The Best Fall Foliage Drive in Teton Valley

Teton Valley, with its abundant aspen groves spread throughout the valley and in the Teton mountains, provide the perfect opportunity for a fall foliage getaway. Our majestic mountain ranges provide the perfect backdrop for the shimmering gold, burnt orange, and vibrant red colors that take your breath away. 

Many people who visit Teton Valley to view the fall foliage ask us for ideas for a day trip drive where they can see the sites and enjoy the fall foliage along the way. We’ve got a perfect fall foliage drive to share with you here, and ideas for all the best places to stop along the way. This drive is like a loop through Teton Valley, Idaho then to Jackson, Wyoming, takes in all the best fall foliage and mountain views, and is easily accomplished as a day trip with lots of places to stop, eat, shop, and soak in our beautiful autumn views. 

Best Teton Valley Fall Foliage Drive

Early morning: Start your day trip with a stop in Victor for a hot coffee or cocoa to warm you up and get you started. Two great places for this are the Alpine Air Coffee Hut drive-thru, or the restaurant Butter where you can order to go. Take your treats with you and start your drive by heading west from Driggs on Highway 31 through the Pine Creek pass and toward Swan Valley. 

This drive will take you through beautiful, winding mountain roads where you’ll be surrounded by colorful aspen trees the entire way. You’ll be tempted to pull over for photos, and there are plenty of places you can do so on the way. 

Once you get to Swan Valley, head south on Highway 26 and enjoy the views as you drive through Irwin, past the Palisades Reservoir, and finally to the town of Alpine just across the border in Wyoming. In this area you’ll see many more aspens with dark red leaves due to the lower elevations. 

The drive from Victor to Alpine, figuring in several stops for admiring the foliage, can take between 1 ½ to 2 hours, which means when you arrive in Alpine you’ll be ready for a late breakfast/brunch. 

Alpine has several great restaurants and a full grocery for dining. For a sit-down restaurant that has oodles of local flair, check out Yankee Doodles. 

Once you’ve had your fill of the views in Alpine, take Highway 89 toward Jackson. This drive will feature the dramatic Snake River on your right, mountains on your left, with aspen and evergreen trees all the way. Pull off at any of the marked viewing areas to take short walks down to the river. The drive from Alpine to Jackson is usually around an hour, so a few breaks are perfect for stretching and soaking in the views.  

Once you arrive in Jackson, depending on the time, you can head straight to lunch or take some time for shopping or exploring the Jackson town square and see the iconic elk antler arches and famous sites such as the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar or Wort Hotel. 

Ready to head back to Teton Valley? From Jackson, head west on Highway 22 toward Wilson. On the way you’ll be treated to dramatic views of the Grand Tetons, as you head toward the small village of Wilson at the base of the mountains. Here there are a few more spots to eat if you didn’t get enough in Jackson, with places like Nora’s Fish Creek Inn, Pearl Street Bagels, and Stagecoach Bar that are also local icons. 

After Wilson you’ll take the winding mountain drive through Teton Pass and eventually end up back in Victor, Idaho where you first started. 

When you’re finished with your hike, there’s nothing quite like heading back to your vacation rental home and relaxing with a favorite drink while looking at the great photos from your day’s explorations. If you are planning a trip to Teton Valley, Idaho this Fall, we offer a wide range of rental homes in Driggs, Victor, and for anyone looking to visit the Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Grand Targhee area. Check out our website or give us a call, we’re here to help you create the mountain vacation of your dreams.