Roadtrip to Banff: Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Rexburg, & Bear World

campsidephotos
Aug 14
3 min read

Flexibility in the face of change

We only planned to stay in the Grand Tetons for a couple of days as we were on our way to Yellowstone — just a quick stop to snap a few photos before moving on. But the mountains had other plans for us. The jagged peaks, mirror-like lakes, and endless hiking trails pulled us in so completely that “a couple of days” quietly turned into an entire week. Every morning we’d wake up to crisp alpine air and the sight of sunlight spilling over the ridges, and every evening we’d swear we’d seen the best sunset of our lives… until the next one proved us wrong. It was here, in the shadow of the Tetons, that our road trip stopped feeling like a countdown to the wedding and started feeling like an adventure we wanted to stretch out as long as possible.

The Change of Plans

Eventually, we knew it was time to head north toward Yellowstone. But before leaving, we made a stop at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, perched on a hillside just outside Jackson. The galleries were full of incredible paintings, sculptures, and photography capturing the spirit of the wild.

While lingering near a display of elk portraits, we overheard two staff members talking: “All of Yellowstone is closed.” My ears perked up instantly. They went on to explain that historic flooding had washed out roads, damaged bridges, and shut down the entire park — no entrances open, no visitors allowed.

We exchanged glances, the kind that says …well, now what? Over coffee in the museum café, we pulled up maps, scrolled through travel blogs, and debated our next move. Eventually, we decided to reroute toward Rexburg, Idaho, hoping we’d find something interesting there to fill the gap in our itinerary.

Discovering Rexburg

Rexburg wasn’t originally on our radar, but it turned out to be exactly what we needed — a friendly, low-key town with tidy streets, good food, and a chance to catch our breath after a week of mountain hikes. We explored a bit, found a drive-in movie theater, and started to appreciate the slower pace.

Bear World!

And then came the surprise: Bear World. If you’ve never been, it’s a drive-through wildlife park where black bears, grizzlies, moose, elk, and bison wander freely. We rolled through in our car, windows up, watching bears stroll across the road like they owned the place. At one point, a black bear flopped down right in the middle of the lane, forcing everyone to wait until he decided to move.

The absolute highlight? We got to feed three bear cubs a bottle. Tiny, curious, and surprisingly gentle, these little cubs climbed right up to us, lapping milk and wobbling around with big eyes. We instantly fell in love with one in particular — a mischievous cub named Toostie. Holding a bottle for Toostie and watching her nibble and explore was an unforgettable moment, one we will always cherish. The experience felt magical and humbling at the same time — so close to wild animals yet completely safe, and so full of joy.

Looking Back

If we hadn't fallen in love with the Tetons, we would have had to deal with the flooding at Yellowstone, and we would have never stumbled into Rexburg or spent an afternoon surrounded by bears. This detour reminded us that the best road trip stories often come from the moments you don’t see coming — and the flexibility to embrace them when they do.