Parking
Park at the Jasper Activity Centre (303 Pyramid Avenue). A trail kiosk marks the start; the loop begins on signed Trail 8 and closes via Trail 2.
Overview
About Mina and Riley Lakes Loop
Why go
- Walkable start from Jasper townsite—no car required
- Excellent birding around Cottonwood Slough along the loop
Heads up
- Numerous junctions can be confusing without a map
- Mosquito-heavy near lakes and wetlands in early summer
For a close-to-town Jasper outing with lakes, wetland habitat, and forest, the Mina–Riley Lakes Loop offers a full half-day walk without a long drive to the trailhead. The route links lower and upper Mina Lake, Cottonwood Slough, and scenic Riley Lake on the Pyramid Bench.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy hike itMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Jasper map
Full mapElevation1,062–1,242 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 Mina and Riley Lakes Loop, 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
Jasper's History at the Yellowhead MuseumListen
“You're approaching a part of town that holds a lot of Jasper's history. The Jasper Yellowhead Museum is right here, and it’s where the story of the park really comes into focus.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Jasper Gas and EV Charging Hub
- Jasper Townsite Overview and Highlights
- Shell Gas Station and Historic Anglican Church
- HI Jasper and Closed Services
- 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 Mina and Riley Lakes Loop
Route overviewThis is about 5.6 miles (9 km) round trip, starting at the Jasper Activity Centre.
This is about 5.6 miles (9 km) round trip, starting at the Jasper Activity Centre. Follow Trail 8 from the lot through the Mina Lakes area, climbing steadily toward the lakes. Past upper Mina Lake, continue on Trail 8 along the south shore of Cottonwood Slough to Riley Lake; at the Trail 2 junction, turn right to return toward Jasper and close the loop. Parks Canada lists roughly 172 m of elevation gain/loss and a 3–4 hour hiking time.
What you’ll seeThe route passes lower and upper Mina Lake, Riley Lake, and Cottonwood Slough, where waterfowl…
The route passes lower and upper Mina Lake, Riley Lake, and Cottonwood Slough, where waterfowl and other birds are often seen. Expect mixed forest, wetland edges, and occasional openings with views toward Jasper and the surrounding valleys. Wildlife can include deer, elk, beavers, birds, and bears.
Trail feel and conditionsTrail 8 is a moderate, maintained gravel-and-dirt route with a steady initial climb and…
Trail 8 is a moderate, maintained gravel-and-dirt route with a steady initial climb and frequent junctions in the Pyramid Bench network. Surfaces can be muddy near the lakes and slough after rain, and bridges or boardwalks may be slippery when wet or icy. Keep to signed Trail 8 and Trail 2 to stay on the Mina–Riley loop.
TipsPark at the Jasper Activity Centre and follow the Trail 8 signs from the kiosk.
- Park at the Jasper Activity Centre and follow the Trail 8 signs from the kiosk.
- Allow 3–4 hours for the full 5.6-mile (9 km) loop and carry a map or GPS because the junctions are frequent.
- Carry bear spray, make noise in brushy sections, and keep pets leashed.
- Check Parks Canada trail notices before setting out; a valid Parks Canada entry pass is required.
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.
