By Geogiraffe
Teton Mountains, curtesy of Unsplash.com
Welcome to Idaho!
A state that overflows with natural wonder and raw beauty. Despite popular belief, there is much more to this state than Yellowstone, gemstones, and artic tundra. As it turns out, it's hard to not stumble on the next best horizon while traveling. In fact the potato state has far too many beautiful locations to visit and explore, so to narrow it down, here are 5 place you must see near Rexburg, ID. A couple of them might just surprise you.
NUMBER ONE: THE TETON DAM
The Teton Dam, curtesy of Anne Smith
The Teton Dam is a historic and unique site located 14 miles from Rexburg and is a must see! Originally built on the Snake River, The Teton Dam was an earthen dam built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation to combat drought.
"...it suffered a catastrophic failure on June 5, 1976, as it was filling for the first time. " -Wikipedia
While it was being filled, the dam collapsed because the water runways were not set properly. The water washed pushed the debris into the nearby farmlands and valleys, essentially carving a mini Grand Canyon.
This site can be reached by car and foot, just make sure to take some water, a camera, and good hiking shoes, you never know what you might find.
NUMBER TWO: MESA FALLS
44 miles from Rexburg, Idaho, near a small town called Ashton, there lie a flock of majestic waterfalls, the greatest of which is Upper Mesa Falls.
According to the United States Forest Service, the Upper Mesa Falls is as tall as a 10 story building and is home to a number of ecosystems. -In Spanish, the word 'mesa' means table, which is very suiting of the flat ground steps the water pours from.
There is a nice trail with handrails that the forestry service provides as a parking lot. You'll want to bring your own water bottles, snacks, and sunscreen as it is quite an impressive site. -Just make sure you don't fall in! It might look pretty, but that water is very cold and chilly!
Mesa Falls, curtesy of Unsplash.com
NUMBER THREE: ST. ANTHONY SAND DUNES
St. Anthony Sand Dunes, curtesy of Anne Smith
The Saint Anthony Sand Dunes are located 13 miles from Rexburg, Idaho. They are the perfect place for sand surfing, bon fires, sand sledding, and more. The entrance, like the others on this list is free, as it is local, protected land.
Whether you visit during the day or night, these sand dunes are a must see! If you come during the day, grab some dirt bikes or even a piece of cardboard to slide down the easy slopes. If you visit at night, bring along some firewood and telescope. The darkened sky will reveal a marvelous view of the stars on a clear night.
NUMBER FOUR: THE TETONS
Teton Mountains, curtesy of Unsplash.com
Bursting from the valley floor is a mass of rock and boulder known as the majestic Tetons. Located 55 miles from Rexburg, these incredible mountains are worth the drive! If you care to travel to the Grand Teton National Park, you'll find an incredible assortment of hiking trails and camping sites. The Teton River also runs through the range if you're up for a bit of canoeing.
What to bring? A coat, for sure. The weather gets mighty cold in "them thar hills". Snow often blankets the range most of the year, if not all of it. If you're exploring, take snacks, but make sure to watch for bears, they get hungry too.
NUMBER FIVE: THE NATURE PARK
So, say that you don't have a car or people that will take you farther than you can walk in a day, the final destination on this list in quite literally in Rexburg's backyard.
Located all of one mile from the heart of Rexburg lies a quiet and peaceful patch of ground called the "Nature Park."
Home to a series of ponds on the river, the Nature park will surprise you with ducks and water fowl. It is the perfect place for a peaceful walk or an intense game of ultimate frisbee.
What to bring? Yourself! That is quite literally it. All be it picnics are fun, just beware the birds, they often pop up to steal your sandwiches.
Nature Park, curtesy of Unsplash.com
CONCLUSION:
There are so many beautiful places to visit in Idaho, especially near Rexburg. You don't need to go far to find the peace, comfort, and majesty of nature. Whether you love the mountains or the sandy beach, whether you love intensely powerful waterfalls, or find open, grassy picnics to be your cup of hot chocolate, there is a place for you. You just simply need to be adventurous enough to find it.
So, take the step, climb in your car, or ride your bike, there is too much beauty and wonder to be had for you to stay inside. Go forth and conquer, go forth and discover. -Who knows what will happen when you learn your Geogiraffe?
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