The Ashton-Tetonia Trail

Built in 1912, the Oregon Short Line Railroad, a subsidiary of Union Pacific connected the communities of Ashton, Idaho, through Drummond, Lamont, Tetonia, Driggs, and Victor. The railroad brought prosperity to the sparsely populated Teton Valley; it connected formerly isolated communities and commerce, and moved important agricultural freight, such as livestock, seed potatoes, peas, grain.

Though heavy snowfall often closed the line for days at a time, the railroad was essential transportation in Teton Valley. For many years, passenger trains ran to and from Victor each day, with connections in Ashton and Idaho Falls for West Yellowstone, Pocatello, and Salt Lake City. The Oregon Short Line was also the best route to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, carrying visitors to the dude ranches of Jackson Hole. Improvements to state highways 32 and 33 caused a significant decline in rail use in the 1960’s. Fewer people traveled by passenger train, and much of the freight began to be transported by trucks. The line was abandoned from Tetonia south to Victor in 1981, and from Ashton to Tetonia in 1984.

Winding through small riparian areas, stands of aspen, and high-elevation farmland just west of the Teton Mountains, the Ashton-Tetonia Trail once again connects people and places, the past and future. Completed in 2010 under the Rails to Trails Conservancy program, the abandoned rail was transformed into a vibrant public space managed by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. The 29.6-mile trail features riding through a pristine and secluded environment that hearkens back to simpler times. Today, visitors will enjoy the beautiful farm country of eastern Idaho, 3 bridge crossings, and unsurpassed views of the Teton mountain range. The historic train trestles at Fall River, Conant Creek, and Bitch Creek span 600’ in length and 130’ in height, and are popular landmarks along the trail. Visitors can experience the trail by hiking, biking, horseback riding, as well as Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in winter. The trail is packed gravel/dirt, so mountain bikes (or bikes with wheels that are at least 32mm wide) are recommended.