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On June 5, 1976, the brand-new Teton Dam collapsed upstream and sent a wall of water through Rexburg, and the way this farm town rebuilt still shapes its story. Founded in 1883 by Latter-day Saint settlers led by Thomas E. Ricks, the Madison County city of about 35,000 sits in the broad Upper Snake River Valley of eastern Idaho, with the Teton Range on the horizon.
Rexburg is a college town above all. Brigham Young University-Idaho, which grew from the old Ricks Academy, fills the hill above downtown, and students give the place a young, clean-cut energy. The white Rexburg Idaho Temple, the flower beds of the Thomas E. Ricks Gardens and the 1911 tabernacle that now houses the Teton Flood Museum are the main sights in town.
Summer brings international folk dancers for the Idaho International Summerfest and families to Porter Park's antique carousel. Rexburg also makes a handy base for bigger trips: the St. Anthony Sand Dunes are a short drive north, and Yellowstone and Grand Teton are within reach for a day.
A museum inside the 1911 Rexburg Tabernacle that tells the story of the Teton Dam collapse in 1976, with photos, film, flood-damaged objects and survivors' accounts, plus pioneer-era exhibits. It is small but moving. Allow an hour and ask the volunteers about where the water reached in town.
A hangar museum at the Rexburg-Madison County Airport with restored World War II and vintage aircraft, many kept in flying condition, plus uniforms and aviation memorabilia. Enthusiastic volunteers explain each plane. It is open seasonally, mainly in summer, so check the days before driving out.
A white Latter-day Saint temple dedicated in 2008 on the hill beside the university campus, with a tall spire topped by a gold statue of the angel Moroni. The interior is open only to church members, but anyone can walk the landscaped grounds, which are especially pretty when lit up at night.
Formal gardens on the BYU-Idaho campus with tulips in spring, roses and annual beds in summer, a gazebo, small ponds and shaded paths. Students tend many of the plantings. They are free and open daily, and early evening is the nicest time for a quiet stroll after a day of driving.
One of the largest auditoriums in the West, seating around 15,000, used for university devotionals, concerts, graduations and big touring events. Even when nothing is on, the scale of the building is striking. Check the university events calendar for free or low-cost concerts during the semester.
An antique hand-carved carousel in Porter Park that was badly damaged in the 1976 flood and later restored by the community. Rides cost very little and it runs in the warm months. The surrounding park has playgrounds, picnic tables and big shade trees, making it an easy family stop downtown.
A city-run outdoor water park with water slides, pools and a splash area for small children. It is open from early summer to late August and is a local favorite on hot afternoons. Bring sunscreen, as there is little shade, and go on weekday mornings to avoid the crowds.
A summer festival that brings folk dance groups from around the world to Rexburg for performances, a street party and a parade. Visiting dancers often stay with local families, giving it a warm community feel. Check the program for evening shows, and try the international food at the street festival.
About 10,000 acres of white quartz dunes north of Rexburg, some rising several hundred feet, popular for off-road riding, sandboarding and camping at Egin Lakes. Hikers find quieter areas away from the vehicle zones. Bring water and sun protection, and keep in mind some areas close in winter for wildlife.
A roadside viewpoint above the Teton River canyon where the remains of the earthen Teton Dam still show the gap where it failed in 1976. Signs explain what happened that June morning. It is a short drive northeast of Rexburg, and pairs well with a visit to the Teton Flood Museum the same day.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Ben P L, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ben P L, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, NV, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, NV, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, NV, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, NV, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: WolvenOne at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
