Jasper National Park: The Town of Jasper

The drive through Jasper National Park is of course magnificent. There are many places to stop along the way with a great many hiking and scenic photo opportunities. You could spend a whole day just stopping at the roadside turnouts and taking pictures. Once in town, there isn’t as much to do as in Banff, but that’s the beauty of Jasper. It really gets you away from everything. If you are looking for a mountain escape, you’ve come to the right place.

Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and trail riding are just some of the awesome outdoor activities that are in abundance here. You can also rent bikes and do some trail rides, or just use them to get around town. Although, with Jasper only having a couple streets, a bike isn’t really necessary and your feet can get you around just fine. There aren’t many places to stay here, and they book up quite fast so it’s best to book far in advance, especially if you are planning and going out on a peak season weekend.

We headed into town during the afternoon, and peaked into a few shops. There aren’t nearly as many shops as in Banff, but there are lots of souvenir opportunities. There are many shops selling typical Canadian souvenirs like rocks, syrup, and even furs and First Nations clothing, moccasins, etc.

We stopped for lunch at L&W Restaurant, enticed by their cute floral patio, and were not disappointed by the food. It was wholesome and definitely homemade. The service was disappointing, especially out on the patio where we waited forever to be served. No refills on small glasses of water, and we eventually had to head inside to pay our bill. They weren’t even busy and it wasn’t even a peak meal time.

Make sure to go off the main road and walk up the other streets as there are quite a few cute shops. Jasper also has ample parking that Banff often seems to lack. Remember to gas up outside the park otherwise you’ll be paying a hefty price.

So that friends, is the end of my three part review of my most recent trip to Jasper National Park, including just a general overview. If you missed the first two check them out here and here, and if you have any detailed questions regarding the area, I’d be happy to answer them!