“Mellowstone:” Your Summer Basecamp for Yellowstone
On the western side of the Tetons, a mere two hours from the South entrance to Yellowstone National Park over the Teton Pass, lies a Shangri-la of summer in the rugged Tetons: Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyoming.
Dubbed “Mellowstone” for its slower pace of life than the at-times bumper-to-bumper crowds in Jackson Hole, summer spent at Grand Targhee offers activities galore for all the adventure lovers in your life with a, well, more mellower vibe befitting of adjacent rural Idaho, where a one-stoplight town 15 minutes from the resort drops you right where you want to be: in a historic pharmacy sipping huckleberry milkshakes. Because isn’t that truly the medicine we all need? So, whether you have one day to spend or a whole week, this is our definitive guide to what to do this summer on the unhurried side of the Tetons at Grand Targhee or, as we like to call it, Mellowstone.
QUICK FACTS:
Opened June 13 for the Summer 2025 season.
Distance from
Jackson Hole Airport, WY: 1 hour
Grand Teton National Park Entrance, WY: 1 hour
Idaho Falls Airport, ID: 1.5 hours
Yellowstone National Park South Entrance, WY: 2 hours
Bozeman, MT: 3 hours
Salt Lake City, UT: 4.5 hours
Boise, ID: 5.5 hours
ONE DAY AT MELLOWSTONE
Start your morning with a stop in Snorkels Cafe for made-from-scratch pastries, Wyoming-style breakfast burritos, steaming cups of soup, and cozy coffees before expanding your view with a scenic chairlift ride to the summit of Fred’s Mountain, basking in the 360-degree panorama of the Tetons before while gearing up for some blood-pumping mountain bike riding. If you feel intimidated, not to worry! The Bike Park offers terrain for every level of rider, from gently undulating hills to steep drop-offs. Or, if your own two feet are more your style, pick a trail from the 50-plus-mile trail network and head out for some fresh air through wildflower meadows and towering aspens.
Traveler Tip: Targhee offers free guided hikes Thursday through Sunday. Meet your Mountain Host at 10 a.m. in the Plaza. After a ride up the Dreamcatcher Lift, hosts will guide you around the top of Fred’s on the Summit Trail and then back down to the base via the Bannock Trail while informing you about the rich history and unique geology of the Tetons. Bring your friends and family and enjoy first-class hiking. A scenic ticket purchase is required to ride the lift.
Finish the day with a refreshing swim in Targhee’s pool followed by a poolside bite or fully wind down with a slope-side massage service; options start at $70 and range from 30 minutes to two hours. End your day with some grub at Grand Targhee’s local watering hole, The Trap Bar: cold beers, its famous nachos and a laid-back, local vibe.
HANG YOUR HAT FOR A WHILE
For those with a little more time to spend, here’s how we’d spend three days with Mellowstone as your home base.
Day 1: Start your trip with a day in Yellowstone National Park tour with American Safaris. We highly suggest tagging along with an expert guide, who provides a rich education into the region’s ecology, history and geology while also taking you to the hot spots for sighting grizzly bears, bison, moose, and even wolves. We always suggest beginning a trip with a wildlife tour to deepen your understanding of our breathtaking environment from the jump. Local guides also have excellent recommendations for any and all of your burning questions, such as activities, watering holes and local events. You may discover more areas you want to return to and explore.
Day 2: Get on the water! Whether it’s a guided fishing trip with WorldCast Anglers, or floating the Teton River, it just doesn’t feel like summertime without a day spent on the water. Traveler Tip: Don’t forget to cool off with a huckleberry milkshake afterward from Corner Drug located in downtown Driggs!
Day 3: Hang at Targhee for a day of activities or leisure. Whether it’s a guided horseback ride, mountain biking, a round of golf, or a day spent hitting the trail, choose your own adventure. There’s even an adventure park for kids with trampolines and a rock climbing wall to keep everyone in the family smiling. Head into Teton Valley, Idaho, for dinner by jumping on Targhee’s local shuttle. Whether you’re looking for a local brewery, mouthwatering Thai food, sushi, or stomping your boots to live music at the Tetonia Club, the valley has something for everyone.
Bottom line: Whether you’re nestling into our neck of the woods for a day or a week, a stay in Mellowstone brings the true spirit of Teton adventure to your doorstep.
