20 Things to Do in Eastern Idaho (On Your Way to Yellowstone!)
Are you planning a trip to eastern Idaho and wondering what there is to do? Maybe you’re visiting Yellowstone and/or Grand Teton National Parks via Boise or Salt Lake City and want to add a few stops along the way? This is your ultimate guide to fun things to do in eastern Idaho, according to me—an Idaho local! I included a wide variety of family-friendly places worth visiting and activities to do all over eastern and southeast Idaho.
NOTE: If your plans for visiting Yellowstone are affected by the recent floods, there is no shortage of things to do and see in eastern Idaho! This post will help you make alternate plans in the area if you’re unable to cancel your flights.
Loved this post? Don’t forget to share it with your friends and pin it to Pinterest for future reference. And if you haven’t yet visited eastern Idaho, I hope this list convinces you to make the trip someday!
20 Fun Things to Do in Eastern Idaho
(These are the perfect family-friendly stops in Idaho on your way to Yellowstone and/or Grand Teton National Parks!)
1. Island Park
If you enjoy outdoor activities, Island Park (and Harriman State Park) is your oasis! Island Park is the closest town in Idaho to West Yellowstone. In addition to the plethora of vacation homes, you can come for a few hours to enjoy all of the fun on the water as well as hike, bike, fish, horseback ride, bird watch, and more! In the winter, the area is open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
2. Bishop Mountain Lookout
If you love views, you can drive to the top of Bishop Mountain near Island Park to see a bird’s eye view of the area below and check out the old wildfire lookout tower (now on the National Register of Historic Places). There’s also a cabin you can rent out via the US Forest Service!
3. Mesa Falls
Nestled in the beautiful Caribou—Targhee National Forest along Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, Mesa Falls consists of two powerful waterfalls tumbling over volcanic rock (a prior Yellowstone hot spot eruption—some ash and lava rock layers exceed a million years old!).
Of the two falls, the Upper Mesa Falls are visited most often because the overlook is a quick 20-minute stroll that ends quite close to the falls, and the falls itself are impressive at 10 stories tall! Both the upper and lower falls are worth the quick visit. If you’re feeling ambitious, hike the Mesa Falls Nature Trail from the Upper Mesa Falls to the Lower Mesa Falls overlook.
4. St. Anthony Sand Dunes
North of Idaho Falls, you’ll find over 10,000 acres of white quartz sand at the St. Anthony Sand Dunes (fun fact: this was a Napoleon Dynamite film location—more on those below!). While this is a super popular spot for ATV and other off-road vehicle enthusiasts, other people enjoy exploring the dunes on horseback or on foot. Camping is available at the dunes; some campgrounds require reservations and others are first-come, first-served. Be mindful of seasonal dune closures.
5. Swan Valley
Swan Valley is out of the way if you’re headed to the parks from Idaho Falls, but it’s a beautiful detour if you’re looking to take the scenic route. Take Highway 26 past Palisades Reservoir all the way to Alpine, Wyoming, and you can keep going all the way to Jackson/Grand Teton via Highway 89 (then 191)! I’ve learned that the drives in eastern and southeast Idaho are absolutely worth seeing. They’re definitely not to be missed in the fall!
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6. Driggs
Any time Korri and I are headed to the Tetons, we stay the night in Driggs. It’s way less expensive than Jackson and only about a 30 minute drive away. Plus, it’s less busy, and the grocery store (Broulim’s) is really nice! You can even see the Tetons from the Idaho side. As you may expect, the fall foliage in the area is GORGEOUS. There’s a straight, paved trail between Driggs and Victor so you can explore both towns with ease. On your way to Driggs, keep your eyes peeled for potato cellars! They look like houses covered in dirt/grass (see photo below).
7. Victor
I probably didn’t need a whole extra number for Victor, another small town located just south of Driggs, but here we are. I’ve heard great things about the brewpubs and cider houses that call Victor home. This is the last town you’ll pass through in Idaho on the highway to Jackson, Wyoming. Like Driggs, this is a great overnight stop if you’re planning to visit Grand Teton National Park because it’s less expensive than Jackson and not that far away. (Be aware that there is a relatively steep grade between Victor and Jackson! My car is not a big fan of it, LOL. We always stop at the scenic overlook at the top for a brief break and to take in the views.)
8. Grand Targhee
Even though Grand Targhee Resort is technically in Wyoming, it’s only accessible via Idaho, so I’m including it here. Ha! The drive to Grand Targhee (from Driggs) is absolutely beautiful, especially in the fall. Foliage abounds! This year-round resort is a fun place to stay and hike. Of course, it’s a popular ski destination in the winter months.
9. Idaho Falls Greenbelt
The Snake River runs through the heart of Idaho Falls, and there is a beautiful riverwalk/greenbelt that is popular amongst residents and visitors alike. Go check out the real Idaho Falls, then take a stroll to the Japanese Friendship Garden situated in the middle of the river. The Rock Gardens can be found farther south along the greenbelt.
10. Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls
The Museum of Idaho is a fabulous museum that features not only the history of Idaho but also rotating exhibits on various other topics in the humanities and sciences. There’s an interactive Discovery Room for kids, too. There is no shortage of things to learn and discover here!
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11. Hike the Hell’s Half Acre Trails (I-84 rest stop)
Have you ever seen an interstate rest stop with hiking trails…? Well, now you have! 🤣 We’ve not stopped here but it’s on my list, as the hikes look relatively quick and the trails are paved with lots of benches if you need breaks. Hell’s Half Acre is situated on basalt formations that are exactly like the ones you’d find in Craters of the Moon, so if you can’t make it to Craters, this is a great alternative! Look for the signs as you drive between Blackfoot and Idaho Falls on I-84.
12. Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot
I visited the Idaho Potato Museum for the first time on my birthday in 2020, and it was the best decision ever. I’m probably one of the biggest potato fans you’ll ever meet, so I had a blast here! It’s definitely a quirky museum. You’ll learn a lot about the history of potatoes in Idaho! Don’t forget to grab you “taters for out of staters” before leaving.
13. Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum in Fort Hall
Located on the Fort Hall Reservation north of Pocatello, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum highlights the history of the native Shoshone-Bannock people in Idaho. The hours for this museum are not consistent; swing by if you’re near to see if they’re open (I’ve missed them every time we tried stopping).
14. Museum of Clean in Pocatello
The Museum of Clean’s mission “is to sell the idea and value of clean, to put clean into the minds of all who visit. We want to expand the scope of clean into areas like clean homes, clean minds, clean language, clean community, and a clean world.” Plan for up to an hour for a tour, and save time afterward to explore the many interactive exhibits at your own pace.
15. Idaho Museum of Natural History in Pocatello
Located on the Idaho State University campus in Pocatello, the Idaho Museum of Natural History features rotating exhibits and highlights the natural history of Idaho and the local region. Current exhibits include The Ice Age, Skulls: Everyone’s Got One, and This Is Idaho.
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16. Preston (Home of Napoleon Dynamite!)
If you are driving up to eastern Idaho and/or the national parks from Logan, Utah, you might be driving through the Cache Valley on your way north. If so, stop in Preston to do a drive-by tour of the Napoleon Dynamite film locations! I also recommend taking the short detour to Clifton to pick up some beef jerky from Papa Jay’s. The hot peppered flavor is my favorite.
17. Lava Hot SPrings
Located in southeast Idaho, Lava Hot Springs is a small town loaded with a plethora of family-friendly resorts thanks to its hot springs! You’ll also find a fun water park with an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
18. Soda Springs
Soda Springs is located east of Lava Hot Springs and north of Bear Lake. Be sure to stop by the (unintentionally) manmade geyser that erupts every hour on the hour for about 10-15 minutes. The geyser has a fascinating history; it was originally thought that this geyser was throwing off the timing of Old Faithful in Yellowstone and the Department of the Interior requested that they turn this geyser off. LOL. Read more about its history here!
While waiting for the geyser to erupt, or after it finishes, stop by the nearby Wagon Box Grave. Farther north out of town is the kid-friendly short hike to Formation Springs Cave.
19. Bear Lake
Bear Lake is a beautiful lake that straddles the border of Idaho and Utah in southeast Idaho. It’s known as the Caribbean of the Rockies due to its striking turquoise color. (It’s easy to spot from a plane!) Bear Lake comes alive during the summer months! Many of the restaurants are on the Utah side of the lake in Garden City (including the popular huckleberry smoothies), and the Idaho side has a beautiful view of the Utah side. Head to North Beach State Park for fun on the beach!
If you find yourself in the Bear Lake area, check out nearby Minnetonka Cave, the Paris Ice Cave, and the stunning Paris Tabernacle. (Who knew you could find Paris in southeast Idaho?! 😉)
20. Craters of the Moon National Monument
While not technically in eastern Idaho (though it feels far to the east to us in Boise!), I would be remiss to omit Craters of the Moon from this list! It’s not too far of a detour from Idaho Falls, and it’s an easy stop if you drive the scenic route from Boise to Idaho Falls (via Highways 20 and 26) en route to the national parks. It also doesn’t require a lot of time since most of the trails are right off the main road, and some are short. Also, some of the trails are paved, and overnight camping is available.
Nearby town Arco is a great pit stop or overnight stop; it’s called the Atomic City because it was the first community in the world to be powered solely by nuclear power (from a reactor that was in what’s now known as the nearby Idaho National Laboratory).
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Turns out, there’s so many fun things to do in eastern Idaho! You definitely won’t be bored if you’re visiting eastern or southeast Idaho or driving through on your way to Yellowstone or Grand Teton.
Looking for more things to do in Idaho? Check out all of my recommendations for Boise and other areas of Idaho, and follow along on Instagram for more trip inspiration and travel tips!