Best time to visit
Sunrise and sunset give the best light on the ranges and fewer crowds. Midday can be harsh for photos and busier, especially in summer. Weekdays are quieter than weekends. Go early if you want easy parking and calmer conditions.
Overview
About Old Fort Point
Old Fort Point is the rounded bedrock hill just across the Athabasca River from town, delivering some of the best near-town panoramas for relatively modest effort. Expect a short, punchy climb, a broad summit with sweeping views, and a classic Jasper warm‑up hike that feels bigger than it looks on the map.
Why stop
- Big 360° views a stone’s throw from town
- Short loop with a high payoff and frequent bighorn sheep sightings
Heads up
- Steep, rocky sections can be slick when wet
- Can get crowded at peak times
Map
Where it is
Loading the Jasper map
Full mapLocal know-how
Tips for visiting Old Fort Point
Go for sunrise or sunset for the best light and thinner crowds.
Carry bear spray and know how to use it; bears frequent the area.
Wear shoes with good traction—the initial ascent and rocky slabs can be slick.
Do the loop as posted (clockwise when signed) for smoother grades.
There’s a pit toilet at the trailhead but no water—pack what you need.
Plan your stop
Before you go
Best time to visit
Logistics
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
- 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 Old Fort Point, 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 tourRecorded for this area
Henry House Trail: A Riverside History WalkListen
“You're nearing the trailhead for the Henry House Trail. This is a pleasant, mostly flat walk that follows the Athabasca River, linking the Old Fort Point area with the Henry House historic site.”
Plays on the road 0.8 km from Old Fort Point in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Old Fort Point: A Classic Hike with Big Views
- Tekarra Lodge and Restaurant (Temporarily Closed)
- Henry House and Fur Trade History
- Bighorn Sheep at Old Fort Point
- 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 Old Fort Point
What You’ll SeeFrom the top, you’ll spin through a who’s‑who of the local skyline: Mt.
From the top, you’ll spin through a who’s‑who of the local skyline: Mt. Edith Cavell and The Whistlers to the south/southwest; the Miette River Valley to the west; Pyramid Mountain and the Victoria Cross Range to the northwest; Lac Beauvert and the string of nearby lakes to the north; the Colin Range to the northeast; and Signal Mountain, Mt. Tekarra, Mt. Hardisty and Mt. Kerkeslin wrapping the east and southeast. The townsite and the Athabasca River are laid out below, and there’s a side viewpoint with the iconic red chairs.
Trail ExperienceMost people do the loop (about 4 km, 1–2 hours) for variety.
Most people do the loop (about 4 km, 1–2 hours) for variety. It starts with a stout burst of elevation and mixes forest, rocky outcrops, wooden stairs, and airy viewpoints. It’s rated moderate: short but with steep grades, loose footing in places, and sections that feel slippery after rain. It’s popular—expect company in summer—and you may meet mountain bikers on multi‑use stretches.
WildlifeBighorn sheep are often seen right up at the summit. Elk show up near the trailhead.
Bighorn sheep are often seen right up at the summit. Elk show up near the trailhead. Bears (both black and grizzly) travel the valley and occasionally use the area—people report scat and sightings—so be bear‑aware and prepared.
Geology & NameThe hill is made of ancient Precambrian breccia—angular chunks of pink limestone from roughly…
The hill is made of ancient Precambrian breccia—angular chunks of pink limestone from roughly 750 million years ago—among the oldest exposed rocks in the park. Despite the name, there’s no fort here; the prominence simply looks like the kind of place you’d guard a river crossing from.
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.
