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Teton Scenic Byway

Idaho

Teton Scenic Byway

Includes Teton Valley, Swan Valley, Victor, Driggs, Tetonia, Ashton Idaho

TETON SCENIC BYWAY IMAGE 2

Teton Scenic Byway of Idaho

The Teton Scenic  Byway in eastern Idaho is one of the most scenic byways in the state.  This breathtaking 69 mile drive takes you through the amazing Teton Valley...with the majestic west side of the Teton Mountain Range of Teton National Park towering to the east.  The Teton Scenic Byway of Idaho runs between the town of Swan Valley Idaho and Ashton Idaho, along Idaho Highway 31, Idaho 33 and Idaho 32.

Teton Scenic Byway, IdahoIn addition to the incredible view of the Teton Mountain Range, visitors of the Teton Scenic Byway can't help but notice the miles and miles of lush green fields of barley, wheat and of course famous Idaho potatoes.

The Teton Scenic Byway also passes through charming small towns that are a joy to explore, such as Swan Valley, Victor, Driggs and Tetonia Idaho...All of these towns are very quaint and really fun to explore. Driggs Idaho is home to the oldest ice cream parlor in Idaho, as well as one of the last outdoor movie theaters in the state.

The Teton Scenic Byway of Idaho turns northward on Idaho 31 off of U.S. Highway 26 near Swan Valley Idaho.  Idaho 31 takes its visitors through the Caribou-Targhee National Forest over the Big Hole Mountains before it drops down into the small town of Victor Idaho.  At Victor, Idaho 31 ends and Idaho 33 begins as the Teton Scenic Byway then heads northward, through Driggs Idaho and Tetonia...where the route then heads on Idaho Highway 32 the rest of the way to Ashton Idaho where the Teton Scenic Byway ends.

Teton Mountain Range

Teton Mountain Range, Teton Scenic Byway, Idaho

Teton Mountain Range of Teton National Park dominates the eastern skyline along the Teton Scenic Byway of Idaho.

Teton Mountain Range, Teton Scenic Byway, IdahoAs you drive along the Teton Scenic Byway of Idaho, the mighty Teton Mountain Range dominates the eastern skyline.
The amazing Teton Mountain Range is located in Grand Teton National Park, and rise over 13,700 feet above sea level.  The view of these magnificent mountains from the Teton Scenic Byway is awe-inspiring...especially as you get closer and closer to this massive mountain range near Driggs Idaho.

By the way, there are several outstanding hiking trails that take hikers to popular destinations, such as Table Mountain...which provides one of the best views of the Teton Mountain Range anywhere. Part of the Rocky Mountains, the Teton Range lies mostly on Wyoming's eastern border, just east of the Idaho state line.

History of the Teton Valley

Horses along the Teton Scenic Byway in IdahoDuring the early 1800s, the Teton Valley was inhabited by French voyageurs and French fur traders...and these early inhabitants used the name "Les Trois Tetons" for the towering Teton Mountain Range to the east, which means "The Three Breasts".

The peaks that inspired this colorful name was Grand Teton (13,770 feet), Middle Teton (12,804 feet) and South Teton (12,514 feet).

From the vantage of the Teton Scenic Byway of Idaho, these peaks truly stand out above all the rest.

Teton Scenic Byway, Idaho

Teton Valley with Mount Moran of the Teton Mountain Range towering to the east.

The Teton Valley is an extremely historic area.  Mountain men and fur trappers would gather in the Teton Valley near Driggs Idaho several times in the early 1800s creating their historic mountain man rendezvous. The most famous of these meetings was in 1832, where hundreds of fur trappers and mountain men gathered  at one of the largest ever Rendezvous in the entire region. The first documented non-native American to see and explore the Teton Valley was John Colter, who was formerly part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806.

Teton Valley, Teton Scenic Byway, IdahoDuring this world-changing expedition, the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition would hear rumors of a magical land where boiling water and steam would rise from the earth... which of course was present day Yellowstone National Park.

On their return journey through Montana, both Lewis and Clark gave John Colter permission to leave the party and explore this magical place.  It was during this expedition John Colter explored Yellowstone Park, but also the Teton Valley. Once John Colter discovered the Teton Valley in 1808, which was known at that time as Pierre's Hole, droves of American and British/Canadian Trappers came on to the scene as the beaver trapping was outstanding and very lucrative during the early 1800s.

Teton Scenic Byway, Idaho

Horses along the Teton Scenic Byway in Idaho.

Swan Valley: Fly Fishing Paradise

Snake River in the Swan Valley, IdahoThe town of Swan Valley Idaho rests in the gorgeous Swan Valley, where the legendary Snake River winds through this scenic landscape.

It is here where fly fishing enthusiasts try their luck on the fabled Snake River trout... north of the town of Swan Valley south to Palisades Reservoir along U.S. Highway 26.

A common sight are drift boats floating on the Snake River, with fly fishermen and fly fisherwomen stand up in the stable boats and cast their flies to the trout just below the surface of the water.

Teton Scenic Byway, Idaho

Teton Scenic Byway in Eastern Idaho features the Teton Mountain Range to the east.

Driggs Idaho and other quaint little towns...

Corner Drug, Driggs Idaho, Teton Scenic Byway, Idaho

The Corner Drug in Driggs is Idaho's oldest soda fountain.

Corner Drug, Driggs IdahoDriggs Idaho lies in the heart of the Teton Valley, and is where the 2-day Mountain Man Rendezvous Celebration is held each August.

Also located in Driggs is the ever-popular Teton Valley Museum, as well as the Corner Drug, which is the oldest soda fountain in the state of Idaho.

In addition, there is one of the last remaining outdoor theaters in the state located at Driggs known as the Spud Drive-In Theatre.

For the skiers and winter sports enthusiasts, Grand Targhee Sky Resort is located just east of Driggs.

Victor Idaho, Teton Scenic Byway
Spud Drive-In Theatre, Driggs Idaho, Teton Scenic Byway
Teton Valley Museum, Driggs Idaho, Teton Scenic Byway
Tetonia Idaho, Teton Scenic Byway

Famous Potatoes

Between Driggs Idaho and Ashton Idaho, you will see miles upon miles of gorgeous green fields...which are potato plants.  This area of the Teton Valley is the leading producer of seed potatoes in the world, and is where Idaho's nickname "Famous Potatoes" originated.

Potato fields below the Teton Mountain Range, Teton Scenic Byway, Idaho

Miles of potato fields are located along the Teton Scenic Byway between Driggs and Ashton Idaho.

The Teton Scenic Byway of Idaho is without question one of the most scenic byways in the state of Idaho, and we highly recommend taking the time to enjoy this wonderful 69 mile long drive through breathtaking landscape of the Teton Valley and the charming western towns of Swan Valley, Victor, Driggs, Tetonia and Ashton.  And once you get to Ashton, this marks the beginning of another incredible road, which is the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.

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