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When Cruising is the Charm: Scenic Drives in Teton Valley, Idaho

Let's face it. Sometimes after a few days of heavy hiking, wild white water rafting, and the best bike riding west of the Mississippi, you want a break. You want the breathtaking views, plethora of wildlife, and relaxation of the Great Outdoors to come to you. Luckily for you, the scenic drives available in Teton Valley do just that.

Road to Grand Tetons, Idaho

Though this ain't New York City and there aren't streets to get you to every corner of Teton Valley, Idaho, there are a surprising amount of roadways and passages through most of the region between Teton Valley and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Even the major national parks in the area are crisscrossed by a network of roads.

Grand Teton National Park's road network, for instance, can get you to most of the park's best sights. Because of this, though, they can get very crowded during high season, so be sure to take your time, avoid congested areas, and of course, steer clear of the wildlife. Either travel in the earliest of morning, or after dinnertime. In between, you'll practically get farther on foot.

The most common way to enter the park's road system is just north of Jackson on State Highway 26-89-191. Once in, your best bet may be to hop onto the 42-mile Scenic Loop Drive. You can hit this popular circuit either at Moose Junction in the south, Jackson Lake Junction in the north, or Moran Junction in the east.

You'll pass Maude Noble Cabin, where in 1923 Grand Teton National Park was founded. Blacktail Ponds Overlook along the way is the perfect place to see wildlife like moose, osprey, American white pelicans, river otters, and other creatures big and small. Another top spot is the Snake River Overlook, which gives the best view of the Teton peaks in the whole park.

Mesa Falls in the Grand Targhee National Forest offers more Teton Valley scenic drives. Off Highway 47 near the town of Ashton, access the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. You'll be able to hear the roar of both the Upper and Lower Mesa Falls, and see the famous Henrys Fork of Snake River. If you have the time, park the car and fish here. Henrys Fork is only one of the most famous fishing holes in all of the United States. If a rod and reel aren't in your trunk, then follow the boardwalks on foot for an exquisite view of both falls.

Teton Scenic Byway can serve as the encore to any day's driving. Rolling casually through some of the most spellbinding scenery on Earth - lush farmland, steep peaks in the distance, and wide-open ranchland - this 2.5-hour cruise also passes through the major towns of the region. You'll get acquainted with Driggs, Swan Valley, Victor, Ashton, and Tetonia.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Of course, if you ever get tired of Nature - if that's possible - the Teton Valley scenic drives lead to other intriguing locales in Idaho and Wyoming, as well. There's the Heise Hot Springs, a water park and golf course open since 1898. For educational purposes, there's the Idaho Potato Expo, where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about the spud. And for a ride on a different kind of vehicle, there's the Centennial Carousal at Porter Park, an authentic one of a kind dating back to 1926.

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