Celestine Lake Trail (13.7 km, Moderate) – Jasper National Park

Overview

About Celestine Lake Trail

This is an out-and-back of about 13.6 km/8.5 miles total from the Celestine Lake Trailhead to Celestine Lake Campground and back, with roughly 273 m/896 ft of ascent. The route begins with the Snake Indian River footbridge, then climbs steadily to a bench above the river. Around 5 km in, the old vehicle-road parking area marks the approach to the Princess Lake and Celestine Lake junctions. Continue on the signed corridor to the forest-fringed lake and campground.

Why go

Canyon footbridge and Snake Indian River views at the start
Quiet, broad old-road corridor to a forest-fringed lake
Manageable ascent with a backcountry campground destination

Heads up

Rough access road with scheduled one-way travel windows
Long 13.6 km return with remote backcountry logistics
Mosquitoes can be intense in summer

Celestine Lake is a quiet backcountry destination reached by a rough access road, a footbridge over the Snake Indian River canyon, and a broad old fire-road corridor. The lake and campground make a rewarding day hike or an overnight base for exploring farther along Jasper’s backcountry routes.

Parkwolf’s verdictWhy go

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation1,044–1,255 m

TrailheadCelestine Lake Trailhead53.15816, -118.03786

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Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Trailhead parking is at the end of Celestine Road, after roughly 14 km of rough gravel road beyond the timed one-way section. Low-clearance vehicles, trailers, and RVs are not recommended; plan around the posted inbound and outbound travel windows and check Parks Canada before driving in.

Best time to go

The bridge and river crossing are the first major feature, followed by a gradual backcountry climb. Carry bear spray, secure food, and bring mosquito protection in summer. Check Parks Canada for current road access, bridge conditions, permits, and campground information before setting out. Dogs are permitted but should be leashed.

Safety

The route begins with a Snake Indian River footbridge and continues into remote backcountry. Carry bear spray, secure food, treat or boil campground water, and carry mosquito protection. Overnight camping requires a backcountry permit. Check current road, bridge, and campground information before setting out.

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 Celestine Lake 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 tour

Recorded for this area

Gateway to the North Boundary Trail

Listen

“Celestine Lake Road is the gateway to Jasper's most remote and rugged backcountry route, the North Boundary Trail.”

Plays on the road 1.5 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.

Hiking Celestine Lake Trail

The route and destinationThe mapped line follows the complete visitor corridor from the trailhead, across the bridge,…

The mapped line follows the complete visitor corridor from the trailhead, across the bridge, along the old road, and down the short campground footway. The return uses the same physical corridor. Princess Lake is along the approach, while Devona Lookout and the longer North Boundary route continue beyond junctions near the campground and are not part of this hike’s endpoint.

Access, bikes, and campingCelestine Road is a rough gravel access road with a timed one-way section and a gate-area…

Celestine Road is a rough gravel access road with a timed one-way section and a gate-area trailhead at its end. Allow extra time for the access schedule; low-clearance vehicles, trailers, and RVs are poor choices for this road. Bikes are permitted on the corridor. Overnight stays at Celestine Lake Campground require a Parks Canada backcountry permit; use the campground water pump only after treating or boiling the water.

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.

Celestine Lake Trail