All About the Saskatchewan River Crossing – “The Crossing” Gift Shop, Gas Station – Icefields Parkway

You’re driving along the Icefields Parkway and seeing some amazing sights–the turquoise colored water of Peyto Lake, the towering mountain peaks above Bow Lake, and giant glaciers hanging on the side the mountains! Even so, nothing prepares you for what you’re about to see here. Get ready to have your mind (and wallet!) blown by the awe-inspiring awesomeness of the Saskatchewan River Crossing store!

I kid, I kid. The Crossing is essentially a gas station in a very picturesque setting.

But seriously, if you’re planning on doing a road trip along Icefields Parkway between Jasper Alberta and Lake Louise, Alberta, you’ll need to know about this place, also known as “The Crossing.” In this review, we’ll delve into the highlights of this stop along the iconic Icefields Parkway, discussing its amenities, natural beauty, and overall appeal.

Related: One Day in Organ Pipe National Monument

So where is the Saskatchewan River Crossing store?

This convenience store is located about 1/3 of the way through the Icefields Parkway, situated at the junction of the David Thompson Highway and the Icefields Parkway. It is the only place offering amenities to travelers along the entire stretch of the Icefields Parkway, so if you pass this store by, thinking there will be another station up ahead, you are very wrong.

Essential Services and Amenities

Behold, weary travelers, for Saskatchewan River Crossing is the promised land of essential services. It’s literally the only place in town – and its prices reflect that. If you’re running low on fuel – or if you just need to top off, you’ll rejoice as you stumble upon the gas station. Restrooms and picnic areas are also found here, providing the perfect excuse to take a break and enjoy a delightful meal amidst the serene beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Ah, the joys of portable snacks and roadside dining!

However, as mentioned, you will pay sky-high prices on gas here, due to its remote location. Suck it up, buttercup, and fill that tank when you can because the cost of a tow would be much, much higher!

Grocery Store and Camping Supplies

If you’re running low on supplies, fear not! Saskatchewan River Crossing has a grocery store to satisfy all your needs. Replenish your snack stash, grab some beverages for the road, and if you’re feeling adventurous, splurge on those camping essentials you forgot to pack. After all, nothing screams “wilderness survival” like grabbing the last bag of marshmallows before another camper gets their grubby hands on them. You can’t go camping without toasting marshmallows, right? Word to the wise though – this stuff is very, very overpriced! That small bag of potato chips you’re used to paying a few dollars for? Well, here it may cost you a small fortune, equivalent to the down payment on a moose-shaped inflatable pool float. So, if you plan on stocking up on supplies at The Crossing for your outdoor adventures, you might want to consider taking out a second mortgage.

Gift Shop

Who can resist the allure of a gift shop? Not me! This blog ain’t called “But First, Gift Shop” for fun! Saskatchewan River Crossing’s gift shop is here to fulfill all your souvenir desires but to me, it falls flat. Like everything else here, it’s overpriced. You’re better off buying from stores in Jasper or Banff – most stores around here sell the same stuff. You really won’t find anything unique here.

If you have a soft spot for magnets, you’re in luck! Saskatchewan River Crossing’s gift shop proudly presents an assortment of magnets featuring poorly photoshopped wildlife against a backdrop of stunning mountains. Take a few of these gems home, and your refrigerator door will be transformed into a testament to your questionable taste in travel mementos.

From books to shot glasses to hideous hoodies, you’ll find it here, and if you’re willing to shell out the big bucks for, well, whatever you find…and don’t mind the hit to your wallet, well, you do you!

Restrooms

The Crossing offers huge, free restrooms for anyone to pop in and use, and make sure to take advantage of them, as most of the restrooms along the Icefields Parkway are rustic pit toilets. These are real, flushable toilets, and the restrooms are always very clean.

The Crossing Restaurant

If you’re hungry and desperate need of sustenance, you can eat at the sit-down diner in The Crossing, if you must.

As you step into the diner, be prepared to witness prices that seem to have been conjured from the depths of a price-gouging spellbook. The tantalizing aromas may tempt your senses, but the shock of the menu prices will jolt you back to reality faster than a lightning bolt.

Are you craving a simple burger and fries? Well, get ready to fork over an arm and a leg for what should be an everyday comfort meal. It’s as if the diner has taken the notion of “overcharging” to an entirely new level, transforming a humble culinary staple into a luxury experience that only the elite can afford.

And don’t even get me started on the beverages. That glass of lemonade or soda might as well be filled with liquid gold, considering the exorbitant prices attached to them.

But here’s the kicker: amidst the rage-inducing prices, the diner has the audacity to offer views of majestic mountains and natural beauty as if it justifies draining your bank account. As if the mere sight of towering peaks is enough to make you forget the financial strain of a simple meal. (News flash, it won’t.)

So, as you reluctantly peruse the menu and grit your teeth while placing your order, remember the injustice of it all. Channel your anger into every bite, knowing that you are paying a king’s ransom for a basic meal.

If you don’t want a sit-down meal, there are deli items for sale in the grocery area of the store, but again, expect sky high prices (think $13 for a cold sandwich). There’s also an ice cream parlor too, but again, too expensive!

Information and Interpretive Centre:

Are you lost? Confused? Need guidance on your quest through the Icefields Parkway? Fret not, for the Information and Interpretive Center at Saskatchewan River Crossing is staffed by knowledgeable individuals ready to answer your burning questions. From hiking recommendations to wildlife-spotting tips, they’ll provide advice that’s sure to be both helpful and mildly entertaining.

The Crossing Hotel

Yep, there’s a hotel here too. They’ve thought of everything, haven’t they? (Everything to suck your wallet dry, amirite?!) Being that it’s one of the few accommodating directly on the Icefields Parkway, it’s quite difficult to get a room here, as they are frequently booked up.

Final Thoughts – Saskatchewan River Crossing

I did give this place a hard time in this review, but I thought it was important to emphasize how expensive anything is here. They’ve got motorists in their corner here, being the only gas station along the parkway, and every time I’ve driven the Icefields Parkway, I do stop here and fuel up. I just don’t buy anything more than gas!