96 things to do in and around Driggs — Grand Targhee 12 miles up Ski Hill Road, the Teton Canyon trails to Table Mountain and Alaska Basin, Horseshoe Canyon singletrack, the Teton River through town, Targhee’s summer festivals, hot springs in Newdale, and day trips north to Mesa Falls, Island Park, and Yellowstone. Most of it is free, and none of it involves Teton Pass.
The Teton River winds slowly through the heart of Teton Valley just minutes from Victor and Driggs, offering spring-creek-style fly fishing for native Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbow, and brook trout beneath a full view of the Tetons. Prime dry-fly season runs late May through early October, with famous gray drake and PMD hatches on the flat upper-valley water. It is one of the West's most pristine and productive wild trout fisheries, and drift boats, rafts, and wade anglers all find water to themselves.
A historic fly fishing lodge on the banks of the Teton River in Driggs, Teton Valley Lodge has been family owned and operated for four generations since 1919. Guests fish a different stretch of river each day with expert guides across more than 25 sections of three blue-ribbon fisheries: the Teton, the South Fork of the Snake, and the Henry's Fork. Riverside cabins and lodge dining round out a classic all-inclusive fishing vacation just 30 minutes from Jackson Hole.
Run by the storied Three Rivers Ranch outfit, the TRR Outfitters fly shop at 76 N Main Street in downtown Driggs is a 1,700-square-foot shop stocked with flies, fly tying materials, and the latest gear. The staff are dedicated local anglers who post regular Eastern Idaho fishing reports and offer guided trips on all the rivers of East Idaho, Yellowstone, and Montana. It is open daily in summer and Tuesday through Saturday through the winter months.
A string of public Idaho Fish and Game access sites makes the upper Teton River easy to fish or float on your own, with Bates Bridge (about 4 miles west of the Driggs stoplight) the most popular put-in and the Rainey/Big Eddy site downstream offering a gravel boat ramp, restroom, and primitive camping. The relaxed Bates-to-Rainey float takes roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours and doubles as an evening dry-fly fishing run. Additional access sits at South Bates, Cache Bridge/Packsaddle Road, and Harrops Bridge near Tetonia.
Tucked into the Big Hole Mountains west of Tetonia, Packsaddle Lake is a quiet five-acre forest lake reached by a short hike, where stocked trout rise for anglers casting from the bank or a float tube. It is open to fishing year-round, so hardy locals ski or snowmobile in for ice fishing once the lake freezes over in winter. Summer and early fall bring the easiest access and the most active fish.
The signature summit hike on the west slope of the Tetons, climbing 6.4 miles (one way) and over 4,000 vertical feet from the end of Teton Canyon Road near Alta, WY to the 11,106-foot flat-topped summit of Table Mountain. The top delivers a face-to-face view of the Grand Teton across Cascade Canyon, the same vantage used for William Henry Jackson's famous 1872 photographs. Snow often lingers on the trail until mid-July, so it's best as a mid-summer to early-fall outing.
Darby Canyon, Alta WY (between Victor and Driggs ID)
A roughly 6-mile round-trip hike up Darby Canyon in the Jedediah Smith Wilderness to a massive limestone cave mouth with a waterfall pouring out of it. The trail climbs about 1,800 feet through aspen groves, spruce forest, and wildflower meadows framed by canyon cliffs southeast of Driggs. It's one of Teton Valley's most popular family adventures; bring a headlamp if you plan to peek inside the cave entrance.
From the Teton Canyon Trailhead at the end of Teton Canyon Road, this classic route follows the South Teton Trail roughly 8 miles up to Alaska Basin, an alpine bowl of lakes, granite slabs, and July wildflower displays beneath the back side of the Tetons. Strong day hikers make the 16-plus-mile round trip, and backpackers love it because no permits are required to camp in the Jedediah Smith Wilderness. The basin is typically snowbound until early July.
Starting from the Teton Canyon Trailhead, this 8-to-14-mile route climbs a dramatic set of steep switchbacks known as the Devils Stairs to reach the Teton Shelf, a hanging plateau with sweeping views of Alaska Basin's peaks and the summits of the Grand, Middle, and South Tetons. Many hikers combine it with the South Teton Trail for a spectacular loop through Alaska Basin. It's a quieter alternative to Table Mountain with equally big scenery.
Teton Valley Pathways (Teton Valley Trails & Pathways)
Victor, Driggs & Tetonia ID (valley-wide)
Teton Valley Trails & Pathways (TVTAP), the Driggs-based nonprofit trail organization, maintains a valley-wide network of paved pathways and bike lanes connecting Victor, Driggs, and Tetonia, including the separated pathway that parallels Highway 33 between Victor and Driggs. The flat, scenic paths are perfect for running, dog walks, and casual rides right from your front door, with the Tetons as a constant backdrop. Free maps of the Victor, Driggs, and county-wide pathway systems are available on TVTAP's site.
A 29.6-mile Idaho state park rail-trail following the old Oregon Short Line railroad grade from Tetonia, at the north end of Teton Valley, to Ashton. The gentle gravel path crosses three historic trestle bridges, including the dramatic span over Bitch Creek canyon, with nonstop views of farmland, aspen stands, and the Tetons. Waystations along the route make it easy to walk, run, or ride shorter segments.
Just 25 minutes up Ski Hill Road from Victor, Grand Targhee sits on the west slope of the Tetons in Alta, WY and averages more than 500 inches of light, dry powder each winter. The resort spans 2,602 acres across Fred's Mountain and Peaked Mountain with a 2,270-foot vertical drop, six lifts, and famously short lift lines. The 2025/26 winter season runs November 21 through April 19.
For 33 years Peaked Mountain was home to Wyoming's only snowcat skiing operation; today its 2,180 vertical feet of powder bowls and glades are lift-served by a high-speed six-pack and high-speed quad. It skis like guided cat terrain without the guide fee, with wide-open faces off the 9,830-foot summit. Advanced riders can also hike Mary's Nipple, the resort's in-bounds hike-only zone at 9,920 feet.
Celebrating 25 years of guiding in the Tetons, this Alta, WY outfit leads backcountry ski and splitboard tours on Teton Pass, in Grand Teton National Park, and in the Targhee backcountry. They also run AIARE avalanche courses, skills camps, and guided trips to their five backcountry yurts scattered along the west slope above Teton Valley. It is the easiest way for newer backcountry riders to safely tap the terrain right outside their door.
Teton Valley's oldest backcountry and mountaineering shop has anchored downtown Driggs since 1993, conveniently on Ski Hill Road en route to Grand Targhee. Founder Clair Yost invented the Mountain Noodle, one of the first fat powder skis, and the shop remains the local hub for alpine touring, telemark, and splitboard gear, rentals, and trail beta. Yostmark also runs its own guided backcountry tours and avalanche safety courses each winter.
Grand Targhee's Nordic center in Alta, WY grooms roughly 15 km of trails through wooded glades, aspen groves, and open meadows, with lanes set for both classic and skate skiing plus room for snowshoers. Trails are groomed Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, and classic or skate ski rental packages are available at the Rendezvous Lodge. Day tickets run about $25 for adults, and dogs are welcome with their own trail pass.
In winter the Teton Canyon road near Alta, WY closes to cars and Teton Valley Trails & Pathways grooms it four days a week for classic and skate skiing, with some of the best west-side views of the Grand, Middle, and South Teton anywhere in the valley. The nearly flat trail runs about 5 miles up-canyon to the Alaska Basin trailhead cul-de-sac (10 miles round trip), with side loops through the summer campgrounds. Snowshoers and dogs are welcome, making it one of Teton Valley's most beloved winter outings.
On the edge of downtown Driggs, three connected loops totaling about 6 km are groomed for both skate and classic skiing every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday by Teton Valley Trails & Pathways. The terrain is mostly flat with a few rolling hills on the North Plateau loop, and the trail system also accesses the Driggs sledding hill. Dogs are allowed under voice control, and the trailhead parking is on Booshway Avenue.
Grand Targhee's groomed Nordic trail system in Alta, WY doubles as a snowshoe network, letting you wander wooded glades and scenic meadows away from the lifts with the Tetons overhead. Snowshoe rentals with boots and poles are available at the Rendezvous Lodge, and the resort also offers free guided snowshoe tours through the lower meadow and Fred's Basin area on Saturday afternoons. A Nordic trail ticket (about $25 adult) covers access, and dogs can join with a day ticket.
The first lift-served downhill mountain bike destination in the Tetons, with over 2,000 vertical feet of lift-accessed riding and 70-plus miles of trails at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, WY, about 40 minutes from Victor. Terrain runs from gentle banked flow trails and twisty cross-country singletrack to rock-strewn expert downhill lines, with bike rentals and lessons on site.
Teton Valley's favorite after-work ride zone, about 10 minutes west of Driggs in the foothills of the Big Hole Mountains. Roughly 13 miles of fun, flowing beginner-to-intermediate singletrack weaves between sagebrush flats and spruce-fir forest, and its low elevation makes it one of the first networks to dry out in spring and last to snow in fall.
A nonprofit-maintained network of paved pathways and community trails connecting Victor, Driggs, and the rest of Teton Valley, including the popular 8-mile Victor-to-Driggs pathway that runs right past town. It is perfect for casual road rides, e-bike cruises, family outings, and bike commuting, with mountain views the whole way.
Driggs' downtown bike and ski shop at 18 N. Main Street, offering mountain, gravel, and e-bike sales, demos, rentals, and a full service department, plus satellite shops at Grand Targhee Resort. Their Specialized e-bike fleet is a popular way to explore the Teton Valley pathway system, and the staff are a great source of local trail knowledge.
Teton Valley's longtime ski and bike shop at 70 East Little Avenue in downtown Driggs, voted Best of Teton Valley from 2018 through 2025. Peaked rents mountain bikes, e-bikes, kids' bikes, kayaks, and SUPs in summer and skis in winter, and runs a full bike repair shop on the way up to Grand Targhee.
Family-owned outfitter based in Driggs that has been guiding snowmobile trips since 1999, with licensed guides, warm gear included, and tours sized for small groups. Trips range from half-day rides in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest to full-day excursions to Mesa Falls and Old Faithful in Yellowstone, making it the go-to snowmobile operator in Teton Valley.
Horseshoe Canyon & Big Hole Mountains Trail System
Big Hole Mountains, west of Driggs ID
The Big Hole Mountains west of Driggs and Victor hold Teton Valley's signature snowmobiling, with groomed Caribou-Targhee National Forest routes like Dry Ridge, Mahogany Creek, and the South Horseshoe Loop leading to open play areas, hill climbs, and powder bowls off Relay Ridge. The rolling terrain suits trail riders while advanced sledders peel off to boondock and side-hill, all just minutes from town.
This 29.6-mile Idaho state park rail-trail follows the old Oregon Short Line railroad grade between Tetonia and Ashton, crossing historic trestle bridges with wide-open views of the Teton Range. In winter it becomes a popular snowmobile route, offering a mellow, scenic ride through the farm country and river canyons of the northern valley.
A Caribou-Targhee National Forest winter trail northeast of Driggs on the Grand Targhee side of the valley, groomed weekly by the Forest Service along the summer road into South Leigh Canyon. It's a quiet, forested multi-use route beneath the northern Tetons where snowmobilers share the track with skiers and fat bikers, and sleds are the ticket to deeper terrain up-canyon.
A classic day trip about 45 minutes northwest of Driggs, this groomed Caribou-Targhee trail near Ashton follows the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway to the 114-foot Upper Mesa Falls, which is only reachable over snow in winter and often framed in ice. The route connects into the vast Island Park groomed trail network, and Teton Valley Adventures runs guided tours here from Driggs.
The Upper Teton River winds slowly through Teton Valley's wetlands with front-row views of the Grand Teton, making it one of the mellowest family floats in the region. The classic stretch from Bates Bridge to the Rainey access takes about 2 to 2.5 hours by kayak, canoe, or SUP, and moose, osprey, and trout sightings are common. Friends of the Teton River publishes a free recreation map with all public access points and float times.
This family-owned Driggs outfitter is the hub for easy floating on the Teton River, renting inflatable kayaks, canoes, rafts, and stand-up paddleboards. Their popular Deluxe Package lets you park at the shop in town and includes a complimentary shuttle to and from the river, plus life jackets, drybags, coolers, and a safety orientation. Trips run 1 to 4 hours and kids as young as 3 can ride along.
Wai Mauna runs paddleboard and kayak rentals in Driggs with shuttle service to Teton River put-ins for 3.5-, 4.5-, and 8-mile floats back toward town. Rentals include boards, paddles, and PFDs, and if you have your own board or kayak you can hop their Teton River shuttle for a small per-person fee. It is an easy, well-organized way to paddle glassy water under the Tetons.
Downtown Driggs' longtime ski and bike shop also rents inflatable kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for DIY floats on the Teton River, open daily in summer. Their website's river guide covers all the local access points, from South Bates and Bates Bridge to the Rainey and Packsaddle takeouts. It is a convenient one-stop shop if you want to pair a morning pedal on the valley pathway with an afternoon on the water.
A public 18-hole, par-72 links-style course just north of Driggs, stretching 6,344 yards with a 131 slope and full-frame views of the Grand Teton from nearly every hole. Locals describe it as golf in a nature preserve, with moose, elk, and sandhill cranes making regular appearances, and green fees are a fraction of nearby Jackson Hole courses. Casual dress, friendly staff, and rental clubs make it an easy afternoon outing.
A laid-back 9-hole, par-36 course stretching about 3,500 yards in Alta, Wyoming, on the road up to Grand Targhee Resort and bordered by the Targhee National Forest. Walking rates start around $20, and players routinely pause mid-round for moose in the pond or sandhill cranes nesting on the island. A driving range, grille, and full bar round out one of the most affordable and scenic quick rounds in the valley.
A private club course in Driggs designed by David McLay Kidd, the architect behind Bandon Dunes, and consistently ranked among the best courses in Idaho. The 18-hole, 7,600-yard layout follows the natural movement of the valley floor beneath the Tetons, with a caddie program, practice range, and indoor TrackMan simulators for winter play. Access is limited to members and their guests as part of the Tributary residential community.
Sandhill Crane Viewing & the Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival
Driggs, ID / Teton Basin
Teton Valley supports the largest pre-migration staging population of Sandhill Cranes in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, with thousands of birds gathering in the valley's wetlands and grain fields each fall. Driggs-based Teton Regional Land Trust leads the Greater Yellowstone Sandhill Crane Initiative and hosts the annual Greater Yellowstone Crane Festival every September, featuring guided morning crane-viewing tours, workshops, and a community celebration at Driggs City Center.
Birding the Teton River (Idaho Birding Trail – Teton Valley Subloop)
Teton River, near Driggs & Victor, ID
The slow, spring-fed Teton River winding through Teton Basin is an official stop on Idaho Fish and Game's Idaho Birding Trail, with public river accesses near Driggs and Victor. Look for Trumpeter Swans and Common Goldeneye in fall and winter, plus Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, waterfowl, and raptors like Rough-legged Hawks and Prairie Falcons; moose and river otters are frequent bonus sightings from a canoe or kayak.
Teton Canyon sits about 11 miles east of Driggs at the base of the western Tetons, reached via Ski Hill Road and Teton Canyon Road past Alta, Wyoming. Moose and deer are regularly spotted along Teton Creek and the canyon meadows, and the road accesses trailheads for Table Mountain and Alaska Basin in the Jedediah Smith Wilderness. In winter the canyon becomes a quiet corridor for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and moose watching.
This 67.6-mile state scenic byway runs right through Teton Valley, following Highway 31 over Pine Creek Pass into Victor, then Highway 33 north through Driggs and Tetonia and Highway 32 to Ashton. It showcases the 'quiet side' of the Teton Range with farm fields, river bottoms, and panoramic mountain overlooks, including the famous Teton view pullout near Tetonia. It is drivable year-round, with peak scenery during summer wildflowers and golden fall harvest.
From downtown Driggs, Ski Hill Road climbs about 12 miles east through the ranchland of Alta, Wyoming to Grand Targhee Resort, perched at 7,851 feet on the west slope of the Tetons. The winding mountain road serves up head-on views of the Grand Teton and the Teton Valley floor, with golden aspen groves in fall and occasional moose and deer along the way. At the top, the resort offers year-round scenic chairlift rides, trails, and festivals.
Teton Valley's rural setting and high elevation produce exceptionally dark night skies, and neighboring Teton County, Wyoming, home to Alta and Grand Targhee, was certified in 2025 as the world's first county-wide International Dark Sky Community. On clear, moonless nights the Milky Way is visible from pullouts and open fields around Victor, Driggs, and Teton Canyon, with the nonprofit Wyoming Stargazing offering telescope programs just over the pass in Jackson.
Each Independence Day weekend (July 2-5 in 2026), 25+ hot air balloons launch at sunrise from the Teton County Fairgrounds in Driggs with the Tetons as a backdrop. The 45th annual rally features four mornings of flights, an evening of live music, and public balloon rides by reservation. Gates open at 5:30am for the morning launches, a tradition dating back four decades.
For the 15th year, 75 juried artists from across the country paint the Teton Valley landscape outdoors during this late-July festival in downtown Driggs (July 22 - August 1, 2026). Public events include an exhibition and sale, Quick Draw competitions, workshops, paint-outs, and a Collectors Night. It is one of the valley's most beloved arts traditions, hosted by the Downtown Driggs Association.
Every January, sculpting teams carve monumental snow sculptures outdoors at Driggs Plaza during this week-long festival, now the official Idaho Snow Sculpting State Championship. The 14th annual event (January 19-24, 2026) drew ten teams from around the country, plus quick-sculpt contests and people's choice voting. It is free to attend and a highlight of the Teton Valley winter calendar.
After a seven-year hiatus, Grand Targhee Resort's legendary mid-summer music festival returned July 10-11, 2026 with headliners like The Marcus King Band, Charley Crockett, and Lukas Nelson. Set at 8,000 feet on the west slope of the Tetons in Alta, Wyoming, the festival pairs two days of Americana, rock, and roots music with on-mountain camping and lodging, about 30 minutes from Victor.
One of the West's classic bluegrass gatherings, held for its 36th year August 7-9, 2026 at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyoming. Three days of top national bluegrass acts play the mountainside venue, with meadow camping just below the stage, late-night sets, and family activities. Its alpine setting beneath the Tetons makes it a bucket-list festival for bluegrass fans.
A nonprofit, twice-weekly market showcasing Teton Valley farmers, food producers, and artisans. In 2026 the Driggs market runs Friday mornings (9am-1pm) June 5 through October 2 at Driggs Plaza, and the Victor market runs Tuesday evenings (4-7pm) July 14 through September 15 at Victor City Park. Expect fresh produce, cheese, meat, baked goods, plants, and local crafts.
Longtime Teton Valley outfitter based in Tetonia, running half-day and extended-day trail rides plus multi-day pack trips and drop camps under permit in the Targhee National Forest. Sure-footed mountain-bred horses carry riders through wildflower meadows and past alpine lakes with big views of the Teton Range, with frequent moose, elk, and deer sightings. Open Monday through Saturday and taking reservations for the 2026 season.
Family-owned outfitter with generational Teton Valley roots, offering guided horseback trail rides, multi-day pack trips, and drop camps in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Jedediah Smith Wilderness. Rides range from easy two-hour scenic loops to rugged full-day adventures, tailored to each rider's experience level. Operating season runs July 1 through October 31.
Guided Horseback Adventures at Grand Targhee Resort
Alta, WY (Grand Targhee Resort)
Grand Targhee Resort partners with Leigh Creek Outfitters to offer one- and two-hour guided trail rides departing right from the resort base area in Alta, Wyoming. The rides follow quiet creekside trails through the Caribou-Targhee National Forest with mountain views, in small groups of up to six riders ages 8 and up. Private rides are available for a more personal experience.
Teton Valley sits inside Idaho Fish and Game Unit 65, part of the Palisades Elk Zone, with over-the-counter and controlled hunts for elk, mule deer, moose, black bear, and mountain lion in the Big Hole Mountains and Teton foothills around Victor, Driggs, and Tetonia. About a quarter of the unit is public Caribou-Targhee National Forest land. The IDFG Hunt Planner has boundaries, seasons, and harvest statistics.
Teton Valley (Driggs/Tetonia area, hunting the WY Teton Range)
Three generations of outfitters (license BG#230) guiding early-season rifle and archery hunts for elk, moose, deer, and bear in the Teton Range, covering more than 200 square miles from the Yellowstone boundary south along Grand Teton National Park to Teton Pass. Hunts are horseback-supported from backcountry camps, and the family also runs pack trips, drop camps, and trail rides out of Teton Valley.
The forests and foothills around Teton Valley hold dusky and ruffed grouse, with sharp-tailed grouse, gray partridge, and sage-grouse in the sagebrush country to the west, plus duck and goose hunting along the Teton River. Idaho's upland seasons are long, typically running from late August into winter, with generous bag limits. IDFG's Upper Snake Region pages and Hunt Planner cover seasons, rules, and access.
A 2,200-acre luxury wingshooting lodge bordering the Big Hole Mountains about 30 minutes west of Teton Valley, offering guided walk-up and European-style driven hunts for pheasant and chukar from mid-August through November. The ranch also features a 14-station sporting clays course, five-stand, trap, skeet, and rifle and pistol courses with more than 70 clay-throwing machines. Winter guests can ride a snowcat up to shoot clays and ski back to the lodge.
A full-service gun shop and indoor shooting range in Rexburg, about 45 minutes from Teton Valley, with a 25-yard tactical range featuring programmable target retrievers and a 50-yard range ideal for sighting in hunting rifles before the season. The shop stocks handguns, hunting rifles, optics, suppressors, and ammo, rents firearms including machine guns, and runs weekly Thursday-night competitions and periodic training classes. Open to the public year-round, with memberships from $19.95.
Teton Canyon, just up the road from Driggs on the west slope of the Tetons, is the valley's backyard crag zone. A short climber's trail off the main canyon trail leads to a roped climbing crag, while granite and limestone boulders scattered from the canyon road to beyond the waterfall hold 30+ established problems from V-easy to V9/10, with plenty of first ascents still waiting. Expect alpine scenery, uncrowded rock, and approaches from one minute to an hour.
Boy Scout Falls is Teton Valley's classic backcountry ice climb, a WI3 flow in Teton Canyon with friendly top-rope options, plus the harder Eagle Scout Pillar (WI5) nearby, considered the premier single-pitch ice climb in the Teton Range. In winter the canyon road closes to cars, so climbers ski or snowmobile roughly an hour up the drainage to reach the ice. It is a true local adventure for experienced, self-sufficient ice climbers.
Locally owned Elevated Ballooning launches private sunrise hot-air balloon flights over Teton Valley six days a week from mid-May through November, drifting between the Teton Range and the Big Hole Mountains above the Teton River. Flights last about an hour in small baskets of up to four passengers and finish with a traditional champagne toast, with shuttle pickup included from Victor, Driggs, and Tetonia lodgings.
Teton Aviation Center at the Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport flies year-round, hour-long scenic tours over the Teton Range, with pilots pointing out the Grand Teton Cathedral Group, Table Mountain, Mount Moran, Grand Targhee, and even Yellowstone on clear days. Flights go up in a Diamond DA40, Cessna 172, or seven-seat Quest Kodiak turboprop, and a winter flight over the snow-covered Tetons is one of the valley's most memorable splurges.
T-34 Warbird & Open-Cockpit Biplane Flights at Teton Aviation
Driggs, ID
For a true bucket-list flight, Teton Aviation offers rides in a beautifully restored T-34B military warbird, soaring around Teton Valley and the Teton Range under a glass canopy. In summer 2026 they are also flying limited-date trips in their vintage N3N open-cockpit biplane, a 30-minute wind-in-your-face throwback over the valley from the Driggs airport.
A family-friendly hot springs resort tucked into a mountain canyon near Newdale, about 40 minutes northwest of Driggs, and the closest developed soak to Teton Valley. Natural 115-degree mineral water feeds a big indoor pool kept around 96-100 degrees, plus a 105-degree hot pool and a bracing cold pool. The springs have welcomed soakers for over 120 years and also offer canyon camping in summer.
Downtown Driggs Community Sledding Hill (Primrose Park)
Driggs, ID
The Downtown Driggs Association builds a free community sledding hill each winter, recently supersized with its own snow-making machine and relocated to Primrose Park near the Teton County Courthouse and pickleball courts. It is an easy, no-cost afternoon of downhill laps for little kids and big kids alike, and inexpensive sleds are sold at shops right in town.
Snowshoeing & Nordic Trails at Grand Targhee Resort
Alta, WY (Grand Targhee Resort)
Grand Targhee's groomed Nordic trail system winds through wooded glades, aspen groves, and scenic meadows at the base of the Tetons in Alta, Wyoming, with snowshoe and ski rentals for the whole family at the Rendezvous Lodge. Junior day access for ages 6-12 is just $10, kids under 6 are free with a season pass option, and even the family dog can come along with a $5 day ticket.
Driggs Snowscapes: Idaho Snow Sculpting State Championship
Driggs, ID
Each January, sculpting teams from across the country spend a week carving monumental snow sculptures at Driggs Plaza on Main Street during this free public art festival, now the official Idaho State Snow Sculpting Championship. Families can watch the artists at work all week, vote for the Kids' Choice and People's Choice awards, and return to see the sculptures standing for weeks afterward. The 14th annual event ran January 19-24, 2026.
Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race - Driggs Final Stage
Driggs, ID
The largest sled dog race in the lower 48 tours Wyoming towns each winter and traditionally crosses the pass to finish its final stage in Driggs in late January or early February, complete with a finish-line celebration and final banquet. It is a free, kid-thrilling spectator event where families can watch world-class mushers and their Alaskan husky teams charge across the snow.
West Yellowstone / South Entrance, WY (about 2 hours from Victor)
The world's first national park is a realistic day trip from Victor: about 2 hours to the West Yellowstone entrance via Ashton and Island Park, or roughly 2 hours to the South entrance through Jackson and Grand Teton. Watch Old Faithful erupt, walk the boardwalks at Grand Prismatic Spring, and scan the Hayden Valley for bison and wolves. Park roads are open to cars from roughly late April through early November.
A craft brewery and gastropub on Main Street in Driggs, named for Idaho State Highway 33 and dedicated to beer and scratch-made food built around local Idaho ingredients. Open seven days a week, it's the valley's go-to spot for a smash burger and a cold pint after a day at Grand Targhee.
Chef-driven bistro and cocktail lounge now located at the Teton Aviation Center beside the Driggs airport runway, where diners can watch planes and gliders take off against the Tetons. Every dish is made from scratch with local ingredients when possible, with lunch, happy hour, and dinner served daily, and the Warbird vintage aircraft museum right next door.
An award-winning craft distillery just north of Driggs making gluten-free Idaho potato vodka, huckleberry vodka, bourbon, and single malt whiskey with Teton mountain snowmelt. Free tastings are offered every day it's open in the newly expanded tasting room, with behind-the-scenes distillery tours on Thursdays through Saturdays.
Formerly known as the Teton Geotourism Center, this free museum and discovery hub on Main Street in downtown Driggs features interactive exhibits on Teton Valley's geology, wildlife, recreation, and pioneer history. Run by the Downtown Driggs Association, it hosts rotating exhibits every six months and doubles as a visitor center with local trip-planning help. It's a quick, family-friendly stop just 8 miles north of Victor.
Two stories and over 10,000 square feet of exhibits in Driggs cover more than 200 years of Teton Valley history, from the 1808 John Colter Stone and mountain-man rendezvous days to a real pioneer schoolroom. The museum also holds a local-history library with nearly a thousand family histories and thousands of digitized photographs. Open Tuesday through Saturday, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Teton Valley's community arts nonprofit runs year-round pottery-wheel classes, watercolor and 2D workshops, kids' camps, and senior programs from its ceramics and multipurpose studios in Driggs. Its rotating exhibitions at the Driggs City Center Gallery (60 S Main St) showcase local and regional artists and are free to browse. A great way to get your hands in clay on a snowy afternoon.
The valley's public library system has branches in Victor and Driggs, plus a free community Makerspace on Main Street in Driggs stocked with sewing stations, laser cutters, 3D pens, an audio recording studio, STEM kits, games, and craft supplies. It's open to all ages and backgrounds at no charge, making it one of the best bad-weather hangouts in Teton Valley. The Victor branch is just blocks from downtown.
A downtown Driggs gallery and gift shop at 25 S Main Street specializing in fine art and design by Teton Valley artists, along with pottery, souvenirs, home decor, and custom framing. The Galleria also offers art education and sip-and-paint classes, making it both a browsing stop and a hands-on creative outing. Open daily in the heart of Driggs.
The heart of downtown Driggs, this well-established park has a playground, ball fields, basketball, a large pavilion, and big mature trees for shady picnics. In winter the city floods a community ice rink, making it a true year-round gathering spot.
A lively Driggs neighborhood park built around 'Mount Shredmore,' a landscaped hill that kids bike in summer and sled in winter, complete with a summit marker to find. The park also has a playground and serves as a trailhead for both summer and winter pathways.
Driggs' action-sports hub features a full concrete skate park (major expansion completed in 2025), a disc golf course that hosts a weekly local league, and dirt jumps for bikes. You can also catch the Grand Targhee shuttle from the park in ski season.
Driggs' walkable historic Main Street, eight miles north of Victor, is Teton Valley's hub for boutiques, galleries, gear shops, coffee houses, and restaurants. A nationally accredited Main Street district, it stays busy year-round with free events like the Downtown Sounds concert series, the Driggs Plein Air Festival, and the Driggs Snowscapes snow-sculpting festival each January.
A Forest Service campground nestled along Teton Creek at 6,500 feet in Teton Canyon, about 11 miles east of Driggs via Ski Hill Road. Shaded sites among pine, spruce, and aspen sit right at the doorstep of the Table Mountain and Alaska Basin trailheads, with moose and deer frequently wandering through. Open roughly late May through early September, with reservations through Recreation.gov.
A rustic group campground in Teton Canyon on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, framed by the Teton Range to the east and the Big Hole Mountains to the west. Three reservable group sites (the largest accommodates up to 150 people) come with large picnic tables, fire rings, and grills, making it the valley's go-to spot for family reunions and gatherings. Open late May through early September via Recreation.gov, with late-season first-come camping after services end.
Dispersed Camping in the Big Hole Mountains (Caribou-Targhee National Forest)
Big Hole Mountains, west of Driggs & Victor ID
Free, primitive camping is allowed on National Forest land throughout the Big Hole Mountains on Teton Valley's west side, along forest roads like Horseshoe-Packsaddle and Jackpine-Pinochle. Campers use established pullouts and hardened sites with no services, following a 14-day stay limit before relocating at least 5 road miles. It is the classic self-sufficient way to wake up to Teton views without a reservation.
A Teton Valley icon since 1953, the Spud Drive-In on Highway 33 south of Driggs is famous for 'Old Murphy,' the vintage flatbed truck hauling a two-ton potato that marks its entrance. A 2022 windstorm took down the historic screen, and a community-backed rebuild is moving through county approvals in 2026 to bring movies under the stars back to the valley. Even mid-revival, the giant potato marquee with the Tetons behind it remains one of Idaho's most beloved roadside photo stops.
Scenic Chairlift Rides at Grand Targhee (Dreamcatcher Lift)
Alta WY (Grand Targhee Resort)
Ride the Dreamcatcher chairlift 2,000 vertical feet to the summit of Fred's Mountain for a 360-degree panorama that puts you face to face with the Grand, Middle, and South Tetons and Mount Owen. Lifts run daily in summer from 9am to 5pm, and one ticket is good for three rides, with a summit hiking trail and scenic overlook waiting at the top. It's about a 40-minute drive from Victor via Driggs and Ski Hill Road.
Grand Targhee's 18-hole disc golf course winds through aspen meadows at 8,000 feet, mixing technical shots with big-air drives where discs fly noticeably farther in the thin mountain air. The course is open to all skill levels on a first-come, first-served basis all summer, so grab a course map at the base area and let them fly. Teton views come standard on nearly every hole.
Grand Targhee's kid-focused activity pass bundles a scenic Dreamcatcher chairlift ride, gemstone mining bags, and (on the top-tier pass) pool access with a challenge booklet of mountain missions like Observation Ops atop Fred's Mountain. Kids 12 and under complete challenges around the resort and return to the Activity Center to claim prizes, from sticker packs to binoculars. Passes for the 2026 summer season start at $10 to $45 depending on age and tier.
At Grand Targhee's base-area mining sluice, kids pan for gems, crack open geodes, and hunt for dinosaur fossils with mining bags ranging from a 3-ounce Prospector bag to the 10-ounce Crystal Quest with a large geode. The mining area is open daily from 10am to 4pm through the summer season. It pairs perfectly with a scenic chairlift ride for an easy half-day of family fun up Ski Hill Road from Driggs.
Grand Targhee's outdoor slopeside pool is the classic way to cool off after a morning of hiking or bike-park laps, with public swim hours and day passes available all summer. Swimming at 8,000 feet with Teton Range views is a uniquely 'Ghee experience, and the base area's summer lawn games and climbing wall keep the whole crew busy. Private and semi-private swim lessons are also offered on site through Learn2Swim.
Every Friday night from mid-June through late August (June 19 to August 21 in 2026), the Teton County Fairgrounds in Driggs hosts classic Western action: bull riding, barrel racing, bronc riding, and calf scrambles for the kids. At $15 for adults and $10 for children, it's some of the most affordable family entertainment in the valley, all under a summer sky about 10 minutes from Victor. Gates open in the evening with concessions on site.
A 29-mile scenic loop on Highway 47 between Ashton and Island Park, winding through the Caribou-Targhee National Forest past the last major undammed waterfalls in Idaho. It is the classic west-side day drive from Teton Valley, about 45 minutes from Victor, with overlooks of the Henrys Fork canyon, wildflower meadows, and frequent moose and elk sightings. The byway is typically open from mid-May until the first plowable snowfall each fall.
Upper Mesa Falls plunges 114 feet over a volcanic ledge on the Henrys Fork, throwing rainbows of mist onto an accessible boardwalk that puts you close enough to feel the spray. The historic Big Falls Inn now serves as the Mesa Falls Visitor Center with interpretive exhibits. Note: the Upper Mesa Falls area closes August 10, 2026 for a renovation project lasting into winter, so check Forest Service alerts before visiting; nearby Lower Mesa Falls remains open.
About a mile downstream of the upper falls, Lower Mesa Falls drops 65 feet through a rugged stretch of the Henrys Fork canyon. The Grandview Overlook, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, offers a sweeping panoramic view just steps from the byway, with a small campground adjacent. It remains open for hiking and scenic viewing during the 2026 Upper Mesa Falls renovation.
One of the largest natural springs in the country, Big Springs pours out roughly 120 million gallons of crystal-clear, 52-degree water a day to form the headwaters of the Henrys Fork of the Snake River. From the footbridge you can watch enormous rainbow trout holding in the gin-clear water (fishing is prohibited), and tour the hand-built 1930s Johnny Sack Cabin and waterwheel next to the spring. It is an easy, family-friendly stop about 90 minutes northwest of Teton Valley in Island Park.
Big Springs National Recreation Water Trail (Float to Mack's Inn)
Island Park, ID
This gentle 4.5-mile float on the spring-fed Henrys Fork runs from the Big Springs boat launch to Mack's Inn, drifting two to three hours through water so clear you can count the trout below your canoe. Moose, bald eagles, swans, and kokanee salmon are common sights along the way. Mack's Inn Resort rents rafts, kayaks, and canoes and runs shuttles, making it an easy summer outing from Teton Valley.
Tucked in a shady canyon just off the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway near Ashton, Warm River is a beloved local spot for lazy river tubing on warm summer afternoons. Anglers cast for rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout and whitefish in the gentle current, and the streamside Forest Service campground makes a great picnic base. It pairs perfectly with a Mesa Falls loop drive, about 40 minutes from Victor.
Set within a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Harriman State Park protects the historic Railroad Ranch once owned by the Harriman and Guggenheim families. Twenty-two miles of trails wind past the Henrys Fork's famous fly-fishing waters, with trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, moose, and elk frequently in view, plus guided ranch history tours in summer. In winter the trails are groomed for cross-country skiing, making it a year-round Island Park destination about 90 minutes from Victor.
Photos courtesy of the businesses and organizations pictured — each card links to the official site.
GOOD TO KNOW
Driggs questions, answered
What is there to do in Driggs, Idaho?
Driggs is the base camp for the quiet side of the Tetons. Grand Targhee Resort is 12 miles up Ski Hill Road for skiing, lift-served mountain biking, and summer festivals; Teton Canyon has the valley's signature hikes to Table Mountain and Alaska Basin; the Teton River runs through town for fly fishing and lazy floats; and Horseshoe Canyon west of town holds the best singletrack. Add the Ashton-Tetonia rail trail, hot springs in Newdale, and day trips to Mesa Falls and Yellowstone.
What are the best free things to do in Driggs?
Most of the good stuff costs nothing. Hike Teton Canyon to Table Mountain or the Devils Stairs, ride or walk the paved Teton Valley pathways and the Ashton-Tetonia Trail, pedal the Horseshoe Canyon trails, drive Ski Hill Road to the Targhee base for the view back across the valley, and stay out after dark: Teton Valley has some of the darkest skies in the Lower 48 for stargazing. In summer the Friday farmers market on Main Street is free to wander.
What is there to do in Driggs in the winter?
Ski or ride Grand Targhee, which averages about 500 inches of snow a year, then nordic ski or snowshoe its groomed trails or the Teton Canyon Winter Trail. Snowmobilers ride Horseshoe Canyon, the Big Hole Mountains, and South Leigh Canyon. Ice climbers head for Boy Scout Falls in Teton Canyon, and everyone ends up soaking at Green Canyon Hot Springs in Newdale, 35 to 40 minutes away.
How far is Grand Targhee from Driggs?
About 12 miles and 20 to 25 minutes: east on Little Avenue, which becomes Ski Hill Road, climbing to the resort base in Alta, Wyoming. From Teton Flats in Victor it is roughly 20 miles, about 35 minutes, with no Teton Pass crossing. The upper road is plowed all winter; check Idaho 511 and the Grand Targhee webcam on storm days.
What can families do in Driggs with kids?
Grand Targhee runs a summer lineup built for kids: scenic chairlift rides on the Dreamcatcher lift, an 18-hole disc golf course, the GTR Mining Co. gem sluice, a ropes-style adventure challenge, and day passes to the slopeside pool. In the valley, float or tube Warm River, picnic at Upper Mesa Falls, ride the paved pathways, and in winter snowshoe or sled at Targhee.
Is Driggs a good base for Yellowstone and Grand Teton?
Yes. Yellowstone's West Entrance is about two hours north through Ashton and Island Park, with Mesa Falls and Big Springs on the way. Grand Teton National Park and Jenny Lake are about an hour and ten minutes east over Teton Pass, and Jackson Town Square is 35 to 45 minutes. Staying in Teton Valley puts you between both parks at a fraction of Jackson lodging prices.
Targhee days. Victor nights.
Modern 1 & 2 bedroom apartments in Victor, Idaho — 35 minutes from first chair at Grand Targhee and 12 from downtown Driggs.
