Grand Targhee Resort sits at 8,000 feet on the Alta, Wyoming side of the Teton Range, 12 miles up the canyon from Driggs, Idaho. In summer it becomes one of the most activity-dense mountain destinations in the region. World-class bike park. Miles of hiking trails. Two major music festivals. A summer full of events from July 4th trail races to Pride Fest to the Wydaho Rendezvous. If you have not spent a summer day at Targhee, here is everything you need to plan one.
Weather
At 8,000 feet, Targhee runs cooler than the valley floor. Summer days are warm and sunny, but temperatures drop fast once the sun goes behind the ridge. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, so plan your exposure accordingly. The resort opens for summer on June 12.
|
Month |
Avg High |
Avg Low |
What to Expect |
|
June |
72-76 F |
40-45 F |
Opening weekend, wildflowers emerging, trails drying out |
|
July |
78-82 F |
48-52 F |
Peak season, driest month, festivals and full trail access |
|
August |
75-80 F |
47-51 F |
Warm days, Bluegrass Festival, late wildflowers, Wydaho |
Layers are not optional, even in July. Bring a shell and sunscreen regardless of how warm the morning looks. If you see storms building over the peaks, get off exposed ridgelines and out of the bike park.
Mountain Biking
The Grand Targhee Bike Park covers every style of riding across more than 70 miles of trail: gentle banked cruisers, tight cross-country singletrack, gnarly downhill with rock gardens and drops, and everything in between. The lift-served downhill network alone runs more than 17 miles. It has been ranked the No. 1 bike park in the Northwest by mtbproject.com. Bike rentals and full gear are available at the base. The park opens June 12 and runs through Labor Day weekend.
Skill Level Breakdown
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Beginner: Gentle, undulating trails at the base, good for first-timers and families
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Intermediate: Cross-country singletrack through the trees with moderate climbing and flow
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Advanced: Lift-served downhill with rock gardens, drops, and technical features. Rent a downhill bike at the base.
Clinics and Skills Camps
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MTB Retreats: Multi-day camps for riders of all levels, from beginner through advanced
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Ladies AllRide: Women-focused skills camps, two hours with professional coaches on specific skill sets
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Enduro Evenings: Grassroots enduro-style stage racing through the bike park, fun and accessible for intermediate and up
Pierre's Hole 50/100
A marquee mountain bike race on the west side of the Tetons, now in its second decade. The course runs through the Caribou-Targhee National Forest on singletrack with views that are hard to match anywhere in the region. Both 50-mile and 100-mile options are available. Register at grandtarghee.com.
Wydaho Rendezvous Mountain Bike Festival
Labor Day Weekend, Grand Targhee Resort
The season closer for the regional mountain biking community. Two days of demos, skills clinics, guided rides for all levels, and live music. Open to all levels. Details at grandtarghee.com.
Hiking
Targhee sits at the edge of the Jedediah Smith Wilderness with direct access to some of the most spectacular terrain on the west side of the Tetons. The Dreamcatcher chairlift carries hikers 2,000 feet to the summit of Fred's Mountain, where a 360-degree view of the Teton Range and Teton Valley awaits. From there, trails branch into the wilderness, down through the resort, or across toward Alaska Basin. A single-ride lift ticket ($15) covers hikers who want the elevation gain without the climb. The Summit Nature Center at the top is worth a stop. Check current trail conditions at grandtarghee.com or alltrails.com.
Wildflower Run
July 4-5, 2026, Grand Targhee Resort
Now in its fourth year, the Wildflower Run covers 50K, 22K, 10K, and 1K kids' race distances over the Fourth of July weekend. The 50K follows Targhee's high-elevation ridgelines with 4,400 feet of vertical gain. All races are capped at 200 participants with no day-of registration, so sign up early. Cash prizes for top 50K finishers and awards across all podiums. Live music at the Trap from 2:00-5:00 p.m. after the races. Register at grandtarghee.com.
Summer Events
Targhee Fest, Back After 7 Years
July 10-11, 2026, Grand Targhee Resort
Targhee Fest returns for the first time since 2019. The 2026 lineup is headlined by The Marcus King Band, Charley Crockett, and Lukas Nelson, with sets from Larkin Poe, Ryan Bingham with The Texas Gentlemen, JJ Grey & Mofro, The Wood Brothers, Neal Francis, and Ken Pomeroy. Tickets range from $349 (Tier 1) to $499 at the door. No on-site camping for Targhee Fest. Book lodging at the resort or in Driggs or Victor. Tickets at grandtarghee.com.
Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival
August 7-9, 2026, Grand Targhee Resort
Now in its 36th year, this is one of the longest continuously running bluegrass gatherings in the Rocky Mountains. The 2026 edition is headlined by Sierra Ferrell, four-time Grammy winner in 2025, and Jesse Welles, who received his first Grammy nomination in 2026. The full lineup includes Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Devil Makes Three, Keller & The Keels, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, The Brothers Comatose, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Mountain Grass Unit, Lindsay Lou, Tim O'Brien Band, Shadowgrass, Hogslop String Band, Kyle Tuttle Band, and Magoo. Gates open Friday at 12:30 p.m. Camping available on site starting at $249 for four nights. Single-day tickets available. Full schedule and tickets at grandtarghee.com.
If You Are Not on a Bike
Scenic chairlift rides on the Dreamcatcher run all summer ($15 single ride). The base area has an 18-hole disc golf course, climbing wall, pool, bouldering park, and the steepest zip line in the area. Live music runs on the Habitat Patio most weekends, and the Trap Bar hosts regular evening concerts.
The Pool and Hot Tub
The heated outdoor pool and hot tub are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Lodging guests have pool access included with their stay. Day visitors can purchase passes in advance online or at the Activity Center. Capacity is limited, so booking ahead is recommended. Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. No outside food or alcohol in the pool area, but poolside food and beverage service is available. Learn2Swim offers private and semi-private swim lessons on site for all ages. Note that the pool is closed to day pass guests during Targhee Fest (July 9-11) and the Bluegrass Festival (August 6-9). Reserve at grandtarghee.com or call 307-353-2300.
Dining at Targhee
All dining options are within easy walking distance of the lodges in the main plaza. The resort covers everything from a quick morning coffee to a full sit-down dinner with Teton views.
Powder Cache Bar and Grill
The top dining option at the resort. The Powder Cache serves high-end comfort food in the Rendezvous Lodge with views of the Teton Range. Dinner-focused with a full bar and specialty cocktails. Reservations recommended on busy weekends. This is the spot for a proper meal after a long day on the mountain.
Wild Bill's Grill
The midday go-to. Hand-tossed pizza, burgers, brisket sandwiches, and a solid lineup of lunch options. Located in the Rendezvous Lodge alongside the Powder Cache.
Snorkels Cafe
Slopeside and open throughout the day. Made-from-scratch pastries, Wyoming-style breakfast burritos, hot coffee, cappuccinos, soups, and sandwiches. The right call before a morning hike or a mid-afternoon refuel between laps.
The Trap Bar and Grill
Targhee's local watering hole. Cold beer, famous nachos, burgers, and a relaxed atmosphere that draws everyone from bike park regulars to festival campers. Live music on the patio through the summer season and regular evening concerts. Open for lunch and through the evening.
Getting There and Staying
Grand Targhee Resort is at 3300 Ski Hill Road in Alta, Wyoming. From Driggs, it is a 12-mile drive up the canyon, about 20 minutes. From Jackson, it is approximately one hour via Teton Pass. On-mountain lodging books fast in summer, especially on festival weekends. Driggs and Victor offer full lodging options 15-20 minutes down the hill. For tickets, event registration, lift passes, bike rentals, and the full summer calendar, visit grandtarghee.com.
Live Here. Do All of This.
At Teton Real Estate Group, we know this valley from the inside. We know which neighborhoods put you closest to the Targhee access road, which properties back up to trail systems, and which areas give you the quiet mornings and short drives that make a lifestyle like this actually work day to day. Our agents live here, ride here, hike here, and attend these events. When you are ready to match where you live to how you want to live, we are the right team to help you do it. Reach out to Teton Real Estate Group any time.
Photo credit: Grand Targhee Photography, grandtargheephotography.smugmug.com