Rexburg: local rooms, events and more

Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, NV, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Town and around · Idaho · 69k people

Rexburg

Locals say Upper Valley

Where the Tetons meet the potato fields

Navy bluePotato green

Welcome to the Upper Valley! Whether you're here for the spuds, the rivers, or the mountain views, you'll find a friendly, laid-back vibe. Get ready to slow down and enjoy the wide-open spaces.

Clubs for Rexburg

No clubs for Rexburg yet.

The room

Rexburg Quiet now Where the Tetons meet the potato fields

One room for everyone around Rexburg. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Rexburg. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

BYU-Idaho campus Large university campus with a central quad and historic buildings.
Teton River Popular for fishing, floating, and riverside walks.
Henry's Fork of the Snake River Famous trout stream near St. Anthony and Ashton.
Mesa Falls Scenic waterfall on the Henry's Fork, a short drive from Ashton.
Porter Park Central city park with a pond, playground, and summer concerts.
Teton Flood Museum Local history museum about the 1976 dam break.

Outdoors Floating the Teton River
Outdoors Hiking Mesa Falls trail
With kids Rexburg Rapids
With kids Porter Park
Evenings BYU-Idaho sporting events
Evenings Summer concerts at Porter Park
Locals love Potato farms
Locals love Irrigation canals

Through the year

Teton Dam Marathon June Annual marathon and half-marathon along the river, held in June.
Rexburg Farmers Market June–September Local produce, huckleberry treats, and crafts on Saturday mornings.
Rexburg Summer Concert Series July–August Free outdoor concerts at Porter Park on summer evenings.
Rexburg Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through downtown with light displays.
Rexburg Art Walk September Gallery and studio open house along Main Street.

High desert climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. Best time to be out is from June to August. Best: Late June through August, when days are warm and dry.

Talk like a local

“Upper Valley”: The local name for the Rexburg–St. Anthony–Ashton area.
“Spud”: A potato, often used affectionately.
“Fry sauce”: A mix of ketchup and mayo, a regional condiment.

Getaways

Jackson and Grand Teton National Park Scenic mountain town and park entrance, about an hour away.
Idaho Falls River walk, zoo, and larger shopping options.
Yellowstone National Park World-famous geysers and wildlife, accessible via West Yellowstone.
Pocatello Historic downtown and nearby lava hot springs.

Local flavour

Teams

BYU-Idaho Vikings NAIA

Also rooting for BYU Cougars, Utah State Aggies, Idaho Vandals

Eat and drink

Funeral potatoes
Fry sauce A ketchup-mayo blend popular across Idaho
Huckleberry ice cream Made from wild huckleberries foraged in nearby mountains
Potato soup Hearty soup made from local spuds

Where people go

Potato farms Endless fields of potatoes, often with irrigation pivots
BYU-Idaho campus The university campus is a central hub of activity
Main streets Quaint small-town downtowns in Rexburg, St. Anthony, and Sugar City
Irrigation canals Waterways that shape the agricultural landscape

Heritage and traditions

Rexburg is proud of its deep Latter-day Saint pioneer roots, its role as the heart of Idaho's potato country, and the resilience shown after the 1976 Teton Dam collapse.

This time of year in Rexburg

Potato harvest Fall In autumn, fields are busy with digging and hauling potatoes, a community-wide effort.
Fall hunting Fall Deer and elk hunting seasons draw locals into the mountains.

Say it like a local: “Fetch” — A mild swear word used in place of stronger curses.

Festivals

Pioneer Day July Celebrates LDS pioneer heritage with parades, community picnics, and fireworks on July 24.
Fourth of July Celebration July Rexburg hosts a parade, live music, and a large fireworks show at Porter Park.
Rexburg Rodeo Summer A traditional rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing, and local competitors.

Landmarks with a story

Rexburg Tabernacle A historic LDS meetinghouse built in 1911, now used as a community event center.
Rexburg Idaho Temple A prominent LDS temple dedicated in 2008, with striking architecture and gardens.
Teton Dam Site The remains of the 1976 dam collapse, now a memorial and interpretive area.
Madison County Courthouse A stately government building from the early 20th century, listed on the National Register.
Rexburg Pioneer Cemetery Final resting place of many early settlers, with headstones dating to the 1880s.

Food traditions

Dutch oven cooking A pioneer tradition still popular, especially for potato dishes, stews, and cobblers at community gatherings.
Huckleberry pie Made from wild huckleberries picked in the nearby mountains, a summer favorite.
Sourdough bread Brought by early pioneers, sourdough starter is passed down and used for hearty loaves.
Potato casseroles Beyond funeral potatoes, locals enjoy various cheesy potato bakes at potlucks and family dinners.

Music and arts

LDS church music and pioneer hymns Choral and congregational singing are central to local culture, with many community choirs.
BYU-Idaho performing arts The university hosts theatre productions, orchestral concerts, and dance performances.
Quilting and folk crafts Pioneer-era quilting traditions are kept alive by local guilds and craft fairs.

A little history

1883 Rexburg founded by Thomas E. Ricks
1888 Ricks College established as Bannock Stake Academy
1976 Teton Dam collapse and devastating flood
2001 Ricks College becomes BYU-Idaho
1900s Early 20th-century irrigation projects transform the desert into potato farmland

Rivalries

Rexburg vs. Idaho Falls Friendly banter over which city has better potato fries and local culture.

Game day High school football Friday nights
Game day BYU-Idaho intramurals
Outdoors Hunting in the fall
Outdoors Camping in the Teton Basin
With kids Visiting the Rexburg Idaho Temple grounds
With kids Playing at Porter Park

People in Rexburg speak with a general Western American accent, but LDS culture shapes vocabulary—mild exclamations and local terms like 'upper valley' and 'spud' are common. The 'T' in Teton is pronounced like 'tee'.

Only here

The Teton Dam breach site is a solemn reminder of the 1976 flood that reshaped the town.
The St. Anthony Sand Dunes rise unexpectedly from the flat farmland, a unique geological wonder.
The Rexburg Idaho Temple is one of the newest LDS temples, a striking landmark visible from miles away.
Potato fields stretch for miles, and locals joke that the spud is king.

New here? A few tips

Be ready for cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers—layering is key.
The LDS faith shapes much of community life; you'll see many families and church activities on Sundays.
A car is essential; the town is spread out and public transit is limited.
Try the local potato dishes and huckleberry treats—they're a point of pride.
Pronounce 'Rexburg' as REX-burg, and 'Teton' as TEE-ton.

Make this page better

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Part of Idaho Falls area

Nearby

Every area

Idaho FallsIdahoWhere the Snake River winds through the high desert BlackfootIdahoThe heart of Idaho's potato country.JacksonWyomingWhere the Tetons touch the sky PocatelloIdahoA friendly gateway to Idaho's outdoors.Montpelier–Soda SpringsIdahoWhere the water fizzes and the berries are sweet.Dillon–EnnisMontanaWhere the rivers run clear and the mountains meet the sky.HaileyIdahoMountain air, small-town heart.BozemanMontanaBig skies, bigger mountains.

Rexburg, ID. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.