Driggs, a town of about 1,900 as of 2020, is the county seat of Teton County in Eastern Idaho. This article also covers the much smaller neighboring town of Tetonia, 8 mi (13 km) north on Highway 33.
Understand
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This is a lovely area of Idaho. There are lots of outdoor activities, beautiful views in and around this town and some indoor points of interest to visit as well.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]The two nearest airports are Jackson Hole Airport (JAC IATA), about 42 mi (68 km) and an hour's drive from Driggs and Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA IATA), about 75 mi (121 km) and 1½ hour's drive.
By car
[edit]From Jackson, Wyoming, take Wyoming Route 22 West to the border with Idaho, where it turns into Route 33 West, and continue for about another 14 miles. The total distance is about 33 miles and takes about 45 minutes.
From Idaho Falls and Rexburg, take U.S. Route 20 East and then Route 33 East. The distance from Idaho Falls is about 75 miles and the drive is about 1 hours 20 minutes; it is about 48 miles from Rexburg and takes about an hour.
Make sure to allow plenty of extra time if you are driving in icy or snowy conditions in the winter.
Get around
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Map of Driggs
You are likely to need a car to get around beyond the small area of Downtown Driggs.
See
[edit]- 1 Teton Geotourism Center, 60 S. Main Street, ☏ +1 208-354-2609, [email protected]. Interactive history museum focusing on Yellowstone and the Tetons.
- 2 Teton Valley Museum, 137 N Hwy 33, ☏ +1 208-354-6000. Tu—Sa 10AM–5PM, closed Su. This is a history museum that covers the last two centuries of life in the Tetons. Adults (13+): $8, children (under 6 free): $4; family (one household): $25.
Do
[edit]Aerial activities
[edit]- Elevated Ballooning, 98 E Little Ave, ☏ +1 208-709-0777, [email protected]. Offers morning balloon flights over the Teton Valley. Accommodations include a complimentary shuttle and post-ballooning toast. $325 per person.
- Teton Aviation Center, 253 Warbird Lane. They offer scenic flights and also have a flight school. Flights in a Cessna 172 cost $395 per flight plus tax and suggested gratuity, 1-3 passengers; flights in a Quest Kodiak 100 cost $850 for 1-4 passengers, then $100 per passenger, 5-7 per flight.
- Teton Balloon Flights, 360 Chris Ln, ☏ +1 208-787-5500, [email protected]. Offers scenic balloon flights over the Teton Valley. $250 per person for up to 8 people; $350 per person for private flights for your party of 2-8 only.
Aquatic activities
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- Teton River Supply, Corner of N. Main and E. Howard Ave, ☏ +1 208-534-8784, [email protected]. 9AM-6PM. Watercraft outfitter renting kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, rafts and inflatable crafts called PhatCats for trips down the Teton River. Their "deluxe package" includes shuttles to and from their shop, life jackets, dry bags and coolers. Single kayak or canoe: $60 a day/$80 with deluxe package; 2-person kayak or canoe: $80 a day/ $120 with deluxe package; 3-person canoe: $95 a day/ $150 with deluxe package; 4-person canoe: $105 a day/ $175 with deluxe package; "family" canoe: $115 a day/$195 with deluxe package; stand-up paddle board: $55 a day/ $75 with deluxe package; PhatCat: $95 a day/ $150 with deluxe package; 14-ft raft w/paddles: 250 a day/ $280 with deluxe package; 14-ft raft w/oarframe: $280 a day/ $310 with deluxe package 16-ft raft w/paddles: $270 a day/ $300 with deluxe package; 16-ft raft w/oarframe: $300 a day/ $330 with deluxe package; trailer rental: $40 a day.
- Teton Valley Lodge, 3733 Adams Rd, toll-free: +1 208-354-2386. Trout-fishing outfitter with a rustic lodge.
- Wai Mauna SUP Tours, No fixed address, ☏ +1 208-797-0810, [email protected]. Driggs-based mobile paddleboard rental operation; no tours as of 2021 in spite of their name. They operate during mild weather (e.g., through the end of September). 3.5 miles (shuttle included): $49; 4.5 miles (shuttle included): $59; 8 miles (shuttle included): $69; 24-hour rental (free delivery but no shuttle): $50.
Events
[edit]- Driggs Plein Air Festival. Yearly event, with art workshops (2 days for $300) in late July, a competition, and an exhibition of artwork for sale at Driggs City Center Gallery from the last week in July to mid-September.
Golf
[edit]- The Links at Teton Peaks, 127 North 4000, West Driggs, ☏ +2 208-456-2777. 18-hole golf course with spectacular rustic scenery. 18 holes with cart: M–Th: $44.00, F-Su: $46.00; 18 holes walking: $30 daily; twilight After 2PM 18 with cart: $35 daily; cart 18 holes: $15.00 per person.
Horseback riding
[edit]- Dry Ridge Outfitters, 12500 Reece Rd, Felt, ID, ☏ +1 208-351-1796. Trail horseback riding outfitter based about 6 miles north of Tetonia, serving the Teton Valley and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Reservations for the following summer begin in October; reserve early to guarantee a spot. Teton pack trips: $325 per person/per day; Yellowstone pack trips: $350 per person/per day; half-day rides: 2-3 riders: $120 per person, 4 or more riders: $100 per person; full-day rides: $195 per person for 4+ riders, $225 per person for 3 riders, $275 per person for 1 or 2 riders; drop camp: $90 per day/per horse, wrangler fee up to 3 horses: $200, then 2nd wrangler fee for 4 or more horses; minimum: $550 each way. Tips appreciated. 5-day guided hunting trips (elk or deer) are also offered.
- Leigh Creek Outfitters, Only a P.O. Box is given for an address, but it's in Driggs, ☏ +1 208-201-8642, [email protected]. Provides trail horseback rides, either guided or unguided. Day rides (~8 hours, include lunch): 1-2 riders: $295/person, 3 riders: $195/person, 4+ riders: $145/person; pack trips (2-7 nights): 2-3 riders: $340/person per day, 4-5 riders: $295/person per day, 6+ riders: $250/person per day; drop camps (they carry your equipment by horseback while you hike): 1 wrangler, up to 4 horses: $475 each way, additional wrangler: $150 each, additional pack horse: $80/ea, saddle horses $100/person each way if you ride yourselves; shorter rides also available.
Winter activities
[edit]- Teton Valley Adventures, 47 S. Main St, ☏ +1 208-354-2233, [email protected]. Daily 8AM-6PM. Provides guided snowmobile tours in Yellowstone National Park and the Targhee National Forest. Operates December 15-March 31. Yellowstone National Park tours: Old Faithful snowmobile tour (60 miles): $350 per driver, $150 per passenger; Grand Canyon snowmobile tour (80 miles): $400 per driver, $150 per passenger. Targhee tours: Mesa Falls snowmobile tour (70 miles): $250 per driver, $125 per passenger; Cave Falls full-day snowmobile tour (35 miles): $250 per driver, $125 per passenger; Cave Falls half-day snowmobile tour: $200 per driver, $100 per passenger. They also offer private tours and snowmobile rentals for unguided trips.
Buy
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- Corner Drug, 10 South Main, ☏ +1 208-354-2334, [email protected]. M-Sa: 9AM-6:30PM; Su: closed. This drugstore has been in business since 1906 in the same building they still occupy as of 2021. In addition to selling medications, they have a classic soda fountain and are widely appreciated for their milkshakes, with their lime freezes (available in the summer) coming in for particular praise. They also sell toys and games.
- Guchiebird's, 160 E. Little Ave, ☏ +1 208-354-GIFT (4438), [email protected]. W-M: 10AM-6PM, Tu: closed. Husband-and-wife crafts store that sells kitchenware, jewelry, handbags, products made from wood, decorative tiles, baby's clothing and various other sundries, all American-made.
- 1 Horn Mountain Living, 112 South Main Street, Tetonia, ☏ +1 208-456-2719, [email protected]. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-4:30PM. A collection of western and country merchandise, including cowboy mountain furniture and art, handmade by the prioprietor.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Hacienda Cuajimalpa, 355 N Main St, ☏ +1 208-354-0121, [email protected]. M-Sa 7AM–10PM, Su 7AM–9:30PM. Mexican restaurant. Offers takeout meals as well as well as dine in.
- 2 The Royal Wolf, 63 Depot Street, ☏ +1 208-354-8365. Restaurant and bar that tends to get good reviews online. The food is generally praised; to the extent there are complaints, they tend to be mostly about slow service, so consider embracing a slow pace if you go.
- 3 Badger Creek Cafe, 110 N. Main Street, Tetonia, ☏ +1 208-456-2588. Breakfast & lunch Th-M 8AM-3PM, dinner F Sa 5-9PM. Burgers, prime rib, vegetarian dishes.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Grand Teton Distillery, 1755 N. Highway 33, ☏ +1 208-354-7263, [email protected]. M-Sa 11AM-6PM, closed Su. This local distillery specializes in vodka made from potatoes, exactly as you'd expect in Idaho, and also whiskey. They also offer 30-minute tours plus tastings for $1 and 30-minute tastings without a tour for free, both by appointment.
Sleep
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- 1 Teton West Motel, 476 N Main St, ☏ +1 208-354-2363, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Just a small simple motel.
- 2 Teton Mountain View Lodge, 510 Egbert Ave, Tetonia, ☏ +1 208 456-2741. A lodge and RV park with a spectacular view of the Grand Teton Mountains. Showers, laundry, snacks and a TV lounge for the RV park. Hotel amenities include wireless internet, hot tub, pavilion, sand volleyball pit, fire pit, and a free continental breakfast.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Jackson, Wyoming, about 33 miles and a 45-minute drive to the east, is the "big city" that some Driggs residents commute to every day and probably the most obvious place to base yourself next if you want to continue your visit to the Tetons and indeed remain in Teton County (but in a different state).
- Further north are Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
- To the west are the heavily Mormon college town of Rexburg (pop. 31,000 as of 2020) and the city of Idaho Falls, which at about 65,000 as of 2020 is over six times as big as Jackson and with a metro area that has 100,000 more inhabitants yet still is not far from nature at all.