Parking
Small parking area at the end of the rough, unpaved Geraldine Road, about 6 km from Highway 93A; no facilities.
Overview
About Geraldine Lakes Trail
Why go
- Waterfalls, two alpine lakes, and a wild glaciated valley
- Backcountry campground at the far end of Second Lake for permitted overnights
Heads up
- Steep climb before Second Lake and rough, slow footing near the lake
- Mud, wet crossings, bugs, and changing alpine conditions
- Access road is rough and the route requires a long day or an overnight permit
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Jasper map
Full mapElevation1,499–1,911 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
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 Geraldine Lakes 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
Geraldine Lakes Trail: A Rugged Backcountry HikeListen
“Alright, you've made it to the Geraldine Lakes trailhead. This hike is a definite challenge, but the payoff is huge.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Jasper’s Secret Predators: Wolves, Cougars and Lynx
- Mount Kerkeslin Campground: Quiet Riverside Camping
- Fire: The Forest's Reset Button
- HI Athabasca Falls: An Off-Grid Hostel
- 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 Geraldine Lakes Trail
What to expectA challenging out-and-back into a glaciated valley beneath Jasper’s big peaks.
A challenging out-and-back into a glaciated valley beneath Jasper’s big peaks. From the Geraldine Lakes trailhead, the maintained route climbs through dense forest beside the creek, passes waterfalls and First Geraldine Lake, then makes a steep climb to Second Lake. Continue along the lake to the backcountry campground at its far end. This is the signed Parks Canada route; there are no official signed trails beyond the campground.
Distance, gain, and difficultyPlan for 6.2 km each way—about 7.7 miles total (round-trip) to the campground.
Plan for 6.2 km each way—about 7.7 miles total (round-trip) to the campground. Parks Canada’s elevation profile begins at about 1,480 m and places the campground at 1,890 m; the route includes a steep 150 m climb shortly before Second Lake. Allow roughly 5–7 hours for the day hike, or 1–2 days if staying overnight. Expect roots, mud, creek noise, and rough, rocky sections, with the final 1.2 km along Second Lake relatively level but slow when wet.
Scenery and vibeThe route strings together waterfalls, a powerful creek, alpine lakes, and rugged mountain…
The route strings together waterfalls, a powerful creek, alpine lakes, and rugged mountain walls. First Lake is an early payoff; Second Lake and its surrounding peaks feel more remote, especially once day hikers turn back. The trail is beautiful but not a groomed walk, and conditions can change quickly in the alpine valley.
Logistics and need-to-knowReach the trailhead by turning from Highway 93A onto the rough, unpaved Geraldine Road and…
Reach the trailhead by turning from Highway 93A onto the rough, unpaved Geraldine Road and driving about 6 km to the small parking area; there are no facilities at the lot. Dogs are permitted, but bikes and horses are not. The campground requires a Parks Canada backcountry reservation or permit. Expect rough footing, possible wet crossings, and route-finding challenges around rocky sections; carry bear spray and check Parks Canada’s current access and trail-status information before setting out.
TipsWear waterproof boots and bring poles for the muddy and rocky sections.
Wear waterproof boots and bring poles for the muddy and rocky sections. Pack layers, insect repellent, and bear spray. If the boulders along Second Lake are slick, turn around rather than forcing the final stretch; overnight visitors should confirm their reservation and the current route conditions before leaving the trailhead.
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.
