Sixth Bridge

Overview

About Sixth Bridge

Sixth Bridge is the lowermost access point to Maligne Canyon, about 7.5 km east of town via Highway 16 and Maligne Road. It’s the quiet, forested end of the canyon where the Maligne River broadens before cutting back into the cliffy narrows upstream.

Why stop

Quieter alternative to the busy upper canyon with easier parking
Direct access to lower Maligne Canyon and the Overlander Trail
Scenic river section with karst springs upstream toward Fifth Bridge

Heads up

One‑way hike from here is a steady climb to the upper bridges
Occasional temporary closures; check status before you go
Limited onsite services compared to the upper trailhead

Map

Where it is

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Full map

TrailheadSixth Bridge52.93357, -118.03003

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Sixth Bridge

Start here to dodge the upper lot crunch and crowds.
If hiking one‑way, arrange a shuttle to avoid the uphill return.
Going upstream from Sixth Bridge is a steady climb—budget time and energy.
Carry bear spray and make noise; this is active wildlife habitat.
Check Parks Canada for current closures and trail conditions before you go.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Weekday mornings and late afternoons are the sweet spot for quiet trails and softer light on the river. Midday sees more traffic, especially closer to the upper bridges. The area is open all day, but dawn and dusk deliver the calmest experience and best photos.

Amenities

There’s a dedicated parking area and signed trail access. Expect limited services compared to the upper trailhead; plan to be self‑sufficient. Some visitors report portable toilets and picnic spots at or near the parking area, but don’t count on full facilities.

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 Sixth Bridge, 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

Sixth Bridge: A Quieter Canyon Entrance

Listen

“The trailhead you're approaching is for Sixth Bridge, a calmer alternative to the main Maligne Canyon entrance. This is a great starting point if you want to avoid the biggest crowds.”

Plays as you drive up to Sixth Bridge in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.

More about Sixth Bridge

Why start hereIf you’ve heard the upper trailhead near First Bridge can be a zoo, you’re right.

If you’ve heard the upper trailhead near First Bridge can be a zoo, you’re right. Sixth Bridge is the antidote: easier parking, calmer vibes, and instant access to riverside walking. It also doubles as the trailhead for the Overlander Trail, so you’ve got options beyond the canyon.

What you’ll seeHead upstream and watch the river’s personality shift from open flats to tightening canyon…

Head upstream and watch the river’s personality shift from open flats to tightening canyon walls. Between the Fifth and Sixth bridges, keep an eye out for springs bubbling straight from the ground—classic Rockies karst at work. It’s less dramatic than the upper narrows but more serene, with lush montane forest and plenty of places to linger by the water.

Typical routesDown-canyon to up-canyon: Many folks prefer starting at First Bridge and walking down to Sixth…

Down-canyon to up-canyon: Many folks prefer starting at First Bridge and walking down to Sixth for an easier, mostly downhill one‑way. If you start at Sixth and go up, expect a steady climb over roughly 3.7 km to the upper bridges.
Distances from the upper lot: Roughly 8 km round‑trip to reach Sixth Bridge from the main upper trailhead (about 4 km round‑trip to Fifth).
Overlander Trail: Branches from the Sixth Bridge area for a longer, quieter day out.

WildlifeThis is prime montane habitat—deer and elk are common, with lots of birdlife along the river.

This is prime montane habitat—deer and elk are common, with lots of birdlife along the river. Bears do wander through this corridor. Make noise, carry bear spray, and give wildlife space.

Closures and conditionsParts of the Maligne Canyon route, including access around Sixth Bridge, have seen intermittent…

Parts of the Maligne Canyon route, including access around Sixth Bridge, have seen intermittent closures for wildfire recovery and safety assessments in recent seasons. Check Parks Canada updates before you go. Trails can be muddy or icy after rain or in shoulder seasons—good footwear pays off.

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.