Canada · Canadian Rockies, Alberta
Athabasca Falls
Though modest in height, the entire Athabasca River is forced through a narrow slot of hard quartzite sandstone, carving potholes and a short canyon that make it one of the most powerful falls in the Canadian Rockies. Paved paths and fenced overlooks ring the gorge just off the Icefields Parkway.
Though modest in height, the entire Athabasca River is forced through a narrow slot of hard quartzite sandstone, carving potholes and a short canyon that make it one of the most powerful falls in the Canadian Rockies. Paved paths and fenced overlooks ring the gorge just off the Icefields Parkway.
Athabasca Falls drops 24 metres (79 ft) across a face roughly 18 metres wide on the Athabasca, inside Jasper National Park. It is a block-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Jasper, with YEG the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy.
Summer glacial melt (Jun-Aug) gives peak, thunderous volume through the narrow quartzite gorge.
What you can do here
White-water rafting
Below a great waterfall there is usually a great gorge, and in that gorge some of the biggest commercially runnable water on earth.
Hiking
From ten-minute boardwalks to multi-day approaches through cloud forest.
Photography
Light angles, moonbows, spray management and the hours that actually work.
When to go
Summer glacial melt (Jun-Aug) gives peak, thunderous volume through the narrow quartzite gorge.
Entry: Park entry pass required ~$11 CAD/day
Getting there
- Base townJasper
- AirportYEG
- CountryCanada
- RegionCanadian Rockies, Alberta, North America
- AccessEasy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint
On the map
52.6608, -117.8814
Quick answers
How tall is Athabasca Falls?
Athabasca Falls drops 24 metres (79 feet), across a face about 18 metres wide. It is a block-type waterfall on the Athabasca.
When is the best time to visit Athabasca Falls?
Peak flow is June to August. Summer glacial melt (Jun-Aug) gives peak, thunderous volume through the narrow quartzite gorge.
What can you do at Athabasca Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: white-water rafting, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint.
How do you get to Athabasca Falls?
The usual base is Jasper, and the closest airport is YEG. A short walk or roadside viewpoint from there. Park entry pass required ~$11 CAD/day.
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