Teton Valley, Idaho facts for kids

Teton Valley is a beautiful area in the western United States. It sits on the west side of the amazing Teton Mountains. People often call it "The quiet side of the Tetons."

The valley includes several towns. These are Victor, Idaho, Driggs, Idaho, Tetonia, Idaho, and Alta, Wyoming. For a long time, people here worked in farming and ranching. Now, more and more visitors come for fun outdoor activities. Teton Valley has special weather and rocks. It also offers many cool things to do. You can visit national parks, see wildlife, fish, hike, ride horses, or go skiing. There are also many artists living here.

Exploring Teton Valley's Past

Teton Valley's history is shaped by nature and people.

Volcanoes and Early Life

Millions of years ago, volcanoes erupted here three times. These eruptions made the valley very rich. It became a great place for plants and animals to live.

Native American Tribes

The first people to live in Teton Valley were Native American tribes. These included the Shishone-Bannock and Northern Paiute tribes. Later, the famous explorers Lewis and Clark traveled through the area in 1805.

Fur Trappers and Rendezvous

Teton Valley was a key spot for fur traders. It hosted the annual Rocky Mountain Fur Rendezvous in 1829 and 1832. At these events, trappers sold their furs. Traders brought supplies for them. Native American tribes like the Flathead and Nez Perce also attended.

In 1832, a battle happened near Victor, Idaho. Trappers, Flatheads, and Nez Perce fought against the Blackfeet Indian Tribe. In 1834, Pierre-Jean De Smet held the first religious service in the West here. The valley is sometimes called Pierre's Hole. This name honors "le grand Pierre" Tivanitagon. He was a trader who died in a battle in 1827.

Settlers Arrive

From 1841 to 1868, over 300,000 white settlers moved west. They used the South Pass, which was south of Teton Valley. Many came because of the California Gold Rush in 1849. Others, like the Mormons, moved to find religious freedom. These groups settled on lands that belonged to the Bannock, Nez Perce, and Blackfeet tribes. The Nez Perce tribe tried to escape to Canada but were captured.

The completion of the transcontinental railroad also brought many new settlers. The Homestead Act of 1862 also helped people get land. Today, many people in Teton Valley are descendants of these early settlers.

Who Lives in Teton Valley?

In 2000, about 6,399 people lived in Teton Valley. This count includes Teton County and Alta, Wyoming. There were 2,219 households, with 1,464 being families.

Many different people call Teton Valley home. About 91.81% of the people were White. Other groups included Black or African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander people. About 11.03% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Many households (39.30%) had children under 18. The average household had about 2.86 people. The average family had about 3.36 people. The median age in Teton Valley was 36 years old.

Teton Valley's Weather

Teton Valley has a unique climate. The average rainfall each year is about 15.9 inches. The average snowfall is about 73.7 inches.

In July, the warmest month, the average high temperature is about 81.7°F (27.6°C). In January, the coldest month, the average low temperature is about 6.4°F (-14.2°C). November is usually the driest month, and June is the wettest.

Understanding Teton Valley's Land

Teton Valley is part of a special area called the Wyoming Overthrust Belt System. This means the land has been shaped by many forces.

Mountains and Valleys

The region has many mountains. These were formed by land pushing up, cracks in the earth, and large blocks of rock moving. Streams and rivers have also carved out steep, narrow canyons.

Types of Soil

The valley has many different kinds of soil. The top layer is mostly made of coarse loams. These soils come from weathered igneous (volcanic) and sedimentary (layered) rocks.

Fun Things to Do in Teton Valley

Teton Valley offers many exciting activities for visitors and residents.

National Parks Nearby

Teton Valley is very close to two famous national parks:

• Yellowstone National Park
• Grand Teton National Park

Amazing Wildlife

You can see many different animals in Teton Valley. These include:

• Bald eagles
• Black bears
• Cougars
• Wolverines
• Grizzly bears

Fishing Adventures

The south fork of the Snake River is near Teton Valley. It's a popular spot for catching wild trout. Palisades Lake is also close by and offers great fishing.

Hiking and Horseback Riding Trails

The Grand Teton Mountains have many trails for hiking and horseback riding. Many of these trails lead into Grand Teton National Park. The Big Hole Mountains to the west and the Snake River Range to the south also offer good hiking. You can also find trails in the southwestern part of Yellowstone from the north side of the valley.

Winter Skiing Fun

Grand Targhee is a great place to ski in the winter. It's located in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. This area is also a main entrance to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

A Hub for Arts and Culture

Teton Valley is home to many talented artists. You can find sculptors, glass blowers, painters, musicians, actors, filmmakers, and wood carvers here. The Teton Valley Historical Museum is also located in the valley, where you can learn more about its past.

Getting Around Teton Valley

There are a few main ways to travel in and out of Teton Valley.

Driving by Car

Teton Valley has three main paved highways:

• State Highway 33: Connects Madison County to the Wyoming State Line.
• State Highway 32: Runs from the Fremont County line south to State Highway 33.
• State Highway 31: Goes from Victor City to the Bonneville County line.

Flying by Plane

The Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport is located in Driggs, Idaho. It does not have regular passenger flights. Its airport codes are IATA: DIJ, ICAO: KDIJ, and FAA LID: DIJ.

Images for kids

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  Mountain located in Yellowstone National Park.

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  Upper Snake River passing by the Grand Tetons.