National & State Parks Near Teton Valley Idaho
Teton Valley, Idaho is located centrally to some of the most iconic national and state parks in the world. Staying in Teton Valley puts you in the perfect position to enjoy many of these parks in the same trip, with a comfortable home base to relax and review the amazing sights you’re sure to see.
From the majestic mountains of Grand Teton to the iconic wildlife of Yellowstone, to the endless forests, trails, rivers and lakes to explore, there's no shortage of breathtaking beauty and thrilling experiences. Whether you're a hiker, camper, photographer, nature lover – or all of the above – these parks are all close by and offer something for everyone.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton is renowned for its abundant wildlife, majestic alpine vistas, pristine lakes and the iconic Grant Teton Mountain range. Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake are popular with hikers and boaters, and the ferry is always fun, with gorgeous scenery. The park also has a rich cultural history with old homesteads and cattle ranches to explore and photograph. Whether you’re riding a bike, paddling a kayak, or hiking into the backcountry, there is something for everyone. From Teton Valley, you can take a scenic drive over the Teton Pass, through Teton Village, and enter Grand Teton National Park in less than an hour.
Yellowstone National Park
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the world’s first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal and geologic features. Within Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers, and view wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the famous Lamar Valley with bison, wolves, bear, elk, moose, eagles and so much more. From Teton Valley, you can enter Yellowstone through either the West Gate, at West Yellowstone, or the South Gate, near Jackson Hole, both within a couple hour’s drive.
Harriman State Park
Harriman State Park lies within a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Known for its beautiful scenery and wildlife, Harriman offers 22 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails that travel through meadows, along river banks and through lush evergreen forests. Some of the best fly fishing waters in the nation flow through eight miles of Harriman State Park, known by anglers all over the world as “the Ranch.” Moose, elk, and Trumpeter Swans, the world’s largest waterfowl species, are a common sight at Harriman. In the winter, it’s also a popular cross-country skiing destination. From Teton Valley, Harrison is an easy hour drive through picturesque farmland with dramatic mountain views.
Ashton-Tetonia Trail State Park
The Ashton-Tetonia Trail follows the abandoned railroad grade of the Teton Valley Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad from Ashton to Tetonia. It winds through small riparian areas and stands of aspen trees, and over three historic trestle bridges. The 29.6-mile trail meanders through a pristine and secluded environment that includes beautiful farm country, 3 bridge crossings, and unsurpassed views of the Teton Mountains. The historic train trestles at Fall River, Conant Creek, and Bitch Creek span 600’ in length and 130’ in height and are popular landmarks along the trail. Visitors can experience the trail by hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in winter. The southern part of the trail starts in Tetonia, just north of Driggs, making this an easy, but worthwhile, location to visit.
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest occupies over 3 million acres and stretches across southeastern Idaho, from the Montana, Utah, and Wyoming borders. The spectacular scenery of the Forest is easily reached from highways, byways and back roads, with activities such as camping, hiking, hunting, fishing and riding off-highway vehicles available for all. During the winter, the forest offers vast expanses of untracked powder, perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. From Teton Valley, you’re already practically in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, and just minutes from accessing trailheads, drives, and entrances to the many activities it offers.
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Located in Western Wyoming near the Idaho border, the Bridger-Teton offers more than 3.4 million acres of public land for outdoor recreation. With pristine watersheds, abundant wildlife and immense wildlands, the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprises a large part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Offering nearly 1.2 million acres of designated Wilderness, over 3,000 miles of road and trail and thousands of miles of unspoiled rivers and streams, the Bridger-Teton offers something for everyone. Entrances and activities are located near Jackson, Alpine and Hoback, making this an easy drive of 30 minutes to an hour from Teton Valley.
Honorable mention: National Elk Refuge
Located just north of Jackson, this nearly 25,000-acre wildlife refuge provides space for wintering elk, bison, wolves, bighorn sheep, trumpeter swans and bald eagles, among other animals. Start your visit at the National Elk Refuge Visitor Center, (it’s free!), and you can tour the museum, tour the lookout pathways, visit the gift shop and learn how to access and enjoy the refuge. If you’re here during the winter months, book a sleigh ride where you’ll be up-close-and-personal with thousands of elk. It only takes about 45 minutes to get to the Elk Refuge from Teton Valley as you drive over the Teton Pass and through Jackson Hole.
Best Vacation Rentals Near Yellowstone, Grand Teton, National Parks
After a day full of adventures, there’s nothing better than having a comfy place to relax that’s not too far away. Teton Valley Vacation Rentals has the best vacation rentals near Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone, Harriman, and all the other locations we mentioned here. In addition, we’ve got the towns of Driggs, Victor, and Tetonia where you can find shopping, restaurants, nightlife and everything you need to create the vacation of your dreams.
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