Looking to get into the EPIC landscape of the Canadian Rockies? Then you’ll need to head to Jasper. This city is the gateway to Jasper National Park, a nice springboard for hiking, climbing, canoeing, and really and truly getting out into the wilderness.
Jasper itself is pretty quiet with a small town feel, but it IS surrounded by some dramatic scenery and still comes packed with quite a few places to eat and drink.
But if you’re a fan of the outdoors, you’ll never be bored here!
The thing with Jasper is there is a big divide between staying in town or staying closer to where all the outdoorsy action is. So you have to decide: what do you want to do? A few casual activities – or are you gonna properly rough it?
Whatever you want to do, don’t worry! We’ve made a list of the best hostels in Jasper – as well as the best budget hotels in Jasper, too – so you can easily choose the place that’s right for you.
Check out our handy guide below and let’s see what’s on offer!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Jasper
- Best Overall Hostel in Jasper – HI Athabasca Falls
Best Hostels in Jasper
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Best Overall Hostel in Jasper – HI Athabasca Falls
- $$
- BBQ
- Common Room
- Self Catering Facilities
The first of our HI dominated list is situated at Athabasca Falls, a literally stunning location near the waterfall of the same name. This top hostel in Jasper has some incredible views, plus it’s at the beginning of many hiking routes, so it’s great to get out into the wilderness from here.
Aside from location, this Jasper backpackers hostel is pretty relaxing and there’s a cabin here where you can get chatting to the staff and the guests. There’s no running water and no showers (this IS proper wilderness), but this is still the best overall hostel in Jasper. There’s good coffee here!
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Jasper – HI Beauty Creek
- $$
- Firepit
- Board Games
- Common Room
Travelling by yourself in the wilderness can be a… bit of a worry, but at this place, the atmosphere is really warm and the staff – consisting of one person and their dog (literally) – will make you feel like part of the family.
The best hostel for solo travellers in Jasper, there’s activities like badminton and ping pong to get involved with, plus a load of board games and a quite magic communal atmosphere sitting around the fire at night. It’s right near Sunwapta River, too.
HI Beauty Creek is one of our favourites in Jasper but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Cheap Hostel in Jasper – HI Mt. Edith Cavell
- $
- Common Room
- Self Catering Facilities
- Free Parking
Another wilderness hostel in Jasper, this place is probably the cheapest of all. There’s not a lot of, um, modern amenities here (e.g. no flushing toilet), but there’s a communal kitchen so you can at least cook yourself up some meals.
This place is very simple so the price is low. We’re talkin’ sometimes there’s not even a warden there and you to get a pin number of the key box. So, yeah, we’d say this is the best cheap hostel in Jasper – there’s some incredible hiking nearby.
HI Mt. Edith Cavell is one of our favourites in Jasper but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Hostel for Couples in Jasper – HI Maligne Canyon
- $$
- Common Room
- Steam Room
- Free Parking
If you’re looking for a romantic break in the absolutely stunning Canadian wilderness, this branch of Hostelling International is probably the best hostel for couples in Jasper. It’s a rustic cabin a short drive from the lake – it’s close to the town, but far enough away that you can see a gazillion stars at night. Super relaxing.
The serene setting is just perfect for a getaway (let’s hope you really like each other, eh?), especially if you’re both keen on hiking and all that sorta outdoorsy stuff. It’s near the Skyline Trail, offering up some of the most scenic hikes Jasper has to offer.
HI Maligne Canyon is one of our favourites in Jasper but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Jasper – HI Jasper
- $$$
- Bicycle Hire
- Communal Kitchen
- INTERNET
Ok, so this Jasper backpackers hostel actually has Wi-Fi, so if you plan on getting some work done or you’re documenting your travels around Canada, then this is probably the best place for you. There’s a decent kitchen, plus tables and chairs where you can actually work.
It’s situated halfway up Whistlers Mountain, meaning it’s no mean to get there. But once you’re there it’s a nice way to balance out working on a laptop, since you can go out walking in nature. There’s a trailhead just outside the front door, for example. But yeah, ’cause of the Wi-Fi, definitely the best hostel for digital nomads in Jasper.
HI Jasper is one of our favourites in Jasper but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Budget Hotels in Jasper
Don’t fancy staying in the middle of the wilderness? A bit too much for you to go without running water or a flushing toilet? OR maybe you need a bit of luxury after you’ve already been out into the wilderness. We get you, either way. So here are some of the best budget hotels in Jasper – complete with showers.
Lobstick Lodge
- $$$
- Indoor Pool
- Hot Tubs
- Gym
Dang this place is pricey, but if you really, really need some luxury after the wilderness, or if you’re not even planning on going that far, then here’s a place that’s nice and clean and… well, it’s also got a pool.
It’s also got a cafe. And a restaurant. And it also features a lounge with mountain views. One of the best budget hotels in Jasper, this sits at the base of the Canadian Rockies just 5 mins outta town. You can save money on cooking,since the suite comes with a kitchenette. If you get a suite, that is.
Astoria Hotel
- $$$
- Daily Maid Service
- Bar & Restaurant
- Cable TV
Super central, this budget hotel in Jasper is a great shout if you want to spend a little bit of time in the city either before or after making a lil’ trek into the Rockies. The hotel itself offers activities, like skiing and snowboarding, which is helpful.
And then after a busy day, there’s a bar and grill onsite so you can fill up with all the food you feel like. It’s 5 mins to the central train station in Jasper – great if you’re not travelling by car – plus there are a load of bars and restaurants on the doorstep. Solid choice.
Athabasca Hotel
- $$
- Restaurant
- Luggage Storage
- Cable TV
You can enjoy staying in the relative comfort of this top budget hotel in Jasper; the cheapest rooms might have shared bathrooms, sure, but still, you can have a hot shower here. The hotel itself is actually a pretty historic building and it’s reflected in the big wooden beds and floral wallpaper of the rooms.
And once you’re all clean and stuff from your endless days of hiking and staying in a hut, you can head down to the hotel restaurant for some warm, tasty dinner. Yes please.
Athabasca Hotel is one of our favourites in Jasper but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Celtic Haven
- $$
- Kitchen
- BBQ
- Free Parking
This hut-type hotel lodge sorta thing provides accommodation in Jasper National Park. Rooms here come with private bathrooms, a patio, and a kitchenette, so you can keep costs low and cook yourself meals. Like your own little lodge.
An alternative to one of the Jasper backpacking hostels from earlier, this one is like luxury compared to lodges without running water and all that. The owner is also pretty friendly and the rooms are clean. What more do you want to enjoy this beautiful national park?
Celtic Haven is one of our favourites in Jasper but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Elevate Rooms Calla’s Palace
- $$
- Free Breakfast
- Garden
- Fireplace
Situated 2 mins from the centre of town, this budget hotel in Jasper is actually a good mix between that professional and private sorta hotel vibe, and something that’s more like a youth hostel in Jasper. Private rooms and hotel facilities, but with more friendliness.
The owner of this place will give you lots of advice and generally be very helpful, which is always nice. The shared lounge with a big open fire is always a good place to get chatting to other people who’ve travelled here. Oh and did we mention the FREE BREAKFAST? Well there is one and it’s what we’d call hearty.
Elevate Rooms Calla’s Palace is one of our favourites in Jasper but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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What to Pack for your Jasper Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we have perfected over many years.
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Jasper
So those were the best hostels in Jasper.
All of the top hostels here are Hostelling International – and they’re all located in the wilderness. Some of them don’t even have running water!
If that sounds like your thing, if it means getting closer into nature and further from civilisation, then those Jasper backpacker hostels will definitely be for you!
There are quite a few budget hotels in Jasper to choose from, too; these are closer to civilisation! Some of them are more basic than others, but all of them have hot showers anyway.
And if you can’t decide on where to stay in Jasper? Don’t worry. We recommend the wild HI Athabasca Falls, our best overall hostel in Jasper.
Or if you want a compromise, Celtic Haven is a good shout: it’s a lodge with private rooms located in Jasper National Park – the best budget hotel in Jasper, we’d say!
Prepare yourselves for some amazing hikes and a whole lot of breathtaking scenery – Jasper here we come!
FAQ about Hostels in Jasper
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Jasper.
Travel Safety Tips for Jasper
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More Epic Hostels in Canada and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Jasper.
Planning an epic trip all across Canada or even North America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around North America, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Jasper has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
