Jasper National Park is the biggest national park in the Canadian Rockies, and that scale works in your favour with young kids — instead of one crowded trailhead, hiking options are spread across the townsite, the lakes loop, and the Icefields Parkway, so there's almost always a quieter, flatter option nearby no matter where you're camped. Several of the easiest walks sit right around Jasper's town lakes (Annette, Edith, Mildred), making them realistic even after a long travel day.
A Parks Canada park pass is required for any stop in Jasper National Park, including these trailheads, so have it ready before you set out — it's the same pass system used at Banff and Waterton. Unlike Kananaskis Country's separate conservation pass, one Parks Canada pass covers every hike on this list.
Jasper is also still recovering from the 2024 wildfires that burned through parts of the park, and some trails — including Valley of the Five Lakes and the Edith Cavell Meadows area — have had closures or rerouting since. None of the closures are on this list, but conditions can change, so check the current Parks Canada Jasper trail report before you head out, especially later in the season.
Every hike on this list is rated Easy or Moderate, and each entry below includes real distance, elevation, and duration figures pulled from AllTrails and Parks Canada sources, so you know what you're actually signing up for before you park the car.
Rooftop Camping with KidsDownload our free field guide (PDF)Lake Annette Loop
This fully paved loop circles a calm, turquoise lake just a few minutes from downtown Jasper, and it's about as low-effort as a hike gets — flat the entire way, with a sandy beach and a picnic and playground area right by the parking lot. It's an easy first outing after a long drive in, or a good option if nap schedules mean you only have twenty minutes to spare. Benches are spaced along the loop if anyone needs a break, and the lake is popular for a post-hike swim on warm days.
Pyramid Island
A short wooden footbridge leads from the shore of Pyramid Lake out to this tiny, tree-covered island, with Pyramid Mountain rising dramatically behind the water. It's one of the shortest hikes on this list, but the walk across the bridge itself is the highlight for younger kids, and the island has a small loop path once you're across. It's an easy add-on to a Pyramid Lake day, whether you're renting a canoe, having a picnic, or just stretching legs on the drive back into town.
Athabasca Falls Trail
One of the most dramatic waterfalls in the Rockies is also one of the easiest to reach — a short paved path leads from the parking lot to multiple viewpoints of the Athabasca River thundering through a narrow limestone gorge. The noise and spray alone make this a hit with kids, and interpretive signs along the way explain how the canyon was carved. Guardrails line the main viewpoints, but the rock can be slippery near the edges, so keep a hand on younger kids. It's a must-stop if you're driving the Icefields Parkway with the family.
Path of the Glacier
Starting from the Mount Edith Cavell parking lot, this short trail begins on smooth pavement before switching to a rougher gravel path as it approaches the toe of Angel Glacier, with views up at the hanging ice field and the meltwater pond below. The paved first third works fine for a jogging stroller, and even the gravel section is manageable for kids who are walking confidently on their own. This is one of the best places in the park to see a glacier without any technical hiking, though the note on Jasper's 2024 wildfire closures applies most directly to the nearby Edith Cavell Meadows trail, not this shorter path — double-check current access before making the drive up the narrow access road.
Mina & Riley Lakes Loop
This gentle loop on the Pyramid Bench connects two small, quiet lakes through open pine forest, without the crowds of the bigger lakes closer to town. The path is mostly flat with only minor rolling grades, making it a comfortable half-day option for families who want more distance than the in-town lake loops without venturing far from Jasper. Both lakes are calm enough for a lakeside snack break, and the forest offers welcome shade if you're hiking through midday.
Pyramid Bench (Trail 2)
Starting right from Jasper townsite, Trail 2 climbs steadily up onto the Pyramid Bench, gaining just enough elevation to open up views back over the town and the Athabasca Valley without ever feeling steep underfoot. It's a good option for families who want a real hike with a payoff view, but without driving anywhere first — you can walk there from most in-town accommodations. Turn around at the bench viewpoint for the shorter version, or continue on if the kids have more energy to burn.
Old Fort Point
This short loop climbs a rocky outcrop overlooking the Athabasca River, Jasper townsite, and the surrounding peaks, with one of Parks Canada's iconic red chair pairs waiting at the top as a photo-op reward. The climb is brief but has a genuinely steep, stepped section, which is why it's rated Moderate rather than Easy — plan on carrying tired legs on the way down if you're hiking with younger kids. It's a satisfying half-hour-to-hour outing for families who want real elevation and a view without a long approach.
Whistlers Boardwalk
The Jasper SkyTram does the hard elevation work for you, carrying the whole family up Whistlers Mountain before this alpine boardwalk trail even begins. From the upper station, the walk climbs further toward the true summit through thin alpine air and past ground squirrels and pikas, with sweeping views over six mountain ranges. It's rated Moderate for the altitude and remaining elevation gain rather than technical difficulty, and there's no obligation to reach the very top — turn around whenever the kids (or the wind) have had enough. Dress in layers, since it's noticeably colder and windier up top than in the valley.
Jasper Discovery Trail (In-Town Segment)
The full Jasper Discovery Trail loops the entire townsite over about 8 km, but families don't need to walk the whole thing — join it from almost any point in town and walk a comfortable out-and-back segment instead. It's fully paved with minimal elevation change, making it one of the easiest trails on this list for strollers, scooters, and balance bikes, with views of the surrounding mountains the whole way. It's a great choice for burning off pent-up energy after a long drive, or for an easy evening walk after dinner in town.
Cottonwood Slough
The full loop out to Patricia Lake and beyond runs nearly 11 km, but the first stretch out to Cottonwood Slough itself is a much shorter, gentler outing through quiet forest to a marshy wetland area that's good for spotting waterfowl and beaver activity. The trail has a gradual, forgiving grade, and turning around at the slough rather than continuing the full loop keeps this well within reach of younger legs. It's a quieter alternative to the busier lake trails if your family prefers wildlife-watching over swimming.
What to Pack for Family Hikes
None of these trails demand technical gear, but a few basics make a big difference with kids along. Bring more water than you think you'll need, plus salty and sweet snacks to head off mid-trail meltdowns, and pack layers even on a warm morning — temperatures swing quickly once you gain elevation on trails like Whistlers Boardwalk or Old Fort Point, or once the sun dips behind the valley walls. Closed-toe shoes with good grip are worth it even on the flatter paved trails around the townsite lakes.
Wildlife, including bears, elk, and bighorn sheep, is active throughout Jasper, so carry bear spray, know how to use it, and make noise on quieter forested sections like Cottonwood Slough or the Mina and Riley Lakes loop. Keep young kids close and dogs leashed, store food and scented items properly at the trailhead and in the vehicle, and check the current Parks Canada trail report before you go, since wildfire recovery work and wildlife activity can both affect access with little notice.
Madusha Kumarasiri
Madusha Kumarasiri