Parking
Parking is at the Astoria Trailhead at the end of Mount Edith Cavell Road, near the Edith Cavell Hostel; confirm seasonal road access with Parks Canada before traveling.
Overview
About Astoria River Trail
Why go
- Approachable gateway into the Tonquin Valley and Astoria Campground
- River, forest, and glacial-valley scenery with opportunities to see wildlife
Heads up
- Long forested approach before the bigger Tonquin Valley views
- Muddy stretches, creek crossings, bugs, and horse traffic can slow travel
Astoria River Trail is the short, approachable gateway to the Tonquin Valley from the Astoria Trailhead. The route follows the Astoria River through subalpine forest and river flats toward the backcountry’s larger glacial valleys, with the surrounding Rockies providing the scenery and a good chance of wildlife sightings.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy goMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Jasper map
Full mapElevation1,654–1,733 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
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
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Jasper Tour Guide
Your drive to Astoria River Trail, 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 trailhead
Mount Edith Cavell: Glaciers and Alpine TrailsListen
“You're now heading for the Mount Edith Cavell area, one of the most dramatic mountain scenes in Jasper. The main attraction is the stunning north face of the mountain, with Angel Glacier hanging right in the middle.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Cavell Lake: A Quick Stop for a Classic View
- Pikas and Marmots: Hay Farmers and Whistlers
- Path of the Glacier: An Easy Walk to Angel Glacier
- When the Ghost Glacier Fell
- 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!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Astoria River Trail
Route rundownStart at the Astoria Trailhead at the end of Mount Edith Cavell Road and follow the signed…
Start at the Astoria Trailhead at the end of Mount Edith Cavell Road and follow the signed trail west to Astoria Campground. Parks Canada describes the campground as about 7.1 km/4.4 mi one way; allow about 8.8 mi/14.2 km for the full out-and-back. The track is mostly a steady, manageable valley route, with roots, rocks, wet ground, and occasional creek crossings. The trail continues into the Tonquin backcountry beyond the campground, but this listing ends at Astoria Campground.
Difficulty and who it’s forThis is a moderate day hike for visitors prepared for a long backcountry approach rather than a…
This is a moderate day hike for visitors prepared for a long backcountry approach rather than a quick viewpoint walk. The route is used by backpackers and horses, and conditions can be rough or muddy after rain and during early-season snowmelt. Overnight travel requires backcountry planning and reservations.
What you’ll noticeExpect dense spruce and fir, river sounds, open flats, and broad U-shaped glacial terrain…
Expect dense spruce and fir, river sounds, open flats, and broad U-shaped glacial terrain framed by the Rockies. Summer brings wildflowers and insects; autumn can bring clearer conditions and golden larches. Carry bear spray, follow food-storage guidance, and check Parks Canada access notices and trail conditions before you go.
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.
