Best Activities for Summer in Teton Valley, Idaho
Teton Valley, Idaho is one of the best places for summer fun that fits every stage of life and type of activity imaginable. Our valley has world-class recreation, stunning scenery, a thriving arts scene, world-famous festivals, and fine food and drink that attracts people who love the Jackson Hole scene, but want something a little more off the beaten path.
If you’re looking for a guide to the best activities for this summer in Driggs, Victor, Jackson or throughout the Teton Valley, (a place the locals fondly call “Wydaho”), we’ve highlighted a few you should check out here.
Best Outdoor Activities in Teton Valley
If you love outdoor activities, wildlife, and selfie-perfect scenery, we have national parks, local trails, fishing, rafting, hiking, biking, and so much more.
Just a few miles north of Driggs is Grand Targhee Ski Resort, home of 2022 Olympic Silver Medalist Jaelin Kauf, who grew up on these slopes. Summer is just as great at Grand Targhee, where you can find mountain biking trails for all levels, lots of hiking trails, and a scenic chair-lift ride to the summit for breath-taking views of a side of the Tetons people rarely see.
Grand Teton National Park is an easy day trip from Teton Valley and worth planning a day around. Start with breakfast in town at Rise Coffee House, grab some burritos to go for lunch, then take the scenic Moose-Wilson road to Grand Teton where you might just spot a bear.
The Teton River is renowned for river rafting, stand-up paddleboarding, and flyfishing. Put-in and take-out spots are scattered along the river, allowing you to decide how long and how far you want to go. In addition to enjoying views of the Teton Mountains on one side and the Big Hole Mountains on the other, you’ll also see wide swaths of open farmland, moose, beavers, deer, eagles, hawks, and songbirds that live in the willows along the riverbank. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available in Driggs and Victor.
Foodie Paradise
Want to try award-winning brews, shop for farm-to-table organic produce, or eat memorable meals? Sample these:
If you love craft beer, visit the tap room near Victor of Grand Teton Brewing Company, where you can taste a variety of local brews as you enjoy the crisp air and mountain views. Another option is Grand Teton Distillery, a craft distillery that uses mineral-rich glacial snowmelt and more than 240k pounds of Idaho potatoes annually to create it award-winning premium vodkas and whiskeys.
The Driggs Farmers Market, held every Friday starting at 9 a.m., features fresh produce and flowers, local honey, handmade cheeses, locally grown mushrooms, baked goods, and always something new from the wide variety of farmlands all around us.
Festivals, Fairs & More
If music festivals, arts and crafts fairs, or family-friendly gatherings are more your style, you’ll want to make sure these are on your list.
The Teton Valley Rodeo is held every Friday night during the summer, with a special patriotic show on Independence Day. It’s a family-friendly activity with all the classics, plus Teton mountain views as a backdrop.
Music on Main, an open-air concert series held on Thursday evenings in Victor from late June to mid August, has put Teton Valley on the map with an impressive line-up of highly talented musicians from across the country. Music ranges from rock ‘n’ roll and country to blues and jazz, and there are food trucks, craft booths, and plenty of space to enjoy this unique venue.
If you’re an artist, or just love to watch them work, check out the Driggs Plein Air Festival held in late July where you can watch artists set up around Teton Valley to capture nature on canvas. The festival also features art exhibitions, quick-draw competitions, workshops, and demonstrations, wrapping up with an award ceremony and opportunity to purchase their works.
One of the best ways to view Teton Valley is sunrise over the mountains from a hot-air balloon. Private balloon rides can be scheduled throughout the summer, but if you really want to be wowed, check out the Teton Valley Balloon Rally, held during the Fourth of July weekend, where balloon pilots from near and far come together in a spectacular display whether you’re on the ground or in the air.
