Rexburg, Idaho Tourism Report

By Cienna Sampedro

Table of Contents

Title Page……...x

Table of Contents……...1

Introduction……...2

Transportation……...3

Accommodations……...5

Additional Accommodations……...6

Food and Beverage……..9

Meetings and Conventions……...11

Recreation and Entertainment……....12

Itinerary……...13

SWOT……...16

Conclusion……..17

Introduction

A travel history always starts with a home base. I was born in Sandy, Utah and at 12 years old, I moved with my mom and 3 brothers to Rexburg, Idaho. Rexburg was settled in 1883 by Thomas Ricks, a Mormon farmer. It is still a large farming community producing grains and, of course, famous Idaho potatoes. Rexburg is home to Brigham Young University-Idaho. The number one activity that this region of Idaho is known for is the fishing on the Snake River. People come from all over for a chance to fish on the Southfork of the Snake River. This area of Eastern Idaho is famous for the Teton Dam breaking and flooding several cities. It was also the location of active volcanoes. Shield volcanoes, lava flows, and caves caused by lava tubes are great places to visit. Yellowstone National Park is within a 2 hour drive, as well as Grand Teton National Park, plus many lakes and ski resorts.

Eastern Idaho experiences all 4 seasons very distinctly. The spring is rainy and frequented with thunderstorms as the weather begins to warm. The summers get to be quite warm, reaching 80-90 degrees fahrenheit. Fall is rainy and the leaves change colors as the temperature drops. The winters are famously cold and windy with temperatures ranging from 30 to -30 degrees fahrenheit. There is a fantastic ice castle that is a must stop if you stop by in the winter. Each season brings new activities for the outdoor enthusiast.

Despite being a small location in respect to the rest of the U.S., Rexburg is frequented by travelers from all over the globe. I work in the tourism industry, working at my family's RV park, Wind Willows RV, on the edge of Rexburg in a tiny town called Thornton. We are a small family-owned park, yet we have had tourists from every corner of the world. Most are passing through on their way to Yellowstone or the Grand Tetons, but all are pleasantly surprised at all that Rexburg has to offer. Guests may stay, on average, anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks. If you're looking for excellent resorts and places to stay, you'll be happy with the choices within the area. If you are trying to travel cheap, you will have many options as well, including a stay at our RV park (whether in your own RV or in one of our local bird-themed "birdhouse" cabins). No matter how you choose to travel, a stop to explore Rexburg and the surrounding area is well worth it.

Transportation

I enjoy talking about the small town where I have grown up for half my life. Rexburg may not have peaked your interest before, but now that I have convinced you to visit, you are probably trying to decide how to get here and how to get around once you're here.

Rexburg has a very small airport that isn't used for commercial travel. The nearest airport is in Idaho Falls, which is only 30 minutes south of Rexburg. It is a small airport as well, but does fly most places in the U.S. I prefer to fly into Salt Lake City because it is cheaper and is an international hub. It is a 4 hour drive from Salt Lake to Rexburg, but it passes through a Native American reservation, many black rock lava flows, and two beautiful mountain passes through the Rockies. If you don't have a ride from Salt Lake to Rexburg, you're in luck! There is a shuttle company called The Salt Lake Express, that makes trips back and forth from the two cities all the time. The ride isn't too expensive and you will travel in a large van or a tour bus. I have been on it many times and haven't had any problems. It will take you longer than 4 hours though, because they make a variety of assigned stops along the way.

Like most places in the United States, aside from very urban cities, a car is necessary to get around. If you don't have one, you'll want to get one. It is easy to rent or because Rexburg is a college town there are plenty of college students driving for ridesharing businesses like Uber and Lift. You'll want to download their app and book your driver ahead of time because it is very likely that you will have to wait for your driver to arrive since Rexburg and the surrounding area is quite rural and most towns are spread out. There really aren't places you can walk to and there is absolutely zero public transport, so plan ahead to have some form of travel whether it be car, bike, motorcycle, or RV. If you choose a road bike, you will find others who share your love for cycling and will most likely bond over your frustration that there are very few (if any) designated bike lanes.

If RVing is your thing, you will not be alone. There are at least 5 RV parks in Rexburg and the surrounding areas. Our RV Park, Wind Willows, is a small secluded park with large trees, green grass, and full hook-up sites. Most other parks in the area are large, mostly gravel, with limited hook-ups. I would advise you to stay away from Teton West in Rigby, they have very negative reviews and I have been informed it isn't as family friendly as the other parks. If you'd like to be close to water, Jefferson County Lake (a.k.a Rigby Lake) has an RV park and puts you right on the water. It is not large enough to boat in, but is great for paddleboarding and playing on the beach. There are three lakes for boating within an hour drive from Rexburg: Ririe Reservoir, Island Park, and Palisades. I highly recommend Island Park and Palisades for water sports, such as skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding. Ririe is in a canyon and can make such sports more dangerous with the blind corners, but it is amazing for boating around and even cliff jumping in some areas.

Winter requires extra caution while traveling, since we do have snow and ice. I recommend that you look up the areas you plan to visit and obey all requirements in the area. That may include, winter tires and/or chains. Snowmobiling is a popular hobby, sport, and chosen form of travel during the winter months. Heading up to Island Park and West Yellowstone to snowmobile is something I suggest everyone gets to do at least once in your life. You will love it!

I'd like to interject to ask if you would please respect the area as you travel. Obey speed limits and avoid reckless behaviors while operating any type of vehicle. Pollution is an inevitable outcome of transportation, but it can be minimized by refusing to litter and to properly maintain your vehicles. Thank you for traveling responsibly, and welcome to Rexburg!

Accommodations

Now that I've for sure convinced you to travel to Rexburg, Idaho and you have a plan to get there, it's time to figure out where you're going to stay. Of course, there are numerous options out there, but I'd like to introduce you to specifically the hotels in Rexburg. The first Rexburg exit you can take getting off Highway 20, is where you want to go. It is hotel central. I have listed in the chart below, the hotels at this main exit. They are priced well and are always clean and welcoming. I have had the opportunity to be a guest at each one and I have no complaints. The linens are fresh and the rooms are tidy and efficiently decorated. The amenities, such as the indoor pools and hot tubs, are kept up well and are enjoyable. All are perfect for the everyday traveller or family visiting Rexburg.

The AmericInn has been a favorite for me and my family for years though, because not only is it a cozy log cabin inspired design, but it also offers a handful of theme rooms. Each special room is themed after something, for example some themes are: safari, medieval, asian, and even an alien planet! I have stayed in two different themed rooms (safari and alien planet) and they were overflowing with fun details that kept me amazed during my entire stay! I highly recommend it. If you are wanting to have a nice relaxing stay, I'd recommend any of these three hotels!

Name
Category
Cost
Amenities
Audience
Stars (Reviews according to Google)
AmericInn by Wyndham
Mid-range
$81
Indoor pool, gym, free breakfast
Average traveller and families
4.2
SpringHill Suites by Marriott
Mid-range
$129
Indoor pool, hot tub, free breakfast and WiFi
Average traveller and families
4.5
Hampton Inn & Suites
Mid-range
$116
Gym, indoor pool, free breakfast
Average traveller and families
4.5

Additional Accommodations

You're on your way to Rexburg and you need a place to stay, but you're not a hotel-goer, don't fret, I've got some great recommendations for you!

First of all, I have to admit that this is my particular area of expertise and I'm a little biased. My family owns an RV Park that also has 5 cabins that we rent out through Airbnb. If you are traveling through Rexburg in an RV or travel trailer there are many options. If you want to stay near a body of water there are 3 RV parks within 20 minutes of Rexburg with easy access to a lake or large pond. If you don't need any hook-ups like water and sewage, there are a couple places as well. If you want a peaceful stay in an area with lots of grass and trees and full hook-up sites, then come to Wind Willows RV! We are the same exit as Yellowstone Bear World as well, which you won't want to miss if you are travelling during the Spring because all the bear cubs will be out playing! If you love Airbnb as much as we do, that will be the first place you will look. There are quite a few rooms in the area. We offer themed cabins with the comforts of home so you can "glamp" instead of rough it. Each cabin is referred to as a "birdhouse" because they are all themed after a different bird (hummingbird, owl, chicken, etc.). Of course, there are many ways to stay these days, but those are the few that I am more familiar with in Rexburg.

Name
Category
Cost
Amenities
Audience
Stars (Reviews according to Google)
Wind Willows RV Park
RV Park
$40/night
Laundry, cabins, volleyball court
RV travellers and families
4.5
Wakeside

Lake RV Park
RV Park
$33-43/night
Wakeboard park, lodge, glamping
RV travellers and families
4.1
Yellowstone Lakeside RV Park
RV Park
$35
Close to fun park, laundry.
RV travellers and families
3.8

Food and Beverage

I know what you all are thinking, "Once we get to Rexburg, where will we eat?" well, I have the answers! Rexburg has all you need when it comes to the well known restaurant chains like Applebee's, McDonald's, Wendy's, Arby's, etc. But, if you are the traveller I think you are, you are looking for local spots that provide both good food and a new experience. Of course, there are more restaurants than I will have time to mention, but these are my top choices. All the restaurants that are on this list are locally owned and operated and have more than just great food!

These adorable potato duckies were not eaten, but they were found in the same fields as the potatoes that are sent to Five Guys Restaurant!

Out of the entire list, you MUST go to Big Jud's! They offer 1 pound and 2 pound hamburgers the size of a dinner plate! If you eat the entire burger, drink a large drink, and finish a mountain of fries you get a T-shirt, a picture on their wall of fame, and your meal is free! The burgers isn't only big, it's really tasty! Oh, I almost forgot my all-time favorite dessert food truck! Karyann's Italian Ice and Custard, only around during the summer, you can't miss the bright yellow truck and the line out front! I hope you enjoy my recommendations.

Name
Type
Cuisine
Meals
Features
Price
Adam's Mongolian Grill
Casual
Self-serve Mongolian style buffet
Lunch, Dinner
Takeout
$$
Pizza Pie Cafe
Casual
Pizza Buffet
Lunch, Dinner
Takeout, curbside
$$
Righteous Slice
Casual
Artisan Pizza
Lunch, Dinner
Takeout, curbside
$$
T-Rex Burgers
Quick Service/ Food Truck
Hamburgers, Fries
Lunch, Dinner
Takeout, Curbside
$$
Crispy Cone
Quick Service/ Food Truck
European Pastry
Dessert
Takeout, Curbside
$$
Big Jud's
Quick Service
World Famous Hamburger
Lunch, Dinner
Takeout, Curbside
$$
Fresco's
Fine Dining
Italian Style, Pizza, Pasta
Lunch, Dinner
Takeout, Delivery
$$$
Red Rabbit
Fine Dining
American Style, Hamburger
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Takeout, Delivery, Curbside
$$
The Hickory
Fine Dining
Barbecue
Lunch, Dinner
Takeout
$$$
Dong's Sushi
Casual
Sushi, Japanese
Lunch, Dinner
Takeout, Delivery
$$

Meetings and Conventions

Idaho is an awesome place to go to enjoy the wonders of nature. With the Grand Tetons in the background, it is a great place to go to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Living in Rexburg, I have been able to experience many different beautiful outdoor activities. I always recommend hiking Cress Creek and going up Kelly Canyon to either rock climb or zipline. There are also some swimming pools and relaxing natural hot springs at Heise Hot Springs. You can golf and camp right on the banks of the Snake River, which is famous for Rainbow Trout fishing. I also highly recommend spelunking in the surrounding area. There are famous wind caves and ice caves. You'll want to bring some warm clothes even though you can only go through the caves in the middle of summer, because they get quite chilly inside.

Not a fan of small spaces? That's ok, there's plenty to do outside of a cave! How about a hike up a butte? It's not what you're thinking. Despite the awkward spelling, buttes are collapsed and inactive volcanoes, which makes them pretty cool. Below I will list off a few of my favorite sites to visit while you're here:

Water activities
Natural Wonders
Sports, Recreation & Spas
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Fishing in the Snake River
Ice Caves
Mountain and dirt biking
Teton Dam Museum
Boating
Wind Caves
Hiking
See the actual remains of the Teton Dam
Swimming
Volcanoes and Buttes
Hot Springs
Eat at Menan's famed restaurant with delicious tomahawk steaks
Tubing
Rock Climbing
Cycling
Watch a live performance at BYUI
Wakeboarding at Wakeside
Ziplining at Heise Zip
Enjoy a Hot Stone Massage at Any Number of Spas

Recreation and Entertainment

Rexburg, Idaho is a great place to gather with family and I have had many family reunions in the area. A favorite spot of ours is the campground up Kelly Canyon. There is a golf course across the street and Heise Hot Springs is just up the street. There is a series of ziplines and rock climbing areas close by too. It is wheelchair accessible and easy to get around. Another area we love to go is to Swan Valley and Palisades. Camping near the

Snake River is ideal for great fishing and amazing hikes. During the winter, we love to meet up at a cozy cabin in Island Park to snowmobile and hot tubbing. All areas are accessible by handi-capable individuals. Three of my step-siblings are special needs and have always been able to go everywhere with us. We are always aware of the parking and how many stairs and how difficult or easy it is to get around. Here are a few other places to check out as well:

Name of venue
Type of venue
Handicap accessible
The Avenues
Indoor
Yes
BYUI- Event Rooms
Indoor
Yes
The Atrium
Indoor
Yes
Hacienda Event Center
Indoor/outdoor
Yes
Emalee's Venue
Indoor/outdoor
Yes
The Basement
Indoor
Yes
The Zone Recreation Center
Indoor
Yes

Itinerary

3 Day Getaway in Idaho: Family Edition

I'm going to start off with a disclaimer, because although you will be staying in Rexburg, Idaho, you will be going to Wyoming...because all the good stuff is on the border.

Now that we got that out of the way, let's take a look at what you have in store on your upcoming family vacation!

First off, you'll arrive at the Idaho Falls Airport, rent a car and drive 30 minutes north to Rexburg. If you arrive early, you should stop by the East Idaho Aquarium, so your kids can enjoy a hands-on and interactive experience. In Rexburg, you have your choice of hotel or Airbnb to stay at. I'd choose somewhere with an indoor pool. Maybe you'll surprise the kids by staying in a theme room!

Once in Rexburg, you'll be excited to head up Kelly Canyon, spending an hour hiking Cress Creek, golfing, and then hitting the hot pools at Heise Hot Springs. If you're adrenaline junkies you could also do the series of ziplines. On your way back to the hotel, you'll stop to share an enormous hamburger at Big Jud's, maybe you'll even try the challenge and go home with a new T-shirt and your picture on the wall.

The next morning, you get everyone up early and make the hour and a half drive to West Yellowstone where you'll get breakfast in a cozy, cabin-style diner. From there you'll be able to drive over the border into Wyoming and enter into Yellowstone National Park. At the entrance you will receive a map and informational packet to let you know where to go and what you'll see in the National Park. You'll want to pack a lunch, because you'll be in the park all day long in order to see even half of what is there. When you're all tuckered out and heading back, you'll want to stop and get some famous huckleberry milkshakes.

For your last day, you'll pack all the kids in the car and drive east up to Swan Valley to have some square ice cream and play in Palisades Lake. You can walk the beaches and collect driftwood and colorful rocks, while breathing in the fresh mountain air. You'll want to have lunch at Snake River Roadhouse Bar & Grill (don't worry, it's not too rough to bring the kids). The food is delicious and an absolute must when you're in the area. Then you'll continue up the canyon to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Make sure to walk the streets and peak into the art galleries to get a good view of the beauty that has been captured by artists inspired by the natural world around you. Before you leave, make sure you get a picture under one of the famous antler arches leading into the park in the main square. You haven't been to Jackson Hole if you haven't taken the antler arch picture.

Finally, it's time to head home. There was lots to see and experience and you got a great taste of the area, hopefully, enough to come back to keep exploring! I included the names of all the places you could visit in order to follow this itinerary, feel free to google them for more information and specific directions.

SWOT

Second guessing your trip to Rexburg, Idaho? Well, here are some helpful facts that should put your mind at ease:

Tourism Strengths: Idahoans are some of the nicest people you will meet! Areas like Yellowstone National Park and Craters of the Moon, are frequented by tourists and are safe and clean. There is an abundance of wildlife, beautiful scenery, and fresh air to keep you wow-ed!

Tourism Weaknesses: There is none, zip, zilch public transportation. You will need a car, truck, motorcycle, bike, rollerblades...to get you pretty much anywhere. Not many places you can walk to, but once you get somewhere, you'll want to have some nice sturdy shoes to get around. It can get off-road real fast. I don't recommend heels unless you're going to a nice place to eat or church.

Opportunities for Improvement: I think that there could be better and more updated signage, especially in the popular destination areas. I also would like to see more rest stops on the way to further destinations. I love knowing what there is to see, so informational packets are always nice and a couple more wouldn't hurt to have in hotels and gas stations.

Threats: Honestly, Idaho and Wyoming are extremely safe states. The wildlife is more dangerous than the people (although I will warn you that they are both very conservative red states, so don't diss guns or bald eagles). There are bears, moose, elk, deer, rattlesnakes, raccoons, coyotes, wolves, foxes, geese, sheep, black widow spiders, badgers, brown recluse spiders, predatory birds, etc. It's not Australia, but I recommend researching any local animal you are unfamiliar with and always being very alert and attentive while driving. Most accidents involving animals are quite dangerous especially when it involves moose, elk, or deer, which can total a car on impact. Be extra careful while driving at dawn or dusk.

Conclusion

Overall, you will be pleasantly surprised at how welcoming the local people are, how breath-takingly raw each location is, and how beautiful and active the native wildlife are. I have enjoyed my time living in Rexburg, Idaho. I have been lucky enough to enjoy living in nature and breathing clean, crisp air while also being able to go to Walmart down the street and McDonald's when I'm in a rush and have the munchies. I can't help but want others to visit and experience all that this area has to offer. I could go on and on to try and convince you, but you won't be able to truly understand until you see Idaho for yourself. I know I've peaked your interest in some way, maybe it was Yellowstone with its geothermal wonders, or perhaps it was the mental picture you got while trying to imagine an arch made entirely of elk antlers in Jackson Hole, or possibly, it was the gigantic hamburger you can get at Big Jud's. Whatever it might have been that made you think that your next trip might be to Rexburg, Idaho, I hope it worked.

P.S. It was the Big Jud's hamburger, wasn't it?