Ketchum came into being in the late 19th century as a shipping and smelting center for the mines of the Wood River Valley. It is now best known as the gateway to Sun Valley and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Ernest Hemingway arrived in Sun Valley in 1939 to work on his novel, "For Whom The Bell Tolls." Hemingway is buried in Ketchum. Best Western Ketchum Idaho.
Things to do in Ketchum
Bald Mountain
With 3,400 vertical feet, 603 snowmaking acres and 64 runs on 2,054 skiable acres. Baldy is considered by serious skiers and boarders as the country's single best ski mountain. Olympians have trained and come from here such as Picabo Street, Christin Cooper and Gretchen Frasier. There is also mountain biking and hiking in the summer.
Craters of the Moon National Monument
In 1924, Craters of the Moon National Monument was established to preserve the volcanic characteristics of the area. The basaltic, Holocene (past 10,000 years) lava field is the largest of its kind in the continental United States, stretching out over 600 square miles. The preserve includes 83 square miles of the field, providing a breath taking variety of volcanic features. Some unique characteristics include lava flows such as pahoehoe, aa, and blocky; cinder cones; spatter cones; rafted blocks; and lava tubes (caves). The preserve is also home to a number of fascinating plants and animals, which have adapted to living in the harsh, high desert environment. Call 208-527-3257 for more information.
P.O. Box 29, Arco, ID 83213
Dollar Mountain
A beginner's paradise with gentle, sunny slopes groomed to perfection. Call 208-622-2231 for more information.
Galena Summit Overlook
The summit is the divide between the Wood River and Salmon River drainages. The route was originally completed in 1881 and was used as a toll road known as the Sawtooth Grade. Its primary function was to serve access to the Sawtooth mines. Today the scenic overlook at the summit offers engaging views of the valley and local historical information. Call 208-727-5000 for more information.
HC 64, Box 8291, Ketchum, ID
Lake Creek Trail
A day-use trail area located on the Big Wood river, this trailhead provides access to the Big Wood Recreation Trail. Call 208-756-5400 for more information.
Highway 93 South, Route 2, Box 610, Salmon, ID
Mountain Wellness Festival
Designed as a forum for the education and celebration of wellness approaches to living, the Sun Valley Mountain Wellness Festival is the coming together of mind, body, spirit, environment, and community. This year's event (May 23-26, 2003) offers many different alternative therapies, fitness activities, integrated medicine, and wellness principles and practices through more than 60 wellness-related activities and programs.
Trailing of the Sheep Festival
Come mid-October, the mountain town of Ketchum, Idaho is the setting for America's version of The Running of the Bulls - called The Trailing of the Sheep Festival. In keeping with the century-old tradition, sheepherders move their flocks from summer pastures in the mountains north of the resort towns of Ketchum and Sun Valley, south through the Wood River Valley to winter desert grazing areas. The Festival celebrates this tradition and for one afternoon the sheep parade down Main Street Ketchum passed restaurants, boutique shops, coffeehouses and hotels. Traffic halts on city streets and State Highway 75 to allow the 1,700 sheep to complete their annual trek. Residents and visitors come to watch and "trail" (walk) behind the sheep herding them through the fall afternoon reliving the slower pace of a bygone era.
Wagon Days Festival
See the largest non-motorized parade in the West, displaying more than a hundred museum-quality buggies, carriages, tacks, carts, buckboards, and wagons of every variety in existence today. In addition to the parade, other events include wagon train rides, three different antique fairs, a duck race, professional bull riding, and other activities.