Parking
Signed spur road off the Icefields Parkway near Sunwapta Falls Lodge; drive about 500 m to the end for the main lot with restrooms.
Overview
About Sunwapta Falls Trail
Start at the Sunwapta Falls parking and viewpoint area. Follow the signed lower-falls route before the upper bridge and stay on the trailhead side of the river; the corridor descends through forest to Lower Sunwapta Falls before returning the same way. The visitor hike is an out-and-back of about 2.8 km (1.7 miles) total and takes about 1 hour, with roughly 87 m of elevation change on the descent and return. Expect a short paved approach followed by packed dirt, roots, steps, and uneven sections; the lower route is not stroller or wheelchair friendly.
Why go
- Lower falls offer calmer viewpoints and fewer people than the upper bridge
- Hanging-valley geology and limestone gorge are on full display within minutes
Heads up
- Upper bridge area is crowded and parking can be tight in peak hours
- The lower-falls route descends and climbs back over uneven, sometimes slippery ground
Sunwapta Falls delivers a huge scenic payoff beside the Icefields Parkway with a short, worthwhile extension beyond the famous upper viewpoint. The upper falls thunder into a tight limestone gorge beside the bridge, while the quieter lower falls reward a moderate forest walk with multiple canyon viewpoints.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy hike itMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Jasper map
Full mapElevation1,318–1,397 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 Sunwapta Falls 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
Sunwapta Falls and the Lower Falls TrailListen
“Just ahead is Sunwapta Falls, which means 'turbulent water' in the Stoney language. The classic view is from the footbridge, where you can see a small, tree-topped island right at the brink of the main drop.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Sunwapta Falls Lodge: A Riverside Retreat
- Harlequin Ducks: Whitewater Surfers
- The Secret to Turquoise Water
- Honeymoon Lake: A Quiet, Reflective Stop
- 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 Sunwapta Falls Trail
What you’ll seeUpper Sunwapta Falls is the headliner: glacial meltwater squeezes through a narrow limestone…
Upper Sunwapta Falls is the headliner: glacial meltwater squeezes through a narrow limestone chasm, framed by an island and a pedestrian bridge. Continue downstream for the lower falls, a stacked series of cascades and canyon viewpoints with fewer people than the upper bridge. The cold, glacially fed river cuts through a hanging-valley landscape and subalpine forest; watch for moose and bears and keep wildlife safety in mind.
Tips and need-to-knowsDo not cross the upper-falls bridge to start the lower-falls hike; that leads toward the longer…
- Do not cross the upper-falls bridge to start the lower-falls hike; that leads toward the longer backcountry route rather than the lower viewpoints.
- Rocks, roots, steps, and dirt near the rim can be slick from spray—respect guardrails and keep children close.
- Wear real shoes and carry bear spray; know how to use it.
- Facilities include restrooms at the lot; Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge is nearby. A valid national park entry pass is required for visitors.
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.
