Jasper’s most dramatic and voluminous waterfalls, the Athabasca Falls are located 17 miles south of Jasper town off of the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93). The falls are only 75 feet high, but the heavy flow volume of the Athabasca River has cut deeply into the soft limestone rock, carving potholes, canyons, and various water channels. Interpretive signs explain the basics of the local geology.
Athabasca Falls Jasper
You can walk through canyons carved by the river
There is ample parking and vault toilets available at the Falls viewing area. You should plan on at least 30 minutes minimum to tour the area. Parks Canada has done an excellent job of providing numerous locations to view the falls via a series of winding trails, and even through an abandoned channel that carved a narrow canyon, upstream and downstream from the falls and views of features such as potholes. The trails include stairs and are uneven terrain. As you walk through the abandoned canyon, be extra careful not to hit your head on the low hanging rock walls overhead. The first viewpoint is wheelchair accessible.
Athabasca Falls
