Just Nosein’ Around in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
- Luie Boone
- Jul 30
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 30
This vacation destination is a part of our third series of blog posts titled Rover Ready.
There's something incredibly special about sharing the great outdoors with your dog... unless you're Luie Boone, and you just found out Jasper National Park is not a park dedicated to dogs named Jasper. (Luie Boone doesn't even know a Jasper, okay? So he was worried he'd have to fake it, like wear a nametag and bark in a Canadian accent just to fit in).
Thankfully, no identity fraud will be necessary. Turns out, Jasper National Park is for all good boys and girls, regardless of name, fur length, or barking accent. With wide-open trails, glacier-fed lakes that practically beg for a cannonball, and trees with top-tier sniff-ability, Luie Boone quickly forget about that whole Jasper scandal and got to planning his vacation (with the help of his hoomans, of course).
Before you hit the road, it’s important to understand the park’s pet policies. Dogs are welcome in most areas of Jasper National Park, but they must be kept on a leash at all times. This isn’t just for safety, but it’s also to protect local wildlife and delicate ecosystems. And, yes, you'll also need to purchase a Parks Canada pass, which is required for all visitors, including those with dogs. Luie Boone always tries to argue that he's a "seasoned trail scout," but the park rangers never buy it.
Once inside the park, you’ll find no shortage of breathtaking places to explore together. Easy-to-moderate trails—such as Pyramid Lake Loop, Valley of the Five Lakes, and the Old Fort Point Trail—offer stunning views without being too strenuous for most dogs. Maligne Canyon is another favorite, with its dramatic cliffs and waterfalls being accessible via a scenic, dog-friendly path. Just be sure to hold the leash tight, especially if your pooch is like Luie Boone, who gets dramatic about dramatic cliffs.
If you’re seeking a quieter experience, try visiting Athabasca or Sunwapta Falls early in the morning. These spots are beautiful and dog-accessible, though always be mindful of crowds and keep your pup close by.
Jasper also offers activities beyond hiking. The Jasper SkyTram allows dogs to ride up the mountain with you. While the wind at the summit can be brisk (Luie Boone can already feel the wind ruffling his ears in slow motion), the views are spectacular.
Back down at Lac Beauvert (which Luie Boone found out means beautiful green lake in French), you can rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard at the Fairmont Boathouse and take your dog along for a gentle paddle on calm waters. Picnic areas, such as Lake Annette, are also great places for a midday nap and some quality sandwich begging.
When your dog needs to stretch their legs off leash, Jasper’s fenced-in dog park at Hazel Avenue and Sleepy Hollow Road is the perfect spot. It’s the only official off-leash area in town, which makes it a good place for socializing or a quick energy burn before an evening hike.
As for food, Jasper is very welcoming to travelers with dogs. Many restaurants offer pet-friendly patios, including Jasper Brewing Company, Jasper Pizza Place, and the cozy Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen. If you prefer to dine picnic-style, plenty of scenic spots make great lunch backdrops.
While the town of Jasper serves as the central hub for most visitors, several nearby communities are also worth exploring. Hinton, located about an hour east of the park’s entrance, is a gateway town with more budget-friendly accommodations and a large off-leash dog park at Kelley’s Bathtub in William A. Switzer Provincial Park.
South of Jasper, the tiny hamlet of Valemount, British Columbia, offers a quieter atmosphere with pet-friendly trails and mountain views. To the north, Grande Cache provides access to lesser-known hiking areas and peaceful wilderness that’s ideal for off-the-beaten-path adventures with your pup.
Please note if you will be camping, be aware of wildlife, never leave your pet unattended, and store all food and waste securely.
Packing properly can make or break your trip. Essentials include a durable leash, collapsible water bowls, waste bags, dog food in sealed containers, and paw protection (like balm or booties) for rugged terrain. Always bring bear spray and know how to use it, and be sure your dog’s ID tags and microchip information are up-to-date.
A pooch-friendly vacation in Jasper is not just possible—it’s highly rewarding. With majestic mountains, beautiful lakes, welcoming patios, and dog-loving locals, it’s an ideal destination for anyone wanting to explore the Canadian Rockies without leaving their best friend behind.
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Jasper Park Gateway
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 5 beds and 2 baths.
Photos courtesy of Airbnb
It features the following amenities:
Four acres of very private peaceful forested land by the Athabaska River
Quick access to Jasper National Park
Charcoal grill
Hammock
Nice fire pit outside to enjoy a fire
Path near the Athabasca River, which you can take a short walk down
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
My hoomans are talking about going on vacation in Canada! Canada? I didn’t even know we had a passport... do we? Regardless, they're talking about going somewhere called Jasper National Park. There's this peaceful rental there, and it's tucked away on four acres of forest by the Athabasca River. I haven’t even set paw there yet, but it sounds like a dog’s dream come true. There’ll be room to run, trees to sniff, and deer to watch from the big covered porch—which is not only super comfy but also gated. Apparently, there’s a little path right by the river, great for short walks and maximum sniffing potential. The last guests said they saw a cougar one night. It was just chilling in the trees, watching like it was the neighborhood hall monitor. It didn’t bother anyone, but let’s be real: I’ll be glued to my humans after sunset. I bark big, but I’m not looking to get featured on “Cougar Snacks: Jasper Edition.” The house itself has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a pellet stove, and a bright kitchen where I fully intend to supervise every sandwich operation. Safety protocols: no wild turkey goes unmonitored. And while I’m not there yet, I’m already dreaming of long porch naps, tail-chasing under the stars, and intense staring contests with squirrels. I’ll also be keeping one eye out for that cougar and the other on the cutting board, because vacation or not, I’m a professional.
Paws Venture Here
Jasper SkyTram
Your best friend is welcome to join you while you take the SkyTram up Whistlers Mountain. Once you arrive at the top, check out the hiking trails and various viewpoints.
Jasper Lake Sand Dunes
These sand dunes offer a unique and tranquil experience. Although it lacks an official sign, the dunes provide a peaceful atmosphere away from the crowds. Visitors and their pups can dip their feet and paws in the water or take a leisurely stroll through small trails amidst beautiful vegetation.
Jasper Raft Tours
Here, you can bring rover on a rafting adventure that passes through small sets of rapids and calm stretches. A Jasper National Park licensed guide will point out the natural and human history of Jasper... and probably have to help hoist your pooch back into the raft after doing a cannonball, if your pooch is anything like Luie Boone.
Lake Annette and Lake Edith
These two lakes are great spots for a leisurely jaunt or a full-fledged adventure with your buddy. You can enjoy the blue-green lakes or take a stroll along the many trails that surround them.
Toe Of The Athabasca Glacier
Enjoy this 0.9-mile out-and-back trail, which is one of the easiest glaciers for any hiker and their canine companions to see. It is also one of Canada’s most famous frozen wonders! This is a great way to witness the marvel of nature’s most significant glaciers, as well as how humans have impacted the environment with plenty of place markers to display how much the glacier has receded.
Red Squirrel Run
This is a nice trail, where you and your pal can pass through Cedar Woods and be parallel to the water of the Athabasca River! On the path it is possible to spot some elks, squirrels, several types of birds, and even bears. Luie Boone wants to remind you to be smart and bring your bear spray!
Sulphur Skyline Trail
For mountain memories you won’t want to forget with your dog, take a climb up Sulphur Skyline! This is a moderately challenging out-and-back hike. Your efforts will be rewarded with an endless span of peaks and 360° views to see from the top. You will be greeted with true mountain weather up there, even in the summer. This is very common on any mountain, so always plan for wind and cold any time of year!
Emerald Lounge
The Emerald Lounge offers spectacular views overlooking Lac Beauvert, which Luie Boone unsuccessfully tried to get renamed Lac Bonevert. Meals, for your pup, vary from plant-based options to chicken dishes. There's even a salmon serving for those pups with an acquired taste.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
You know what my hoomans just told me about Jasper National Park? There are strict food rules. Like, really strict. We’re talking “no kibble left behind” strict. That includes my dinner, my treats, and yes—even the biscuit I was saving for later in my secret tail-fluff stash. Why all the rules? Because of wildlife. Bears, elk, and those sneaky snack-thieving birds. Apparently, anything that smells even vaguely delicious has to be locked up in sealed containers. No food allowed on patios, and nothing can be left outside. Not even for a minute. Not even if it’s chicken-flavored. Not even if it’s a single, lonely cheese puff. Trash has to go in wildlife-proof bins. When we go hiking, all our snacks—yes, even mine—have to stay zipped inside a backpack. No crumbs, no unattended sandwiches, no porch picnics, and absolutely no bacon-scented air drifting around unattended. Even poop has rules. Everything has to be bagged and tossed! No excuses. Park rangers take it super seriously because, apparently, even poop can attract wild animals. (Which, to be honest, explains a lot about some of the places I’ve sniffed.) And while I’m deeply offended by the “no-snacking-on-the-porch” policy—and still grieving the loss of my biscuit—I get it. These rules keep me, my hoomans, and all the wild critters safe. I’d rather skip a snack than end up nose-to-nose with a bear. Unless it’s my stuffed bear, Bear Bear. He and I are tight.
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