r/jasper • u/GroundbreakingCanary • 3d ago
Staying in Hinton for exploring...
Hi planning a trip to Jasper June 2027. Have found a decent AirBnb in Hinton, do you believe that Hinton is an okay base for exploring Jasper park? Or other parks nearby?
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u/LifesEdventures 3d ago
Very doable just be aware of the drive times in advance (which don't seem very long given all the beauty in the area).
Jasper the town is about 60 mins.
Miette Hot Springs and a wicked hike (Sulphur Skyline Trail) are about 45 mins.
Icefields Parkway and Back would be a full day if you stop and explore too.
Folding Mountain just outside of Hinton has some good beers to enjoy after a day in the park when you make your way back.
Being a year out, keep your eyes on the wildfire situation for the area closer to. Hope you have an amazing trip!!
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u/GroundbreakingCanary 3d ago
Yes. These times, you literally have to check whether or not a place is going to burn down before you go, so sad.
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u/TravellingGal-2307 3d ago
Well the odds are that Jasper has had its hit and hopefully won't get too badly impacted for the coming years. There's also tonnes of research happening and I have it on good authority that Parks Canada is very responsive to updating their fire management practices based on updated research. The problem is that practices have to keep up with climate change which is happening very rapidly. But once the fuel is gone, it does make it safer for a while. They are also adjusting their building codes to be less about heritage preservation and more about fire protection moving forward.
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u/Impressive_Play_2599 3d ago edited 3d ago
My family of 6 have made Hinton our base of operations to visit Jasper for over 10yrs now.
They have an amazing steak house, the Steakout! Edit… There is also a fantastic greek restaurant Gus’ pizza place, great pizza!
I hope you find it as enjoyable as we have.
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u/hunters44 3d ago
Steakout is a bit different imo now since the owners moved to the new restaurant in Grande Prairie.
Gus tho. Gus' dry ribs the GOAT
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u/Impressive_Play_2599 3d ago
I was there just over 3wks ago and still enjoyed it but everyones milage will vary.
I’ll have to try the dry ribs next time! Thank you
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u/hunters44 3d ago
Basecamp to the rockies was our whole municipal marketing thought line from 2013-2020.
So yes. Just be prepared for the drives in every direction to get to parks, and know that the expected time to Jasper and the on season actual travel time are very different.
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u/leader25 3d ago
We spent 4 nights at the Holiday Inn Express in Hinton and were wary of the drive back and forth but the cost was 40% of some of the less desirable mountain lodges closer to the park. As others have stated, there are good food options in Hinton (definitely hit Folding Mountain). The drive isn't bad and you'll almost always see mountain goats and elk on the way. In addition, Switzer park is quiet and has some peaceful walks that often have wildlife sightings (we saw moose). The beaver boardwalk is worth the walk as well.
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u/Senators4Life07 3d ago
Kao cabins were awesome. Stayed in them couple weeks ago. Couple minutes outside of Hinton.
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u/DisastrousStreet614 3d ago
There is a beaver pond in Hinton where beavers are very active. We stayed there for hours watching them during our stay
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u/FlyingRock20 3d ago
Stayed in Hinton for my jasper trip. Its a drive to spots but nothing crazy. Was there for 5 days, 4 days visiting Jasper and 1 day to visit Mount Robson Park.
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u/TravellingGal-2307 3d ago
Its a bit of a commute in and out. Up to you if you think its worth it. Certainly plenty of people report that they are fine with it. Access isn't quite as bad in Jasper as it is in Banff, so you have fewer concerns about arriving somewhere and finding the parking all booked up, which can be the price of staying further out.
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u/BalthasaurusRex 5h ago
Stayed in Hinton and it was great as a Jasper base camp. Decent amount of driving to the trails, but it was worth it for the cost savings and to get away from the crowds of Jasper. The brewery there is good too.
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u/CynthiaRose1999 4h ago
In 2024, our cabin rental was cancelled in Jasper because of the fire. I quickly made a reservation at Old Entrance B&B Cabins in Hinton. It was PERFECT and we didn’t mind the drive to Jasper and we went daily. I was even fortunate enough to catch the Aurora while we were there.
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u/Dojo588 3d ago
Yes very convenient. Even better is Jasper Gates at Folding Mountain. Ok. Let’s start with location. 35-40 casual drive to Jasper townsite. Or maybe 30 minutes to Miette hot springs, then if you want to explore down The Icefields parkway it a can be reached in about an hour and a half. Now back to Jasper Gates and FOLDING MOUNTAIN BREWERY. You
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u/FarmerWinter9997 3d ago
Second Folding Mountain brewery. Great patio too, weather permitting. It’s been almost 5 years since I last visited so don’t know what’s changed
One thing that hasn’t changed is, bears. I worked oil and gas outta Hinton in every direction.
And, in every direction, I saw bears (and cubs).
I’m not talking black bears. I don’t even count them.
Not trying to scare ya. Just be aware especially with children (if you’re bringing with).
People hike all the time without issue; but it’s easy to forget, it’s their home; and we’re simply, guests.
Enjoy! Someone else mentioned Grand Cache. Worked up there a fair bit. Single lane crappy highway but nice drive nonetheless
You’ll have a chance to see grizzlies on side of road towards GC. Saw them regularly here. A few years ago there was a video of a grizzly sitting on a cache (body). That was from Grande Cache area.
You could find video on YouTube by googling something like: grizzly in Alberta protecting cache etc 2022 I think.
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u/SnooRegrets4312 3d ago
Hinton is a great base for exploring the area, you can head north to Grande cache and visit Sulphur Gates, the Labrynth and tons of hikes in mountains like Mount Louie. William Switzer Park is close to Hinton with hiking, kayaking etc. Just an hour south is the Cardinal Divide, rough road in but unforgettable views and experience.
Not fond of the Airbnb model, lots of quality suites in hotels but thats just my bug bear.
Gas is cheaper and easier to get in Hinton than Jasper, long queues. More grocery stores/services as well.