We first stayed on the national park’s west side on our adventure to the Grand Tetons. giving ourselves a little east Idaho vacation. This side of the mountains is less populated than the east side, where the park’s main entrance is, but it offers many incredible outdoor opportunities!
To get to the west side of the Grand Tetons from the east, you will either have to go through Teton Pass Highway on the south end that connects Jackson, WY to Victor, ID, or go the north through Ashton-Flagg Rd, which is a gravel road for about 30 miles, or go through Yellowstone National Park.
All of this to say, it is not the easiest getting to the west side of the park. Getting to the main entrance of Grand Teton park took about one and a half hours from our Felt, ID location. If you stay in a place more south, like Victor, ID, it will be about 1 hour to 15 minutes.
But, boy, oh boy, the west side is incredible!!
Where to Stay
There are a few main towns on the west side of the Tetons, like Driggs and Victor, Idaho. These neighboring towns are nestled in the breathtaking Teton Valley. Driggs, the larger of the two, offers a charming Main Street with local businesses, shops, and restaurants.
Victor, a smaller town at the base of Teton Pass, boasts a tranquil atmosphere and community-oriented events. Both towns provide a gateway to the Teton Valley region’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities, where visitors can immerse themselves in the stunning landscapes and friendly local communities.
We stayed in an even smaller town just north of Driggs in Felt, Idaho, at Serene Irene’s. This place was precious!! It had the most beautiful view of the Tetons and was a cozy place to stay.
Felt has no stores or shops, so you must drive to Driggs for anything you may need.
We spent a little of the day here but always returned and made dinner for the family. The kitchen was huge, and the grill was great. The house was a perfect place to stay with six adults.
And the sunrise here is fantastic!!! We would all wake up early and sit outside with our cups of coffee, watching the sun rise above the mountains. It was such a special time of our trip.
While on the west side of the mountains, we tried to stay on the west side of the Tetons in Idaho. Here are some of our favorite things that we did on the west side.
Drive Through the Scenic Highways
One thing that never got old was driving around the area. There are so many scenic drives and pull-outs with beautiful views that we would spend at least part of our day driving and hopping out of the car.
Two of our favorite roads were the East Alta Ski Road and Old HWY 47.
East Alta Road zigzags you to the Grand Targhee Ski Resort and has one of the most beautiful overlooks at the Teton Canyon Overview. This road also leads you to Teton Canyon Road, where we saw a baby bear and two moose!!
Old HWY 47 winds its way through charming small towns and rural communities, allowing you to experience the authentic charm of Idaho. You can discover hidden gems like local farm stands, quaint roadside cafes, and historic landmarks along the way. Old HWY 47 is also the road that leads you to the incredible Mesa Falls.
Hike the Canyon Trails
We also explored the trails on the west side of the mountains. Several roads, like Teton Canyon and Darby Canyon, go into the canyons, which have multiple trailheads. These trials are typically more strenuous, but driving through the gorges is impressive!
Teton Canyon will lead you to trails like Table Mountain and Devil’s Staircase.
Darby Canyon is just outside Driggs, leading to trails like the Wind Cave Trail.
Chase the Waterfalls
We also ventured out to different waterfalls on the Idaho side. One was Fall Creek Falls, and the other one we visited was Mesa Falls.
Fall Creek Falls is a 60-foot waterfall that flows into the Snake River in Swan Valley. The falls are spectacular to visit.
Mesa Falls is another waterfall that we went to that is more north. Mesa Falls is located in Idaho’s Caribou-Targhee National Forest. This magnificent waterfall is divided into two breathtaking sections, Upper Mesa Falls and Lower Mesa Falls. Upper Mesa Falls boasts a staggering drop of 114 feet, where the rushing water plunges into a rugged canyon below. Lower Mesa Falls, equally impressive, features a 65-foot drop with thundering cascades that create a misty atmosphere.
Mesa Falls is also very accessible and a must-stop if you are on the west side of the Grand Tetons.
Visit the Sand Dunes
St. Anthony Sand Dunes was one area we did not visit personally, but my sister and her family did. This place looks incredible and got raving reviews from the family.
St. Anthony Sand Dunes is a captivating natural playground nestled in Idaho’s scenic landscape. Spanning over 10,000 acres, these expansive dunes offer an exhilarating experience for visitors. As you venture into this sandy wonderland, you’ll be greeted by towering dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a mesmerizing sight.
The dunes provide a haven for adventure seekers, where thrilling activities such as sand boarding, off-roading, and ATV riding await. The soft, shifting sands offer endless opportunities for adrenaline-pumping fun and unique photo opportunities against the backdrop of stunning desert vistas.
My sister’s family enjoyed climbing the dunes and seeing ATVs race up the sand mountains. They also spent time by the lake.
St. Anthony’s sand dunes is such a unique place, and it is on my Idaho bucket list for the next time we visit.
Overall Feelings of the West Side
Overall, the west side of the Grand Tetons is terrific! It offers many unique activities with fewer crowds and the same fantastic beauty. Staying on the west side for three to four days will give you plenty of time to explore and see the lands.
We would definitely stay on the west side of the mountains again!
