Jasper National Park: Exploring Maligne Canyon

Note from Jazz:

My visit to Jasper National Park was less than 2 weeks before a wildfire devastated the town and surroundings. At the time of publication, Parks Canada continues to assess the situation, and residents are beginning to return but most of the park, including the Maligne Canyon area, remains closed to visitors.

The Icefields Parkway has reopened to through traffic, but all viewpoints and rest areas are closed. The Icefield Centre is closed, but the Icefield Adventure tour and the Skywalk have re-opened. Please check on the Parks Canada website before planning your trip.

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Have you ever stood at the canyon's edge, surrounded by towering rock walls and a rushing river? I had that experience just days before the wildfire that devastated Jasper. Maligne Canyon is a natural wonder packed with surprises. From cascading waterfalls and hidden fossils to the unexpected lushness of its plant life, there's always something new to discover. The canyon's sheer depth, carved by the relentless force of water, is evidence of nature's power. 

The recent wildfire (July 2024) that swept through the Jasper complex, including Maligne Canyon, left a trail of devastation in its wake. However, fire also provides the conditions for rejuvenation, where new life will emerge from the charred landscape. While the process may take time, the forest will heal itself. As you travel through the area, you will see evidence of previous wildfires that have swept through.

Medicine Lake, part of the Maligne Canyon system

Once the area is re-opened to the public, don't miss the chance to explore this gem, which is considered the most popular hike in Jasper. The canyon's magnificence remains, and the river and waterfalls continue to flow as they have for thousands of years. It won't be long before the first signs of rejuvenation are evident. Insects, birds, and wildlife are already returning. The first sprouts of grass, fireweed, and bushes will erupt from the burnt ground in the spring.

 Here's a glimpse into my visit to Maligne Canyon.

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Table of Contents

Jasper National Park

Get Your Park Pass

Getting to Maligne Canyon

About Maligne Canyon

The Bridge Trails

Wildfire Damage

Final Thoughts

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Jasper National Park

Canada’s largest National Park in the Rocky Mountains is a Dark Sky Preserve known for its wildlife, trails, rivers, canyons and glaciers. Jasper National Park is part of the UNESCO Canadian Rocky Moutain World Heritage Site.

Every year, Jasper welcomes visitors from all over the globe who marvel at the stunning beauty of the soaring mountains, turquoise blue waters, deep canyons, and the breathtaking experience of being up close and personal with glaciers. Check out my Icefield Adventure in this post.

Icefield Adventure tour of Athabasca Glacier

Get Your Park Pass

Be aware that you will need to purchase a Park Pass. A day pass will cost $11. If you plan on visiting other national parks in the area or are staying more than 6 days, consider purchasing a "Discovery Pass" good for a full year.

Discovery Pass

Adult (18+) $75.25

Senior (65+) 64.50

Family 151.25

Youth, New Canadian Citizens, Canadian Military, Disability Support people FREE

Buy online from Parks Canada or at any Park Entrance.

Discovery National Parks Pass

Getting to Maligne Canyon

Maligne Canyon is 10 minutes from the Jasper Townsite on Maligne Lake Road. This roadway includes breathtaking views and great opportunities to spot wildlife. It is also the same road that leads to the famous Maligne Lake and Spirit Island.

Plan to arrive in the morning or late afternoon to avoid major crowds (and to get parking). Maligne Canyon can be visited year-round. Visitors will enjoy walking along the trails and the cool mist from the waterfalls and river during summer. The waters freeze during the icy winter months, creating a stunning winter wonderland.

From the east end of the town site of Jasper, follow Highway 16 east and take the turnoff for Maligne Lake Road. The entrance to the parking area is marked. If you don't have a vehicle, several tour companies include the Canyon as part of a day trip. Since Maligne Canyon is close to the town, taxis are reasonable. The parking lot was already full when I arrived at about 10 a.m. on a weekday morning. I was the last vehicle to enter the area. A Parks Canada employee told me that there is a steady stream of vehicles going in and out all day, meaning that the line-up for parking is rarely longer than 30-45 minutes. Parking at the 5th Bridge trailhead may be better for those planning the long hike.

About Maligne Canyon

Maligne Canyon is a karst slot canyon, an area of canyons, caves, sinkholes and springs formed through erosion of soluble rock. The trails include towering limestone walls sculpted by the rushing water of the Maligne River. Sinkholes drain Medicine Lake into the Maligne Valley cave and karst system. Some experts believe that parts of the canyon were originally deep caves.

The Canyon continues to slowly dig deeper into the rock each year, with erosion estimated to be a fraction of a millimetre annually. Over thousands of years, the result is spectacular.

The Bridge Trails

One of the highlights of Maligne Canyon is its network of bridge trails that offer different perspectives of the canyon. Excellent interpretive signs explain the unique formations, wildlife, and flora.

Three self-guided trails start from the parking area. The short and easy trail will take most visitors about 20-40 minutes to complete and crosses two bridges. The medium trail adds two more bridges and is about 1-hour return. These trails go along the upper area of the canyon.

Beginning of the easy trail to the 1st bridge

The longest trail, which follows the gorge, will take most visitors about three hours to complete and includes two more bridges. For those who don't have the time or desire to do the full three-hour hike but want to see all the bridges, there are parking areas closer to the fifth and sixth bridges.

I went to the 5th bridge before returning to the loop trail to return to the parking lot. I was absolutely delighted with the canyon formations and spent much time admiring the rock, watching the water, and taking photographs. I spent about 3.5 hours wandering and admiring. The easy route to the first two bridges was the most crowded, with fewer people deeper along the trail.

Following the pathways, visitors will cross over the bridges and stop at various viewpoints to look along the river and into the slot canyon. The towering canyon walls rise up to 50 metres at the deepest point -- the highest in the Rockies. The canyon is narrow, about 2 metres wide, allowing visitors to get a close-up view of how the water and debris have shaped the rock.

Look for areas where sand and rocks have ground away smooth potholes. Take time to admire the layers of rock.

Bird nerds will want to catch a glimpse of the rare, endangered black swifts that make their nests in the shelter of rock overhangs.

Black swift

Notice the downed trees jammed against the sides of the canyon high above the waterline. These log jams are high water markers left behind when the water level rises.

Wildfire Damage

“Of the many structures found in the Maligne Canyon area, some of the more prominent ones destroyed by the fire include the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen and all structures at the Maligne Wilderness Hostel,” Parks Canada.

Since I visited before the wildfire, I got a late lunch at the Canyon Wilderness Kitchen. This restaurant and gift store had a varied menu of meals and beverages suited to every diet. I had a disappointing grilled cheese sandwich, but the beer was welcomed after a long, hot trail walk.

No structures survived the July 2024 fire, so visitors should take plenty of water and snacks. Sturdy shoes and a hat are recommended for summer.

Final Thoughts

Maligne Canyon remains a captivating destination despite the recent wildfire that devastated the area. The canyon's natural beauty, with its towering limestone walls, cascading waterfalls, and hidden caves, will continue to awe visitors. While the fire left its mark, nature's resilience is evident as the canyon begins its healing process. As the region recovers, Maligne Canyon promises to be a must-see destination for those seeking adventure and natural wonder in the Canadian Rockies.

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