Where to go in Eastern Idaho
 

We will be visiting GTNP and YNP in August and will have 3 additional days to see another area. We have never been to Idaho (and honestly do not know too much about the state) and would love to see a little bit of it. Where would you recommend that we visit? We obviously would want to be on the Eastern side of the state close to Jackson, Wy..

We have three boys aged 3, 9, & 11. We appreciate all recommendations for towns/parks to visit along with suggested accommodations and activities, etc..

Thank you.
Jeanne

Check out the town of Driggs on the western side of GTNP. Nice view from the otherside that not many people see. You could also check out Upper/Lower Mesa Falls along the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. Also some very good fishing on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River.

thanks.

"We will be visiting GTNP and YNP in August and will have 3 additional days to see another area."

Lucky you that you have 3 extra days. Most people don't have enough when visiting YNP.

I'm a big Idaho fan but I don't think the eastern border area with Wyoming is all that interesting. Not until you get over to Sun Valley and Stanley does the real Idaho scenery kick in. That's probably too far for you to go.

Instead, make sure you haven't missed anything in the area east of YNP and Jackson. A trip down to the Oregon Trail and South Pass could be very interesting. Or a visit to Cody where there are fabulous museums and a nightly rodeo. Also, make sure you haven't missed the Beartooth Highway. A loop from the NE entrance of YNP up to the Beartooth Pass and then down to Cody via Dead Indian Pass is an awesome drive and could easily take two or three days if traveled leisurely.

We found ourselves with an extra day at GTNP and decided to drive thru mountain pass to Driggs as a day trip - and so our teens could check of Idaho on the visited list.

Drive was beautiful. If you go, stop at the municipal airport and eat at the restaurant there (I am not kidding). It was one of the better meals we had on the trip. They also have a bunch of vintage planes in a hanger that you can visit as well as watching planes - we saw all sorts of crop dusters, vintage planes, plane towing a banner - your boys would love it.