Best time to visit
- Late summer to early fall is the sweet spot: lower water levels for fords, more stable weather, and snow-free travel. Spring can be sloppy with high water; winter travel is generally impractical. Crowds are minimal year-round.
Overview
About Athabasca Pass
Why stop
- Historic National Historic Site on the Continental Divide
- Rare solitude with a true wilderness feel
- Committee’s Punchbowl and summit plaque at the pass
Heads up
- Very long, rugged approach (~49 km one-way) with route-finding
- Unbridged creek crossings and minimally maintained trail
- Remote setting with limited chances for help if things go sideways
Athabasca Pass is where Jasper’s big backcountry and big history meet. This remote Continental Divide crossing was the fur-trade highway of the early 1800s, and it still feels that way—quiet, wild, and unpolished. If you’re a strong backpacker who loves lonely routes and a sense of the past, this one delivers.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy goMap
Where it is
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Full mapLocal know-how
Tips for visiting Athabasca Pass
Reserve backcountry campsites in advance; the last site is 1 km below the pass.
Bring maps and GPS and be ready for route-finding beyond Whirlpool Camp.
Plan footwear and timing for unbridged creek crossings; late summer is best.
Access the trail via Moab Lake Road off Wabasso Road, including 6.8 km of gravel.
Bikes are only allowed to Simon Creek; dogs and horses are permitted on the trail.
Plan your stop
Before you go
Best time to visit
8 active Jasper alerts
- ClosureWildfire-impacted areas and facilities closedStay out of closed wildfire-impacted areas and facilities in Jasper National Park; closures protect public safety after the 2024 wildfire and remain in effect while recovery and safety work continues.Official details
- Closure93A (Wabasso Road) no through travel during roadworkFrom mid-October to early November 2026, plan for 93A (Wabasso Road) to be accessible from the south entrance only; no through travel is expected during roadwork.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Jasper Tour Guide
Your drive to Athabasca Pass, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Jasper National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Jasper audio tour- 157 audio storiesacross Jasper’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Caribou, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 91 trails, 129 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
More about Athabasca Pass
What you’ll seeThe National Historic Site plaque at the pass and the nearby Committee’s Punchbowl, a small…
- The National Historic Site plaque at the pass and the nearby Committee’s Punchbowl, a small glacial lake tied to fur‑trade lore.
- Long river valleys, forests, and alpine meadows with occasional panoramic glimpses near the divide.
- The old fur-trade corridor ambience—few crowds, no frills, lots of atmosphere.
Route and difficultyPlan on roughly 49 km to the pass (about three days one way) along a rugged track that “never…
- Plan on roughly 49 km to the pass (about three days one way) along a rugged track that “never breaks treeline” for long stretches.
- The trail is maintained to a medium standard to Whirlpool Camp and low priority beyond; expect faint tread, deadfall, and overgrown sections.
- Unbridged creek crossings are part of the deal, especially beyond Whirlpool Camp.
Camping and regulationsBackcountry camping permits are required for overnights; reservations are through Parks Canada.
- Backcountry camping permits are required for overnights; reservations are through Parks Canada.
- The last designated hiker campground sits about 1 km below the pass.
- Bikes are permitted only as far as Simon Creek. Dogs and horses are allowed on the route.
History hitUsed for millennia by Indigenous peoples, the pass became the principal fur‑trade route across…
- Used for millennia by Indigenous peoples, the pass became the principal fur‑trade route across the Rockies from 1811 into the 1850s, associated with David Thompson’s explorations.
- Committee’s Punchbowl was the traditional toasting spot for traders; the site was designated a National Historic Site in 1971.
WildlifeThis is classic Jasper backcountry: potential for grizzly and black bears, moose, elk, deer,…
- This is classic Jasper backcountry: potential for grizzly and black bears, moose, elk, deer, wolves, marmots, and varied birdlife. Travel smart—carry bear spray and store food properly.
Don’t want the full 49 km?There’s a roadside Athabasca Pass Lookout with a bronze plaque and interpretive summary for a…
- There’s a roadside Athabasca Pass Lookout with a bronze plaque and interpretive summary for a quick history fix without committing to the backpack.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Jasper
174 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
43 sightingsCaribouMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
40 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsCanada LynxMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
315 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
1,028 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Jasper. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
