Athabasca Falls & Sunwapta Falls
Athabasca Falls: a powerful 24 m drop into a dramatic quartzite canyon.Athabasca Falls is one of Jasper National Park's most powerful and dramatic waterfalls, located along the Icefields Parkway about 30 kilometers south of Jasper. Fed by the Athabasca River, which originates from the Columbia Icefield, the falls drop about 23 meters into a narrow canyon carved deep into the limestone bedrock. What makes Athabasca Falls remarkable is not its height but its immense force-huge volumes of glacial meltwater thunder through a constricted chute, creating a deafening roar and sending mist into the air. Over thousands of years, the water has sculpted potholes, undercut cliffs, and smooth rock surfaces, leaving behind intricate formations that can be seen from various viewpoints along the network of paved paths and bridges. The area around the falls is forested with spruce and pine, and the turquoise river upstream offers a striking contrast to the foaming white cascade.
Sunwapta Falls lies about 55 kilometers south of Jasper and is fed by the Sunwapta River, which also begins at the Athabasca Glacier. The falls are actually two distinct drops-an Upper and a Lower section-with the Upper Sunwapta Falls being the more accessible and most often photographed. Here, the river suddenly narrows and plunges about 18 meters into a deep gorge, with a small forested island splitting the flow just above the brink. This island, framed by the rushing water, creates one of the most iconic views in Jasper National Park. A footbridge at the top provides a close look at the cascade and the swirling water below, while trails lead along the gorge to viewpoints of the Lower Falls, which are quieter and set in a more secluded forested setting.
Both waterfalls showcase the raw, glacially fed power of Jasper's rivers, but each has a unique character: Athabasca Falls impresses with sheer force and intricate canyon formations, while Sunwapta Falls captivates with its photogenic island setting and the way the river dramatically changes character in an instant. Visiting both offers a chance to experience two of the park's most famous and easily accessible natural attractions, each framed by the rugged mountain scenery and evergreen forests of the Icefields Parkway corridor.
Athabasca Falls sits in a wide bend of the Athabasca River, where the water's glacial-blue surface flows calmly before suddenly being forced through a narrow rock chute only a few meters wide. The drop of about 23 meters is amplified by the sheer volume of water-especially in late spring and early summer, when snowmelt from the Columbia Icefield swells the river to its peak. The roar of the falls can be heard long before you see them, and the air around the main viewing platforms is often filled with a fine mist. Over centuries, the rushing water has carved an intricate canyon below the falls, exposing layers of limestone and quartzite. Some of the old, abandoned channels can still be walked along via paved paths, where you can see potholes polished smooth by swirling rocks and sediment. Several bridges and fenced lookouts provide multiple perspectives-one directly over the brink, another downstream into the narrow gorge, and others along the old channels where the river once flowed. The surrounding area is rich in vegetation, with mosses and lichens thriving in the moist air, and the ever-present backdrop of forested mountains adds to the scene's grandeur.
Sunwapta Falls offers a different kind of drama, combining raw power with a highly photogenic setting. The Upper Falls are the main attraction, where the Sunwapta River narrows and splits around a small, tree-covered island before plunging 18 meters into a tight canyon. This split creates two converging torrents of water that crash together just before dropping over the edge, sending up spray that catches the light on sunny days. The viewpoint from the footbridge above the falls frames the island perfectly, with the glacier-fed turquoise water surging past on either side. Downstream, the river continues through a twisting gorge, where the Lower Sunwapta Falls can be reached by a short forest trail. These lower cascades are quieter, more secluded, and surrounded by dense spruce forest, offering a peaceful contrast to the thundering upper section.
Both waterfalls are easily accessed from the Icefields Parkway, making them popular stops for travelers between Jasper and the Columbia Icefield. Athabasca Falls is known for its year-round accessibility-even in winter, the partially frozen cascade is spectacular-while Sunwapta Falls is at its most impressive during the spring and early summer melt. Together, they provide an unforgettable showcase of the power, beauty, and variety of the glacier-fed rivers that shape the landscapes of Jasper National Park.
Athabasca Falls & Sunwapta Falls
Sunwapta Falls: twin waterfalls famed for their turbulent flow, especially during spring melt.Sunwapta Falls is a striking pair of waterfalls on the Sunwapta River, located about 55 kilometers south of Jasper along the Icefields Parkway. The river originates at the Athabasca Glacier, which gives the water its distinctive milky turquoise color from suspended glacial silt. The name "Sunwapta" comes from the Stoney Nakoda word meaning "turbulent river," a fitting description for the sudden, powerful drop that defines the falls.
The Upper Falls are the most famous and accessible section. Here, the river flows swiftly toward a small, forested island, which splits the water into two channels just before it surges over an 18-meter drop into a deep limestone canyon. The island's position creates a dramatic, symmetrical view that is best appreciated from the pedestrian bridge that spans the gorge above the falls. The sight and sound are impressive year-round, but especially in late spring and early summer when snowmelt swells the river, amplifying the volume and force of the cascade. In autumn, the surrounding evergreens are accented by golden larch and aspen foliage, while winter sees the water partially freeze, forming ice sculptures around the roaring current.
Below the Upper Falls, the river winds through a narrow, twisting canyon toward the Lower Falls, which are less visited but well worth the short walk. A forest trail of about 1.3 kilometers (round trip) leads to several viewing points where you can see smaller cascades framed by mossy rock walls and thick spruce forest. This lower section has a more secluded, tranquil atmosphere compared to the dramatic power of the upper drop.
The area around Sunwapta Falls is rich in mountain scenery, with peaks rising on both sides of the valley and the constant sound of rushing water echoing off the canyon walls. Wildlife sightings are common along the approach road, especially deer and elk in early morning or evening. With its easy accessibility, photogenic island setting, and the combination of thundering and serene cascades, Sunwapta Falls offers one of the most rewarding short stops along the Icefields Parkway.
Sunwapta Falls is not only beautiful but also geologically fascinating, shaped over thousands of years by the relentless power of glacial meltwater. The Sunwapta River begins high on the Columbia Icefield, gathering snowmelt and glacial runoff before tumbling down the valley toward the Athabasca River. As it nears the falls, the river narrows sharply, increasing its speed before it encounters the small forested island that divides the flow. This split in the current is part of what makes the Upper Falls so distinctive-two separate channels converging with tremendous force just before the plunge, sending a foamy torrent into the deep canyon below.
The limestone walls of the canyon reveal layers of ancient seabed that were uplifted and eroded over millions of years. The churning water continues to carve the gorge deeper, creating potholes and undercut ledges in the rock. The pedestrian bridge over the Upper Falls offers a perfect vantage point to appreciate this carving action, as you can look straight down into the swirling waters below. In summer, sunlight catches the fine mist thrown up by the drop, creating rainbows that add to the spectacle.
The Lower Sunwapta Falls area, reached by a shaded forest trail, feels wilder and more intimate. Here, the river flows through a narrower gorge, tumbling over smaller drops surrounded by mossy rock walls and thick vegetation. The sound is less thunderous but still powerful, and the air is cool and fresh, scented with spruce and pine. Many visitors find this section peaceful compared to the bustling upper viewing area.
Seasonal changes give Sunwapta Falls a different character throughout the year. In spring and early summer, the meltwater volume is at its peak, producing the most dramatic display. In autumn, golden foliage contrasts vividly with the turquoise river, while in winter, the edges of the falls freeze into intricate shapes, framing the unfrozen water in ice. The surrounding Sunwapta Valley also offers striking mountain backdrops, especially in the early morning when low clouds or mist cling to the peaks.
Because of its proximity to the Icefields Parkway and the Columbia Icefield, Sunwapta Falls is a natural stop for travelers, providing both a quick roadside viewpoint and a short hike option. It's a place where you can feel the raw power of a glacial river while also appreciating the delicate details of moss, ice, and stone that make this spot a true Rocky Mountain gem.
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