Frequently Asked Questions
We like to limit our trips to a minimum of 3 days/2 nights so our clients can enjoy more of a back country experience. The most memorable trips last from 3 to 5 days, allowing plenty of time to explore and relax. We will customize longer trips to suit your wishes, usually a 7 day trip is about the longest we do.
For our shorter trips, those that last one or two nights, we usually set up a base camp. We feel it's more enjoyable if you stay in one place, venture out on day rides, fish, or just lounge around camp. The possibilities for longer trips are limitless but usually we move our camp on the third day, most always staying in a campsite for 2 nights.
Every year is different from the last. I suggest you plan your trip in the Tetons or Yellowstone from mid-July through September. Riding in the Tetons, by mid-July, most of the snow has melted in the high country and the wild flowers are at their peak. We wait until mid-August for the Yellowstone trips. And most often September brings beautiful, warm sunny days and cool nights. We don't usually see much snow -- yet!
Our 1/2 day ride (~3.5 hours) leaves from a trail on the north side of the valley. Ride through beautiful aspen and lodge pole forests; in early summer there are fun little creeks to cross, and enjoy some fun steep canyons. All levels of experience are welcome. These rides begin about the first weekend in June through the end of July. At the end of July we start taking our pack trips. The longer Extended Day rides are offered at many different trail heads throughout the valley and begin the last week of June through late September (depending on snow and weather).
It is very important to us that all of our guests feel completely confident in choosing Dry Ridge Outfitters as their guides. Please feel free to email us and request our reference list and contact some of our past clients as you make your decision.
Refund policy: We ask a deposit to hold any reservation which is usually 1/3 of the total trip cost. All deposits are non-refundable. If you have paid your final balance and need to cancel we will do our best to fill your spot(s). If we are successful to add someone in your place we will gladly refund your final payment but your deposit will still be non-refundable.
All final payments are usually due by June 1st.
Yes! Your guides appreciate any gratuity you pay them.
We suggest 15-20% of your total bill.
Weather in the Tetons is unpredictable. Summer days average in the 70's and 80's with the evening temperature dropping into the 40's and 50's. Thunderstorms are a common occurrence. I always recommend you come prepared for any weather that way you'll stay warm and dry. From my experience, the Tetons are beautiful in all kinds of weather.
We provide almost everything. Spacious tents (large 2-man nylon tents), self-inflating sleeping pads, food, tack, etc. We do not provide sleeping bags so you will need to bring a sleeping bag that has a temperature rating of 20 degrees or colder. Please make sure it stuffs in a small sack. We do not recommend cotton bags. We recommend a waterproof stuff sack for the sleeping bag too. You also need to bring a waterproof duffle bag with your gear. Please limit your personal gear to 20 pounds. This weight does not include your sleeping bag nor rain gear which is tied on the back of your saddle.
We want ALL our clients to enjoy their trip so there are absolutely NO requirements that you work. BUT, our trips are progressive meaning that there is no base camp so all our gear is brought in and out with the horses. We often ask our clients to help with their tent setup, getting firewood and water, gathering horses in the morning, and other miscellaneous chores around camp.
Yes, We would like everyone that takes a pack trip to have riding experience. We would like you to be able to mount and dismount by yourself unassisted. Kevin will do his best to match you with a suitable horse.
On the 1/2 day rides and extended day rides we can accommodate most all riding backgrounds.
Our guides all hold multi-media first aid cards and are trained in CPR. We supply top quality saddles and tack. And we are in cell phone contact most of the time. Helmets can be provided.
There are many choices -- hotels, bed and breakfasts, and high quality guest ranches. Please refer to our local accommodations listed on the website or we can provide a detailed accommodations list.
Each circumstance is different.
Kevin and I do not provide any transportation so a car rental is easiest. There are shuttle and taxi services available. Please refer to our links page for that information.
Also, because of COVID Kevin and I decided not to transport ANY guests in our vehicles so we will ask you to follow us in your rental car to the trailhead.
We are sorry if this causes any inconvenience to you but we feel the safest way to approach social distancing. Thanks for understanding.
Jackson Hole Airport, in Jackson, WY is about 1 hour from Driggs. The Idaho Falls Airport, in Idaho Falls, ID is about 1-1/2 hours from Driggs. The local airport, one mile north of Driggs, services small aircraft. Often we meet at our barn for the pack trips and we are about 20 minutes north from Driggs in Felt, Idaho.
Once you arrive at the airport, you'll need to find your way to Driggs, Idaho. We are located on the west side of the Teton Range. If you need directions from the airport, please ask and I can furnish that information. Once you make a definite reservation with us we will email you detailed directions to our home.
Yes, we do require that you make advance reservations as our summer riding season is short and our schedule fills up quickly.
All individuals camping and hiking in the Targhee National Forest, Jedediah Smith Wilderness, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks must practice good backcountry etiquette. Please take the time to read and adhere to the Backcountry Wilderness Camp Standards and Leave No Trace Guidelines.
Yes, we have both grizzly and black bears in the backcountry of the Tetons and Yellowstone. Click here to read more about how to prevent and handle bear encounters. We, personally, do our best to keep a clean camp so that we don't attract bears. We also provide all our guests with bear spray.
Six is an average group size. Most often, we limit our pack trips to 8 guests. Our 1/2 day ride and extended day rides can be more than 8 if all of one group.
Driggs is located in southeastern Idaho on the west side of the Teton Range.
Click here for a map.
We can never guarantee you will see wildlife but if you do, you could expect to see moose, bear (grizzly & black), elk, deer (white tail and mule), cougar, pika, pine martin, wolves, coyote, and more. Click here to see and read more about the wildlife of the Rocky Mountains.
The Jedediah Smith Wilderness is located in the state of Wyoming. It was designated a wilderness area in 1984 and is within the Targhee National Forest. It spans the western slopes of the Teton Range and, as a wilderness area, does not allow motorized or mechanized vehicles (not even bicycles). Read more about the Jedediah Smith Wilderness.
No, its dangerous! Sorry, but we only offer walking trail rides, which gives us the time to look around and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.
Our 1/2 day (approx. 3.5 hour) trail rides begin around the first weekend of June through mid-to-late July. The extended day trips begin around the 3rd week of June through mid-to-late September. Often in September we do our extended day rides on the weekends. Our pack trips begin the last week of July. Sometimes, we will do a pack trip during the month of September.
Yes, 225#'s full dressed. Please be honest!
The youngest rider on a short ride, say 3 to 4 hours, must be 6 years of age. The youngest rider on a pack trip is 8-10 years old with some prior riding experience.
No - sorry we think that is dangerous.
Vertical Media provides additional area information on their Jackson Hole
and Yellowstone National Park websites.