The small town of Jasper the main service point for Jasper National Park, a huge protected area that stretches south along the Icefields Parkway. While it is certainly a popular and well visited destination, it is slightly less busy than Banff. It is also half the size.
With a 2-3 nights here, you'll be able to see some of the park's most impressive sights and also enjoy the charm of the compact Jasper townsite.

A Parks Canada parks pass is required to explore Jasper National Park ($22/day for a vehicle of up to 7 people).

In July 2024, a large wildfire developed in Jasper National Park and grew out of control, forcing a mass evacuation of 25,000 residents, workers and visitors. About 30% of the town's structures were destroyed, as well as some campgrounds and trail systems. Not everywhere in the park was affected. Photos above show (to the best of my knowledge) areas of the townsite that survived.

Parks Canada is working hard on Jasper's recovery - most of Jasper's most popular attractions are already open or will be open in summer 2025. The community is welcoming back visitors. Check for updates on this Parks Canada page.