Rexburg sits right on the edge of some of the best scenery in eastern Idaho, and getting outside doesn’t require a car or a big budget. The R Mountain trail is the classic Rexburg hike — a short, steep climb that ends with a sweeping view of the valley and is especially popular around sunset. For an easier stroll, the Cress Creek Nature Trail follows the Snake River with wildlife viewing and a paved, accessible path. And when Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Park is calling, both are within about a 90-minute drive, making Rexburg one of the best home bases around for a weekend trip.
Living in Rexburg, ID: The Ultimate BYU-I Student Guide
Rexburg is a small town with a big student heartbeat. Home to Brigham Young University-Idaho, this close-knit community of roughly 30,000 nearly doubles in size each semester as students arrive from all over the world. Between the mountain views, the walkable Main Street, and a campus culture built around service and personal growth, Rexburg offers a college experience that’s equal parts productive and laid-back. This guide breaks down everything from cheap eats to study spots to local jobs, so you can spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying your semester.
Things to Do on a Student Budget
College life in Rexburg isn’t just about classes — it’s about the mountains at your doorstep, a downtown built for wandering, and a campus calendar packed with activities. Whether you’ve got a free afternoon or a whole Saturday to fill, there’s always something nearby that fits a student budget.
Since Rexburg keeps things pretty low-key (it’s a dry town, true to its BYU-Idaho roots), the entertainment scene here leans toward family-friendly and student-friendly fun instead of a bar or club scene. Grab a group and head to Fat Cats for bowling, arcade games, and a movie, or catch a new release at Paramount 5. Rexburg Rapids water park is the go-to summer hangout, complete with slides and a lazy river, and the Gravity Factory trampoline park is a favorite for burning off stress between finals. Come winter, BYU-Idaho partners with nearby Kelly Canyon and Grand Targhee resorts for student ski and snowboard discounts.
BYU-Idaho athletics have serious school spirit even without a traditional varsity sports program, and intramurals are one of the best ways to meet people your first semester. Sign up for a flag football, volleyball, or pickleball league through the Activities and Involvement Center, or just head to a pickup game at one of the campus courts. If you’re more of a spectator, the BYU-Idaho stadium and Hart Center host events throughout the year that draw a big student crowd.
Rexburg’s small-town charm really shows up in its calendar of community events. Experience Rexburg kicks off every Fall Semester at Porter Park, welcoming new and returning students with local business booths, food trucks, live music, and free swag — it’s one of the best ways to get plugged into the community in your first few weeks. Throughout the year, look out for OkTUBERfest (a potato-themed harvest festival, naturally), Homecoming parades and football games each fall, Easter activities at Porter Park, and the Hemming Village Fall Festival. Winter wraps up with holiday lights and community celebrations around Main Street.
Food on a Student Budget
Rexburg’s food scene is small but full of personality, with a mix of local favorites and reliable chains just steps from The Gates. Taqueria El Rancho is a go-to for fast, flavorful Mexican food at a price that works for any student budget. Da Pineapple Grill, just a couple blocks from campus, serves up Hawaiian-Japanese fusion in a colorful, laid-back space that’s become a local legend for its sushi rolls and teriyaki plates. For something heartier, Fresco Kitchen & Grill and Red Rabbit Grill both deliver comfort-food classics, while Blister’s BBQ and Big Jud’s are worth the trip for serious portions. When you just need a quick, cheap bite between classes, the food trucks behind Wolfe Lighting and the Crossroads food court on campus are hard to beat.
Saving Money As A Student
Rexburg is one of the more affordable college towns around, but a little planning still goes a long way. Groceries are typically the biggest non-rent expense, and students often split trips between Broulim’s, Albertsons, and Walmart to catch the best deals — made even easier with The Gates’ free Walmart shuttle. Beyond groceries, keep an eye out for the student discounts that local restaurants and shops around Main Street and Hemming Village regularly offer with a valid BYU-I ID, and take advantage of free campus resources like the Wellness Center and library instead of paying for gym memberships or streaming services you don’t need.
Shopping Essentials for Students
When it comes to shopping in Rexburg, think practical over trendy. Hemming Village is the town’s main shopping and dining hub, just a short walk from Porter Park, with a growing mix of retail, services, and eateries. The Valley River Center rounds things out with bigger-box options like Hobby Lobby, Ross Dress for Less, Goodwill, Dollar Tree, and Maurices — handy for dorm decor, work clothes, or a thrift-store find. For everyday essentials, Broulim’s and Albertsons are the local grocery go-tos, and Walmart remains the budget staple, made even more convenient by The Gates’ free shuttle service.
Jobs & Career Opportunities for Students
Rexburg’s economy leans heavily on its student population, which means part-time work is easy to find and often built around class schedules. On campus, BYU-Idaho’s job board lists everything from work-study positions to tutoring and admin roles. Off campus, retail and hospitality make up the bulk of student jobs, especially around Hemming Village and the Valley River Center, where new businesses open up regularly and holiday hiring season brings an extra wave of openings. If flexibility matters more than a set schedule, gig work through DoorDash, Instacart, or Walmart Spark is popular with students juggling a full course load.
Fitness & Staying Active
Staying active in Rexburg doesn’t have to mean a strict gym routine. BYU-Idaho’s Hart Fitness Center is free for enrolled students and includes a full gym, indoor track, and pool — one of the best perks of campus life. Off campus, Anytime Fitness offers 24/7 access for early risers or night owls, while Bodifi and Fit 1 bring group classes and straightforward strength training to fit any style of workout. If you’d rather stretch than lift, Rexburg Yoga is a favorite for flexibility and stress relief between exams.
Studying & Staying Productive
Rexburg may be small, but it’s not short on good places to focus. The David O. McKay Library on campus is the obvious first stop, with multiple floors for different noise levels, group study rooms, and free tutoring in the Tutoring Center. Off campus, the Madison Library District offers a quieter alternative with reliable Wi-Fi and dedicated study areas, while local coffee shops like June’s Place and Paragon Cafe are go-tos for students who study better with a little background noise (and a good drink in hand). When the weather cooperates, Porter Park and Nature Park are popular for reviewing flashcards outside — just don’t be surprised to see a hammock or two strung between the trees.
Mental Health & Wellness
Adjusting to college life, a new town, and a full course load can take a toll, and BYU-Idaho makes it a priority to help students manage that. The Counseling Center offers free individual, group, and couples counseling for students enrolled in six or more credits, along with weekly stress and anxiety management workshops. The Wellness Center supplements that with self-help tools, peer mentoring, and programs focused on building healthy habits. And if you ever need support after hours, the Counseling Center’s crisis line and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are both available 24/7.
Moving Out & Your First Apartment
Moving into your first off-campus apartment comes with a learning curve, especially the first time you’re the one setting up Wi-Fi, splitting bills, or figuring out what actually fits in a shared closet. Having a checklist helps — know your move-in date, understand your lease terms, and connect with your future roommates before day one so you’re not sorting out chore charts and grocery runs from scratch. The Gates makes the transition easier with fully furnished apartments, so you can skip the moving truck and focus on getting settled.
Student Housing Made Simple
Choosing where to live plays a bigger role in your BYU-I experience than most students expect. The right housing keeps you close to campus, connected to your friends, and free from the stress of long commutes or unreliable amenities. The Gates at Rexburg is designed with BYU-I students in mind — fully furnished two-level townhomes with standard or oversized rooms, high-speed internet, in-unit washer and dryer, a private bathroom for every bedroom, and a 55″ TV in each room. As BYU-Idaho approved housing, we also offer a game room, hot tub, theater rooms, a renovated fitness center, group study rooms, a clubhouse with a full kitchen, and a free Walmart shuttle — all just minutes from campus.
Getting Around Rexburg Without a Car
You genuinely don’t need a car to live well in Rexburg. The city covers about 10 square miles, so campus, grocery stores, and most student housing are within walking distance of each other, and biking is a great option from spring through fall. TART (Targhee Area Rural Transit) provides public transit routes around Madison County, and Salt Lake Express runs regular shuttles for longer trips, airport runs, and holiday travel home. At The Gates, residents also get a free Walmart shuttle, so grocery runs never require begging a roommate for a ride.
College is a short season — the right setup makes all the difference in how you spend it. This guide is here to help you enjoy the Rexburg experience while staying organized, connected, and prepared for whatever the semester throws at you. And when you’re ready for housing that supports all of it, The Gates at Rexburg is here for you.
