The best pet-friendly accommodation in Jasper

The first consideration when travelling with pup is of course finding a pet-friendly hotel. We love staying at the Fairmont hotels as they absolutely love and welcome dogs, and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is no exception. I'd say it's probably the most pet-friendly Fairmont we've stayed at, simply because you're so integrated into nature and there are many activities and places to explore around the property that your pup will love. We've stayed here once before but this trip was extra special experiencing it all with Fino, and he loved it!!

The Lodge overlooks Lac Beauvert and sits on a 700-acre property, with forests, 2 lakes, an ice skating rink in winter, hiking trails, a golf course, and deer and elk which wander freely around the property. We stayed in one of the Estate Cabins which overlooks the lake and it's ideal with a dog as you can so easily go outside for bathroom breaks or walks. Dogs are also welcome on the restaurant patio in the summer and in the Great Hall Lounge year-round. This is also a great place if you're travelling with a young puppy, as you can easily dash outside while you're potty training which I know from experience makes life much easier. Waiting in our cabin was a very cute doggie kit for Fino with a bowl, treats and a dog bed, and they even have a pet-friendly food menu which I've never seen in a hotel before! Fino was the first pup to try the dog menu and it's full of very delicious and clean food and available in the Lounge or for in-room dining. All in all, it's definitely the best hotel if you're looking for dog friendly travel in Jasper and it's nice having peace of mind that you're staying somewhere that's so welcoming to dogs.

Dog friendly things to do in Jasper in winter

Jasper offers so many amazing winter activities, and many of them you can enjoy with your dog. We spent our time in Jasper road tripping around & exploring the waterfalls, hiking trails, lakes, and viewpoints, and Fino had an absolute blast!! I really want to come back with Fino in the summer, as it would be so fun to go out on the lakes & make the most of the hiking trails. Here are some great dog friendly things to do:

Maligne Canyon trail, which is close to Jasper town

Athabasca Falls (we wandered down to the river & it was lovely)

Sunwapta Falls

Maligne Lake (in summer, you can canoe on the lake with pup)

Cross-country skiing

Snowshoeing

Jasper SkyTram

Off-leash dog park (at the intersection of Sleepy Hollow Rd. and Hazel Ave.)

Outdoor picnic (we grabbed a champagne picnic from Fairmont JPL and it was amazing!)

Exploring Maligne Canyon with a dog

Maligne Canyon is an incredibly cool spot especially in winter and we loved exploring with Fino.  The river freezes and the canyon walls are lined with frozen waterfalls and icicles, creating the most unique winter setting. The trail is beautiful and follows the upper rim of the canyon, and then at the 4th bridge you can descend into the canyon. There are also some short cuts you can take to get down into the canyon but it's often slippy and quite steep. You can explore on either a guided or self-guided tour and it is dog friendly, and there is no fee to enter the canyon. It is very slippery on the ice, especially in February/March when the ice begins to thaw, so ice cleats or crampons are necessary and you can get these from the rental stores in Jasper town, or from the activity centre at Jasper Park Lodge.

For dogs, winter boots are a great idea for the canyon, especially when it's super cold. While we were in Banff, the temperature dropped to -30 degrees and the snow & ice was burning Fino's paws. We bought a pair of dog socks & rubber boots from the local pet shop which helped to protect his paws and he was so much happier with them. One thing to keep an eye out for is ice balls forming around their paws which can be painful & cut their skin, so boots help to prevent this especially when in icy water and paw balm helps with this too.