Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Hailey, Idaho

At an elevation of more than 5,300 feet, Hailey is a small yet expanding town located within the enchanting Wood River Valley.

The mountains of the Sawtooth National Forest border the valley on both sides, providing ample opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.

The prominent attraction nearby is Sun Valley Resort, esteemed as one of the premier locations for skiing and snowboarding in North America.

The mountainous vistas surrounding Hailey exude a captivating charm that drew the renowned author Ernest Hemingway, who spent twenty summers here pursuing an outdoor lifestyle filled with hunting, fishing, and canoeing.

1. Wood River Trail (WRT)

The former trackbed of the Grand Union Railroad has been transformed into a 20-mile multi-use pathway through the Wood River Valley.

Connecting the towns of Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum, and Sun Valley, the Wood River Trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and passes through numerous notable locations.

Interpretive signage along the trail provides insights into the early days of tourism in Sun Valley, historical depots, silver mines, tram lines, sheepherding, and the area’s Basque community from the 19th century.

The WRT features pocket parks, restrooms, and connecting trailheads along the route, while in winter, it serves as a cross-country skiing path.

2. Blaine County Historical Museum

This lovingly curated local history museum serves as an extensive resource for Blaine County, which includes Hailey, Ketchum, and Sun Valley.

Located in a structure that has stood since 1882, the permanent exhibition invites you to explore various facets of local history.

Here, you will discover insights into the early life of poet Ezra Pound, the Union Pacific Railroad, sheepherding, the Shoshone and Bannock tribes, the development of the Sun Valley Resort, and the pioneer era.

Notably, one compelling exhibition focuses on the late 19th century, when Blaine County was abundant with mines for silver, galena (lead ore), and gold.

The museum also boasts one of the largest publicly displayed collections of political campaign buttons and memorabilia in the nation.

3. Sun Valley Resort

In Hailey, you are merely ten miles from one of the foremost winter sports destinations in the United States. Several factors contribute to Sun Valley’s reputation as a top-tier location for skiing and snowboarding.

Bald Mountain features an impressive 3,400 vertical feet of descent, characterized by its powdery snow, consistent slope, and minimal wind due to its favorable orientation on the valley’s west side.

The area offers 75 trails, evenly distributed among green circle, blue square, and black diamond runs, all serviced by an efficient network of 14 lifts.

Additionally, Dollar Mountain at Sun Valley presents a vast, family-friendly terrain park, catering to younger and novice skiers and snowboarders.

Moreover, there is one of the few outdoor ice rinks in the nation that remains operational year-round, offering splendid views and frequented by both Olympic and world-class skiers—making it a unique experience even for spectators.

4. Rotarun Ski Area

Located only three miles southwest of downtown Hailey, Rotarun Ski Area offers a compact alternative to Sun Valley. Its convenience renders it an appealing choice for winter sports enthusiasts.

Since 1948, this area has served as a winter sports hub for the Hailey community, providing affordable access to quality trails.

The hill has a vertical drop of 475 feet, accessible via a single Poma lift, and offers 2.8 miles of skiing terrain.

Furthermore, free night skiing is available on Wednesdays and Fridays, along with free entry-level programs aimed at teaching local children how to ski or snowboard regardless of their background.

5. Ernest Hemingway Legacy

It is readily apparent why an outdoorsman like Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) was drawn to the wild terrain surrounding Sun Valley.

The author selected this area as a summer retreat in 1939, shortly after the resort’s inception, and wrote “For Whom the Bell Tolls” during this period.

For more than 20 years, Hemingway split his time between Ketchum, Cuba, and Spain, frequently returning to write, hunt, fish, canoe, and indulge in dining experiences.

At the Sun Valley Visitor Center, you can obtain an itinerary detailing significant locations connected to the writer, including his memorial at Ketchum Cemetery, his favorite downtown drinking spots, and the restaurant where he dined with his wife, Mary, on the eve of his passing in 1961.

6. Sawtooth Botanical Garden

A mere ten minutes along State Highway 75 en route to Ketchum lies a beautiful exhibition of high-altitude plant life.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden encompasses five acres and has been progressively developed since its establishment in 1994.

Among its various themed gardens are a sage steppe garden, a xeriscape garden, a wildflower garden, a lava rock garden, a montane garden, and a streamside garden.

One notable area is the Garden of Infinite Compassion, which features alpine species and was meticulously landscaped by a Zen Buddhist monk. In September 2005, the Dalai Lama visited to bless this garden.

The greenhouse, vibrant with color throughout the year, contains a citrus grove and demonstration beds, serving as a venue for classes and events.

7. Fly Sun Valley

If you are in search of an extraordinary experience, consider viewing the breathtaking natural beauty of Sun Valley from high above as you glide on thermal currents.

Fly Sun Valley provides tandem paragliding flights, allowing you to enjoy the experience without any prior training.

Taking off seamlessly from Bald Mountain, you may be pleasantly surprised by the smoothness of the ride, allowing you to appreciate the stunning mountain landscapes at your own pace.

All pilots at Fly Sun Valley are equipped with helmets that feature GoPro cameras, ensuring you can capture memorable moments during your flight.

8. Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve

The Sawtooth National Recreation Area has claimed a prominent position as one of North America’s premier stargazing locations.

Beginning in Ketchum and extending northwest into a vast area of the Sawtooth Range, this region is designated as the first gold-tier dark sky preserve in the United States.

The cities within this area, including Hailey and Sun Valley, have actively worked to mitigate the impacts of light pollution on the night sky, and the establishment of this reserve in 2017 represents a significant advancement.

State Highway 75, which traverses these 1,416 square miles, has been equipped with sky quality meters, while local governments have fitted streetlights with shields to minimize light pollution.

These efforts aim to ensure the preservation of the remarkable Milky Way view for future stargazers at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area—all you need do is gaze skyward, and the galaxy greets you.

9. Craters of the Moon

Hailey’s strategic location provides easy access to a surreal volcanic landscape designated as a U.S. National Monument.

Craters of the Moon is situated approximately 40 miles southeast and is recognized as one of the most well-preserved flood basalt regions in the continental United States.

In this almost otherworldly setting, visitors can explore a variety of basaltic lava formations, including lava tubes, tree molds (formed by burned trees), fissure cones, and spatter cones.

The most recent features of these formations came into existence just 2,100 years ago. It is advisable to start at the visitor center, which offers context, intriguing exhibits, and maps, before proceeding onto the seven-mile loop road that connects various trailheads for cones, lava tubes, and much more.

10. Galena Lodge & The Trails

This beloved local destination is nestled in the Boulder Mountains along the winding State Highway 75, northwest of Sun Valley.

Historically, Galena was a mining settlement, remnants of which can be found at this lodge, which is now a treasured recreation outpost operated by the Blaine County Recreation District.

Galena Lodge facilitates access to 47 miles of non-motorized trails that meander through the Boulder and Smoky Mountains.

During summer, it serves as a base for hiking and mountain biking trips, while in winter, visitors can explore over 30 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails.

The lodge hosts a variety of events and seasonal activities throughout the year, and serves as an initial point for equipment rentals, passes, and lessons.

After your outdoor activities, relax at the lodge, which offers lunch and dinner menus that vary with the seasons, as well as outdoor fire pits for a cozy ambiance during winter. Additionally, guests can opt to stay overnight in a semi-backcountry yurt.

11. Sun Valley Museum of History

Visitors can easily devote a couple of hours to delve into the exhibits at this historical museum located in Ketchum’s historic Forest Service Park.

The Wood River Valley is rich in historical narratives, and you can learn about the region’s early pioneers, Ketchum’s first inhabitants, the history of skiing, mining, the arrival of the railroad, sheep ranching, and Ernest Hemingway’s time in Sun Valley.

Temporary exhibitions often provide exceptional depth on specialized topics, covering everything from Japanese internment during World War II to mid-century promotional photography for the Union Pacific Railroad.

12. Silver Creek Preserve

A short distance southeast of Sun Valley lies the quieter landscape of Silver Creek Preserve, which protects nearly 900 acres of lush, flower-filled meadows along the banks of a clear stream.

This preserve is owned by the Nature Conservancy Idaho, which has dedicated over 45 years to restoring this high-desert spring creek into a thriving ecosystem supporting more than 150 species of birds, as well as mammals such as moose, bobcats, and coyotes.

Silver Creek Preserve is most renowned for being a fly-fishing haven due to its abundant population of rainbow and brown trout.

13. Draper Preserve

Situated on the western side of Hailey, Draper Preserve is a scenic neighborhood park located along the banks of the Big Wood River.

Despite its proximity to town, Draper Preserve is heavily wooded and feels like a secluded wilderness area, offering excellent opportunities for wildlife observation, including moose.

The striking Bow Bridge spans 160 feet across the Big Wood River, while maintained boardwalks lead you over the Cory Creek Wetland.

Stepping out from the dense trees reveals breathtaking views of the valley’s majestic mountain landscapes all around.

14. Sun Valley Suns

Hailey hosts its own accomplished semi-professional sports team, the Sun Valley Suns, which competes in the Black Diamond Hockey League at the Campion Ice House in downtown Hailey.

This league is expanding quickly, featuring teams from throughout the Western United States, and the Sun Valley Suns have claimed the championship title three times since 2015.

The roster often includes former NHL or AHL players, along with promising prospects who may shine in a major league in the future.

Additively, Campion Ice House provides opportunities for casual stick and puck sessions as well as public skating, inviting everyone to experience the ice.

15. Wagon Days

Celebrating the heritage of the Old West, Wagon Days is the significant cultural event on Sun Valley’s calendar, occurring during the five days leading up to Labor Day.

Primarily held at Festival Meadows on the north side of Ketchum, Wagon Days features an eclectic program that appeals to a wide audience.

Events include live music, art and antiques exhibitions, a car auction, riding demonstrations, poetry readings, a barn dance, and various activities for children.

The festivities culminate in the Big Hitch, North America’s largest non-motorized parade, showcasing cowboys, wagons, and marching bands.