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Athabasca Falls
A short walk from the parking area will lead you to the most impressive waterfall in the Canadian Rockies.
Plan Around Athabasca Falls
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Athabasca Falls Details
Thirty-three kilometers (20.5 miles) south of the Town of Jasper is where you'll find one of the most impressive waterfalls in all of the Canadian Rockies. Athabasca Falls are most impressive for their sheer volume and power of water, rather than height. A short walk from the parking area along trails delivers you to viewing platforms for plenty of photo opps. As impressive as the falls are in the spring and summer, they may be even more so in the winter, when most of the falls freeze yet water still rushes below. A short walk from the parking area along trails delivers you to viewing platforms for plenty of photo opps. As impressive as the falls are in the spring and summer, they may be even more so in the winter, when most of the falls freeze yet water still rushes below. Whichever season you take the walk, be on the look out for the tiny plants, mosses and trees that somehow survive in this ever-changing landscape. After all, Athabasca means "there are plants one after another" in the Wood Cree language. At different times of the year, the water appears different colors, depending on the type of rock flour in the water, which reflects different wavelengths of light. Cool science! Though the falls are accessible year-round, the road to the falls is closed in the winter, so you'll need to snowshoe or walk in to see them. Make plans to spend half-an-hour to an hour visiting Athabasca Falls to make the most of your visit.
Difficulty
Low
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Nearby Parks Around Athabasca Falls
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Athabasca Falls
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Athabasca Falls while the map context is still fresh.
11.5 mi away
Valley of Five Lakes
Find five lakes for the price of one at Valley of Five Lakes, just south of Jasper.
13.5 mi away
Sunwapta Falls
Fifty-six kilometers (35 miles) south of the Town of Jasper is where you'll find this class six waterfall.
16.6 mi away
Jasper Townsite
Known as the "gentle giant of the Rockies", Jasper is a mountain town that's known for its good food and drinks, laid back vibe with a bit of luxury thrown in
16.9 mi away
Superintendent's Residence
Among the residences built along the Bow River in Banff is the Superintendent's Residence.
41.4 mi away
The Columbia Icefield Centre and Athabasca Glacier
Begin your exploration of the area here, at the Columbia Icefield Centre.
