2 Enjoyable Rides at Grand Targhee Without the Cost of a Bike Lift Ticket

While visiting family in Eastern Idaho, where the temps were in the 90s, we decided to go up in altitude and check out the bike riding at Grand Targhee Ski Area. 

Grand Targhee is located on the west side of the Teton mountain range, near Alta, WY. The road winds up with incredible views of the Tetons. At a base elevation of just over 7,000 feet, the temperature was a perfect 70 degrees at the start of our warmup lap. The resort had received close to 600’’ of snow 22’-23’ season. The landscape was still lush and green, with wildflowers still in bloom. The views for both of these rides were spectacular.  

The night before sitting around camp, our route planning efforts concluded we would ride the cross-country trails, avoiding having to pay to ride the lift.  It was a weekday; we had a parking lot and trails almost all to ourselves. We geared up and hit the first trail, Jolly Green Giants, an easy 233’ feet elevation gain through waist-deep wildflowers and tall aspen groves. This trail was an enjoyable 4 miles loop via Greenhorn access trail from the parking lot. 

Jolly Green Giants from the parking lot

We loaded the bikes and jumped back in the truck to drive back down Ski Hill Road for our next ride. We made a left turn on Teton Canyon Road and found the parking area. The view was incredible from here and I almost opted to skip the ride and call it good. 

Mill Creek is an out-and-back trail with a viewpoint that is worth the climb. The start was the steepest part with some decent-sized rocks. Once past the first quarter mile, the trail then continues through the trees providing nice shade. After two miles and about 1,000 feet of elevation, you arrive at the viewpoint of the Tetons, once again. 

This would be a great spot to turn around.  We continued up the trail a little further, but it was obvious not many others had. So we stopped, put on our knee pads and set bike shocks to party mode (soft), and enjoyed the 2 miles back down.      

Mill Creek out-and-back with a spectacular viewpoint

We snacked on the tuna salad I had made for our post-ride enjoyment drive back to town. We also decided tuna wasn’t enough and found ourselves sipping cold beers at Big Hole BBQ in Victor, ID. We ordered fried okra and shared the pulled pork sando, with sides of coleslaw and mac & cheese. An absolute delight, with great people watching too, a mixed crowd of tourists and ranchers. 

On route back to our campground at Heise Hot Springs, we stopped to fill up at the General Store in Swan Valley. Even if you don’t need to stop, this place is worth stopping at. There’s even hardware supplies sold here! Everything from a bakery, butcher, caning your own beer, greeting cards, inflatable paddle boards, produce and so many snacks! I could’ve gone crazy but we made out with Idaho Purple Potato chips and Reed’s Cheese Curds. 

Post Ride beers and food at Big Hole BBQ, in Victor

It was a great day to be outside spinning the pedals. These rides were enjoyable due to our pre-planning the night prior. We knew the type of fun we were looking to have, it felt good to climb 1,300 feet of elevation, and we were mentally prepared.

  • Plan your bike rides using a site like Trailforks, or check out Grand Targhee’s Summer Bike Park Trail Map here.
  • Pick and plan rides within your ability and your riding partner’s ability. Rides should be enjoyable, Type 1 fun, maybe pushing Type 2 fun. I say this from a recent past experience where I was grounded from route planning.
  • Pack a change of clothes, baby wipes, and a cooler of snacks. Take a sponge bath and change in the parking lot between the car doors and then consume snacks!

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