Celestine Lake

Overview

About Celestine Lake

Tucked in Jasper’s quieter northern backcountry, Celestine Lake is a tranquil, aqua‑blue lake ringed by forest and framed by glacially carved valleys. You get real solitude here—golden aspen in fall, calm reflections on clear mornings, and an easy-to-like sense of remoteness without committing to a major expedition.

Why stop

Quiet backcountry lake with a serene, forest-fringed setting
Moderate hike or bike on an old fire road
Rustic lakeside campground that’s great for first-time backpackers

Heads up

One-way, timed dirt road access requires careful planning
Mosquitoes can be intense in mid-summer
Sections of trail can be muddy or boggy

Map

Where it is

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Full map

SightCelestine Lake53.18763, -118.04789

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Celestine Lake

Plan your arrival around the inbound road windows (8–9am, 11–12, 2–3, 5–6).
Check Parks Canada for road status and seasonal closures before you go.
Bring strong bug spray; mosquitoes can be fierce in mid‑summer.
Carry bear spray and use bear poles for all food and scented items.
Treat or boil all water from the hand pump and lake.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

June–September offers the best footing and open road access. For fewer people, start early within the first inbound window or aim for late afternoon. Summer’s clear, midday light brings out the lake’s color; calm mornings are best for glassy reflections. Fall brings quieter trails and glowing aspen.

Getting There

Access is via the Celestine (Snaring) Road, an unpaved, one‑way road with set inbound windows: 8–9am, 11am–12pm, 2–3pm, and 5–6pm. Plan your arrival to hit one of these slots, and expect rough surfaces and service vehicles at any time. The road is generally open to motorists mid‑May to mid‑October; always check current conditions and possible wildlife-related closures with Parks Canada before you go.

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

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 Celestine Lake, 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

More about Celestine Lake

The RouteFrom the end of the road, the trail follows an old fire road past a bridge over the Snake…

From the end of the road, the trail follows an old fire road past a bridge over the Snake Indian River, then rolls through forest toward Princess Lake and finally Celestine Lake. It’s typically described as a moderate out‑and‑back of roughly 13–14 km, with steady but manageable grades. Expect some muddy/boggy stretches if you continue beyond the lake. The wide track also makes this a friendly ride for mountain bikes (bike trailers are even common on the approach).

What You’ll SeeIf you’re feeling ambitious, nearby routes link to Devona Lookout or continue deeper toward…

If you’re feeling ambitious, nearby routes link to Devona Lookout or continue deeper toward Snake Indian Falls for a bigger backcountry day.

Forested river valleys and the Snake Indian River canyon
Princess Lake en route, then the peaceful shores of Celestine Lake
Aspen stands that turn brilliant gold in autumn

Camping & AmenitiesA small, rustic backcountry campground sits by the lake with 6–8 sites, a basic pit toilet…

A small, rustic backcountry campground sits by the lake with 6–8 sites, a basic pit toilet ("green throne"), bear poles, and a hand pump—boil or treat all water. Backcountry permits are required; book through Parks Canada. Pets are allowed but must stay leashed.

WildlifeThis is classic Jasper backcountry—expect birds along the trail and the possibility of elk,…

This is classic Jasper backcountry—expect birds along the trail and the possibility of elk, deer, and both black and grizzly bears. Carry bear spray, make noise on the trail, and store all food properly at camp.

Know Before You GoTime your drive to the inbound windows or you’ll be waiting at the gate.

Time your drive to the inbound windows or you’ll be waiting at the gate.
Expect bugs in summer—bring strong repellent.
The area feels remote; signage is only so-so, so bring a map/GPS and know your route.
Treat all water before drinking.

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.