As August waves goodbye, let's give a roaring round of applause to the trail crew for their incredible efforts! (August 31, 2023) – 853 likes
4. Meet Caribou 73! (September 6, 2023) – 779 likes
5. UPDATES from the snowstorm ❄ That's right, a snowstorm in June! (June 23, 2023) - 737 likes

Whether you have cultural connections to its lands or are a regular visitor, whether you love it from afar or are proud to call it home, Jasper National Park is a special place for many people around the country and the world.

From Jasper National Park, we hope you continue to enjoy the holidays, travel safely and find time to rest and celebrate with your family and friends.

Happy New Year!

P.S. Stay tuned in the new year for the upcoming Jasper National Park 2023 Annual Report and the Annual Forum, taking place in person March 12 and virtually March 13, 2024.

Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Highlights from the Jasper National Park Annual Public Forum

Jasper National Park hosted its Annual Public Forum on April 19th, 2023. This annual event provides an opportunity for Parks Canada to report on progress towards park goals and objectives outlined in the Park Management Plan, and to speak with members of the public about priorities for Jasper National Park for the year ahead.

This year’s Forum began with a Year in Review presentation by the Jasper Field Unit Superintendent, Alan Fehr. This presentation was recorded and is available upon request by sending an email to opinion-jasper@pc.gc.ca. To learn more about the Park’s work in 2022, read Jasper’s 2022 Annual Report.

Following the Superintendent’s presentation, attendees were invited to take part in topic-table discussions, where participants circulated around the room and visited booths on topics including trails, fire, bears in the valley, visitation, Indigenous relations, species at risk, aquatic invasive species, and caribou.

At each booth, Parks Canada staff were on hand to offer information and answer questions. Participants were also invited to provide their feedback on key questions relating to each booth topic. Comments and feedback were recorded on sticky notes and charts.

The following represents a snapshot of feedback heard at the Forum. It is intended to reflect the views of the event attendees as they were expressed and does not necessarily reflect the priorities of Parks Canada.

What do you think are the issues and challenges associated with increasing visitation in Jasper?

• Sufficient infrastructure and maintenance.
• Increased human-wildlife conflict.
• Lack of parking.
• Lack of capacity.
• Enforcement of infractions.
• Crowding and congestion.
• Waste management.

What do you think are the opportunities associated with increasing visitation in Jasper?

• Increase interpretation.
• Improve signage.
• Increase cell coverage.

What do you think should be the Park’s priorities for improvements to accessibility and inclusivity?

• More funding for accessibility and inclusivity work.
• Reducing physical barriers and monitoring accessible facilities for maintenance needs.
• Improving lake access.
• Getting better data*.
• Providing small businesses, not just corporations, with opportunities to access economic opportunities*.

Further specifics not provided.

How can Parks Canada make alternative transportation more attractive for residents and visitors?

• Improve trail connectivity and create bike lanes to campgrounds and popular areas.
• Create or subsidize shuttles to high-visitation areas.
• Develop an e-bike rental program.
• Implement signage and education on safe driving around cyclists.

What criteria do you think Jasper should use to prioritize maintenance on its extensive trail network?

• Frequency of visitors.
• Cost.
• All trails should be maintained, including ones that have been abandoned.
• Staff access for monitoring; there should be less helicopter use.

How can Parks Canada, residents, and visitors work together to support reconciliation in Jasper National Park?

• Indigenous partners should have major roles in park decision-making processes.
• There should be more opportunities to learn the stories of Indigenous peoples in Jasper and more Indigenous events in the town.

Fire and Vegetation Management

• Parks Canada should create a colour-coded system to prepare guests and residents for the possibility of evacuation, from blue through to red, to have a clearer understanding of a fire’s threat.
• Prescribed fire is important not just to protect the community, but also to improve habitat for wildlife.
• Indigenous involvement in fire management should continue.
• Parks should provide information on where to get seed for planting native species.

Realty and Municipal Services

• Mixed responses were heard on whether Parks Canada should share its responsibility for land use planning services in the Town of Jasper with the Municipality of Jasper.
• That land should only be released for affordable, long term housing units.
• That Parks Canada should better support smaller businesses in permitting and realty processes.

Other key highlights of feedback received:

• More work is needed to educate visitors around how to behave around bears.
• Shelters and wood should be provided at introductory campgrounds to make them safer and more family friendly.
• Parks should do roving face-to-face engagement and conduct visitor education to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species.

This input, together with other input received from the public, will help inform and shape how Jasper National Park is managed into the future.

Media inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Jasper National Park's Annual Public Forum on Wednesday, April 19

Don’t forget to join Parks Canada for the Jasper National Park Annual Public Forum at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Parks Canada will share highlights of the past year and priorities for Jasper National Park in the year ahead. The forum is also an opportunity for Parks Canada to hear from participants on a range of important themes in the park.

Jasper National Park’s 2022 Annual Report is now available online.

Annual Public Forum
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Jasper Activity Centre multi-purpose hall (305 Bonhomme Street)
5:30 pm Open house drop-in
6:00 pm Year-in-review presentation
6:45 pm Table topic discussions

“The year 2022 was a memorable one. From easing into a new sense of normal with COVID-19 to experiencing Jasper’s largest wildfire since 2004 and everything in between, 2022 won’t soon be forgotten. This year marks twenty years since Jasper National Park first began hosting Annual Public Forums in the community. Join us at the April 19th forum, where I and a team of dedicated Parks Canada staff look forward to your comments and questions.”
– Alan Fehr, Jasper Field Unit Superintendent

You are invited to drop in and explore various topics including trails, fire, bears in the valley, visitation, Indigenous relations, species at risk, caribou, aquatic invasive species, realty and development.

The year-in-review presentation will be recorded and available upon request following the event (email opinion-jasper@pc.gc.ca) for those unable to make it in person.

Media inquiries
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Jasper National Park Annual Public Forum - Save the date: April 19, 2023

Jasper National Park’s Annual Public Forum provides the opportunity for Parks Canada to share highlights of the past year and priorities for Jasper National Park for the year ahead. As an in-person event, the format of the drop-in portion is designed to foster one-on-one engagement between participants and Parks Canada staff. The public is invited to drop in and explore various topics including trails, fire, bears in the valley, visitation, Indigenous relations, caribou, realty and development.

Save the date: Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Jasper Activity Centre multi-purpose hall (305 Bonhomme Street)

• 5:30 pm Open house drop-in
• 6:00 pm Year-in-review presentation
• 6:45 pm Table topic discussions

“We’re excited to get people together in person again to discuss what ties us all together: Jasper National Park. While this is a great opportunity for Parks Canada to share progress made in 2022, it is also a time for us to listen. This year’s annual forum format allows participants to speak directly with Parks Canada staff and create an open dialogue. Whether you come for 15 minutes or stay all evening, we look forward to chatting with you.”
– Alan Fehr, Jasper Field Unit Superintendent

The 2022 Annual Report will be available on the Jasper National Park website prior to the Annual Public Forum.

The year-in-review presentation will be recorded and available upon request following the event (email opinion-jasper@pc.gc.ca) for those unable to make it in person.

Media inquiries
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Management actions in the Tonquin Valley

The Tonquin Valley is one of Canada’s premiere backcountry destinations, with impressive peaks, glaciers and scenic lakes.

Renowned for its stunning vistas of Amethyst Lake at the base of the mountains known as “The Ramparts,” the area’s popularity is a testament to its pristine landscapes, excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, and alpine lakes. In addition to its importance for visitors, the Tonquin is habitat for wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears and woodland caribou, a species at risk of disappearing.

The area is particularly significant to Indigenous partner communities as stewards of the land with strong cultural, traditional and spiritual practices. Many Indigenous communities also have long histories with caribou. Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have revered caribou, searching them out for sustenance and nutrition. Caribou are a cornerstone of their cultures and histories.

Backcountry access and experiences in the Tonquin Valley have changed over time.

Historically, horse use was a key component of European and Canadian exploration of the region, with recreational use of horses beginning in the early 1900s. Outfitter offers over the past 120 years started as horse pack trips for the fur trade, survey and coal exploration companies, and later evolved into an accessible tourism oasis for Canadians and tourists to explore and enjoy. The network of trails, campgrounds, cabins and access to alpine lakes and rivers would not be what it is today without the trailblazers who saw the intrinsic value of the area and invited the world to enjoy it.

Tonquin Valley management evolved over more than a century to offer one primary 47-km point-to-point trail, seven backcountry campgrounds, a wilderness hostel near the Astoria River trailhead operated by Hostelling International Canada, a hut near Outpost Lake operated by the Alpine Club of Canada, and two privately operated overnight lodges. For decades, these combined experiences helped Parks Canada offer visitors a broad range of opportunities for understanding, appreciating and enjoying the wilderness and natural environment of the Tonquin Valley.

Although the valley is an exceptional place, challenges exist to balance ecological integrity, Indigenous stewardship and visitor experience.

Forced removal of Indigenous people from these lands with park establishment, along with subsequent recreational impacts on vegetation, species at risk, visitor experience and infrastructure in the Tonquin Valley and its trails have required various management actions to improve wildlife habitat security and enhance visitor experiences.

Management actions in the Tonquin Valley

Since 2000, Jasper National Park’s management plans have identified the following priorities for balancing ecological integrity and backcountry experiences in the Tonquin Valley:

1. habitat security for caribou and grizzly bears
2. recreational use
3. protection and recovery of caribou

Large portions of remote trails in the Tonquin Valley pass through damp areas with poor drainage that have a high potential for trail damage, especially from horse users adventurous enough to make the journey. To manage horse-related trail degradation and improve the visitor experience for the majority of users in the Tonquin Valley, Parks Canada progressively reduced horse access to trails such as Chrome Lake and Eremite beginning in the early 2000s and eliminated all private horse use in the Tonquin Valley in 2021. Parks Canada continued to permit horse use by commercial operators by working together with operators to manage horse impacts and trail maintenance. Parks Canada has been working steadily to improve visitor experience in many of the muddiest and most damaged sections by rebuilding boardwalks, investing in campsites and repairing damaged trails.

To improve the ability of sensitive umbrella species like caribou and grizzly bears to thrive in the Tonquin Valley and to enhance habitat security for these species at risk, Parks Canada implemented several management actions over the past 13 years including the following:

• improving techniques for monitoring caribou in the Tonquin Valley, and re-evaluating and adjusting as new technology and research becomes available
• building relationships with Indigenous partners to share knowledge and seek guidance on caribou recovery;
• increasing outreach and communication about the importance of caribou by utilizing program updates and Indigenous partner involvement;
• maintaining existing official trails with no development of new trails;
• reducing the number of random camping permits available each month and limiting how many people can be in a random camping group;
• focusing the backcountry trail offer to hikers, the largest user group, while preventing further trail degradation by prohibiting access by bicycles and private horse parties;
• reducing direct disturbance to wildlife by prohibiting access by dogs, hang gliders and paragliders;
• re-evaluating Parks Canada staff access to the area, including discontinuing operational use of snowmobiles in 2016;
• preventing the establishment of packed trails that predators can use for easier access to winter caribou habitat by closing the Tonquin Valley to human use in the winter beginning in 2009; and
• extending seasonal closure of caribou habitat beginning November 1, 2021, to May 15, 2022 (rather than February 15) to provide further protection to caribou from winter wolf predation.

Impact of management actions

Extending the seasonal closure to May 15 impacted the two privately operated overnight commercial lodges, reducing their operating season by ten weeks and eliminating their ability to use snowmobiles to resupply lodges. Recognizing this impact, Parks Canada entered into discussions with the outfitters in autumn 2021 to negotiate options to continue operating from May 16 to October 31 each year or to end their licences of occupation with compensation.

Using guidance provided by an accredited and independent third-party valuator, Parks Canada reached agreements with both Tonquin Valley Adventures and Tonquin Valley Backcountry Lodge as of October 31, 2022, to purchase all infrastructure and non-moveable assets and to end their licences of occupation. Parks Canada facilitated helicopter access for the outfitters to remove their equipment and supplies. In the short term, the infrastructure and non-moveable assets will remain in place and will be evaluated for potential operational use. Parks Canada does not expect or intend to issue any licences of occupation or leases in the Tonquin Valley in the foreseeable future, in order to balance visitor experience needs in the summer with habitat security for sensitive umbrella species like caribou and grizzly bears. The Alpine Club of Canada and Hosteling International opted to cease their winter operations to support caribou conservation in November 2020 and now operate in the summer only.

The future of the Tonquin Valley

The new Jasper National Park Management Plan (2022) states that Parks Canada’s primary objective for the Tonquin Valley is to improve the ability of caribou and grizzly bears to thrive in the valley while balancing the strong desire to maintain the long and evolving history of human use of the area. The Tonquin Valley is open to backcountry recreation between May 16 and October 31. Overnight accommodation can be reserved at one of Parks Canada’s seven campgrounds in the Tonquin Valley and at HI Edith Cavell Hostel and ACC Wates-Gibson Hut in the summer season.

There are no planned restrictions on summer backcountry access in the Tonquin Valley. While no new long-term closures related to caribou are planned, there may be a need for occasional, temporary or short-term closures to ensure public safety and prevent wildlife from being disturbed at sites where important natural processes or active management are occurring.

Caribou conservation breeding program

Parks Canada is finalizing the assessment of comments received from Indigenous partners, stakeholders and the public on a proposed conservation breeding strategy to rebuild small caribou herds in Jasper National Park. A “what we heard” report summarizing all feedback and a detailed impact assessment are expected to be available before the end of 2022 and published in January 2023. An announcement on whether or not Parks Canada will proceed with the caribou conservation breeding program is expected in early 2023. For more information about Parks Canada’s conservation breeding proposal, visit our website.

Management Plan for Jasper National Park tabled in Parliament

The new management plan for Jasper National Park is now official! Reviewed every 10 years, management plans are a requirement of the Canada National Parks Act and guide the management of national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas.

The plan presents objectives and targets to guide park management and decision making. The new plan includes six key strategies and two management areas:

1. Conserving natural and cultural heritage for future generations
2. True-to-place experiences
3. Strengthening Indigenous relations
4. Connect, collaborate and learn together
5. Managing development
6. Climate change and adaptation
7. Community of Jasper and Tonquin Valley management areas

Parks Canada would like to thank Indigenous partners, Canadians, local residents, park visitors and stakeholder groups who contributed their thoughts, feedback and energy into this management plan for Jasper National Park. Thank you for helping shape the future of this treasured place.

Parks Canada will continue to engage and collaborate with Indigenous partners, the public and stakeholders as we work together to implement the plan to make our collective vision for Jasper National Park a reality.

Associated Links

• Jasper National Park Management Plan
• Parks Canada news release

Media Inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Visitor information services and park pass sales resume in Jasper National Park

Thanks to your support, we’re able to maintain and improve the places you love.

The Jasper National Park Visitor Information Centre reopened on September 25, 2024, inviting visitors and residents to this national historic site from 9 am to 5 pm daily. Everyone is welcome to stop by to pick up maps and trip-planning assistance—and a free sticker!

Most visitor experience areas within Jasper National Park are now open. Plan ahead with our new interactive map: What's open in Jasper National Park.

Beginning October 16, 2024, friendly Parks Canada staff will again greet visitors, provide information and sell national park passes at both the east and west entry gates to Jasper National Park. A park pass is required for anyone visiting the park or travelling on the Icefields Parkway. Throughout the closures associated with the Jasper Wildfire Complex, visitors were able to purchase park passes at park gates on the Icefields Parkway near Lake Louise and Saskatchewan Crossing.

Passes may also be purchased at the following locations:

• Parks Canada website
• Parks Pass Tourism Jasper
• Jasper National Park Visitor Information Centre
• Hinton (Alberta) Visitor Information Centre
• Mount Robson (British Columbia) Visitor Centre
• AMA Centres across Alberta

What’s included in your park pass?

Jasper National Park offers a wide range of services and authentic visitor experiences to well over two million visitors annually. Park passes directly fund these services, ensuring that Jasper National Park remains a special place for everyone. Your park pass purchase is an investment in the future of Jasper National Park, helping Canada's national parks to provide services that include:

• knowledgeable, professional staff
• well-maintained park roadways, signs and visitor facilities
• day-use areas, trails and campgrounds
• resource conservation programs, including ecological monitoring and restoration
• public safety programs

For more information, visit the Parks Canada Passes, permits and fees web site.

Visitor safety is of the utmost importance for Parks Canada.

Areas that remain closed in Jasper National Park have not been fully assessed and hazards are present. Please respect all closures. Anyone violating an area closure is subject to a fine of up to $25,000 under the Canada National Parks Act and/or the National Parks General Regulations.

Stay updated

• Jasper National Park Facebook
• Municipality of Jasper Facebook
• What's open in Jasper National Park
• Jasper National Park important bulletins
• Wildlife safety
• Tourism Jasper
• Rebuilding Jasper
• Jasper Wildfire Complex under control

Media enquiries:
Jasper National Park
jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Miette Hot Springs in Jasper National Park will reopen Sunday, August 18, 2024

Miette Hot Springs and Source of the Springs Trail will reopen to visitors on Sunday, August 18, 2024, after a lengthy closure due to the Utopia Wildfire and the Jasper Wildfire Complex. The Miette Hot Springs area is unaffected by the Jasper Wildfire Complex and the Utopia Wildfire is extinguished. Visitors may now safely return to this area of Jasper National Park.

Miette Hot Springs Bungalows, located adjacent to the hot springs, and Miette Mountain Cabins, located at the junction of Highway 16 and Miette Road, may also reopen August 18, 2024. Parks Canada recognizes the importance of the hot springs to Canadians and the hot springs’ role in supporting regional tourism operators and the economy.

Miette Hot Springs is staffed by a dedicated team of lifeguards and supporting team members. The reopening of the hot springs will not reduce Parks Canada’s capacity to respond to the wildfire and support the re-entry of residents to the Jasper townsite.

Visit the Miette Hot Springs website for hours of operation and other details.

Highway 16 is currently open daily from 7 am to 9 pm. Visitors may turn off Highway 16 at Miette Road and enjoy a scenic drive through the Fiddle River Valley to access the Miette Hot Springs, Miette Hot Springs Bungalows and Miette Mountain Cabins.

All other areas of Jasper National Park remain closed.

All other areas of Jasper National Park remain closed, including other Parks Canada facilities accessible from the Miette Road, such as Miette Campground.

Travellers must ensure they have enough fuel and supplies before entering Jasper National Park. The closest locations for fuel, supplies and services are at Hinton, Alberta, to the east, or Mount Robson, or Valemount, British Columbia to the west.

About the Jasper Wildfire Complex

The Jasper Wildfire Complex continues to present a difficult and dynamic situation for residents and staff of Jasper National Park, with our continued focus on facilitating re-entry and recovery of the community.

For more information, follow official information sources: the Parks Canada and Municipality of Jasper websites:

Jasper National Park wildfire status: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/visit/feu-alert-fire/feudeforet-wildfire

Municipality of Jasper: https://www.jasper-alberta.ca/p/jasperwildfire

Jasper National Park: Top 10 things to know before you go!

With crocuses in full bloom, bears on the move and elk calves running around, spring has certainly sprung in Jasper National Park!

Whether you are visiting the park this May long weekend or planning to travel here this year, here are “ten top tips” to make your adventure safe and enjoyable.

1. Have a reservation

During most long weekends and the summer months, finding a last-minute place to stay in Jasper is difficult – or next to impossible. Plan ahead and make a camping, hotel or other reservation. If there is no availability in Jasper National Park, consider a neighbouring community such as Hinton, Folding Mountain or Valemount.

If you are camping, here are some essential tips on how to keep a “bare campsite” not a bear campsite – and a reminder that, setting up camp in a non-designated campsite is illegal.

2. Purchase a National Park Pass before you arrive

Doesn’t it feel nice to be prepared before your trip? Get your National Park Pass before travelling to Jasper, it’s one less thing you need to think about.

A friendly reminder: please be kind and respectful to the Parks Canada gate attendants, they are doing their very best to move traffic along during the busy spring and summer season.

3. Know before you go

Before you journey to Jasper or venture out into the park, take a minute and visit 511 Alberta for the latest road conditions and possible delays or closures. Always drive with caution and obey all speed and wildlife road signs.

If you’re exploring Jasper National Park’s incredible trail network (and we highly recommend you do), check the trail conditions and the weather before you go. And of course, always remember, safety first!

4. Expect crowds

Did you know Jasper National Park is the second busiest national park in the country? It’s important to pack your patience – you may encounter lineups at the park gates, overflowing parking lots at popular day-use areas like beaches, lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails, and a bustling downtown.

We recommend a lovely morning outing before 10 am or enjoying these popular spots after 5 pm – there is plenty of daylight on long summer evenings!

Visit our Summer Crowds webpage for more great tips!

5. Have a plan A, B and C

Many people visiting the park for the first time have a bucket list of experiences to check off. Follow your list of favourite sites and attractions, aiming to go early or late if possible. If the parking lot is full at your plan A spot, try plan B, and return to plan A later. Explore our website for activities and experiences to plan your visit.

Psst – make sure one of your plans is to visit the Miette Hot Springs, the hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies!

6. Leave your vehicle and “BYOB”

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike) or rent one and use Jasper’s easy connector trail systems to take you from Wapiti and Whistlers campgrounds to the townsite in under 20 minutes, and to the beaches in under an hour. These family-friendly trails can connect you to Lake Annette, Lake Edith, Pyramid Lake Beach and even Maligne Canyon!

Tip: Not into biking? No sweat! Try walking or running (or carpooling!)

Looking for other biking or cycling options? Visit Jasper trail conditions for the most up-to-date information on Jasper’s multi-use trails. Alternatively, try one of Jasper’s road cycling options, where you can cycle motorist-free!

7. Take Jasper Transit and embrace sustainable transportation

Observing wildlife in their natural habitat is both thrilling and memorable. Visitors and locals are responsible for treating wildlife with the respect they need and deserve.

Enjoy wildlife viewing from the safety of your vehicle, especially now, during the elk calving season. Elk mothers are protective and may defend their calves. Learn how to view elk safely and avoid an elk encounter.

The valley bottoms are home to both black and grizzly bears. You may see them when you hike, bike or drive around these amazing places. Knowing how to avoid an encounter with a bear is the best way to enjoy the parks, safely. Visit our “safe travel in bear country” web page to learn the best ways to avoid a negative encounter.

Note for pet owners:

Dogs must be on a leash and under control at all times – it’s the law.

9. Read the park’s Important Bulletins

What’s an Important Bulletin? We’re glad you asked! It’s a web page with public notices warnings, closures and restricted activities in the park.

10. Leave your drone at home

Flying a drone is prohibited in all national parks to protect wildlife, not interfere with visitors’ experience or safety and ensure the safe operation of aircraft involved in fire fighting or park operations – oh and if you do fly a drone, it may result in a fine of up to $25,000. Yikes!

Fire update

There are no wildfires currently burning in Jasper National Park. The fire danger rating is Moderate.

Up-to-date fire danger information can be found on the Jasper National Park website.

Do your part to prevent human-caused wildfires. Use fire responsibly.

• Campfires are only allowed in fire pits or boxes provided by Parks Canada. Campfires must be attended at all times.
• Completely extinguish your campfire with water. Soak it, stir it, and soak it again until it is cool to the touch before leaving it.
• Campfires are not allowed in some backcountry campgrounds. Check the backcountry camping information or ask at the park visitor centre before setting out on your hike.
• Do not throw cigarettes on the ground. Put them out and discard them in a bin.

Report any wildfires, illegal campfires, or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch by calling 780-852-6155 or 911.

Where to go with Questions:

• Jasper National Park Visitor Information Centre
• Parks Canada information desk at the Icefield Centre

Have a safe and enjoyable visit to Jasper National Park!

Helpful links

• Plan your visit
• 511 Alberta
• Drive BC
• Wildlife watching
• Fire information and updates
• Important Bulletins
• Tourism Jasper
• Municipality of Jasper
• Spring in Jasper National Park
• Archived ‘Jasper National Park News’

Media enquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Jasper National Park: Find your winter adventure!

Hello winter adventurers! It's time to wax up those cross-country skis, dust off the snowshoes and throw on your ice cleats in preparation for another exciting winter season.

In this winter update you can find more information on:

• Cross-country skiing groomed trails
• Snowshoeing untracked territory and Whirlpool Trail
• Flat-packed multi-use trails
• Winter day-use-areas
• Winter camping and cozy Parks Canada accommodations
• Maligne Lake area and all its glory
• Winter safety musts
• Jasper National Park Visitor Information Centre

Pssst: for those who may prefer a more relaxing winter experience, Jasper can be equally as enjoyable indoors by the warmth of a fire and a good book! It’s important to do winter on your own terms

Cross-country skiing groomed trails

The Parks Canada grooming crew has been busy flat-packing the cross-country ski trails in preparation for grooming when more snow accumulates. Keep an eye on Jasper National Park’s Facebook and Twitter (X) channels and trail conditions to confirm when the trails are ready for skiers to enjoy.

Cross-country trails that will be groomed this year:

Whirlpool Cross-Country Ski Hub

Choose from two different in-and-out ski trails and warm up by the fire in the winter hub afterwards. Don’t forget to bring hot chocolate!

Moab Lake trail: 7 km return to red chairs (green) or 15.2 km return to Moab Lake Viewpoint (blue), classic and skate lanes (dogs welcome).

Leach Lake trail: 7 km return to Leach Lake (blue) or 13.8 km return to the end of the trail at Geraldine Road (blue) with classic and skate lanes (no dogs).

Note: Motorists will encounter ongoing construction along Wabasso Road (93A) throughout the season when traveling to Whirlpool Cross-Country Ski Hub.

Marmot Meadows Cross-Country Ski Hub

This area includes over 11 km of family-friendly groomed classic and skate trails and is only a 5-minute drive from the Jasper townsite!

• Sparkle Loop (600 m/green/classic and skate trails) – dogs welcome!
• Aspen Gardens (1.7 km loop/blue/classic-only trails) – no dogs
• Re Run (3 km loop/black/classic-only trails) – no dogs
• Whistlers Loops (5 km/green/classic and skate trails) – no dogs

Pipeline

It’s back! With the Trans Mountain Pipeline work completed, this 5.1 km one-way (green) trail featuring rolling hills will be groomed (dogs welcome).

Wabasso Campground

Offers both classic loops (6.4 km/green) and skate lanes (2.8 km/green) with many loop options (dogs welcome).

Note: Motorists will encounter ongoing construction along Wabasso Road (93A) throughout the season when traveling to Wabasso Campground.

Pyramid Fire Road

This trail can be enjoyed by all ability levels; just choose your turnaround point (maximum 13.2 km return: green/blue/black).

Snowshoeing untracked territory and Whirlpool Trail

Jasper National Park has many trails where you can explore untracked territory with snowshoes. Visit the snowshoeing page for a list of these wonderful trails.

Whirlpool Snowshoe Trail

This 800 m groomed trail from Whirlpool Cross-Country Ski Hub takes you to a set of Parks Canada red chairs and a river viewpoint. It’s a great little outing and family-friendly!

Flat-packed multi-use trails

Flat-packed trails are multi-use – walk, run, bike or snowshoe to your heart’s content!

The Friends of Jasper National Park volunteers flat-pack over 50 km of trails accessible from the Jasper townsite.

Winter day-use-areas

Experience some of Jasper National Park’s most popular locations this winter - the beautiful 2.4 km Lake Annette trail is open and dogs are welcome. The bridges at Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls and the top three bridges at Maligne Canyon will be cleared for pedestrian access. Be safe – be prepared for slippery conditions and don’t forget your ice cleats!

Visiting the bottom of Maligne Canyon is best done using a licensed guide to ensure you have the necessary equipment and a knowledgeable guide to navigate the canyon’s hazards. During periods of warmer temperatures, there can be pools of water and dangerously thin ice on the floor of Maligne Canyon.

Winter camping and cozy Parks Canada accommodations

To all the diehard campers - yes, the park is open for those willing to brave the cold!

Wapiti Winter Campground

Wapiti Winter is first come first served (self-registration) and is close to the Jasper townsite. The campground has 40 electrical sites for RVs and trailers along with flush toilets, showers, a cooking shelter and drinking water. Note: There is no water tank filling station for RVs/trailers or sani dump.

Whirlpool Winter Hub and camping

In addition to over 25 km of groomed cross-country ski trails that begin from here, the Whirlpool Winter Hub offers first-come-first-served self-registration camping. There are sites for tents as well as for RVs. Services include cooking shelter, firewood and pit toilets. Note: there is no power or water on site.

Palisades Centre Accommodations

Not into winter camping? The historic Palisades Centre offers cozy accommodations year-round and perfect for couples, families and even larger gatherings up to 30 people!

Maligne Lake area and all its glory

Many people visit this special part of the park for its magnificent views, incredible backcountry ski terrain and the endless kilometres of cross-country skiing along Maligne Lake. Snow conditions are often very good at this higher elevation. User-set trails for winter walking, snowshoeing and light ski-touring can be found throughout the area. Bald Hills is open for ski-touring and turns.

Winter safety musts

Safety is a shared responsibility.

It’s important to learn about ice safety before you venture out on Jasper’s lakes and know that avalanche terrain exists—be prepared.

Know before you go: Visit Alberta511 or DriveBC for current road conditions. Changes and closures can happen very quickly in winter, especially on the Icefields Parkway (93N), south of the Jasper townsite. Be prepared with a winter driving kit and consult the Jasper National Park Visitor Safety web page for more information.

More links:

• Winter driving on the Icefields Parkway
• Avalanche bulletin
• Avalanche terrain ratings
• Trail conditions in Jasper
• Jasper weather forecasts
• Warnings and closures
• Wildlife viewing and safety measures
• Trail safety and etiquette
• AdventureSmart winter safety web page

Jasper National Park Visitor Information Centre

The Jasper National Park Visitor Information Centre is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm throughout the winter. It is closed on December 25, 26 and January 1.

Email: jasperinfo@pc.gc.ca
Phone: 780-852-6176

We look forward to welcoming you and wish you a safe and enjoyable visit!

Media enquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Jasper National Park Aquatic Invasive Species Program 2023 Summary

Parks Canada is strengthening its approach to preventing and minimizing the establishment of aquatic invasive species and diseases in Jasper National Park.

The inaugural year of Jasper National Park’s aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention program is ending, and as the AIS prevention team reflects on the accomplishments and insights gained in 2023, Parks Canada extends our gratitude for your support and collaboration. The well-being of aquatic ecosystems relies on the support of all visitors and prioritizing public prevention programs is paramount for managing AIS effectively. The Jasper National Park AIS prevention program is made possible through the Government of Canada's investment in Parks Canada's Conservation and Restoration Program.

Key achievements

The 2022 Jasper National Park Management Plan commits to enhancing AIS prevention initiatives and the capacity for inspecting and decontaminating watercraft and aquatic equipment. The AIS prevention program in Jasper National Park started in 2023, operating seven days a week throughout the summer at high-traffic waterbodies like Maligne, Talbot, Patricia, Pyramid, Edith and Annette.

Through the program, Parks Canada staff played a pivotal role in preventing potentially contaminated watercraft from entering park waters.

Engaging with more than 3,000 visitors across the park, the AIS prevention team established a robust baseline for prevention efforts, while also elevating public awareness through interpretive and outreach activities at Whistlers Campground outdoor theatre on Parks Day and during the Canada Day parade.

The introduction of an inspection station marked a proactive step, with the AIS team inspecting watercraft and generating valuable insights that will steer the inspection and watercraft-washing services in the years to come.

AIS monitoring

The AIS prevention team conducted monitoring activities to understand and address potential threats to aquatic ecosystems.

Monthly zooplankton net tows targeted specific invasive species at five key waterbodies, while artificial substrate samplers were deployed to inspect for other invasives. Parks Canada continues to collaborate with the University of Alberta and Simon Fraser University to enhance our monitoring and prevention strategies.

To date, there have been no positive detections of high-risk AIS species, such as whirling disease or invasive mussels, in Jasper National Park.

Looking forward

This past year served as the evaluation year for the AIS prevention program; plans for 2024 will leverage insights gained in 2023. Our priority is to reflect on this year’s pilot, address challenges and continue our collaborative journey towards safeguarding the ecological integrity of Jasper National Park.

You can help us continue to prevent the spread of AIS by following Clean Drain Dry best practices and adhering to regional and local requirements.

Information

To learn more about AIS prevention, visit our website at http://parkscanada.gc.ca/jasper-aquatic-invasive-species.

For more information, please contact jasperaisprevention-eaepreve@pc.gc.ca.

Media inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

August long weekend and beyond: ten tips to make the most of your visit!

Visiting Jasper National Park in the summer season can be pretty spectacular; however, it’s also extremely busy! Did you know more than 1.5 million visitors travel to Jasper between June and September? During your visit, you’ll be sharing this special place with others: please be prepared for crowds and line-ups, remember to pack your patience and be respectful to the people and wildlife you encounter.

Whether you’re about to set foot into the backcountry or explore one of Jasper’s many popular hikes or areas, there is lots of information online to help make the most of your expedition. Research your adventure in advance and pack the right gear for your trip! Check the trail conditions, the weather and review the important bulletins before you venture out in Jasper National Park.

Miette Hot Springs and Miette Road update

For many, a soak at the Miette Hot Springs is “hot” on the list of things to do while in Jasper National Park. Due to a significant rain and snow storm that washed out a section of the Miette Road in late June, the Miette Hot Springs and the Miette Road remain closed for public safety reasons.

We recognize this situation impacts visitors’ travel plans and is difficult for businesses and their staff. An engineering firm is expected to deliver their final report in early August with short-term recommendations to allow safe vehicle access. If the report determines that a portion of the road can safely be used for single-lane alternating traffic, Parks Canada is prepared to implement mitigations to allow access as soon as possible.

For the most up-to-date road conditions, check 511 Alberta.

Here are ten great tips to make the most of your visit:

Tip #1: Plan ahead

Do you have a camping or hotel reservation? This is a must, as the park is at capacity on long weekends. Also, being prepared for possible road delays makes for a smoother trip. Pack snacks and water and check 511 Alberta or Drive BC before you set off on your journey to Jasper.

Tip #2: Know before you go with JasperNow

Before embarking on a day of sightseeing and exploring at some of the park’s most popular day-use areas, take two minutes to check out JasperNow. What’s JasperNow? It’s an information tool that visitors and locals use to check out which parking lots (Lake Annette, Maligne Canyon, Valley of the Five Lakes, etc.) have availability, are partially full or are completely full.

New to the page this year are vacancy updates for Jasper’s campgrounds (including self-registration).

Which brings us to our next tip …

Tip #3: Have a Plan A, B & yes, even C!

There are so many gorgeous places to visit in Jasper National Park. If your Plan A is busy or full, go to Plan B. If Plan B is busy… well then, you know the drill: go to Plan C. Expect to share these special places with other people too. You can always loop back and visit Plan A or B later in the day!

Tip #4: Go early OR go late

Are you a morning person? If you answered yes, then make the most of this superhero power and go early to secure a parking spot well before 10 am at one of Jasper’s popular locations.

Pro tip: Leave before it gets busy to avoid the crowds. If you’re a night owl, then go later (after 6 pm) and make the most of the long summer days. Anytime in between – expect crowds and plan accordingly!

Tip #5: BYOB

"Bring Your Own Bike” that is, or rent one. Why not travel around like a local: Hop on a bike and hit the easy connector trails that take you from Whistlers and Wapiti campgrounds to town, and from the townsite to the beaches. This allows you to avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot, it’s more eco-friendly, plus you’re getting your daily dose of vitamin D and fresh air. If that’s not winning, we don’t know what is!

Tip #6: Know where you can go and park like a pro with an RV or trailer!

There are many roads and day-use areas in Jasper National Park that can accommodate your extra-long rides, while other areas can be tight, especially on a busy long weekend with increased traffic. Avoid getting stuck between a rock and a hard place with this cheat sheet:

The roomiest parking lots to accommodate your RV/trailer:

• Maligne Canyon (use the Maligne Overlook pull-through stalls)
• Valley of the Five Lakes
• Athabasca Falls

Areas of the park with room if your RV/vehicle and trailer is 7.5 m/25 ft. or shorter:

• Cavell Day-Use Area
• Maligne Lake Day-Use Area

Note: The Cavell Road also has a trailer drop-off area at the beginning of the road.

Areas of the park where RV/trailer access is not permitted:

• Lake Annette/Lake Edith
• Lac Beauvert Road
• Pyramid Beach Road
• Wilcox Pass Trailhead

Visit JasperNow to view the status on your plan A and plan B destinations before you head out for your adventure. It could save you a lot of time!

Tip #7: Be bear and wildlife aware

It’s that time of year when black bears and grizzly bears are feeding on berries. It is easy to surprise a bear that is focused on feeding. Remember these tips to reduce your risk:

• Make lots of noise while on trails and travel in large groups.
• Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
• Watch for fresh bear signs such as scat. Be especially careful near berry patches.
• Stay calm if you see a bear. Back away slowly and leave the area. Never run.
• Pack in and pack out. Keep our places clean. Pick up your litter and dispose of it in appropriate garbage or recycling containers, or take your waste home.
• Do not leave food unattended. Bear-proof lockers are offered at some sites for safe food storage.
• Pets must be on a leash—it’s the law— not only for the safety of wildlife, but for your pets’ safety, and your own.

For more wildlife safety tips, please visit this page.

Tip #8: Enjoy your campfire safely

To learn the current fire danger in Jasper National Park, visit here.

Do your part to prevent human-caused wildfires and follow these very important tips:

• Attend to your campfire at all times. Campfires are only allowed in fire pits or boxes provided by Parks Canada.
• When you are done with your campfire, completely extinguish it with water. Soak it, stir it and soak it again until it’s cool to the touch.
• Before setting out for your adventure, check the backcountry information link. Campfires are not allowed in some backcountry campgrounds.
• Do not throw cigarettes on the ground. Put them out completely and discard them in a bin.

Tip #9: Leave your drone at home!

Did you know flying a drone in a national park is prohibited? Flying a drone in the park without a permit can lead to a fine of up to $25,000! Instead of breaking the law, why not go for a hike and put the work into getting the best views atop a mountain? If you’re looking for a quick and steep ascent with incredible views of town, Old Fort Point is a great option – just make sure to go earlier in the day or later in the evening as it’s a popular location.

Tip #10: Be informed

Have questions? We have answers!

• Jasper National Park Visitor Information Centre
• Parks Canada information desk at the Icefield Centre

A great trip starts with being informed and prepared. Have a safe and enjoyable visit to Jasper National Park!

Helpful links

Plan your visit
511 Alberta
Drive BC
JasperNow
Wildlife watching
Fire information and updates
Tourism Jasper
Municipality of Jasper
Archived newsletters

Media inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

July long weekend and beyond: What to know and what to pack

June in Jasper was one for the books! This month has seen some of the highest temperatures on record, as well as the lowest, significant precipitation and up to 55 cm of snow in some areas of the Park. With summer in full swing and the long weekend fast approaching, it’s important for visitors to be prepared - both for whatever mother nature throws your way and of course the crowds!

Be Prepared:

Did you know more than 1.5 million visitors travel to Jasper between June and September? During your visit, you’ll be sharing this special place with others: please be prepared for crowds and line-ups, remember to pack your patience and be respectful to the people and wildlife you encounter.

After a significant storm on June 19, 2023, Parks Canada continues cleaning up fallen trees and debris across Jasper National Park. Pay attention to closures and warnings, and remain alert when enjoying the park. Check current trail conditions before heading out. Plan a trip suitable to your abilities and wear appropriate gear and footwear to navigate around fallen trees.

Make the most of your visit to Jasper – here is a list of frequently asked questions and the answers you need to be prepared!

1. How to avoid congestion? Be in the know before you go - use JasperNow!

Have you heard of JasperNow? If yes – great! If not, well, let us introduce you to this great online resource.

Just in time for the July long weekend, Jasper National Park is bringing back “JasperNow”! This web page includes regular updates on parking capacity at some of the park’s most popular places. New to the page this year are vacancy updates for Jasper’s campgrounds (including self-registration).

Parking and camping updates are categorized using the following colours:

• Green: parking/camping available
• Yellow: parking/camping is nearly full
• Red: parking/camping is full

If parking is full, there are also suggestions on the JasperNow page to visit other areas nearby, or to use different modes of transportation.

On top of using JasperNow, here’s a few tips to help you secure a parking spot at one of the park’s popular locations:

• Go early: arrive well before 10 am and leave before it gets really busy!
• Go late: visit after 5 pm or even later and take in a mountain sunset.
• Have a plan A, B and C: there are many gorgeous places to visit. If plan A is busy/full go to plan B, if plan B is busy…well then you know the drill, go to plan C. Expect to share these places with other people too.

2. What makes a great trip? Good planning!

Do you have a camping or hotel reservation?

If you’re planning to wing it and come to Jasper this summer without a reservation, you may want to rethink that plan. During most long weekends and summer months, the park is at capacity. If there is no availability in Jasper National Park, you may want to look into accommodations in a neighbouring community such as Hinton, Folding Mountain or Valemount. Camping in a non-designated campsite or in the town of Jasper is illegal.

3. Want to avoid parking lot congestion? Then: BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike!)

Not bringing a bike? No sweat! There’s lots of places to rent in Jasper so you can take advantage of the cruisy, family-friendly connector trail systems!

Why not travel around like a “local”? Take Jasper’s convenient connector trails to go to Lake Edith, Lake Annette and Pyramid Beach. These popular locations are all within biking distance from Whistlers/Wapiti Campgrounds and town.

If this is your first time using these connector trails or you’re a local pro, there is updated on-site wayfinding to navigate the easy-to-follow trail network. If you are biking from Whistlers or Wapiti Campground take the Campgrounds Trail (Trail #12) to town. If you’re looking to connect to the beaches (Lake Edith and Annette), branch off the Campgrounds Trail and onto the Lakes Loop (Trail 14 to Trail 18).

4. Expecting blue skies? Mother Nature may have other plans!

Are you someone who looks ahead at the weather forecast before packing your suitcase? While we can’t control the weather, we can pack and be prepared for the elements.

Before venturing out for a hike or an adventure, it’s always a good idea to check the trail report and make sure you’re aware of the visitor safety guidelines.

Also, get the most up-to-date road conditions by visiting 511Alberta or Drive BC. Pack lots of snacks and water, take your time and enjoy the scenery!

5. Visiting with an RV or trailer? Know where you can go and park like a pro!

There are many roads and day-use areas in Jasper National Park that can accommodate your extra long rides, but other areas can be tight, especially on a busy long weekend with increased traffic. Avoid getting stuck between a rock and a hard place with this cheat sheet:

The roomiest parking lots to accommodate your RV/trailer:

• Maligne Canyon (use the Maligne Overlook pull-through stalls)
• Valley of the Five Lakes
• Athabasca Falls

Areas of the park with room if your RV/vehicle and trailer is 7.5m/25ft or shorter:

• Cavell Day-use Area
• Maligne Lake Day-use Area

Note: The Cavell Road also has a trailer drop off area at the beginning of the road.

Areas of the park where RV/trailer access is not permitted:

• Lake Annette/Lake Edith
• Lac Beauvert Road
• Pyramid Beach Road
• Wilcox Pass Trailhead

Visit JasperNow to view the status on your plan A and plan B destinations before you head out for your adventure. It could save you a lot of time!

6. How to keep the wild in wildlife? Give wildlife space!

When visiting Jasper National Park, be aware you are in the home of many wild animals. Please respect their space, never feed them and always carry bear spray and know how to use it. If you have a dog, they must always be on a leash and under control – it’s the law. Abide by all speed limits, drive carefully and be alert. Lastly, please be proactive by learning how to view wildlife safely and avoid a negative encounter.

Report any interactions with wildlife, concerning wildlife activity or dead animals to Parks Canada Dispatch 24 hours a day: 780-852-6155.

7. Have a drone? Leave it at home!

Did you know flying a drone in a national park is prohibited? Flying a drone in the park without a permit can lead to a fine of up to $25,000! Instead of breaking the law, why not go for a hike and put the work into getting the best views atop a mountain. If you’re looking for a quick and steep ascent with incredible views of town, Old Fort Point is a great option – just make sure to go earlier in the day or later in the evening as it’s a popular location.

8. In Jasper for the Canada Day festivities? Here’s what you need to know!

Come together to celebrate with the singing of ‘O Canada’ as we raise the national flag at the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion (400 Geikie Street) on Saturday, July 1 at 11 am. Enjoy a piece of delicious cake while there. All are welcome to this free event. There are lots of other events happening on Canada Day, click here for more information – including the parade route!

9. Have questions? We have answers!

• Jasper National Park Visitor Information Centre
• Parks Canada information desk at the Icefield Centre

A great trip starts with being informed and prepared. Have a safe and enjoyable visit to Jasper National Park!

Helpful links

Plan your visit
511 Alberta
Drive BC
JasperNow
Wildlife watching
Fire information and updates
Tourism Jasper
Municipality of Jasper
Archived newsletters

Media inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

May long weekend and beyond: What to know and what to pack!

Spring is in the air! Crocuses are in full bloom, bears are awake and on the move, elk are calving and Jasper National Park’s busiest season is fast approaching. Whether you visit this May long weekend or this summer, it’s important to be prepared for your adventures in Jasper National Park.

Over the next four months, more than 1.5 million visitors will explore everything Jasper National Park has to offer. On your visit, you’ll be sharing this special place with others: be prepared for crowds and line-ups. We’ve got a few tips to help you make the most of your visit. In addition to these tips, please remember to pack your patience and be kind to the people and wildlife you encounter.

What to know before you go

Fire Update

There are no wildfires burning in Jasper National Park.

A fire ban is now in effect for Jasper National Park and the Municipality of Jasper. Lighting or maintaining campfires in all day-use areas, picnic sites, and all campgrounds is prohibited. A list of all prohibited and exempt devices can be found on the Parks Canada website.

There are a number of active wildfires in Alberta, including several east of Jasper National Park. A fire ban will ensure firefighting resources are available to support existing wildfires and reduce the likelihood of any human-caused wildfire starts.

Please report any wildfires, illegal campfires, or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch: 780-852-6155 or call 911.

Make a reservation

During most long weekends and summer months, finding a last-minute place to stay in Jasper is difficult—or impossible. Setting up camp in a non-designated campsite is illegal. Plan ahead and make a camping, hotel or other reservation. If there is no availability in Jasper National Park, check out a neighbouring community such as Hinton and Folding Mountain (AB) or Valemount (BC).

To avoid disappointment, consider making reservations for attractions, tours, or restaurants well in advance.

Before driving to Jasper, visit 511 Alberta or Drive BC to check on the latest road conditions and possible delays or closures.

Expect crowds

Jasper is the second busiest national park in Canada. If you plan to travel here during the summer months, expect all popular day-use areas, beaches, lakes, waterfalls, hikes and the townsite to be crowded. Parking lots will be full and overflowing. To help mitigate this congestion and to give you some breathing room, we recommend getting up early and going to these places before 10 am, or going after 5 pm.

Note: Miette Hot Springs is open daily from May 12 to October 9, 2023 and is equally busy.

If you can…visit the park between October and April to really escape the crowds. And if you can’t…simply put, expect crowds (and don’t forget the patience you packed).

Have a plan A, B and C

Many people visiting Jasper National Park for the first time have a bucket list of experiences to check off. Follow your list of favourite sites and attractions, aiming to go early or late if possible. If the parking lot is full at your plan-A site, try plan B, and return to plan A later.

Not sure what should be on your bucket list and plans A, B, and C? Explore our website for activities and experiences to plan your visit.

If you’re a Jasper regular (welcome back!), and your favourite activity is chilling at one of the beaches for the day, well, you’re not alone. With hotter summer temperatures every year, this is by far one of the most popular things to do.

Note: Lake Annette, Lake Edith and Pyramid Lake can only accommodate so many people before there’s a traffic nightmare. That’s why it’s important this summer to have a plan B (or C) if a parking lot is full.

Leave your vehicle and “BYOB”

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike) or rent one and use Jasper’s easy connector trail systems to take you from Wapiti and Whistlers campgrounds to the townsite (in under 20 minutes), and to the beaches (in under an hour). These trails are family friendly and connect you to Lake Annette, Lake Edith, Pyramid Lake Beach and even Maligne Canyon!

Looking for other biking/cycling options? Check Jasper trail conditions for the most up-to-date information on Jasper’s multi-use trails. Alternatively, try one of Jasper’s road cycling options, where you can cycle motorist-free!

“Tip: Not into biking? No sweat! Try walking, running, carpooling or taking a taxi. All of these options will help reduce congestion in parking lots and result in a more enjoyable experience for all.

Wildlife watching

Observing wildlife in their natural habitat is one of the most fascinating experiences that Jasper offers. Along with this opportunity comes the responsibility for treating wildlife with the respect they need and deserve.

Be aware, stay alert and give wildlife space! To help keep wildlife wild, remain safely in your vehicle when viewing wildlife in Jasper National Park.

Elk calving season has begun. Just like human moms, elk are very protective of their new offspring. They will aggressively defend their newborns by kicking and charging at people or other animals they see as potential threats. Learn how to view elk safely and avoid an elk encounter.

Also, keep in mind that black bears and grizzly bears are residents of the valley bottoms around Jasper. You will probably see them when you hike, bike or drive around these amazing places. Remember to carry bear spray and know how to use it.

To avoid a negative encounter, be prepared to do the following:

• On trails, travel in groups, keep everyone together and children within arm’s reach.
• Dogs must be on a leash and under control at all times—it’s the law.
• Make noise during your travels.
• Be alert! Travel slowly when biking or running, and do not wear earbuds.
• Be especially cautious at dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active.
• Carry bear spray in an easy-to-reach location and know how to use it.
• Leave the area if you see or smell a dead animal.
• Report any interactions with wildlife, concerning wildlife activity or dead animals to Parks Canada Dispatch 24 hours a day: 780-852-6155.

Visit the Jasper National Park website for more information on wildlife and how to view wildlife safely.

Where to go with questions

• Jasper National Park Visitor Information Centre
• Parks Canada information desk at the Icefield Centre

A great trip starts with being informed and prepared. Have a safe and enjoyable visit to Jasper National Park!

Helpful links

• Plan your visit
• 511 Alberta
• Drive BC
• Wildlife watching
• Fire information and updates
• Tourism Jasper
• Municipality of Jasper
• Archived newsletters

Jasper National Park: Your winter adventure awaits!

Hello winter, welcome back!

It’s the time of year to get excited about Jasper’s winter wonderland! Walk, run, ski, bike, snowshoe and explore to your heart’s content. With Jasper National Park’s abundant trail system and options for all abilities and interests, the park is ‘the’ placea mecca for winter adventure.

Whether you are thinking about visiting, about to set out on your journey to Jasper, or already live here (lucky you), it’s important to brush up on all the safety tips for winter driving, avalanche awareness and navigating the winter trails.

Now it’s time to get prepared and excited! Here’s the scoop on what you can expect this winter in Jasper National Park.

Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing is a wonderful way to get your heart pumping and a daily dose of Vitamin D! Whether you’re a beginner or advanced cross-country skier, there’s a groomed trail for all ability levels.

Parks Canada’s groomers are working hard to get classic and skate ski trails ready for winter. Weather and snow conditions play an important part in Jasper National Park’s grooming program. Our goal is to have groomed trails at Whirlpool Winter Hub, Marmot Meadows Winter Hub, Pyramid Fire Road and Wabasso Campground open from December 15 through to March 15, if conditions permit.

Stay tuned to Jasper National Park’s social media channels and trail conditions for up-to-date information. More information on each cross-country ski trail and grooming is available on the Jasper National Park’s cross-country skiing web page.

Whirlpool Cross-Country Ski Hub

After parking your vehicle in the Whirlpool Winter Hub parking lot, a short groomed classic trail connects you to Moab and Leach Lake trailheads. After a great day on the trails, return back to the hub to reward yourself with a cup of hot cocoa and a snack, and chill out with a fire in the shelter’s wood stove. Pit toilets are available on site. How do you get there? Turn off the Icefields Parkway (93N) just south of the park gate onto 93A and follow it directly to the Winter Hub.

Choose from two different in-and-out ski trails (colour indicates level of difficulty):

• Moab Lake trail: 7.2 km return to Red Chairs (green) or 15.2 km return to Moab Lake (blue), classic and skate lanes – dogs allowedwelcome.
• Leach Lake trail: 7 km return to Leach Lake (blue) or 13.8 km return to the end of the trail at Geraldine Road (blue) with classic and skate lanes – no dogs.

Note: The section of road from Athabasca Falls to the Geraldine Road on the south end of 93A will be plowed as conditions allow this year. The Athabasca Falls parking lot will serve as the parking hub for people using the Geraldine Road, guests staying at the Sydney Vallance Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) Hut, skiers accessing the south end of the Leach Lake Trail, and of course those visiting the falls!

Pending a decision about Parks Canada’s proposed caribou conservation breeding program, there is potential for construction along Geraldine Road in 2023. Any impacts to trail access in the Geraldine or Fryatt valleys will be updated on Jasper National Park’s important bulletins and trail conditions.

Marmot Meadows Cross-Country Ski Hub

Marmot Meadows Cross-Country Ski Hub has over 11 km of family-friendly groomed classic and skate trails at Whistlers Campground. Bring a picnic and warm up by the fire in the winter shelter. Pit toilets are available on site. How do you get there? Turn off the Icefields Parkway (93N) about 1.6 km south of Whistlers Road.

Choose from four different ski trails (colour indicates level of difficulty):

• Sparkle Loop (600 m/green/classic & skate trails) – dogs welcome
• Whistlers Loops (6 km/green/classic & skate trails) – no dogs
• Aspen Gardens (1.7 km loop/blue/classic-only trails) - no dogs
• Re Run (3 km loop/black/classic-only trails) – no dogs

Pyramid Fire Road

The Pyramid Fire Road is a great cross-country ski trail where you can choose your turn-around point to suit your ability and adventure! Ski to Pyramid Creek at the end of Pyramid Lake (1.1 km/green), continue on and gain steady elevation on your way to Pyramid Slough (3.1 km/blue). Climb steeply to the lookout over the Athabasca Valley shortly before the end of the groomed trail (6.6 km/black). Snowshoers and fatbikers are welcome to use a designated lane for the first 1.2 km to the Trail 2i junction. Skiers only beyond this point. Dogs are welcome.

Wabasso Campground

Venture beyond

For those skiers looking to venture beyond the groomed trails, there are a lot of skier-set trails available throughout the park. As always, check trail conditions and ice safety and be avalanche-aware.

Note: The section of road from Athabasca Falls to the Geraldine Road on the south end of Hwy 93A will be plowed this year rather than groomed. Please do not park vehicles at the Geraldine Road trailhead because plows, road maintenance and other vehicles need to use the area as a turnaround. The Athabasca Falls parking lot will serve as the parking hub for people exploring the Geraldine and Fryatt Valleys or skiers accessing the south end of the Leach Lake Trail (and of course those visiting the falls!) There is potential for construction along Geraldine Road in 2023, so please check important bulletins and trail conditions before you go.

Snowshoeing

Inspiring the exploration of untracked territory, snowshoeing is one of winter's most accessible activities. Take in all the mountain views and vistas at various trails along the Pyramid Bench, the Maligne Lake Area, and at several locations on the Icefields Parkway. To see a full list of these magical places, visit the Jasper National Park snowshoeing webpage.

Whirlpool snowshoe route *new this year*

Beginning at the shelter at the Whirlpool Winter Hub, an 800 m flat-packed trail takes you along the Whirlpool River (follow the yellow diamonds) to Parks Canada’s famous Red Chairs. Bring a picnic and take a seat on the chairs or at the picnic table and enjoy the sounds of nature and beautiful river views. Dogs are welcome. Level of difficulty: green.

Athabasca River Loop

The Athabasca River Loop at Athabasca Falls will not be flat-packed in 2022-23, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still track your own trail along the spectacular river bank to get iconic views of Mount Kerkeslin. For winter access to the Sydney Vallance ACC hut, this route will be signed for adventurers venturing into the Fryatt Valley. Dogs are welcome. Level of difficulty: green.

Note: This route will be signed to direct those venturing into the Fryatt Valley or Sydney Vallance ACC hut this winter.

Multi-use trails

After a successful first year of flat-packing over 25 km of trails throughout the winter season, the Friends of Jasper National Park will be at it again with the “Snowdog” machine. This incredible work wouldn’t be possible without their amazing volunteers – and they are always looking for more!

Since the trails are multi-use, you can either throw on your winter footwear/ice cleats and walk or run, or rent a fat bike and take in the vistas on two wheels.

All trails are accessible from the Jasper townsite and they include: 4, 4a (Lac Beauvert Loop), 4b, 4e, 7 (Old Fort to Moberly Bridge), 7b, 11, 13 (Big Horn Alley), 14 (Red Squirrel) and 18.

Day use areas

To ensure visitors get to experience Jasper National Park’s most popular locations in the winter, the bridges at Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls and the top three bridges at Maligne Canyon will be cleared for pedestrian access. Note: The fenced-in pathways leading to the lookouts are not cleared in the winter. Be prepared for snow and slippery conditions and wear ice cleats.

Looking to visit Maligne Canyon? Once again this year, the gates accessing the bottom of the canyon will be locked. We strongly encourage those wishing to discover the majesty of the floor of the canyon to do so with a licensed guide. Users not on a guided tour need to have the knowledge, skills and equipment to navigate the canyon’s hazards and travel safely. Learn more about the potential hazards and how to stay safe in the winter on the Jasper National Park winter activities web page and Adventuresmart winter safety web page.

Lake Annette is open again this winter! The main road and upper parking lot will be plowed. Snow on the paved Lake Annette loop (2.4 km) will be periodically removed, and recreationists can enjoy flat-packed and user-packed trails in the area. Dogs are welcome.

Winter camping

To all the diehard campers - yes, the park is open for those willing to brave the cold!

Wapiti Winter Campground (open until May 17, 2023)

Wapiti Winter is first come first served (self-registration) and is close to the Jasper townsite. The campground has 40 electrical sites for RVs and trailers along with flush-toilets, showers, cooking shelter and drinking water. Note: There is no water tank filling station for RVs/trailers or sani dump.

Whirlpool Winter Hub and camping (open until March 15, 2023)

In addition to over 25 km of groomed cross-country ski trails that begin from here, the Whirlpool Winter Hub offers first come first served self-registration camping. There are sites for tents as well as for RVs. Services include cooking shelter, firewood, and pit toilets. Note: there is no power or water on site.

Visit Jasper National Park’s winter camping web page to learn more.

Maligne Lake area

Many people visit this special part of the park for its magnificent views, incredible ski terrain and the endless kilometres of cross-country skiing along Maligne Lake. It’s important to learn about ice safety before you venture out on Jasper’s lakes. Skiing and skating on all lakes and waterways in Jasper National Park is at your own risk.

Snow conditions are often very good at this higher elevation. User-set trails for winter walking, snowshoeing and light ski-touring can be found throughout the area. Bald Hills is open for ski-touring and turns but please note that avalanche terrain exists—be prepared.

Trail safety and etiquette

Whether you’re out for a leisurely ski or a longer backcountry adventure, make your trip to Jasper National Park a safe one. Here are a few trail safety and etiquette tips to make the most of your winter adventure:

• Choose locations appropriate for your activity and skill level.
• Respect all dog restrictions and trail or area closures.
• Avoid walking or snowshoeing on ski trails.
• Pack out your garbage.

We strongly encourage outdoor recreationists to wear ice cleats, as conditions can be treacherous on many local trails and day use areas.

Winter safety

Safety is a shared responsibility. Before you embark on your journey to Jasper, visit Alberta511 or DriveBC for current road conditions. Changes and closures can happen very quickly in winter, especially on the Icefields Parkway (93N), south of the Jasper townsite.

• Winter driving on the Icefields Parkway
• Avalanche bulletin
• Avalanche terrain ratings
• Trail conditions in Jasper
• Ice on ponds, lakes and rivers
• Jasper weather forecasts
• Warnings and closures
• Wildlife viewing and safety measures
• Trail safety and etiquette

It’s important to note that cell phone coverage is not available everywhere in the park. Please be prepared with a winter driving kit and consult the Jasper National Park Visitor Safety web page for more information. Visit the AdventureSmart winter safety web page for more tips and to file a trip plan.

Questions and information

If you have any questions, please get in touch by emailing jasperinfo@pc.gc.ca or calling 780-852-6176. The Jasper National Park Visitor Information Centre is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (closed: December 25, 26 and January 1).

We look forward to welcoming you, and wish you a safe and enjoyable visit!

Columbia Icefield - Safety and accessibility

The Columbia Icefield is the largest mass of glacial ice in the Rocky Mountains. It feeds several large glaciers, including the Athabasca, Columbia and Saskatchewan. The area is a significant feature of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Several Columbia Icefield glaciers pour down the mountain valleys and come close to the Icefields Parkway in Jasper and Banff national parks. Since completion of the Icefields Parkway in the 1940s, the area has been a driving force for visitors from around the world, eager to view the ice, mountain peaks, valleys and wildlife.

Walking on glacier ice is dangerous

From a distance, glaciers appear static and serene. Up close though, glaciers are fragile, and reveal features that can cause significant injury or death. Your chances of surviving a serious accident on a glacier are low.

Glacier ice is slippery, abrasive and harder than other ice. Falls, trips and spills have bigger consequences. Glaciers also contain the following dangers:

• Crevasses: Falling into a crevasse may cause death. If you survive, cold conditions in a glacier crevasse will induce severe hypothermia within minutes, and it will take time for a rescue team to arrive.
• Millwells: These plunging, nearly vertical tunnels lead to the bottom depths of glacier ice.
• Snow bridges and drifts: Snow bridges and drifts take months to melt, and in the meantime, they obscure unstable hazards beneath.

Four ways to enjoy the Athabasca Glacier safely

The Athabasca Glacier is among the most accessible glaciers on earth.

• Walk the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier trail and experience the wonder of a glacial area from a safe official trail.
• Book a guided tour to experience walking on a glacier.
• Take advantage of a roadside viewpoint to admire the heights of the Athabasca, Dome and Stutfield glaciers.
• Hike to a high point on Wilcox Pass or Parker Ridge for dramatic views. The trailheads are within a few kilometres of the Icefield Centre. The elevation gains to Wilcox Pass and Parker Ridge are approximately 170 metres and 340 metres respectively. Check trail conditions and be prepared before setting out.

“Glaciers are spectacular places, but they can be deadly. Parks Canada Visitor Safety Specialists train and prepare for years—carefully and meticulously—for safe glacier travel. No one on the team wants to get called to a rescue on a glacier because we know the chance of survival can be very low."

More information on visiting the Athabasca Glacier:

• Columbia Icefield Area and the Athabasca Glacier - Jasper National Park
• Discover the Icefields Parkway... an experience for everyone

Media enquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Lac Beauvert gate opening postponed until further notice

Parks Canada will be extending the closure of the Lac Beauvert Access Road from the Old Fort Point gate to the day-use area until further notice. This measure is in response to Grizzly Bear 222 and her cubs returning to this valley-bottom habitat area. Reducing vehicle traffic will help lower congestion and overall disturbance, which can help the bears from becoming further habituated to humans. This closure is to vehicle access only; visitors can still access Lac Beauvert and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge on foot or by bicycle through the area.

Your safety is our first priority

Visitors using the area should make noise, consider travelling in groups, keep pets on a leash at all times, carry bear spray and understand how to use it. Do not leave human food or garbage unattended. Please respect and obey posted signage and the directions of Parks Canada staff when encountered.

Report any wildlife interactions, concerning activity or dead animals to Parks Canada Dispatch, available 24 hours a day: 780-852-6155.

Media enquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Maligne Lake Road closing due to avalanche risk

Spring storm along Maligne Lake Road

A spring storm has brought 25 cm of snow to the Maligne Lake area of Jasper National Park. An additional 20 to 25 cm is expected through the evening of Wednesday, May 1, 2024. This will increase the avalanche hazard.

For public safety, Maligne Lake Road will be closed at Maligne Canyon at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. The day use area at Maligne Canyon and Maligne Hostel will remain accessible.

Please monitor 511.Alberta.ca frequently as closure and reopening times are based on actual conditions.

Your safety is our priority

Parks Canada only closes roads when absolutely necessary, when weather, road or avalanche conditions present a risk to human life. When roads are closed, gates are locked for the safety of park visitors and motorists. Breaking gates or intruding into avalanche control areas is unsafe and illegal.

Parks Canada only closes roads when absolutely necessary, when weather, road or avalanche conditions present a risk to human life. When roads are closed, gates are locked for the safety of park visitors and motorists. Breaking gates or intruding into avalanche control areas is unsafe and illegal.

To learn more about how the Icefields Parkway is managed, click here.

Backcountry safety

If you're heading into the backcountry, be aware that avalanche hazards will increase in the afternoon as daytime warming weakens the upper snowpack. Pay attention to how quickly the day is warming up and to changing snow conditions on sunny aspects.

Now is the time to start and end your adventure early to avoid the increased hazard in the afternoon. Check avalanche.ca for updated conditions.

Plan ahead

• Check 511.Alberta.ca for road conditions and traffic information.
• Respect road closures and delays.
• Know the weather forecast.
• Be prepared. A detailed list for an emergency car kit can be found here.

Media enquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Avalanche control work on the Icefields Parkway

Anticipate closure from 3:00 pm Wednesday, February 28, 2024, to 5:00 pm Friday, March 1, 2024

A winter storm is forecast for Jasper and Banff national parks starting Wednesday, February 28, 2024, bringing high winds and upwards of 45 cm of snow by Friday, March 1, 2024. This snow, combined with 50 cm already received on an unstable snow base, will require avalanche control work. Natural avalanches have already occurred and control work will reduce the likelihood of more avalanches that could put the safety of travellers at risk.

For public safety, it is anticipated that the Icefields Parkway (93N) will be closed beginning at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, for avalanche control work.

The following plan will be reassessed based on actual snow amounts:

Closure location: Athabasca Falls to Saskatchewan River Crossing

Closure start: 3:00 pm Wednesday, February 28

Start of storm: Afternoon of Wednesday, February 28

End of storm: Night of Thursday, February 29

Avalanche control work and road clearing: Friday, March 1

Anticipated reopening: 5:00 pm on Friday, March 1

*If avalanche conditions allow, the closure distance may be reduced to between Parker Ridge and Saskatchewan River Crossing on Thursday, February 29, 2024.*

Please monitor 511.Alberta.ca frequently for updates.

Your safety is our priority.

Parks Canada only closes roads when absolutely necessary, when weather, road or avalanche conditions present a risk to human life. When roads are closed, gates are locked for the safety of park visitors and motorists. Breaking gates or intruding into avalanche control areas is unsafe and illegal.

To learn more about how the Icefields Parkway is managed, click here.

Backcountry users should check avalanche.ca for updated conditions.

Plan ahead:

• Check 511.Alberta for road conditions and traffic information.
• Always respect road closures and delays.
• Check the weather forecast.
• Be prepared - a detailed list for an emergency car kit can be found here.

Media inquiries
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Avalanche control work planned on the Icefields Parkway

Anticipate partial closures Monday, February 26, 2024

A winter storm is forecast to hit Jasper National Park starting Saturday, February 24, 2024, bringing high winds and upwards of 20 cm of snow by Sunday, February 25, 2024. This will increase the avalanche hazard and may require avalanche control work.

For public safety, it is anticipated that a 20 km section of the Icefields Parkway will be closed Monday, February 26, 2024, for avalanche control work. This will reduce the likelihood of a natural avalanche that could put the safety of travellers at risk.

Closure time: Intermittent one-hour closures between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

Closure location: Parker Ridge to Sunset Pass Trailhead in Banff National Park, approximately 20 km south of Parker Ridge.

All other sections of the Icefields Parkway are open.

Please monitor 511 Alberta frequently for updates.

Your safety is our priority.

Parks Canada only closes roads when absolutely necessary, when weather, road or avalanche conditions present a risk to human life. When roads are closed, gates are locked for the safety of park visitors and motorists. Breaking gates or intruding into avalanche control areas is unsafe and illegal.

To learn more about how the Icefields Parkway is managed, click here.

Backcountry users should check avalanche.ca for updated conditions.

Plan ahead:

• Check 511.Alberta for road conditions and traffic information.
• Always respect road closures and delays.
• Check the weather forecast.
• Be prepared - a detailed list for an emergency car kit can be found here.

Media inquiries
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Warmer temperatures increase avalanche hazard

Anticipate partial closures of the Icefields Parkway, Monday, January 29, 2024

Warmer temperatures over the next several days in Jasper and Banff national parks will increase the avalanche hazard. For public safety, it is anticipated that a 20 km section of the Icefields Parkway will be closed Monday, January 29, 2024, for avalanche control work. This will reduce the likelihood of a natural avalanche that could put the safety of travellers at risk.

Closure time: Intermittent one-hour closures between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

Closure location: Parker Ridge to Pinto Lake Trailhead in Banff National Park, approximately 20 km south of Parker Ridge.

All other sections of the Icefields Parkway are open.

Please monitor 511 Alberta frequently for updates.

Your safety is our priority.

Parks Canada only closes roads when absolutely necessary, when weather, road or avalanche conditions present a risk to human life. When roads are closed, gates are locked for the safety of park visitors and motorists. Breaking gates or intruding into avalanche control areas is unsafe and illegal.

To learn more about how the Icefields Parkway is managed, click here.

Backcountry users should check avalanche.ca for updated conditions.

Plan ahead:

• Check 511.Alberta for road conditions and traffic information.
• Always respect road closures and delays.
• Check the weather forecast.
• Be prepared - a detailed list for an emergency car kit can be found here.

Media inquiries
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Miette Hot Springs reopening September 1, 2023

Miette Hot Springs and Miette Hot Springs Bungalows closed unexpectedly on June 19, 2023, following a snow storm that caused a mudslide, hundreds of downed trees, and a significant washout that closed Miette Road.

On September 1, 2023, Parks Canada will welcome visitors back to Miette Hot Springs to once again enjoy the hottest mineral water in the Canadian Rockies. Miette Hot Springs Bungalows, the only privately owned facility past the Miette Road closure, will also reopen.

Visiting Miette Hot Springs

Miette Road will be open by August 31, 2023, with a section of the road limited to single-lane alternating traffic controlled by traffic lights. Please obey reduced speed limits and follow the directions of traffic control equipment. Expect short delays.

Miette Hot Springs hours of operation:

• 1 pm to 9 pm from September 1 to 4, 2023
• 2 pm to 8 pm daily from September 5 to October 9, 2023
• Hours are subject to change.

To maintain the required lifeguard-to-patron ratio, the number of people in the pool during peak visitation periods may be restricted due to staff shortages.

Please visit our website for the latest updates and hours of operation.

Miette Hot Springs will close for the season on October 9, 2023, and will reopen in May 2024.

Safety is our top priority.

Until Miette Road is officially reopened, an area closure order is in place for public safety. Check Alberta511 for the most up-to-date road status.

The washout on Miette Road was on a particularly steep section which made ensuring safe mitigation measures challenging. The washed-out slope has been deemed stable by geotechnical engineers with rerouting to allow for single-lane alternating traffic.

Parks Canada is working on a longer-term solution that will establish a permanent realignment of the road.

Media inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

June snowstorm clean-up in Jasper National Park

Parks Canada is undertaking widespread cleanup efforts after a late-spring snowstorm brought down trees and debris across Jasper National Park. On Monday June 19, 2023, heavy and wet snow brought hundreds of deciduous trees down as well as coniferous trees weakened by pervasive mountain-pine beetle that swept through Western Canada beginning in 2017.

Clean-up and repairs are ongoing and will take time. Primary and secondary roads, reservable campgrounds, day-use areas and day hiking trails are prioritized to be cleaned up first. Backcountry trails will take more time.

Road updates

Maligne Road and Cavell Road are open. An area closure is in place for Cavell Meadows to prevent damage to fragile alpine plants and the trail. Parks Canada will continue to monitor the area and provide an update when it will reopen.

Miette Road sustained significant damage due to a mud slide and washout of a portion of the road. The Miette Road and Miette Hot Springs are closed and an area closure order is in place for public safety. Parks Canada is engaging geotechnical engineers to assess the road and determine the required repairs. An update on the reopening of Miette Road and Miette Hot Springs will be provided as soon as new information is available.

Travellers should be prepared for any weather, anytime of year when visiting the mountains.

For the most up-to-date road conditions, check Alberta 511 frequently.

Trail updates

The recent snowstorm has resulted in snow at higher elevations that will be melting over the next several days leaving the ground wet, muddy and saturated. Consider rescheduling trips at high elevations over the next few days to allow natural snow/mudslides to run their course.

Trail users need to be prepared to encounter trees down on trails and unbridged crossings. Plan a trip suitable to your abilities and wear appropriate gear and footwear to navigate around fallen trees.

You are responsible for your own safety

Share your trip plan details with a reliable local contact who knows when to consider you overdue and who to call for help. AdventureSmart has a feature that allows you to quickly create and share a trip plan digitally. Be prepared to turn around and change your plans if you encounter conditions beyond your ability.

Pay attention to closures and warnings, and remain alert when enjoying the park. Check current trail conditions before heading out.

Thank you!

Parks Canada would like to send our sincere thank you to everyone involved in responding to this snowstorm and the patience of visitors whose plans may have been impacted. From our own frontline staff, the Municipality of Jasper, tourism operators and everyone in between, Jasper National Park is proud to have a team of dedicated staff, partners, stakeholders and residents who stepped up to help neighbours and visitors.

Media inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Significant rain and snow Monday have closed Maligne and Miette roads in Jasper National Park

The park received more than 100 mm of rain and 55 cm of snow in some locations. Public safety is our first priority and fortunately, no significant injuries have been reported.

Parks Canada is working on assessing the safety of roads, including the risk of avalanches or mud slides. We recognize this situation may cause delays and impact visitor travel plans.

On Monday, Parks Canada brought approximately 60 people to safety, including hikers on the Skyline trail, paddlers on Maligne Lake and two tour buses full of passengers from Maligne Road, and staff continue to respond to stranded travellers.

Parks Canada expects to have the Miette Road open for single-lane traffic for visitors to leave Miette Hot Springs area by 7 pm, June 20. We will issue an update on the full reopening of Miette Road at a later date.

Maligne Road will remain closed for at least 48-72 hours to allow for any avalanches triggered by the storm to come down and to complete debris removal.

If you haven't heard from a friend or family member travelling in Jasper, please reach out to them. If you're aware of a backcountry camper who hasn't checked in or arrived at their destination as anticipated, please call Parks Canada Dispatch at 780-852-6155. If you are aware of a motorist who hasn't reached their destination, call the RCMP at 780-852-4848.

Check Alberta 511 or call 511 for the latest road conditions.

Media inquiries
Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Warm temperatures increase avalanche hazard

Warm temperatures are forecast to hit Jasper and Banff National Park starting Sunday, April 16, 2023. This will increase the avalanche hazard and require avalanche control work.

For public safety, it is anticipated the Icefields Parkway will be closed at 12:00 pm on Friday, April 14, 2023, from Parker Ridge to the Big Bend parking lot. Avalanche control on Friday will reduce the amount of snow on Parker Ridge to reduce the avalanche hazard prior to the warm temperatures. The Icefields Parkway is expected to open at 3:00 pm Friday, April 14, 2023.

Please monitor 511.Alberta.ca frequently for updates.

Backcountry users should check avalanche.ca for updated conditions.

Your safety is our priority.

Parks Canada only closes roads when absolutely necessary, when weather, road or avalanche conditions present a risk to human life. When roads are closed, gates are locked for the safety of park visitors and motorists. Breaking gates or intruding into avalanche control areas is unsafe and illegal.

Closures are likely to occur during the spring melt.

During the spring months, warming conditions can cause frequent short-notice delays. Motorists should be prepared for changing conditions and should consider travelling earlier in the day or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

If you're heading into the backcountry, be aware that avalanche hazards will increase in the afternoon as daytime warming weakens the upper snowpack. Pay attention to how quickly the day is warming up and to the changing snow conditions on sunny aspects.

Now is the time to start and end your adventure early to avoid the increased hazard in the afternoon.

Plan ahead:

• Check Alberta 511 for road conditions and traffic information.
• Always respect road closures and delays.
• Check the weather forecast.
• Be prepared - a detailed list for an emergency car kit can be found here.

Media Inquiries

Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Avalanche control work required on Maligne Road on Wednesday, April 12

Warm temperatures are increasing the avalanche hazard. Backcountry users should check avalanche.ca for updated conditions.

For public safety, Maligne Lake Road will be closed at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. The day use area at Maligne Canyon and Maligne Hostel will remain accessible. Maligne Lake Road is expected to reopen at 5:00 pm, Wednesday, April 12.

Parks Canada will update 511.Alberta.ca as new information becomes available. Please monitor 511.Alberta.ca frequently for updates.

Your safety is our priority.

Parks Canada only closes roads when absolutely necessary, when weather, road or avalanche conditions present a risk to human life. When roads are closed, gates are locked for the safety of park visitors and motorists. Breaking gates or intruding into avalanche control areas is unsafe and illegal.

Closures are likely to occur during the spring melt.

During the spring months, warming conditions can cause frequent short-notice delays. Motorists should be prepared for changing conditions and should consider travelling earlier in the day or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

If you're heading into the backcountry, be aware that avalanche hazards will increase in the afternoon as daytime warming weakens the upper snowpack. Pay attention to how quickly the day is warming up and to the changing snow conditions on sunny aspects.

Now is the time to start and end your adventure early to avoid the increased hazard in the afternoon.

Plan ahead:

• Check Alberta 511 for road conditions and traffic information.
• Always respect road closures and delays.
• Check the weather forecast.
• Be prepared - a detailed list for an emergency car kit can be found here.

Media Inquiries

Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Spring storm expected Sunday

A spring storm with warm temperatures is forecast to hit Jasper and Banff National Park starting Sunday, April 9, 2023. This will increase the avalanche hazard and may require avalanche control work.

For public safety, the Maligne Lake Road will be closed Sunday, April 9 at 7:00 a.m. from Maligne Hostel to Maligne Lake. The day use area at Maligne Canyon and Maligne Hostel will remain accessible. Maligne Lake Road is expected to reopen Monday. Parks Canada will monitor the storm and update 511.Alberta.ca as new information is available.

For public safety, it is anticipated the Icefields Parkway will be closed Sunday, April 9, 2023 at 3:00 pm from Parker Ridge to Saskatchewan River Crossing. Depending on the amount of snow to be cleared from the Parkway, the closure could last between four hours to an overnight closure. Parks Canada will monitor the storm and update 511.Alberta.ca as new information is available.

Avalanche control work will take place after the storm has passed and conditions are safe to do so.

Backcountry users planning the Pat Schehan traverse or Panther Falls hike on Sunday should reschedule their plans.

Please monitor 511.Alberta.ca frequently for updates.

Your safety is our priority.

Parks Canada only closes roads when absolutely necessary, when weather, road or avalanche conditions present a risk to human life. When roads are closed, gates are locked for the safety of park visitors and motorists. Breaking gates or intruding into avalanche control areas is unsafe and illegal.

To learn more about how the Icefields Parkway is managed, click here.

Closures are likely to occur during the spring melt.

During the spring months, warming conditions can cause frequent short-notice delays. Motorists should be prepared for changing conditions and should consider travelling earlier in the day or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

If you're heading into the backcountry, be aware that avalanche hazards will increase in the afternoon as daytime warming weakens the upper snowpack. Pay attention to how quickly the day is warming up and to the changing snow conditions on sunny aspects.

Now is the time to start and end your adventure early to avoid the increased hazard in the afternoon.

Backcountry users should check avalanche.ca for updated conditions.

Plan ahead:

• Check Alberta 511 for road conditions and traffic information.
• Always respect road closures and delays.
• Check the weather forecast.
• Be prepared - a detailed list for an emergency car kit can be found here.

Media Inquiries

Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Avalanche control work planned for Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Expect temporary delays on Icefields Parkway

Warming temperatures are forecast for Jasper and Banff national parks. As a result, Parks Canada is planning avalanche control work along the Icefields Parkway (93N) to reduce the amount of unstable snow at low elevations in preparation for spring avalanche conditions.

For public safety, it is anticipated that the Icefields Parkway will be closed Wednesday, March 8, 2023, for up to two hours at a time from 11 am to 5 pm from Parker Ridge to Saskatchewan River Crossing.

Please monitor 511.Alberta.ca frequently for updates.

Your safety is our priority.

Parks Canada only closes roads when absolutely necessary, when weather, road or avalanche conditions present a risk to human life. When roads are closed, gates are locked for the safety of park visitors and motorists. Breaking gates or intruding into avalanche control areas is unsafe and illegal.

Click here to learn more about how the Icefields Parkway is managed in winter.

Backcountry users should check avalanche.ca for updated conditions.

Plan ahead:

• Check Alberta 511 for road conditions and traffic information.
• Always respect road closures and delays.
• Check the weather forecast.
• Be prepared - a detailed list for an emergency car kit can be found here.

Media Inquiries

Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Update: Icefields Parkway and Maligne Lake Road are open

The Icefields Parkway and Maligne Lake Road are open. Snowfall levels from the winter storm forecasted to hit Jasper National Park starting February 12, 2023 were not as significant as expected.

Be prepared for changing weather - the Icefields Parkway is a mountain road with high elevation passes and exposed areas. The weather in the mountains can change quickly. It is not uncommon to have a sunny day in Jasper and a blizzard at the Columbia Icefield. Snow can be expected at any time of year.

High wind, blowing snow, and snowdrifts, are common near the Icefield Centre (105 km south of Jasper, 125 km north of Lake Louise). Be sure to drive defensively and obey speed limits.

Please monitor 511.Alberta.ca frequently for updates.

Your safety is our priority.

Parks Canada only closes roads when absolutely necessary, when weather, road or avalanche conditions present a risk to human life. When roads are closed, gates are locked for the safety of park visitors and motorists. Breaking gates or intruding into avalanche control areas is unsafe and illegal.

To learn more about how the Icefields Parkway is managed in winter, click here.

Backcountry users should check avalanche.ca for updated conditions.

Plan ahead:

• Check Alberta 511 for road conditions and traffic information.
• Always respect road closures and delays.
• Check the weather forecast.
• Be prepared - a detailed list for an emergency car kit can be found here.

Media Inquiries

Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Avalanche control work planned

A winter storm is forecast to hit Jasper National Park starting February 12, 2023, bringing upwards of 20 to 30 cm of snow. This will increase the avalanche hazard and require avalanche control work.

For public safety, the Icefields Parkway (93N) will be closed Monday, February 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. from Parker Ridge to Saskatchewan River Crossing. Parks Canada will monitor the storm and update 511.Alberta.ca as new information is available.

For public safety, the Maligne Lake road will be closed Monday, February 13, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. from Maligne Hostel to Maligne Lake. The day use area at Maligne Canyon and Maligne Hostel will remain accessible. Parks Canada will monitor the storm and update 511.Alberta.ca as new information is available.

Avalanche control work will take place after the storm has passed and conditions are safe to do so.

Please monitor 511.Alberta.ca frequently for updates.

Your safety is our priority.

Parks Canada only closes roads when absolutely necessary, when weather, road or avalanche conditions present a risk to human life. When roads are closed, gates are locked for the safety of park visitors and motorists. Breaking gates or intruding into avalanche control areas is unsafe and illegal.

To learn more about how the Icefields Parkway is managed in winter, click here.

Backcountry users should check avalanche.ca for updated conditions.

Plan ahead:

• Check Alberta 511 for road conditions and traffic information.
• Always respect road closures and delays.
• Check the weather forecast.
• Be prepared - a detailed list for an emergency car kit can be found here.

Media Inquiries

Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Bears are feeding on garbage in Jasper townsite

Bears in residential areas pose a potential risk to public safety.

Parks Canada is seeking help from the community and contractors to secure or remove bear attractants in the Jasper townsite.

Several black bears have been spending time in and around the Jasper townsite feeding on non-native fruit trees and unnatural food sources. In addition to feeding on fruit trees and digging through damaged and destroyed properties for food left behind, bears have been especially focused on investigating garbage.

As residents and contractors work to clean and restore properties in the Jasper townsite, it is critical that we dispose of waste and wildlife attractants in bear-safe garbage bins, not industrial waste bins. Never leave waste beside bear-safe garbage bins.

For residential waste:

• If the bear-safe garbage bins are full, contact informationofficer@jasper-alberta.ca and dispose of the waste at the Jasper Transfer Station.
• The Jasper Transfer Station is open for residential waste disposal seven days a week from 8 am to 4:30 pm. There are additional bins at the Jasper Transfer Station for large items that do not fit in regular residential bins.

For industrial waste:

• The industrial waste bins in Jasper are for demolition materials only. These bins are not bear-safe. Do not put food or other wildlife attractants in industrial waste bins.

Do not leave any garbage, recycling or food outside at any time.

It can take minutes for a bear to be rewarded with unattended food. Garbage and human food sources are harmful to bears.

While you might think bears would benefit from any food they can find after a wildfire, human food sources are more harmful than helpful. It is much better for the bears' well-being and human safety for animals to find natural foods on their own, even in challenging post-fire conditions.

Bears or other animals that learn to seek human food and garbage

• spend more time in areas where they may have a negative encounter or be injured or killed by vehicles, people or pets;
• often ingest items that may be toxic and make them sick; and
• can become aggressive and may injure people.

When animals learn to associate food and garbage with people, Parks Canada may need to destroy the animals for the safety of residents, contractors and visitors.

Managing fruit trees, food waste and other attractants is the only viable approach to keep bears out of the Jasper townsite. By removing bear attractants, we are enhancing safety for residents and giving bears the best chance of survival.

Report bear sightings

If you spot a bear in the Jasper townsite, report it immediately to Jasper Dispatch at 780-852-6155. Prompt reporting helps ensure public safety and deters bears from returning to the area.

Give wildlife space

Stay at least 100 metres away from wildlife and give wildlife management staff the space they need to work safely.

Thank you for your continued support in making Jasper a safe place for humans and wildlife.

Wildlife information

To learn more about bears, visit our website.

To learn how bears and other wildlife are impacted by wildfire, visit https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/securite-safety/faune-wildlife/feufaune-wildlifefire

Safety reminders: Elk calving and bears

Stay alert: Elk and bears are more active in spring, increasing the potential for interactions with people. You are responsible for your own safety.

Elk and bears are part of the natural landscape of Jasper National Park. In spring, they frequent newly sprouted vegetation in valley bottoms and beside roads and highways; this closer proximity to people increases the risk of negative encounters.

Tracy McKay, Ecologist Team Leader for Jasper National Park Wildlife Management, advises,

"Awareness plays a big part in preventing negative wildlife encounters and it’s especially important at this time of year. During calving season, the risks increase as female elk aggressively protect their young and bears actively hunt for calves. To stay safe, it’s crucial to maintain a safe distance from both protective mothers and predators."

Elk calving season

Elk calving season runs from May 15 through the end of June. During this period, elk mothers aggressively protect their young. Approaching elk at any time is dangerous, as they can attack without warning.

How to avoid an elk encounter:

• Stay at least 30 metres away from all elk.
• Avoid lone female elk, which may have hidden calves nearby.
• Travel in open areas over forested trails.
• Avoid using earbuds; listening to music reduces your awareness.
• Travel in groups, carry bear spray and consider using visual deterrents like walking sticks or umbrellas.

If you can't avoid an elk encounter:

• Maintain eye contact and move away quickly.
• Seek protection behind a tree or vehicle.
• Continue to move away, if followed by an elk, until it retreats.
• Get up immediately if knocked down; do not play dead.
• Be ready to use your bear spray if necessary.

Dogs must be on leash and under control

Keep dogs on leash and under control. Predators may perceive dogs as competition, potential predators or prey and may react aggressively. Consider leaving your dog at home.

Bears prey on elk calves

In spring, bears actively prey on newborn elk calves, an activity that can bring them closer to residences and commercial buildings, campgrounds, trails and lakes. When hunting, bears move quickly, become intensely focused on their prey and may display heightened defensive behaviour.

How to avoid a bear encounter:

• Travel in groups, carry bear spray in an easily accessible location and familiarize yourself with its use.
• Avoid using earbuds; listening to music reduces your awareness.
• Make noise regularly, especially in areas of poor visibility. Bear bells or music players are ineffective and may distract you.
• Exercise extra caution at dawn and dusk when bears are most active.
• Leave the area if you come across a dead animal.

If you can’t avoid a bear encounter:

• Stop, remain calm and gather small children into your group.
• Back away slowly—never run.
• Make yourself appear larger.
• Prepare to use your bear spray.
• Speak calmly and firmly to the bear.
• Keep your backpack on for additional protection.

Remove wildlife attractants

Jasper Residents:

To enhance bears’ chances of survival and minimize the risk of habituation, Jasper residents are asked to eliminate wildlife attractants. Treat your backyard like a campsite by removing bird feeders, pet food, barbecue grease catchers and fruit trees.

Campers:

Keep a clean campsite to protect wildlife! Store all food and scented items in secure locations like a hard-sided vehicle, trailer, motorhome, or campground locker. Never leave them in tents, the open back of a truck, dining shelters, tent trailers, or oTENTiks. Ensure items are secured both at night and whenever you leave your site.

Play the Wildlife Safety Quiz!

Safe vacations are enjoyable vacations! Learn more about how to keep yourself and wild animals safe when you visit Jasper National Park.

Report any interactions with wildlife, concerning wildlife activity or dead animals to Parks Canada Dispatch 24 hours a day: 780-852-6155.

Bears emerge from hibernation in Jasper National Park

One bear confirmed foraging for food

Spring brings important changes to the landscape and to wildlife behaviour in the park, particularly around the Jasper townsite. Bears have started to emerge from their dens with at least one black bear spotted in the valley bottom, with more expected to awaken soon. It’s time to brush up on wildlife safety tips, add bear spray back into your adventure kit and be ready to encounter wildlife.

At this time of year, wildlife are active beside roads and highways, taking advantage of newly sprouted vegetation. To help keep wildlife wild, remain safely in your vehicle when viewing wildlife in Jasper National Park.

You are responsible for your own safety. Pay attention to closures and warnings and be aware of wildlife when enjoying the park.

Travel safely in bear country

While bears generally prefer to avoid people, encounters between bears and people do occur. You can help protect these animals by avoiding encounters with them:

• Make noise! Let bears know you are in the area. Call out, clap, sing or talk loudly especially near streams, dense vegetation and berry patches, on windy days, and in areas of low visibility.
• Always carry bear spray, ensure it is accessible, and know how to use it before you head out on the trails. Bear spray can help deter other large mammals too such as cougars, wolves, coyotes, elk, deer and moose.
• Watch for fresh bear signs. Tracks, droppings, diggings, torn-up logs and turned-over rocks are all signs that a bear has been in the area. Leave the area if the signs are fresh.
• Always keep your dog on a leash (it is the law) or leave it at home. Dogs can provoke defensive behaviour in bears.
• Travel in groups. Larger size groups are less likely to have a serious bear encounter. Keep children within arm's reach.
• Stay on official trails and travel during daylight hours. Be especially cautious at dawn and dusk when wildlife are most active.
• If you come across a large dead animal, leave the area immediately.
Report any concerning wildlife activity or dead animals to Parks Canada Dispatch 24 hours a day at 780-852-6155.

Fruit Tree Replacement Program

Discouraging bears from entering the Jasper townsite requires a community-wide approach. Removing bear attractants keeps people safe and gives bears the best chance of survival.

The Fruit Tree Replacement Program encourages residents and businesses to replace non-native fruit trees with a free non–fruit-bearing alternative. By participating, you contribute to reducing human-bear conflicts in the Jasper townsite, enhancing the town's beauty and promoting ecosystem health.

To participate, contact us at jasperwildlife-jasperfaune@pc.gc.ca or call 780-820-0853.

As we move into the warmer months, let's work together to ensure a safe and enjoyable season for all—both our community and the wildlife with whom we share this beautiful park.

Stay informed

• Jasper National Park Bulletins
• Parks Canada Wildlife Safety

Media enquiries

Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Bear Summary 2023: Deterring bears from entering Jasper townsite

Bears in town: A rising safety concern

Bear activity in the Municipality of Jasper continued to increase in 2023, with about a dozen bears lured to town by non-native fruit trees and yard attractants. The persistent presence of bears in town raises safety concerns for both residents and visitors. Human-wildlife coexistence staff responded to more than 300 incidents involving bears in town in 2023, compared to about 90 in 2021, representing an increase of over 200%. These incidents included bears feeding in trees near schools, daycares and playgrounds; unexpectedly encountering residents; bluff-charging dogs and people; and searching for food in buildings and backyards from sources such as bird feeders, coolers and compost bins.

Changing tactics: Adapting to the bears

Keeping bears out of town is not possible while fruit remains accessible as a food source. In the four-kilometre span of town there are approximately 900 non-native fruit trees. This creates a strong attractant for bears stocking up on calories before winter. Parks Canada wildlife specialists are leveraging an adaptive management approach, incorporating lessons learned from areas like Canmore and Banff, where there are fewer incidents of bears in townsites. Jasper National Park aims to address this safety issue more effectively by collaborating with residents and the municipality. Earlier this fall, Parks Canada staff went door to door passing out information and a replacement-tree brochure, outlining options for residents encouraged to remove non-native and ornamental fruit trees.

Removing fruit trees and attractants is the most effective approach to keeping bears out of town. Short-term strategies such as hazing bears, relocating bears and fencing are less effective when fruit trees remain, as the food reward usually outweighs the discomfort of hazing methods or physical barriers. Bears habituated to this food source will continue to return—even immediately after intensive hazing efforts. Female bears that have learned to associate the town with food have taught this to their cubs, who often return in following years as subadults or adults.

During 2022 and 2023, Parks Canada relocated nine black bears from the townsite. Of the nine relocated bears, at least three returned, including a mother who lost her cub during the arduous journey back.

On Thursday, August 31, 2023, Parks Canada captured a black bear female and her young-of-year cub in a family trap within the Jasper townsite and relocated them to the Devona area of Jasper National Park. The mother returned to town over a month later without her cub.

“Based on data from her tracking collar, the bear took an epic trip, travelling hundreds of kilometres across northern Jasper and out into British Columbia. Sadly, she lost her cub in the process before beelining back to Jasper. Because of relocation, the bear faced a stress-filled journey at a critical time of year, and her cub likely died in the process. This is one example of why relocation is not the right tool for the current situation in the town of Jasper. Relocation also risks exporting a bear that habitually enters residential areas to another jurisdiction.”
David Argument, Resource Conservation Manager Jasper National Park

Jasper residents can make a difference

Deterring bears from coming into town requires a community-wide approach to be successful. Since 2019, over 200 fruit trees have been removed by Parks Canada staff on residential and commercial properties, municipal lands and Parks Canada lands within the municipality. In 2023, at least 10 trees were voluntarily removed by owners themselves.

Thank you to residents, businesses and municipality staff who worked with Parks Canada to remove fruit trees and other bear attractants in 2023.

How you can help

Acting now will help prevent bear incidents next year. Parks Canada continues to collaborate with residents and the Municipality of Jasper to remove non native fruit trees and other animal attractants.

Bear-proofing steps:

• Remove Fruit Trees: Reach out to Parks Canada for assistance at 780-852-8118.
• Electric Fencing: Set up a temporary electric fence following safety guidelines.
• Tree Trunk Shield: In limited cases, wrapping tree trunks with tin can deter bears from climbing.
• Backyard Care: Eliminate wildlife lures like bird feeders and pet foods. Regularly clean BBQ grease trays.

Report all bears in town:

Report bears within the townsite immediately to Parks Canada Dispatch: 780-852-6155 (available 24/7). Bears in residential areas pose a potential risk to public safety. Keep at least 100 m away and never approach or encircle bears.

Together, we can promote a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Wildlife safety is a shared responsibility

While the bears may be snoozing soon, other animals keep roaming in the winter. For wildlife safety tips all year round, please visit the Jasper National Park website.

Parks Canada recommends dog walkers carry bear spray at all times while in the park for potential encounters with wolves or cougars. Keep bear spray in a warm place like your pocket and do not let it freeze. Dogs must be on a leash to ensure the safety of you and your pet and to help protect national park wildlife and habitat.

Information

To learn more about sharing habitat with bears, visit our website.

Find out more about landscaping in the town of Jasper.

For questions or concerns about fruit tree bear management in Jasper, please email jasperwildlife-jasperfaune@pc.gc.ca

Media inquiries

Media Relations
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Seriously injured black bear cub euthanized for humane reasons

Over the last month or so, there has been a recognizable black bear family in town composed of a mother and her three cubs. The family was easy to spot as the adult female and two of the cubs were a light cinnamon colour, while the third cub was black. Sometime on September 7 or 8, 2023, one of the cinnamon-coloured cubs lost one of its hind legs due to a severe injury.

The family unit was spotted with the injured cub in the Jasper townsite on September 9, but by the next day, the mother had abandoned the injured cub, and on September 11, the cub was reported alone outside of town. Parks Canada wildlife specialists determined the probability of the injured cub surviving was extremely low, and made the difficult decision to capture, sedate and humanely euthanize the cub.

“The injury was consistent with what we'd expect to find in a railway incident, but we can't point at that definitively without having witnessed it," said David Argument, Resource Conservation Manager for Jasper National Park.

Three-phase approach for addressing the risk to public safety with bears in town

Parks Canada responds to bears in town by using a variety of hazing strategies to deter the bears. When hazing is unsuccessful and bears display strong habituation behaviours, the next option considered is to trap and relocate the bears. This option is not used for all bears that frequent town, as it is not always successful; relocated bears are known to have lower survival rates and may travel long distances to return to town. As a last resort, a decision may be made to destroy a bear.

Cycle of black bears in town continues as cubs return year after year

The mother bears are teaching their cubs that the town’s 700+ fruit trees are a good source of food. A yearling black bear that was frequenting fruit trees in town this year is thought to have learned this habit from her mother last year (this yearling was recently captured and relocated east of the townsite).

Keeping bears out of town is not possible while fruit remains accessible as a food source. In the 4-kilometre span of town there are approximately 700 non-native fruit trees, creating a strong attractant for bears stocking up on calories before winter. Each day spent in town further habituates these bears and reduces their wariness of humans, vehicles and trains. Once bears feed on fruit, they will repeatedly come back for more until the tree is removed. Even after tree removal, bears tend to return to the same spot until they learn that location is fruitless.

Removing fruit trees reduces the risk to public safety

Bears in residential areas pose a potential risk to public safety, and Parks Canada is seeking help from the community to secure or remove bear attractants in the townsite, especially fruit trees.

• You can pick your fruit (including ornamental berries), or bear-proof your tree, but the most effective thing you can do is remove your fruit tree.
• If you have fruit trees you would like to remove, we may be able to do it for you, free of charge!
• Larger trees, or trees that represent a safety concern (power lines, overhanging building, etc.) may require specialized services, currently at the property owner’s expense. Call 780-852-8118 today for a free assessment.

In cooperation with the Municipality of Jasper, Parks Canada is removing non-native fruit trees on municipal property. This work is important, but this effort must be community-wide to truly make an impact and give bears the highest chance of survival.

If you spot a bear in the Jasper townsite, please report it immediately to Parks Canada Dispatch at 780-852-6155.

Parks Canada staff respond to all reports of bears in town and will haze bears out of trees and away from town when it is safe to do so. Swift responses to bear issues will help ensure public safety. If you see bears in town being moved by Parks Canada staff, keep a distance of 100 metres to give staff the space they need to work safely.

Information

To learn more about bears, visit our website at parks.canada.ca/bears-and-people.

For questions or concerns about fruit tree bear management in Jasper, please email jasperwildlife-jasperfaune@pc.gc.ca

Media inquiries

Media Relations
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Black bears are bearing down on fruit trees in Jasper townsite

On Thursday, August 31, 2023, Parks Canada successfully captured one black bear mother and her cub in a family trap within the Jasper townsite and they will be released in the eastern region of the national park. Relocating this bear and her cub away from high human-use areas keeps people safe and decreases the chance that they will become further food conditioned, giving the bears a better chance for survival. There are now currently eight black bears, including one family group with young cubs, frequenting the residential areas of Jasper to access fruit trees.

Mother bears are teaching their cubs that the town is a good place to find food, and the bears are becoming increasingly habituated. Once bears feed on fruit, they will repeatedly come back for more; keeping these bears out of town is not possible while fruit remains accessible as a food source. Bears in residential areas pose a potential risk to public safety, and Parks Canada is seeking help from the community to secure or remove bear attractants in the townsite, especially fruit trees.

Removing fruit trees reduces the risk to public safety

We need your help! You can pick your fruit, remove your fruit tree or bear-proof your tree. If you have fruit trees you would like to remove, we may be able to do it for you free of charge! Larger trees, or trees that represent a safety concern (power lines, overhanging buildings, etc.) may require specialized services, currently at the property owner’s expense. Call 780-852-8118 today for a free assessment.

Parks Canada is thankful the Municipality of Jasper is working closely with us to remove non-native fruit trees on municipal property. This work is important, but this effort must be community-wide to truly make an impact and give bears the highest chance of survival.

As long as fruit trees remain in town - expect to see bears

Visitors and residents of Jasper should anticipate seeing or encountering bears in the townsite throughout the fall. As children return to school, families are reminded to take responsibility for their own safety. Children walking to school need to be aware and/or accompanied by an adult.

• Check your yard for wildlife before you leave your house.
• Travel in groups and supervise children.
• Make noise while travelling.
• Stay alert for bears; do not wear headphones or earbuds.
• Do not approach or surround bears.
• Always maintain a safe distance (100 m or 10 bus lengths) from bears.
• Dogs must be on leash.

If you spot a bear in the Jasper townsite, please report it immediately to Parks Canada Dispatch at 780-852-6155. Parks Canada staff respond to all reports of bears in town and will haze bears out of trees and away from town when it is safe to do so. Swift responses to bear issues will help ensure public safety. If you see bears in town being moved by Parks Canada staff, maintain a distance of 100 m to give staff the space they need to work safely.

If bears continue to feed on fruit trees, the risk to human safety may require destruction of the bears.

Information

To learn more about bears, visit our website at parks.canada.ca/bears-and-people.

For questions or concerns about fruit tree bear management in Jasper, please email jasperwildlife-jasperfaune@pc.gc.ca

Media inquiries

Media Relations
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Elk rut underway in Jasper National Park

From late August to mid-October, Jasper National Park is noisy with the bugling calls of bull elk, which sound like a high-pitched roar followed by low coughs or grunts. During the rutting (mating) season, elk form groups called harems, with one dominant bull elk and many females. Bulls become extremely aggressive as they are protecting their harems from other males.

View elk safely

The key to safe wildlife viewing is giving elk and other animals the space they need. Parks Canada regulations require a distance of at least 30 meters away for viewing elk. Photograph the animal in its natural environment or use a telephoto lens rather than moving closer to the animal. Do not follow elk into the bush, nor try enticing them with food or by simulating animal calls. While it might be temping, taking a selfie with wildlife is dangerous; never put people (especially children) at risk by posing them with wildlife.

How to avoid a negative elk encounter

• Stay 30 metres (three bus lengths) away from all elk.
• Travel in groups and keep everyone together; children should be within arm’s reach. Carry pepper spray and consider a visual deterrent like a walking stick or umbrella.
• Dogs must be on leash and under control. Elk view dogs as potential predators and may charge at or attack them. Consider leaving your dog at home.
• Never stand, walk, drive, or park your car between a male and the females.

If you encounter elk, keep at least 30 metres away, and never get between a male and the females. Do not drive or park your vehicle between a male and the females.

What to do if an elk gets too close

• Keep your eyes on the elk and move away. Do not turn away or run.
• Try not to make direct eye contact.
• Seek protection behind a tree or vehicle.
• Raise your arms or flap a jacket to make yourself appear larger.
• Contact encounters are rare, but if you are knocked down, get up and move away.

Report any interactions with wildlife, concerning wildlife activity or dead animals to Parks Canada Dispatch 24 hours a day: 780-852-6155.

Information

Important bulletins: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasper-alerts
Wildlife safety: parkscanada.gc.ca/wildlife-safety

Media inquiries

Media Relations
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Multiple grizzly bears find human food at busy picnic areas in Jasper National Park

Two recent events involving grizzly bears eating human food at picnic areas near Jasper led to one bear family being relocated within the park.

Some bears in Jasper National Park have become familiar with the town and recreational areas as reliable places to find food. In summer, non-native fruit trees are ripening and the number of people in the park is at a high. Bears living in constant proximity to people and residences are more likely to gain access to human food or garbage and end up in accidental aggressive physical encounters. Parks Canada needs the support of all visitors and community members to ensure that wildlife attractants and human food are not accessible to wildlife in the park

On July 24, 2023, a female grizzly bear with two cubs fed on human food at Lake Annette and Lake Edith.

As the bears approached the picnic area, people retreated to the safety of their vehicles. The female and cubs ate food left behind at two picnic sites. Later that same day, the bear and cubs investigated and pulled items out of a bag on the shore at Lake Edith.

This female bear and cubs have been feeding in the valley bottom near the Jasper townsite since the middle of May. Parks Canada’s human-wildlife coexistence specialists used a variety of actions over the last several months to move the bears away from day-use areas, roadsides and the golf course. As the bears often fed in high human-use areas, many people and photographers were able to watch them for extended periods of time and at close distances. This repeated exposure to people in close proximity contributed to the bears becoming habituated to people.

Once a bear becomes food-conditioned and loses its caution towards humans, it is a risk to human safety and options for managing the bear become limited. Parks Canada considered several courses of action for this female bear and her cubs. Relocation within the park is one of the options when it is no longer possible to safely manage a bear in its home range.

On July 27, Parks Canada captured the female bear and her cubs in a “family trap” and the adult was fitted with a GPS collar. The family was relocated to a southern area of the park the following day. Using the GPS collar to track the bear’s movements allows early intervention if she comes close to high human-use areas or travels back towards the Jasper townsite.

This year was the first time this bear family needed intervention by human-wildlife coexistence specialists. Relocating this bear and her cubs away from high human-use areas keeps people safe and decreases the chance that she and her cubs will become further food conditioned, giving the bears a better chance for survival. At the same time, trapping, immobilizing and relocating is stressful and risky for bears—particularly cubs. The bears relocated from Jasper townsite may now face new risks associated with being released into unfamiliar habitat that may already be occupied by other bears.

Parks staff continue to monitor and manage the bears daily. The bear family has been sighted along the Icefields Parkway (93N) near the Jasper and Banff national park boundary. Please stay in your vehicle and do not stop to view the collared grizzly and cubs to prevent further habituation.

Another grizzly bear is being monitored after feeding on human food at the Sixth Bridge picnic site at Maligne Canyon.

On July 26, 2023, a solo grizzly bear climbed onto a picnic table at the sixth bridge at Maligne Canyon and fed on human food when picnickers briefly left a table unattended. The bear moved away after 20 minutes and has not been involved in any additional incidents since. Parks staff continue to watch for this bear and are closely monitoring the situation.

Wildlife safety is a shared responsibility.

To keep bears alive and wild in Jasper National Park:

• Follow bare campsite rules. Never leave any food or scented items unattended.
• Do not approach or surround bears. Always maintain a safe distance (100 m). Follow wildlife viewing restrictions and give wildlife space.
• If wildlife approaches you, move calmly to the safety of a hard-sided vehicle or shelter and take food and garbage with you if it is safe to do so.
• Keep pets on leash—it’s the law.
• If you see any bear in town or in a busy visitor area, report it immediately by calling Parks Canada Dispatch at 780-852-6155. Timely reporting is essential for Parks Canada staff to be able to change bear behaviour. The potential for successful human-bear coexistence is higher with early intervention.

Information

Important bulletins: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasper-alerts
Wildlife safety: parkscanada.gc.ca/wildlife-safety
Bare campsite: parks.canada.ca/bare-campsite

Media inquiries

Media Relations
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Fruit trees attracting bears into the Jasper townsite

Removing bear attractants from the Jasper townsite keeps people safe and gives bears the best chance of survival.

Several incidents of black bears feeding in fruit trees within the Jasper townsite have occurred already this summer. This behaviour has increased over the last several years and is happening earlier and earlier in the summer as bears have learned they can find food to eat in town.

Bears are drawn into town by fruit on ornamental trees not native to our region including apple, crabapple, mayday, pin cherry and chokecherry. Once a bear’s food-seeking behaviour becomes established, it will repeatedly come back for more unless the food source is removed. When a bear becomes food-conditioned, Parks Canada has limited options for managing the bear. If a bear continues to seek out food around people’s homes, the risk to human safety may require the destruction of the bear.

To keep people and bears safe, Parks Canada has been working with residents and the Municipality of Jasper to remove non-native fruit trees. With bears frequenting the townsite again, residents should take steps now to remove fruit and any other potential attractants from their properties.

Steps you can take to keep bears out of town:

• Remove fruit trees on your property. Parks Canada may be able to help: Call a human-wildlife coexistence specialist at 780-852-8118.
• Pick fruit from your trees early and completely.
• Use a temporary electric fence, with appropriate safety precautions.
• In some specific cases, it may be effective to encase the trunk of a tree in tin to prevent bears from climbing and accessing fruit.
• Treat your backyard like a backcountry campsite: Remove all possible wildlife attractants including bird feeders and pet food, and clean BBQ grease catchers.
• If you see a bear in town, phone Parks Canada Dispatch immediately at 780-852-6155 (24 hours a day).
• Do not approach or surround bears. Maintain a safe distance (100 m) at all times.

With your help, Parks Canada can quickly respond to bears in town and together we can support healthy human-wildlife coexistence.

More information

Important bulletins: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasper-alerts
Wildlife safety: parkscanada.gc.ca/wildlife-safety

Media inquiries

Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Elk calving and bear safety reminders

Elk and bears are part of the natural landscape of Jasper National Park. At this time of year, both elk and bears are more active beside roads and highways, taking advantage of newly sprouted vegetation. Because of this, springtime brings a greater potential for negative interactions with these large and powerful animals.

Stay alert

You are responsible for your own safety. Pay attention to closures and warnings, and remain alert when enjoying the park. Travel in groups and keep everyone together, with children within arm’s reach. Make noise during your travels. Travel slowly when biking or running, and do not wear earbuds. Be alert!

To help keep wildlife wild, remain safely in your vehicle when viewing wildlife in Jasper National Park.

Dogs must be on leash and under control

Keeping your dog on a leash and under physical control isn’t just a recommendation; it’s the law. Dogs can trigger aggressive behaviour from unpredictable predators like bears, wolves and coyotes, increasing the probability of a negative wildlife interaction.

Predators perceive domestic dogs, whether on leash or off, as competition or prey, and may either attack dogs, or chase an off-leash dog back to its owners or other people. After repeat encounters with dogs, wildlife can lose their natural wariness of humans and become risks to public safety. Elk often view dogs as potential predators and may charge at or attack them. Consider leaving your dog at home if you are not willing to keep it on a leash at all times.

Elk

Elk calving season is beginning May 15 and will last through the end of June. During calving season, protective mothers aggressively defend their newborns by kicking and charging at people. Do not approach elk in any season as they are dangerous and can attack without warning.

How to avoid an elk encounter

• Stay 30 metres (three bus lengths) away from all elk.
• Avoid lone female elk as they may have separated from the herd for calving and may have calves hidden nearby.
• Walk in open areas rather than forested trails to avoid unexpected encounters with female elk or calves.
• Travel in groups, carry pepper spray and consider a visual deterrent like a walking stick or umbrella.

What to do if you can’t avoid an elk encounter

• Act dominant.
• Raise your arms or flap a jacket to make yourself appear larger.
• Maintain eye contact and move away.
• Seek protection behind a tree or vehicle.
• Contact encounters are rare. If you’re knocked down, get up and move away. Do not play dead!

Bears

Black bears and grizzly bears are out of hibernation. Bears can be extremely sensitive to the stress of human activity, even when that stress is not evident to you. The best thing you can do for bears is to limit their exposure to you and avoid encounters.

How to avoid a bear encounter

• Travel in groups, carry bear spray in an easy-to-reach location and know how to use it.
• Consider bringing an additional bear deterrent such as an air horn to scare a bear that is approaching from a distance.
• Bear bells or speakers playing music are not generally considered effective bear deterrents and may provide a false sense of security or even dull your senses to your surroundings.
• Be especially cautious at dawn and dusk when bears are most active.
• Leave the area if you see or smell a dead animal.

What to do if you can’t avoid a bear encounter

• Stop and remain calm.
• Make yourself appear BIG.
• Pick up small children and stay in a group.
• Get ready to use your bear spray.
• Speak to the bear calmly and firmly.
• Back away slowly. Never run.
• Keep your pack on as it can provide protection.

Report any interactions with wildlife, concerning wildlife activity or dead animals to Parks Canada Dispatch 24 hours a day: 780-852-6155.

Media Inquiries

Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Bears are out in Jasper National Park

As you enjoy the forests, mountains, rivers and lakes of Jasper National Park, expect to encounter wildlife.

Spring brings important changes to the landscape and to wildlife behaviour in the park, particularly around Jasper townsite. At least one black bear has already been spotted in the valley bottom near the townsite, and grizzly bears are expected soon. Be ready to encounter wildlife, brush up on wildlife safety tips, and add bear spray back into your adventure kit.

You are responsible for your own safety. Pay attention to closures and warnings, and remain alert when enjoying the park.

At this time of year, wildlife is also more active beside roads and highways, taking advantage of newly sprouted vegetation. To help keep wildlife wild, please remain safely in your vehicle when viewing wildlife in Jasper National Park.

To avoid an encounter, be prepared to do the following:

• Travel in groups and keep everyone together.
• Make noise during your travels.
• Be alert! Travel slowly when biking or running, and do not wear earbuds.
• Be especially cautious at dawn and dusk, when wildlife is most active.
• Carry bear spray in an easy-to-reach location and know how to use it.
• Keep your dog on a leash at all times, and walk your dog during daylight hours if possible.
• Keep children within arm's reach.
• Leave the area if you see or smell a dead animal.
• Report any concerning wildlife activity or dead animals to Parks Canada Dispatch 24 hours a day: 780-852-6155.

These simple tips and precautions will help you and your family be ready and safe, and will also help protect the wild animals that call these landscapes home.

Jasper residents with fruit trees

In 2022, there were several occurrences of bears feeding on fruit trees within the Jasper townsite. This behaviour poses risks to public safety and to bears that become habituated to human food.

Fruit trees can be maintained or removed to reduce or eliminate this wildlife hazard. At your request, Parks Canada will remove fruit trees from your property at no charge. Call 780-852-6155 for more information.

Information
Important bulletins: parkscanada.gc.ca/jasper-alerts
Wildlife safety: parkscanada.gc.ca/wildlife-safety

Media inquiries
Jasper National Park
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

2022 Bear Update

As snow settles in for winter, so do bears across Jasper National Park. 2022 saw frequent bear activity in the Municipality of Jasper, with about a dozen bears drawn to town by attractants in yards and non-native fruit trees. Thank you to all the residents, businesses and the municipality who worked with Parks Canada to remove fruit trees and other bear attractants. More than 100 non-native fruit trees were removed across the municipality and at Jasper Park Lodge.

Relocating bears: A last resort

Human-wildlife conflict specialists responded to the unwelcome visitors using a variety of hazing strategies to deter bear presence in the townsite. In some cases, trapping and relocating the bears was a necessary last step in ensuring both bear and human safety. Trapping, immobilization and release is a last resort because it is stressful and risky for bears, particularly cubs. Bears across the park are now looking for denning sites or have settled into dens for the winter and Parks Canada is pleased to report all relocated bears have kept their distance from town.

Grizzly siblings: Update since May 2022

This pair was spotted in various yards throughout town in May 2022. On May 31, Parks Canada staff trapped, put GPS collars on and relocated the male and female siblings to the south end of the park. By the middle of the summer, the pair had separated. The male remained in the southeast corner of Jasper National Park, while the female moved south into Banff National Park.

Black bears: Update since September 2022

On September 9, 2022, Parks Canada staff successfully trapped one mother and her two cubs using a borrowed family bear trap from Banff National Park. This family unit had frequently accessed fruit trees in the Jasper townsite. The bears were released into suitable habitat in a remote area of the park along the Icefields Parkway. They were spotted by a hiker on the Poboktan Trail and have not been observed or recorded any further north, likely denning well away from the town.

A second family of black bears was trapped on October 4, 2022, and relocated to the south end of the park. The mother bear’s last telemetry signal was within the Tonquin area where they are presumed to be denning this winter.

Three other individual black bears frequented town. Two of these were last spotted in town on October 14 and are presumed to be denning in an unknown location. The third was trapped and relocated on October 23 and will hopefully den in his new surroundings at the south end of the park.

Wildlife safety is a shared responsibility

While the bears may be snoozing, many other animals keep roaming in the winter. For wildlife safety tips all year round, please visit the Jasper National Park website.

Parks Canada recommends dog walkers still carry bear spray while in the park for potential encounters with wolves or cougars. Keep bear spray in a warm place like your pocket and do not let it freeze. Always keep your dog on a leash to ensure the safety of you and your pet and to help protect national park wildlife and habitat.

Related bear updates:

• September 15, 2022
• September 8, 2022
• August 25, 2022
• June 8, 2022
• May 27, 2022

Media Inquiries

Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Tel: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca