Moab Lake Trail (15.1 km, Moderate) – Jasper National Park

Overview

About Moab Lake Trail

Moab Lake Trail is a 15.2 km (9.4 mi) out-and-back route from the Whirlpool Cross-country Ski Hub to the Moab Lake viewpoint in Jasper National Park. It follows the broad, unpaved Moab Lake Road through the Whirlpool valley; the physical line stored here is the 7.6 km one-way corridor, without duplicating the return. Allow about 4 hours on foot, with extra time for stops or winter travel.

Why go

Quiet Whirlpool valley route with river views and a red-chair viewpoint
Broad, straightforward corridor that is groomed for cross-country skiing in winter
Peaceful Moab Lake destination with a clear 7.6 km one-way route

Heads up

The 15.2 km return distance is a long outing for a broad road corridor
The final roughly 4 km climbs more steadily than the opening section
Seasonal road access and winter grooming can change how the route is experienced

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation1,133–1,257 m

TrailheadWhirlpool Cross-country Ski Hub52.72523, -117.92850

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Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Park at the Whirlpool Cross-country Ski Hub / Whirlpool River road access off Highway 93A. Parks Canada notes two parking areas near the start of the groomed trail. The 15.2 km return distance assumes starting here; do not count on driving Moab Lake Road when seasonal motor-vehicle restrictions apply.

Safety

Carry bear spray and make noise in wildlife habitat. The final roughly 4 km are more steadily uphill. Dogs are prohibited on trails and in sensitive habitats where Parks Canada restrictions apply. Verify seasonal road access and winter grooming 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 Moab 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

Where Rivers Meet: The Whirlpool–Athabasca Confluence

Listen

“Right here, the silty Whirlpool River pours into the clearer Athabasca. You can often see a distinct seam where the two meet, running side-by-side for hundreds of meters before they finally mix.”

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

Hiking Moab Lake Trail

Trail snapshotStart at the Whirlpool Cross-country Ski Hub off Highway 93A and follow Moab Lake Road to the…

Start at the Whirlpool Cross-country Ski Hub off Highway 93A and follow Moab Lake Road to the end of the groomed route at the Moab Lake viewpoint. Parks Canada describes the first roughly 3.4 km as gentle, including the red chairs and Whirlpool River viewpoint; the final roughly 4 km has more substantial climbing to the Moab Lake viewpoint. This is a moderate outing because of its length and the steadier final climb, even though the route is broad and nontechnical.

Scenery and feelThe route is a quiet valley outing rather than an alpine summit hike.

The route is a quiet valley outing rather than an alpine summit hike. Expect forest, glimpses of the Whirlpool River, the red-chair viewpoint, and a peaceful destination near Moab Lake. The broad road corridor is easy to follow, but the distance makes this a full outing.

Access and route conventionParks Canada's winter information says the groomed trail begins on Highway 93A and that two…

Parks Canada's winter information says the groomed trail begins on Highway 93A and that two parking areas provide short classic-trail access to the start. Moab Lake Road has seasonal motor-vehicle restrictions; confirm the current road status before driving it. The 15.2 km return distance assumes walking from the Whirlpool hub and does not include a drive partway along the road.

Tips and safetyCarry bear spray and make noise in this wildlife habitat.

Carry bear spray and make noise in this wildlife habitat. The final 4 km are more steadily uphill than the opening section. Dogs are prohibited on trails and in sensitive habitats where Parks Canada restrictions apply, so check the current park rules before bringing a pet. Winter grooming and the usable route vary by season; check Parks Canada's current trail and road information before setting out.

FishingMoab Lake is a fishing destination; a Parks Canada fishing permit is required for anglers.

Moab Lake is a fishing destination; a Parks Canada fishing permit is required for anglers.

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.

Moab Lake Trail