Tangle Falls

Overview

About Tangle Falls

Tangle Falls is the classic easy win on the Icefields Parkway: a tall, multi‑tiered waterfall literally across the road from a small pullout. No hike, no fuss—just step out, cross the highway, and you’re face to face with layered cascades that split and rejoin as they tumble down sedimentary rock. It’s one of the Parkway’s most reliable quick stops.

Why stop

Zero-hassle roadside stop with big waterfall payoff
Photogenic multi-tiered cascades visible from steps off the Parkway

Heads up

Small, busy pullout; parking can fill fast
You must cross Highway 93 where traffic moves quickly

The falls’ “tangled” look comes from several distinct tiers and interweaving streams. Estimates put it roughly 35–48 m tall with four main drops and up to ~30 m wide. On clear days you also get big-mountain scenery, and across the road there are views toward the Stutfield Glacier—nice context for photos.

Parkwolf’s verdictWhat makes it special

Map

Where it is

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Full map

SightTangle Falls52.26727, -117.28646

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Tangle Falls

Use the crosswalk and watch for fast-moving traffic when crossing Highway 93.
Arrive early or late for easier parking and softer light on the cascades.
Bring shoes with grip if you plan to scramble beside the falls—rocks are slick.
Pack your camera gear; a small tripod or ND filter pays off here.
Combine with nearby Parkway stops like the Athabasca Glacier and Sunwapta Falls.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to go

Spring can bring partially frozen textures; summer and early fall usually have the easiest access and pleasing flow. Photographers love the layered composition here—soft light early or late helps, and a small tripod/ND filter can make the water silk nicely.

Safety & logistics

The parking is on the opposite side of Highway 93 from the falls. Use the crosswalk and keep your head on a swivel; visibility around the bend isn’t perfect. If you venture up beside the cascades, expect wet, slippery rock and mind the delicate vegetation. Services are minimal.

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 Tangle Falls, 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

Tangle Falls: Roadside Waterfall and Rugged Hike

Listen

“Keep an eye out for Tangle Falls, which cascades down the rock face right next to the highway. It’s an easy and popular stop, as no hiking is required.”

Plays as you drive up to Tangle Falls in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.

More about Tangle Falls

What you’ll do (and how long it takes)Plan 5–15 minutes for a stretch, a few photos, and a breather from the drive.

Plan 5–15 minutes for a stretch, a few photos, and a breather from the drive. If you’re feeling spry, you can scramble up beside the lower tiers for different angles, but the rock is slick and the terrain can be loose—treat it as a casual photo wander, not a formal hike.

WildlifeThis isn’t a hotspot for wildlife viewing, though in Jasper you can occasionally see the usual…

This isn’t a hotspot for wildlife viewing, though in Jasper you can occasionally see the usual suspects along the corridor. Think of Tangle Falls as a scenic pullout, not a wildlife stop.

Best time to visitTime of day: Early morning or late afternoon for softer light and easier parking.

Time of day: Early morning or late afternoon for softer light and easier parking.
Time of week/season: Weekdays and shoulder season are calmer; peak summer crowds roll through midday. Spring’s partial ice can be striking; summer to early autumn offers the simplest visit.

Make it a mini-routeIt pairs perfectly with other Icefields Parkway headliners like the Weeping Wall, the Athabasca…

It pairs perfectly with other Icefields Parkway headliners like the Weeping Wall, the Athabasca Glacier area, and Sunwapta Falls—all simple hops along the same corridor.

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.