Alberta | Jasper National Park
Experience Jasper National Park
The largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain Parks, Jasper National Park is situated in western Alberta, running north and west, along the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, from the Columbia Icefield to the Willmore Wilderness Provincial Park. Wildlife is abundant and it is very common to see elk, bighorn sheep, deer, coyote, and even black bear throughout the park.
For centuries, a vast network of trails served as an essential passageway for the aboriginal people hunting throughout this region. these same trails were used by the explorers and fur traders who began arriving 250 years ago. Today they are source of recreation and escape for the hikers who come to enjoy Jasper's natural wonders.
Want to get a better feel, know more about Jasper National Park? Feel free to watch the video below. This full-length video is episode #5 of Operation Unplugged.
As Parks Canada states: "a new documentary adventure series aired on The Travel and Escape Channel. Parks Canada, along with other corporate supporters, invited eight lucky participants to travel through Canada's spectacular National Parks and National Historic Sites in a once in a lifetime journey."
Jasper National Park Centennial
In 2007, Jasper National Park honored its past and look toward its future as it celebrated 100 years of cultural and natural history as a protected place. To commemorate such a milestone, Jasper National Park is planning one hundred days of celebration. Centennial celebrations will include exhibits, events, publications, a centennial documentary, learning opportunities and the creation of various legacies.
It’s an opportunity for all to learn about Jasper’s natural and cultural heritage, and how to become better stewards of all protected places. It is a unique time to feel the power of our landscape and the richness of our past, and to commit to our future. In 2007, Jasper National Park was the place to be.
About Jasper National Park’s Natural Heritage
Although Jasper National Park has seen many changes in the last century, much of the park remains wilderness. The largest of Canada’s Rocky Mountain Parks, Jasper spans over 10,800 km2 of broad valleys, magnificent rugged mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, forests, alpine meadows, and wild rivers along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
Jasper National Park protects a diverse variety of wildlife and plants. Large numbers of elk, bighorn sheep, and mule deer, as well as their predators make Jasper one of the great delicate and carefully protected ecosystems in the Rocky Mountains. This vast wilderness is one of the few remaining places in southern Canada that is home to a full range of carnivores, including grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolves and wolverines.
Sharing Some of Jasper National Park’s Stories
In 1907, when it becomes apparent that two transcontinental railways will soon pass through the Athabasca Valley, the Dominion Government sets aside an area of about 13,000 km2 (5000 sq. miles), establishing Jasper Forest Reserve.
In 1911, the Grand Trunk Pacific Steel reaches Fitzhugh Station. The name is changed to ‘Jasper’ two years later and Jasper Town is laid out by the government.
Jasper Landmarks
In 1913, Jasper National Park superintendent, Lieutenant Colonel Maynard Rogers, was overseeing much of the early development of the Jasper townsite. He had visions of a unified architectural theme for the town, believing local materials and building methods should be used.
2007 News
London, UK ... Jasper National Park of Canada was honoured today in London as a 2007 recipient of the World Travel Market Global Award in the North American region. Nominated by the Canadian Travel Press, this award recognizes the Jasper National Park’s significant contribution to the travel and tourism industry during its centennial year.
''Jasper National Park is proud to receive this honour and the recognition that goes with it. We thank our major Centennial celebration partners who helped ensure a range of high quality activities and events throughout the year,'' said Alan Latourelle, Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada Agency. ''Without the involvement of the Friends of Jasper National Park, the Municipality of Jasper, the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Jasper Tourism and Commerce, the centennial celebration would not have been the huge success it was. Today we share this award with them and the many private businesses who contribute to our dynamic and ongoing collaboration with the tourism industry.''
The park works closely with many partners and organizations involved in the travel industry to increase awareness of this protected heritage place as a sustainable tourism destination. As a part of the UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, Jasper National Park and their partners offer authentic experiences that feature the wildlife, landscapes and stories of these mountains, rivers, valleys and glaciers. Spanning over 10,000 square kilometres (4200 square miles), the park offers spectacular drives as well as hiking and biking trails for all ability levels. The park welcomes nearly 2 million visitors each year and is one of the cornerstones of the tourism industry in Alberta. The community of Jasper, located within the park, offers world-class services to help visitors make the best of their stay.
''Whereas Jasper is mostly known as a natural protected area,'' continued Mr. Latourelle. ''It is important to note that there are also national historic sites within the park that help tell the story of Canada’s history, including the fur trade and transportation through the mountains - linking the west coast to the rest of Canada.''
Canada has the distinction of having established the first parks organization in the world, and Jasper, established in 1907 is one of the oldest parks in Canada. The family of protected heritage places managed by Parks Canada has grown to include 157 national historic sites, 42 national parks and three national marine conservation areas. Canada’s protected heritage areas are consistently identified to be among the country’s most powerful national symbols in public opinion polls. These special places help protect and present the nature and culture of Canada.
Credits: Historic Jasper Townsite and Jasper Park Information Centre in 1914, courtesy of Parks Canada.
Wildlife Photos: Elk and Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep in Jasper National Park, courtesy of Travel Alberta.
More Jasper National Park related pages here...
