What is Pledge for the Wild?
The Pledge for the Wild is a group of mountain towns supporting responsible tourism in wild places.
Leading outdoor communities are coming together to collectively stoke the responsible tourism conversation and build awareness around opportunities to directly give back to the wild places in these iconic mountain towns. Whether you’re traveling through or frequenting your favorite local adventure spots, we encourage you to take pause and consider who supports and cares for these wild places day to day. Each founding community is the home of dozens, if not hundreds, of nonprofits, conservation groups, and land managers to maintain and preserve these wild places so they can be enjoyed on your next visit, next year, and in the next decade and beyond.
Why protecting Sun Valley matters
Welcome to Sun Valley, Idaho. This is a place with a laid-back and easy-going vibe. It’s a FOMO-free zone that’s born from its lack of crowds, lineups or wait times, from its massive expanses of wilderness and quiet trails and from its long sunny days and star-filled nights. It’s this easy-going attitude that has created a community that is missing the hype and competition of other mountain towns. A place to unwind, where the pace of life slows down and the opportunity to live in the moment becomes real. It’s what we’re made of.
Sun Valley, Idaho is situated at the edge of the largest swath of contiguous wilderness in the lower 48. The Sawtooth, Smoky, Boulder, White Cloud, and Pioneer Mountains surround the area and funnel water to a plethora of renowned fisheries including the Big Wood, Lost & Salmon Rivers along with the Silver Creek Preserve.
At the eastern edge of this high-desert location lies the out of this world landscape of Craters of the Moon National Monument. It’s an unreal experience where lava tube caves and cinder cone formations starkly contrast the otherwise rolling desert sage terrain.
The secluded nature of Sun Valley has rewarded it with an inclusion to the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve which is the only one of its kind in the United States. It’s an incredible stargazing experience for the seasoned astronomers and everyday visitors alike.
We invite you to embrace this spirit and savor the outdoor offerings we have during your stay.
The Sun Valley Pledge
In addition to the collective Pledge for the Wild to protect our open spaces, we invite you to be considerate of our own oath of conduct. We’re not here to tell you what to do but rather invite you to be mindful in maintaining the special sauce that makes this place so special.
Embrace
Embrace the pace and enjoy Sun Valley’s laid-back way of life. Connect with locals and discover places, stories and experiences they know best. Explore the area’s History and Culture to better understand the people and traditions that have shaped this mountain community.
Preserve
Help preserve the open spaces and incredible access that make Sun Valley special. Leave the places you explore better than you found them, take care of trails and natural spaces, and follow the principles of Leave No Trace whenever you head outdoors.
Respect
Respect the wildlife and give animals the space they need to remain wild. Respect the elements by staying aware of changing mountain weather and conditions. Follow posted signs and trail closures, which help protect natural areas and keep recreation safe for everyone.
Be Mindful
Be mindful of the impact your actions can have on the places and people around you. Treat Sun Valley as you would your own backyard, tag social posts responsibly, give others space and remember that everyone is here to enjoy the outdoors in their own way.
Plan Ahead and Be Prepared
Mountain weather can change quickly, so prepare for the elements before heading out. Know your route, expect limited cell service and download maps for offline use when needed. Tools such as Gaia GPS and onX can help you plan ahead and find your way safely.
Enjoy Yourself!
Slow down and make time to enjoy where you are. Taste the food, breathe in the mountain air, take in the scenery and appreciate the people and places around you. Sun Valley is best experienced when you give yourself time to simply enjoy the moment.
Know Before You Go
Find helpful resources to plan your adventures, stay informed and explore Sun Valley responsibly.
Trails & Recreation
Safety & Conditions
In-Town Resources
Ready to help keep Sun Valley special?
Explore our Mindfulness in the Mountains resources and visit #SunValleyPledge on Instagram to see how locals and visitors are putting the pledge into practice, and share how you’re doing your part to protect the places that make Sun Valley special.
