Maligne Canyon

Overview

About Maligne Canyon

Maligne Canyon is Jasper’s head‑turner: a limestone slot canyon that pinches to about 2 m wide and drops more than 50 m. A rim trail threads across a series of numbered bridges (First through Sixth), each with a different angle on churning water, waterfalls, and sheer, sculpted walls.

Why stop

Dramatic bridges with vertigo‑inducing views into a 50m‑deep slot canyon
Transforms in winter with spectacular frozen waterfalls and guided ice walks

Heads up

Very popular; upper parking and first bridges crowd up early
Sections can be steep or slippery; wildfire‑related closures occur—check status

Cut into Devonian‑age Palliser Formation limestone, the canyon showcases classic karst—underground streams vanish and reappear as springs, especially between the Fifth and Sixth bridges. Some of the gorge may have begun as deep caves later unroofed by ice and erosion, which explains its startling narrowness and depth.

Parkwolf’s verdictWhy it’s special

Map

Where it is

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SightMaligne Canyon52.92019, -117.99847

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Maligne Canyon

Start at the upper trailhead for the most dramatic views within minutes.
Hike First-to-Sixth Bridge downhill and use a two‑car shuttle to skip the climb.
Don’t miss the springs section between the 5th and 6th bridges.
Arrive before 9 am or late afternoon to avoid the parking crunch.
There’s no public transport—plan to drive, and check for closures before you go.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Summer: Arrive early (before 9 am) or late afternoon for parking and thinner crowds; midday light can be harsh inside the canyon.
Shoulder seasons: Quieter, with lively flows after rains and spring melt.
Winter: Midday sun helps illuminate the ice; join a guided ice walk when conditions allow.
Weekdays are calmer than weekends year‑round.

8 active Jasper alerts

ClosureWildfire-impacted areas and facilities closedMentions this placeStay 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
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

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 Maligne Canyon, 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

Maligne Canyon's Deep Gorge and Waterfalls

Listen

“You're headed towards Maligne Canyon, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park. It's a narrow limestone gorge that plunges more than 50 meters.”

Plays as you drive up to Maligne Canyon in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.

More about Maligne Canyon

What you’ll seeWaterfalls and potholes scoured into the rock, plus mossy, sheltered microclimates along the…

Waterfalls and potholes scoured into the rock, plus mossy, sheltered microclimates along the walls.
Springs gushing into the Maligne River below the trail—don’t miss the stretch between Bridges 5 and 6.
In winter, a different world: blue ice walls and frozen falls seen on guided ice walks when conditions allow.

Routes and how to do itQuick-hit drama: Start at the upper trailhead near the main parking/restaurant—First and Second…

Quick-hit drama: Start at the upper trailhead near the main parking/restaurant—First and Second bridges deliver instant wow.
Full bridge tour: Hike between First and Sixth bridges. Going downhill (First to Sixth) feels far easier; many visitors arrange a two‑car shuttle.
Expect crowds around Bridges 1–4; Bridges 5–6 are usually quieter. Trails can be slick when wet or icy—use care.

WildlifeRavens are regulars, and black swifts sometimes nest on the cliffs.

Ravens are regulars, and black swifts sometimes nest on the cliffs. Squirrels, chipmunks, and deer are common in the woods. Bears are occasionally reported near the Sixth Bridge—stay bear‑aware.

Winter ice walkGuided tours outfit traction and lead you onto the frozen canyon floor to see ice formations up…

Guided tours outfit traction and lead you onto the frozen canyon floor to see ice formations up close when conditions and regulations permit. It’s a highlight of the cold season and a totally different experience than summer.

PracticalitiesAmenities cluster at the upper trailhead, including restrooms, parking, and an on‑site…

Amenities cluster at the upper trailhead, including restrooms, parking, and an on‑site restaurant.
There is no public transport to the canyon—plan to drive.
Wildfire impacts have caused area closures; always check current conditions before you go.

Safety and gearWear sturdy shoes with good grip; bring layers and water.

Wear sturdy shoes with good grip; bring layers and water. Carry bear spray if you’re venturing toward the lower bridges. In winter, use traction devices and stick to guided options where required.

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.