Last Updated on July 31, 2021
Jasper is a small and isolated town in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and it is a great place to stay to explore Jasper in winter or drive the Icefields Parkway. Due to its location being in a national park, finding affordable accommodation options in Jasper are limited.
Jasper has a number of hotel options located within the town within walking distance to all restaurants and stores, as well as a few others a 5-10 minute drive away. Many people have dreams of staying at the luxurious Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, the undisputed luxury hotel option in Jasper.
However, if you are traveling to Jasper on a budget this hotel is not cheap and is not likely to be a viable option. We will take you through some of the great options for where to stay in Jasper on a budget.
Staying in Jasper on a Budget Recommendation by Category:
- Jasper Downtown: The Crimson Jasper
- Resort: Pyramid Lake Resort
- Cabins: Pocahontas Cabins
- Campground: Whistlers Campground
Disclaimer: We were provided a stay at the Crimson Jasper and Pyramid Lake Resort to explore Jasper on a budget. All opinions remain our own, as always. Please note that some of the links in the below article are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. Click here for the full disclosure statement. Thank you for supporting the businesses that support us!
Table of Contents
The Crimson Jasper
The Crimson Jasper is one of the newest hotels in Jasper, with all rooms at the hotel feeling fresh and modern. The hotel has a great vibe, with a welcoming modern mountain feel in the lobby and extremely friendly staff members.
The Crimson Jasper Location and Parking
The Crimson Jasper is conveniently located right on the main road in Jasper, Connaught Drive. No matter which direction that you arrive from, it will be very easy to access, and impossible to miss as you drive by. There is ample parking located at the hotel for no additional charge. Additionally, if you arrive late in the day and find the parking lot full, there is also more than enough street parking immediately in front of the hotel, or at the large public parking lot just across the street.
The Crimson Jasper Lobby and Check-in
When arriving at The Crimson Jasper, you will first enter the building in the main lobby. The lobby has a nice modern mountain décor with a fireplace, lots of natural light and fun Canadian artwork.
The check-in process is quick and easy. If you have pre-booked your stay online, the check-in process will be quick and easy, with just a few additional details to provide before you are provided with your room key. The whole check-in process takes less than five minutes and staff at the Crimson is incredibly friendly and helpful.
The Crimson Jasper Rooms
The Crimson offers standard rooms, as well as studios with a galley kitchen, and rooms with larger full kitchens, depending on the needs of your stay. If you are looking to stay in Jasper on a budget, having a small kitchen in your hotel room can make a huge difference in additional savings as you can prepare some of your meals in your hotel room.
The Crimson Studio Room comes with either two Queen beds or one King bed, a small sitting area, work area with desk, large HD television, and galley kitchen with a fridge, microwave, and sink.
The bathroom has everything you need as well, and is clean with modern finishings.
The Crimson Jasper Amenities
The Crimson Jasper offers a number of amenities at the property. You will have access to the exercise room, indoor swimming pool and hot tub area, and complimentary ski storage.
Additionally there are pet-friendly rooms and meeting rooms at the hotel, and as you are located right in the heart of Jasper, many shops and restaurants are located within a 5-10 minute walk.
The Crimson Jasper Dining
The on-site restaurant at the The Crimson Jasper is Authentic Burger which offers breakfast using locally sourced ingredients. In addition, they are open seasonally for lunch and dinner, check their website for up to date hours during your stay.
The Crimson Jasper Final Verdict
This hotel has a great location in the middle of Jasper, allowing for easy walking access to all of the best restaurants and shops that Jasper has to offer. The rooms have a fresh, clean, and modern feel and offer kitchens, perfect for staying in Jasper on a budget.
The Crimson Jasper is a great choice for budget accommodation in Jasper, without compromising on cleanliness, comfort, style, or location.
Pyramid Lake Resort
The Pyramid Lake Resort is just outside the town of Jasper, and has expansive lake and mountain views, offering a more tranquil hotel experience, and access to nature right at your doorstep. The resort has been recently renovated, with all rooms designed in a cozy chalet style.
Pyramid Lake Resort Location and Parking
Pyramid Lake Resort is located just under 4 miles (6 km) north of downtown Jasper, which is about a 10-minute drive along the aptly named Pyramid Lake Road. As you arrive at Pyramid Lake Resort, the peak of Pyramid Mountain dominates the skyline and tranquil Pyramid Lake beckons to be explored.
There is more than enough parking at the check-in area, as well as further up the hill near the rooms. Parking is available in front of each of the rooms, meaning that you should have a minimal walking distance to bring your luggage into your room.
Pyramid Lake Resort Lobby and Check-in
When arriving at Pyramid Lake Resort, you will first enter the main building for check-in. The lobby area is located on the bottom level, right near the parking lot.
The check-in process is quick and easy. Again, if you have pre-booked your stay online, the check-in process will be quick and easy, with just a few additional details to provide before you are provided with your room key and directions to your room.
Pyramid Lake Resort Rooms
Pyramid Lake Resort is set up in a chalet-style with the rooms located in multiple buildings located above the main building where you check-in, dine, and where the amenities are located. It will be easiest to drive from the check-in area up to park in front of your room.
Pyramid Lake Resort rooms range from standard rooms to larger loft suites with kitchens. A bonus when staying at Pyramid Lake Resort is that all rooms include Keurig coffee machines, balconies, and a gas fireplace – perfect for relaxing after a long day of exploring Jasper National Park.
The rooms have a clean contemporary style, and feature beautiful Canadian Rockies touches for the perfect chalet vibes.
Pyramid Lake Resort Amenities
Pyramid Lake Resort offers a number of amenities year-round and seasonally. Year-round guests have access to the outdoor hot tub, dry sauna, and exercise room. In summer you can rent a kayak, canoe, paddle boat, or electric cruiser boat to explore Pyramid Lake, or mountain bikes to head off into the nearby trails. Additionally, there is no cost to use the many nearby trails for walking, hiking, or trail running.
In winter the resort offers horse drawn sleigh rides as well as snowshoe, ice skate, and fat bike rentals. Due to its location on Pyramid Lake, the winter ice skating, and trails for snowshoeing and fat biking are all located just outside your doorstep.
Pyramid Lake Resort Dining
The on-site restaurant at Pyramid Lake Resort is The Pines, which offers breakfast using locally sourced ingredients and dinner. The hours of The Pines Restaurant are seasonal, so be sure to check their website prior to your stay.
As the Pyramid Lake Resort is located about 10 minutes outside of Jasper, if you were wanting to dine somewhere else you would have to make the short drive into town.
Pyramid Lake Resort Final Verdict
This hotel resort offers all of the outdoor activities you could want right at your fingertips at an affordable price point compared to other resorts in the Jasper area, catering to those looking to stay in Jasper on a budget.
The Pyramid Lake Resort is a great option for those budget travelers looking to stay at a resort where you can explore all that nature has to offer just steps outside your room.
Pocahontas Cabins
The Pocahontas Cabins are located in eastern Jasper National Park, and offer cabins and lodge rooms to suit all budgets and tastes. If you are looking for the perfect cabin getaway in the Canadian Rockies at an affordable price, this is one of the great options for your trip.
Pocahontas Cabins Location and Parking
The Pocahontas Cabins are located just a 5-minute drive from the eastern gates of Jasper National Park, a distance of about 5 miles (8 km). From the town of Jasper, the cabins are a half hour drive, about 27 miles (43 km) away. This location is perfect if you are looking for an affordable place to stay while having your own cabin. The cabins are also conveniently located at the Miette Road turnoff, making them one of the closest accommodation choices to the Miette Hot Springs.
There is ample parking available in front of all of the cabins and lodge.
Pocahontas Cabins Lobby and Check-in
When arriving at Pocahontas Cabins, you will head to the reception for check-in, in a building that is in a separate area from the many cabins on the property.
Again, if you have pre-booked your stay online, the check-in process will be quick and easy, with just a few additional details to provide before you are provided with your room key and directions to your cabin as well as the amenities on property.
Pocahontas Cabins Rooms
There are many different types of cabins offered at Pocahontas Cabins. With the many options you should be able to find the cabin that is the right fight for your travel group and budget.
The Pioneer Cabin is one of our favorite budget cabins as it includes a kitchenette with a fridge, hotplate, and microwave – perfect for staying in Jasper on a budget. If you are looking for the ultimate cabin stay, the Miette Executive Cabin offers multiple levels with two upstairs bedrooms, and a full kitchen, living room with fire place, and private deck on the main floor. All cabins also come with a full bathroom and complimentary coffee, and many come with outdoor decks.
The multiple types of cabins offer cozy cabin vibes, and your own personal space.
Pocahontas Cabins Amenities
The Pocahontas Cabins property offers a heated outdoor pool, outdoor hot tub, and a mini-putt golf course to stay entertained while at the Pocahontas Cabins. Additionally, in winter there is the opportunity to go skiing, ice skating, and fat bike riding nearby.
The Miette Hot Springs are located a 30-minute drive away from Pocahontas Cabins, which makes them one of the closest accommodations in Jasper to the hot springs.
Pocahontas Cabins Dining
The main draw of the Pocahontas cabins is that you have your own cabin to stay in, and can also use the kitchens located in many of the cabins, as well as the outdoor barbeques to prepare your own meals; perfect for those traveling in Jasper on a budget. The Trading Post, is the place to go to pick up snacks and prepackaged meals while onsite.
Keep in mind that as the Pocahontas Cabins are a half hour drive from either Jasper or Hinton, where you will find many dining options as well as grocery stores.
Pocahontas Cabins Final Verdict
The Pocahontas Cabins are one of the most affordable ways to stay in your very own cabin in Jasper National Park. The cabins are located towards the eastern edge of the national park, perfect if you have plans to explore this area of the park, but not advisable if you are planning to spend most of your time in the southern or western areas of the park.
The Pocahontas Cabins are a great value, especially in winter when the cabins start at $119 CAD ($91 USD) per night, a substantial discount compared to peak summer rates.
Jasper Camping on a Budget
If you are looking to save even more during your time in Jasper, look no further than the many Parks Canada campsites located near to the city of Jasper, as well as other locations throughout Jasper National Park.
The campsites located closest to the town of Jasper, are Whistlers and Wapiti. These also happen to be the largest campsites located in Jasper National Park with 781 and 363 sites, respectively.
It is recommended to reserve these campsites online, especially if you are traveling during the busy summer months. This can easily be done online on the Parks Canada website. Daily camping rates for Whistlers and Wapiti range from $28 CAD to $33 CAD ($21 – $25 USD). Fire permits must be purchased in order to have a campfire, but include provided wood. The fire permits cost $8.80 CAD ($6.70 USD) and must be purchased for each day.
Whistlers Campground
Being the largest campsite in Jasper National Park by far has it’s benefits. This campsite caters to everyone looking to camp, whether they have a tent, small camper, or large RV. The campground is great for families with a playground and Parks Canada interpreters putting on shows each evening during the summer.
Camping at Whistlers doesn’t mean that you completely have to rough it as the campsite offers hot showers and is less than a 10 minute drive into downtown Jasper for groceries and restaurants. It’s close enough that you could even walk or bike into town.
If you are new to camping, or want to try something closer to “glamping”, Whistlers offers oTENTiks, which are canvas-walled tents that include wood-floors, bunkbeds, and heat and lights. You will still need to bring your own sleeping bags and pillows, cooking supplies, and camp chairs, but it is a great way to get the taste of camping in the outdoors without fully roughing it. These are great options for those looking for cheap accommodation in Jasper when traveling on a budget.
Wapiti Campground
Wapiti campground is unique as it is open much longer than the other campgrounds, offering travelers a camping option into late fall. Wapiti has great walking trails as it is located near the Athabasca River, and also offers electricity hookups, hot showers, and fire pits.
Wapiti is also near to downtown Jasper, and can be reached in less than 10 minutes to grab coffee, lunch, or have a nice dinner out.
Jasper on a Budget Tips and Tricks
Traveling to Jasper is not something that would be described as cheap, but it can absolutely be a great destination for a budget-minded traveler. Below we have compiled some of our other favorite ideas to travel to Jasper on a budget.
What is the Closest City to Jasper National Park?
The options to stay outside of Jasper are few and far between due to the town of Jasper being located in the middle of the national park. It is either a 1 hour drive east to Hinton, or a 1 and a half hour drive west to Valemount for alternative accommodation. It is possible to find cheaper hotels in Hinton and Valemount, however in our opinion the savings are not worth the extra hours in drive time and gas expense.
Where Should I Stay in Jasper National Park?
This all depends on your traveling style and how long you plan to stay in Jasper National Park. The general consensus is that it is best to stay in our near the town of Jasper.
That is because this is the primary area where you will find gas, grocery stores, and restaurants. Finding these necessities in Jasper National Park elsewhere is possible during the summer months as there are the odd restaurants that cater to the busy travel season.
However, during the winter months all other locations are generally closed or have limited hours, and you will be forced to head into downtown Jasper to find what you are looking for.
No matter what you are planning to do or see in Jasper, everything can be reasonably accessed from the central location of the town of Jasper within the national park which is why it is the best place to stay in Jasper National Park.
How Much Does It Cost to Go to Jasper?
The national park entrance fee for Jasper National Park is $10.00 CAD ($7.60 USD) per adult. Alternatively, you can purchase a single Parks Canada Discovery Pass (annual pass valid at all Canada National Parks) for $140 CAD ($107 USD) for a family.
How Can I Save Money in Jasper National Park?
The number one way to have some significant savings during your trip to Jasper is to travel in the shoulder season or offseason. Hotel rates can be sky-high during the busy summer months, but are surprisingly affordable beginning in late September to early May. Traveling in the offseason also means that all of those famous viewpoints and sights will be substantially less busy, and in fact you may have many of them completely to yourself.
Staying at a budget accommodation hotel or camping are both great ways to reduce your accommodation costs. Next up is probably the cost of eating. If you are wanting to eat out, look for great happy hour specials in the many restaurants in Jasper. Our favorite is Earl’s which offers a happy hour daily from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM to close. However, to truly save money it is best to prepare your own meals, which is why it is a great idea to find a budget hotel with a small kitchen.
What Is There to Do in Jasper for Free?
Once you have paid the national park entrance fee, there are no additional fees for exploring the park or seeing any of the main sights unless you choose to go on a guided tour or activity. Some of the best free things to do in Jasper are:
Hiking (there are hiking trails all over the park from easy loops to days long circuits that require backcountry camping)
Mountain biking (there are a number of mountain biking trails, if you have your own bike, it’s free!)
Swim (the most popular lakes are Edith and Annette, just outside of town. Beware that the water isn’t considered “warm”, even in summer)
Birding (over 300 species of birds have been found in the park, so there is no shortage of interesting birds to spot)
Showshoeing (if you have your own showshoes, this is a great free activity in Jasper during winter)
Jasper Farmers Market (the market runs every Wednesday from June to September which you can explore for free).
Jasper on a Budget Final Verdict
Jasper National Park is one of great national parks of Canada offering some of the best sights and views in the Canadian Rockies. It can be incredibly popular, especially during the summer tourist season, which can make it difficult to find affordable accommodation. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find great places to stay when visiting Jasper on a budget.
If you enjoy exploring Canadas national parks, make sure to also visit Banff in fall or winter and go on a roadtrip to Canmore in fall.
