Bridge No 4

Overview

About Bridge No 4

Fourth Bridge is a scenic crossing on the Maligne Canyon trail network, downstream of the busy upper bridges. It’s a sweet spot if you want big canyon drama without the shoulder‑to‑shoulder crowds.

Why stop

Quieter than the upper bridges
Dramatic views into the deep, narrow canyon with seasonal waterfalls

Heads up

No facilities at the bridge itself
Trail can be wet or icy and slippery

Compared with Bridges 1 and 2, this span usually feels calmer, so you can linger for photos and actually hear the river. The geology is on full display between the third and fifth bridges, and Fourth Bridge sits right in that prime stretch.

Parkwolf’s verdictWhy stop here

Map

Where it is

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Full map

SightBridge No 452.91738, -118.00430

Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Local know-how

Tips for visiting Bridge No 4

Start early from the upper parking to beat crowds near Bridges 1–2.
Continue to Fifth Bridge for the most varied canyon views on this stretch.
Bring sturdy footwear; add traction in winter.
Plan snacks and water—services are only at the main trailhead.
Check current trail advisories for wildfire or seasonal closures before you go.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Early morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer people
Weekdays beat weekends in peak season
Winter can be beautiful, but expect ice—traction helps—and sections may close. In 2024, parts of the canyon, including access here, were temporarily closed due to wildfire impacts; always check current advisories before you go.

Planning your walk

Reach it via the well‑maintained Maligne Canyon trail from the main parking area by the upper bridges. Many hikers continue to Fifth Bridge before turning around; expect more variety if you push on a bit past Fourth. Services (food, restrooms) are back at the main trailhead near the upper bridges, not here.

8 active Jasper alerts

ClosureMaligne River watercraft closureMentions Maligne River, referenced in this guideDo not use, enter or travel by watercraft on the Maligne River between Maligne Lake and Medicine Lake; the closure protects Harlequin Ducks from human disturbance.Official details
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

See all 8 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Jasper Tour Guide

Your drive to Bridge No 4, 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

Recorded for this place

Mount Tekarra Viewpoint and Maligne Lookout

Listen

“Coming up is the Mount Tekarra Viewpoint, also known as Maligne Lookout. It's an easy stop, offering a front-row seat to Mount Tekarra and the Maligne Range.”

Plays as you drive up to Bridge No 4 in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.

More about Bridge No 4

What you’ll seeSheer limestone walls and a noticeably narrow, deep section of the canyon

Sheer limestone walls and a noticeably narrow, deep section of the canyon
The Maligne River rushing below, with small waterfalls in season
Mossy, forested canyon edges that make great photo frames

WildlifeKeep an eye out for ravens and songbirds riding the updrafts, plus American dippers working the…

Keep an eye out for ravens and songbirds riding the updrafts, plus American dippers working the river. Squirrels and chipmunks are common along the path; deer or elk occasionally wander by during quieter hours.

Geology snapshotMaligne Canyon slices through limestone shaped by water over millennia, with classic karst…

Maligne Canyon slices through limestone shaped by water over millennia, with classic karst features like potholes and underground flows feeding the river. The depth and pinch of the canyon are especially pronounced around Fourth and Fifth Bridges.

Know before you goThere are no facilities at Fourth Bridge.

There are no facilities at Fourth Bridge. The trail surface can be damp or icy; sturdy footwear (and traction in winter) makes a big difference.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Jasper

All Jasper wildlife maps

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 map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Jasper. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.