Trails & Pathways Projects

The Community Winter Trails System relies on amazing volunteers, dedicated staff and a reliable system of equipment. Our equipment is now valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and we’ve working toward a long term storage and maintenance facility for all our valuable stuff!

District 33 Snowmobile District is working toward a similar facility for their snowcat used to groom snowmobile trails in Southeast Idaho and we're working together to make our shared vision a reality.

When the two groups approached County Commissioners about the partnership to build a facility, an opportunity emerged with a county owned property on Buxton Ave. The site will be on the corner of Front Street and Buxton Ave. in Driggs and we are thrilled to report that our building permit was issued in September 2025. During Summer 2025 the site plan was completed by Harmony Design and Engineering and architectural drawings were completed by Booth Architecture. Updates and adjustments were made based on City of Driggs requirements in the building permit process. Because the building will be on County property, we are working under their contracting requirements and posted the project for public bidding. Teton West Construction was awarded a signed contract in August.

Collectively, we have raised $562,910 to build a shared use facility for storage and maintenance of grooming equipment serving Trails & Pathways and District 33 Snowmobile Grooming. Funding sources include Idaho Parks and Recreation, District 33 Grooming, CHC Foundation and Trails & Pathways. Wade Kaufman, Board member and owner of Horizon Landscape Services agreed to donate all site preparation work and excavation. Conversations with Fall River Electric and the City of Driggs, and Teton County about how to re-route some utilities are ongoing. We were also awarded an additional 50k from the Harry Morrison Foundation. Our grant applications with the Idaho Community Foundation and the Bulger Foundation are under review. We are working hard to bring together creative funding sources and we are thankful to companies and granting organizations for their support so far.

The next steps? Building site prep begins and concrete will be poured by end of September. The steel for the building arrives in early October and things will start to go vertical!

Like all building projects, this one has already thrown us a curveball or two and costs continue to increase. We’ll need to raise additional funds to see the project across the finish line. For more information and a detailed budget for this project, download the update here (PDF file).

With hundreds of thousands of equipment acquired for Winter Trails maintenance, we are motivated to keep everything in tip-top shape for longevity and budget efficiency. A covered, heated space for storage and maintenance contributes to the life of the fleet and the person managing it. A shared facility makes costs more manageable.

• Ask us about progress of the Shared Use Facility at events.

• We are looking to finance this facility in a variety of ways and are seeking to raise an additional $130,000 for construction. Contact dan@tvtap.org if you would like to contribute.

• Come on a tour when it's finished, but before it gets FULL.

• Support our Winter Trails Program every season by purchasing an Individual or Family Pass Trails Support Vehicle sticker. Next season's stickers are usually available in November.

Looking to take action locally? Please read more about the Driggs 160 Parcel

Driggs 160 Parcel

This piece of land, which is about 3 miles northeast of Tetonia, and 160 acres in size is currently owned by the Idaho Department of Lands and managed by the State Board of Land Commissioners. As of July 15, 2025, the State Board has been approved to dispose of (or sell off) this parcel in public auction. Currently, and for the last 30 years, this land has been leased for cattle grazing by a multi-generational Teton Valley family. It is also a parcel of land TVTAP had previously identified as having winter grooming potential.

Although there is some precedent for IDL to sell off land, it is generally in much smaller quantities (frequently less than an acre) and in much more urban areas. While the sale of IDL land can benefit Idaho’s charitable institutions, it does not account for the local heritage, wildlife habitat, ecological connections, and recreation potential that exist. These things have the capacity to dry up quickly or alter significantly if sold to a private landowner. IDL and the State Board have said they prefer to have commissioner approval for sales like these and the Teton County, ID county commissioners are currently in a 45 day window where they can comment on the potential sale. We encourage you to reach out to Teton County, ID county commissioners before their August 11th BOCC meeting and to help keep public lands public.

Large local land parcel up potentially up for public auction. Tell Commissioners what you think.

Email County Commissioners before August 11 meeting:

• Brad Wolfe, Chair, District 1

• bwolfe@tetoncountyidaho.gov

• (208) 607-7803

• Dan Powers, District 2

• dpowers@tetoncountyidaho.gov

• (208) 904-7678

• Ron James, District 3

• rjames@tetoncountyidaho.gov

• (208) 607-6519

“Growing good humans, outdoors” is what the Wild School of Teton Valley is all about. The Wild School is a forest pre-k program that “develops the whole child by immersing them in wild systems and natural rhythms.” They provide a “safe and rich learning environment, Kindergarten-readiness curriculum, and whole child development” entirely outdoors, four seasons a year.

“We are effective because our classroom is outside. It’s simple. When there are no walls, when the wilderness is the container, kids come away with a genuine comfort, confidence, and connection in the outdoors and socially in our community. It’s effective in the social and emotional realm, and in the physical realm” says David May, founder of the Wild School. “And public lands are a huge deal. We are in and amongst the community both ecologically and in our Teton Valley community when we’re out on trails, and we get the opportunity to experience different parts of the valley. That’s real place-based education.”

David is quick to point out that there are tradeoffs with a more typical education. He points to the fact that he's observed Wild School students aren't afraid to make mistakes. "We do pre-literacy work, but our focus is broader. These students might not necessarily enter kindergarten being familiar with a typical school day routine, but they aren't afraid to make mistake or to fall and get back up. And they're very communicative with us and with each other. It's so effective in the social-emotional, and physical realms."

Where you might find the Wild School on a given day depends on the season. The Wild School spends a bunch of time at South Bates in the winter and on the Teton Creek Corridor in the summer, among many other locales. “The corridor is awesome because of the accessibility, access to water and shade, the bird life, the old growth cottonwoods. We can be tucked into the woods and people might not even know we’re there when they walk by on the trail 20 feet away.”

“Our real focus is on being a group and a community. We have a responsibility to each other, to keep ourselves and each other safe, and to take care of the environment. We pull weeds and clean up, too.” David says of the emphasis at the Wild School. They think a lot about the cyclical nature of their time outside and of the outdoor classroom itself. They watch the seasons go by and observe how the places change: sometimes there is water in Teton Creek, sometimes there is not; sometimes there are leaves and sometimes there are not, and often there are different colors, animals, sounds, in these places. Student activities and interest vary by season. Recently they've been enjoying climbing trees, identifying birds and bird sounds, and playing in the sand. Other seasons they're building things out of snow, figuring out what floats and what sinks, and finding rays of sun to warm their cheeks.

“We wouldn’t be the Wild School without the wild. The work TVTAP does in stewarding trails, and trail work is crucial. Trails inherently steward the land and the volunteers and people who donate are invisible ties of the community. It really makes the Wild School a more special place.”

Trails in Teton Valley provide a classroom for a local pre-kindergarten curriculum.

• Visit www.wildschooltetonvalley.com to find out more.

• Wave or say hello to students if you see them on local pathways and trails.

• This group of tiny adventurers are often on foot in town or at crossings. Please pay attention to pedestrians year- round and yield at crosswalks.

We have been working on this non-motorized trail project since 2016 and are thrilled to see more forward motion. This figure 8 loop E of Victor, above Mountainside Village will connect existing trails to the current AJ Trail.

In 2024, The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) finalized the Travel Management Plan for this area (and Alta, WY). This allows for trail development in the specific BLM parcels. The results of the Travel Management Plan are finally starting to take shape and reinforces how much persistence it takes to provide trails to the community.

We will continue to work with partner trail organizations to develop trails consistent with the Travel Management Plan.

Next steps:

• Alignment of current trails to new trails.

• Ground-truth old trails condition and location.

• Button up MOU agreements with the BLM.

• Codify easement access where required.

• Non-motorized, 8-mile loop trail with easy access from Victor.

• Great views and recreational opportunity for walkers, runners and riders.

• Join is on Saturday, June 28 for AJ Trail Day.

• Watch for additional dig and maintenance days to be scheduled.

• Donate during the Tin Cup Challenge to build general funds to continue this type of work.

• For a large PDF map, click here.

The idea of a trail that parallels the Teton Canyon road and links together the canyon's many trailheads, campgrounds and existing trails has been a goal for many years. Now we are making it a reality! Here's a little background on how we got here and the duration of the effort:

• 2018- The Teton Basin Ranger District approved implementation of the Teton Canyon Trailhead, Campground & Dispersed Recreation Improvements Project.

• 2020- TVTAP began working with stakeholders and laying out the new trail footprint.

• 2022- TVTAP was awarded a RTP grant to begin construction of North Side Trail, phase 1. The Treasure Mountain Scout Camp special use permit was not renewed and becomes a Forest Service managed area, which opens the door for some trail connections. GAOA funding creates opportunity for infrastructure improvements in Teton Canyon.

• 2023- North Side Trail Phase 1 was constructed from Sheep Bridge trailhead to the canal crossing (0.66 miles). The Treasure Mountain Camp area is approved implementation of Sheep Bridge trail extension over to Treasure Lake and to a new Treasure Lake parking area (with three necessary bridges).

• 2024- TVTAP secures additional funding to build the necessary bridges for phase 2 of the North Side Trail as well as two of the Sheep Bridge Trail bridges. Construction started in summer 2024, in partnership with TBRD, and the four bridges have been constructed minus approach ramps and handrails.

• 2025- Bridges are scheduled to be completed in spring 2025.

This will be a major effort of the summer. Thankfully, the federal funding tied to phase two construction is available now and we are in the process of bidding. Trails & Pathways has raised the match and Phase 2 will start in July with gravel tread work. Foot bridges are slated to be done by July 4. Phase Three construction will also begin this summer and if all goes well, the two bridges that span Teton Creek (Sheep Bridge will be replaced and a second one south of the Treasure Mountain Trailhead) completing the loop. We have three volunteer days planned:

• July 11th

• August 8th

• September 12th

Please watch for our email updates and this project update for sign up and details.

We have been working with the Teton Basin Ranger District to construct a trail network that connects many of the existing trails in the Teton Canyon corridor. It will soon be possible to recreate up the Sheep Bridge trail to Treasure Lake, then to the North Teton trailhead and back on the North Side Trail (or vice versa) without traveling on the busy canyon road.

This trail project will:

• Create roughly 4 miles of new non-motorized recreation opportunity.

• Disperse trail use...less crowded on existing trails.

• Link trailheads to campgrounds...no more riding or walking on the dusty road.

• Create an opportunity where the trail experience is the destination.

• Provide an accessible opportunity for strollers, young kids and people with disabilities

• Support TVTAP through any of our fundraising campaigns so we can keep pushing this project, and others, along.

• Save the date for Volunteer Work Days July 11, August 8, September 12.

• Demonstrate excellent trail etiquette, read all the signs, educate yourself and follow the rules (your dogs too). We loose traction to push projects like this forward if land managers have to deal with repeated issues associated with trail use.

With the help of a Teton Springs Foundation grant, we have purchased a flashing crosswalk sign to be installed east of the bridge over Teton Creek where the trail crosses Cemetery Road. This will enhance the safety of individuals crossing busy Cemetery Road from Driggs to the Corridor Trail. We also want to thank the City of Driggs for helping to install the Pedestrian Activated Flashing Crosswalk sign later this summer.

Enjoy improved safety this spring and summer on one of our most popular amenities.

• Watch for construction and installation of the flashing crosswalk later this summer and use caution while workers are in the area.

• Please wear a helmet on your bike when accessing the Teton Creek Corridor Trail from Cemetery Road. This is a busy road with cars, trucks and heavy equipment to and from the Teton County Transfer Station.

Because of a significant private gift, our relationship with the City of Driggs and our in-house expertise, Trails & Pathways was able to complete construction on the bridge connecting the Ski Hill Road Path to Teton Creek Corridor. This establishes a connection from downtown Victor all the way to Stateline Road nearly 12 miles and 19 if you include the Centennial Pathway link. This connection improves travel, recreation and safety in Teton Valley. In June, this bridge was dedicated to our colleague, Joselin Matkins, a dedicated conservationist and contributor to this project.

Anyone who has ever been to the transfer station knows the traffic levels and truck frequency on this road. This bridge provides safer access to the Teton Creek Corridor Pathway for those on foot or bikes.

• Use the Bridge!

• To lengthen your walk or ride, park at 5th Street Skate Park and take the pathway along Ski Hill Road and the connector pathway, over the bridge and cross to get on the Corridor Pathway.

• Look for seasonal opportunities to maintain the Pathway including trash pick-up, weed pulling and general maintenance.