EAST IDAHO EAST YOUR HAPPYHAPPY PLACEPLACE NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS | OFFICIAL IDAHO STATE TRAVEL GUIDE TRAVEL | OFFICIAL STATE IDAHO 84 Mesa Falls E ast Idaho is a gateway to Yellowstone, the country’s very first national park— which means this region’s been serving up adventure for a long time. Head here, and you’ll soon be casting in the world- class fly-fishing waters of the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, hiking in pine forests and lupine meadows, and snowmobiling scenic byways. Venture easily into Grand Teton National Park to observe antelope, trumpeter swans, and many other species native to the area. The Idaho communities of Driggs, Victor, and Tetonia, which sit quietly on the eastern side of the Tetons, are picturesque destinations for adventur- ers who seek nonstop outdoor action with- out the crowds. Be sure to experience the small pleasures within this vast vacation- land, like an enjoyable ride on Rexburg’s antique carousel, a huckleberry shake in Victor, and a night of old-fashioned family fun at the Spud Drive-In in Driggs. Stop in at a local visitor center or the Teton Geotourism Center in Driggs to pick up a copy of the National Geographic Greater Yellowstone Geotourism map. For more east Idaho adventures, go to visitidaho.org/east Follow Visit Idaho on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media channels. visitidaho.org | 85 #VisitIdaho EAST IDAHO EAST ‹ SELFIES NEVER LOOKED SO MAJESTIC Teton Springs IDAHO FALLS view nativity scenes from around the world. To see history through the lens Idaho Falls is centrally located to so of an Idaho Falls couple, pop in to the many amazing destinations that you’re Collector’s Corner Museum for rooms bound to pass through this small city bursting with dolls, antiques, trains, at some point. Take time to stop and coins, stamps, and military memorabil- explore, and you’ll find that the town’s ia. You’ll find inspiration in the Idaho a wonderful adventure in its own Falls Cultural District—tour artist stu- right. The Snake River flows through dios at the Willard Arts Center; create downtown, and a five-mile greenbelt your own masterpiece (including music and several city parks deliver front-row and videos) at the Artitorium; and take seats to the many sights along its in permanent and popular traveling Snake River Canyon shores—so bring a picnic and stroll or exhibits at the Art Museum of Eastern bike the afternoon away. The man- Idaho. Spend an afternoon teeing up on made falls that give the city its name one of the city’s four courses, or bring tumble gracefully over a rocky dam on the kids to the Tautphaus Park Zoo; the west bank of the Snake River, and in the evening, catch live music and the Idaho Vietnam Veterans Memorial theater at the Colonial Theater or the stands tall along the river in Fremont Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Idaho. Park. (As you explore the area, try to spot all 39 “sculptural seats.”) Venture Grab a casual meal at D’Railed, indoors to the Museum of Idaho, located in a small, converted house where kids can crawl through beaver by the railroad; when a train rumbles dens and teepees, and you can take by, drinks are halfprice. Other local in exhibits about Lewis and Clark, the favorites are the burgers and seafood area’s nuclear energy history, and other at the SnakeBite, steak and spuds at historical topics. The museum makes Jakers, and the inspired cuisine of the spirits bright during its Olde Fashioned Copper Rill. Wander over to Love at Christmas and Winter festivals—come First Bite for gourmet cupcakes and see decorated trees, meet Santa, and a delicious assortment of candies and chocolates. | OFFICIAL IDAHO STATE TRAVEL GUIDE TRAVEL | OFFICIAL STATE IDAHO 86 Follow Visit Idaho on all your favorite social media channels. #VisitIdaho Yellowstone Bear World From Idaho Falls, there’s excitement Highway 33 past Newdale to Teton Dam and amazing scenery in every direction. Road. If you’re traveling with kids, head Highway 26 eastbound will take you to Porter Park in Rexburg for a pony along the scenic south fork of the Snake ride on the antique Idaho Centennial River—popular for drift boat fishing— Carousel. This is Idaho’s only wooden toward the Teton Scenic Byway and the carousel and one of only about 170 still breathtaking Grand Teton Mountains. in existence in the United States. It was Highway 20 brings you through the damaged in the 1976 flood but was communities of Rexburg, Ashton, and restored to celebrate Idaho’s Centen- Island Park on your way to Yellowstone nial in 1990. After the ride, let the kids National Park. Head west on Highway cool off in the park’s splash pad. In July, Yellowstone Bear World 20 toward Idaho National Laboratory to Rexburg hosts its Idaho International see the historical site of EBR-1, Ameri- Summerfest—so don’t be surprised if ca’s first experimental breeder reactor. you hear singing in the streets. You’ll Interstate 15 continues from east Idaho see hundreds of dancers and musicians over Monida Pass into Montana. Along from around the world perform, share this route, stop in Spencer, the only their cultural heritage, and even par- place in North America where opals are ticipate in a huge humanitarian service plentiful enough to mine commercially. project. Many events are free, and most Several opal mines are open spring are interactive—so get in there and through fall—and you can dig for gems show the world what you’ve got. yourself or stop in a gift shop for a Get wild (from the safety of your car, sparkly Idaho souvenir. of course) at Yellowstone Bear World, RIGBY/REXBURG the area’s only drive-through wildlife park. Just five miles south of Rexburg, You know Idaho’s famous for its you can observe grizzly and black bears spuds—but did you know we helped in a natural, open setting from spring create the couch potato, too? It’s through fall. If off-roading is your thing, true. If you’re heading to Yellowstone, head to St. Anthony Sand Dunes, just stop by the Farnsworth TV & Pioneer north of St. Anthony, for fun in the sun Museum in Rigby to learn about the and sand. The Bureau of Land Manage- invention of television. The museum ment manages the dunes mainly for honors former resident and inventor of ATV use, so you’ve got one heck of a the first television picture tube, Philo T. playground—10,000 acres of shifting Brown Trout Farnsworth, who developed his initial white quartz sand. ideas for the electronic transmission of images while in high school in Rigby. ISLAND PARK Nearby is the pleasant community Serious adventure awaits you in Island of Rexburg, where Brigham Young Park. This recreation area is only 30 University–Idaho is located. Rexburg miles from Yellowstone’s west entrance, was rebuilt after the Teton Dam burst so the beauty of its craggy backdrop, in 1976, spilling billions of gallons fresh pine forests, and wildflower of water into the town. You can see meadows shouldn’t be a big surprise. photos and artifacts at the Teton Flood Museum, as well as pioneer relics and an extensive opal and agate collection. The remains of the dam are REGIONAL INFO still standing; to take a look, follow Island Park ‹ LARGEST CITY IDAHO FALLS Population: 59,184 ‹ REGIONAL CLIMATE Summer Average High: 85° Winter Average High: 37° Annual Precipitation: 22" ‹ ELEVATION Highest: 10,740' (Tyler Peak) Lowest: 4,615' (Snake River) Idaho Falls REGIONAL MAP EAST IDAHO EAST ‹ ENJOY OUR ROADSIDE DISTRACTIONS 87 20 Henrys Lake 15 Henrys Lake State Park Buffalo River Harriman State Park Island Park Camas Creek A Island Mesa Falls Spencer Fort Henry Park Res. Scenic Byway Historic Byway Henrys B Fork 47 Falls River Dubois A Lost Gold Ashton Teton Scenic Trails Loop Byway 22 C 32 St. Anthony Teton River Sacajawea D Historic Byway 33 Rexburg Tetonia Mud Lake 28 33 Teton Valley B Driggs Grand Targhee 33 20 A Mud Lake Victor Rigby Ririe Snake River Jackson Hole 31 22 26 Ririe 20 Reservoir Swan Valley Idaho Falls SCENIC DRIVES 26 ‹ Fort Henry Historic Byway + A Palisades Lost Gold Trails Loop 15 Reservoir 208-624-4870 ‹ Mesa Falls Scenic Byway B 208-652-7520 Grays Lake ‹ Teton Scenic Byway C 208-354-2500 ‹ Sacajawea Historic Byway D 800-727-2540 For additional information, go to visitidaho.org/things-to-do/ state-parks-byways SKI AREAS A ‹ Kelly Canyon Ski Resort skikelly.com B ‹ Grand Targhee Ski Resort grandtarghee.com skiidaho.us | OFFICIAL IDAHO STATE TRAVEL GUIDE TRAVEL | OFFICIAL STATE IDAHO 88 ‹ EXPLORE IDAHO PARKS! Be sure to pack your fly rod, because to both Teton and Yellowstone national this is the land of the Henrys Fork of parks. Whether you head out on your ‹ the Snake River, a stretch revered for its own or with an outfitter, endless ad- ENJOY OUR ROADSIDE DISTRACTIONS outstanding large rainbow and brown venture awaits in this most majestic of trout—and considered by many fly-fish- landscapes. You can hike rugged trails, ing enthusiasts to be one of the best fly-fish along the Teton River, explore 87 trout streams in the country. One source on horseback, or golf among spring-fed 20 of the Henrys Fork is Big Springs, where lakes at Teton Springs Resort. In winter, Henrys 120 million gallons of crystal-clear the skies drop an immense amount of Lake 15 Henrys Lake water bubble up into the river each day.