Every spring, the Sun Valley, Idaho area transforms from a skiing and snowboarding Mecca into a lush, wildflower-filled valley with miles of hiking and biking trails in the surrounding five mountain ranges. From mellow loops skirting lakes and rivers, to 12,000-foot rocky mountain peaks, there are plenty of hiking trails to please all levels of hikers throughout Hailey, Ketchum, Sun Valley and beyond.
Guide to White Water Rafting Near Sun Valley
Rafting on any of the numerous sections of rivers surrounding the Sun Valley area can be the experience of a lifetime. Taking in the beauty of Idaho from the swirling waters of its beautiful rivers is truly a unique experience to our area. While for many, a white water rafting trip is synonymous with a multi-day trip, complete with nights around the campfire and food fresh from the Dutch-oven, there are plenty of half- and full-day rafting opportunities in the Sun Valley area. Half, Full Day & Lunch River Trips Sawtooth Adventure Company Sawtooth Adventure Company specializes in whitewater rafting trips for the entire family on the Salmon River. SAC has a variety of half-day and full day trip offerings on the Main Salmon and multi-day trips Middle Fork of the Salmon. One of SAC’s unique offerings is their Twilight Dinner Trips offering top-shelf experience on the Salmon River reserved for private groups. Twilight trips Dutch Oven entrees, creative salads, grilled meats, beer, wine, live music and s’mores. For a complete line-up of their offerings, be sure to check out Sawtooth Adventure Company site. White Cloud Rafting Adventures Offering half- and full-day trips on various sections of the Main Salmon …
Labor Day Weekend in Sun Valley, Idaho
The long Labor Day weekend has become a bit of a big deal here in Sun Valley, Idaho over the years. It’s a last summer hoorah as the kids begin to head back to school and the crisp temperatures of fall start to nip at our heels. With spirits running high and festivities plentiful, this is one long weekend that you won’t want to miss. To make the most out of the Labor Day weekend we’ve put together a list of all the best happenings. Wagon Days Gallery Walk Free Movie on the Pavilion Lawn Sun Valley On Ice Portugal. The Man For this year Rebecca’s Private Idaho dates are September 9 – 12, 2026. Find information here. Find your next favorite Sun Valley Labor Day tradition this year! For the full line-up, head over to our events calendar. Events Calendar
Most Instagrammable places in Sun Valley, Idaho
If you have ever visited the Sun Valley area, chances are there is at least one image of our breathtaking locale in your Instagram feed. Or maybe you haven’t visited yet but hashtags like #seeksunvalley on our @Instagram page have caught your attention and have drawn you into exploring this amazing place. Whether you are a seasoned visitor or a first timer, we complied a list of the must see places in and around Sun Valley to fill your Instagram feed with the best there is to offer. The Sun Valley Barn An icon of Sun Valley, many a photo has been taken in front of this barn and numerous reproductions of it in paintings and memorabilia have been made over the years. Located on Sun Valley Road between Ketchum and Sun Valley, the red barn is hard to miss. Built in the early 1880s, its thought that this barn used to service ore wagons that traveled Trail Creek Road. Speaking of, swing by the Ore Wagon Museum for some more history and to grab a few grams there too. Across Sun Valley Road from the barn is a stop many make to photograph the beautiful horses that are occasionally …
What We’re Made Of: Salted Sprig
words by Hayden Seder For the size of the Wood River Valley, it is home to an extraordinary number of events, from private dinners held for donors to local nonprofits to wedding receptions to one of the annual events that’s a draw for the area. And behind those events are the many businesses that make them possible, including whole teams of caterers, interior designers, planners, and more. The Salted Sprig, with its new location at 700 N Main Street in Ketchum, is providing a much-needed amenity for the area: a bespoke full-service event space, along with the company’s beloved custom catering and deli takeaway. How It Started Salted Sprig founder Courtney Barnard had never even been to Ketchum when she moved here to take over a former business and start her own three years ago. Courtney had a long history in the restaurant business, working in every capacity—from management to hosting to wine buying to working on a line—but had yet to try owning. She also has a number of food allergies and restrictions, which limits where she can eat out, so the notion of starting a food-inclusive business was appealing. She was living in Wisconsin before moving here, where …
What We’re Made Of: Graphic Designer Cara Shumate
written by Hayden Seder Even if you’re never heard her name, you’ve surely seen the work of graphic designer Cara Shumate, whose digital fingerprints are all over the Wood River Valley. From Tim’s Electric to the Board Bin, Johnny G’s, Gather Yoga, and so much more, her branding and designs have helped many of the area’s most beloved businesses rebrand in the last few years, calling upon Cara’s unique blend of extensive design experience and just overall radness, which translate into branding and designs that businesses young and old covet. Before moving to Sun Valley in 2009, Cara Shumate spent nearly ten years in Tahoe snowboarding and waiting tables before realizing she needed a change. After visiting Sun Valley for 48 Straight, the now-defunct multiday ski and music event, she met someone from Smith Optics who mentioned a potential internship. During that weekend, the community resonated with her, and she eventually made the move. Though the internship didn’t work out, she would eventually work for Smith Optics down the road—but not before working at several restaurants, then Sun Valley Magazine and Scott Sports. “It was not linear, but it worked, and it solidified my roots here.” How She Got …
What We’re Made Of: KDPI – Community Drop-In Radio
words by Hayden Seder If you scroll the radio tuner in your car in the Wood River Valley, there’s a good chance you’ve been stopped by a song on a certain station: maybe it was a deep cut that you didn’t know anyone else out there liked; maybe it was a new band you’d never heard and certainly hadn’t heard on any other stations. Likely, it was on KDPI, the Wood River Valley’s local community radio station at 88.5 FM. This fifteen-year-old station has had numerous locations, all manner of radio shows and hosts, played all the tunes (and even had String Cheese Incident play live in studio once!) and through it all, successfully maintained its mission to connect and amplify the voices of the Wood River Valley, building community one song and one radio show at a time. The History Founder and general manager Mike Scullion started working in the Wood River Valley in the ’90s, at The Mint in Hailey, back when it was owned by Bruce Willis. As part of his job, he would go to the local KSKI radio station every other week to promote the bands coming to play at the Mint. Though Mike had …
Fly and Ride! Traveling to Sun Valley with Your Bike
words by Hayden Seder While there are plenty of places to rent a mountain bike in the area for Sun Valley mountain biking, having your own bike on the trails makes them that much sweeter. But flying with your bike is a pain . . . right? Not so much these days, where for a short amount of prep and the cost of checking a bag, you can have your bike on your next vacay to Sun Valley, where the area promises over 400 miles of singletrack. With how much riding you’re going to be doing, you’re going to want a bike that fits you perfectly and has all the specs adjusted to your liking. So read on for Visit Sun Valley’s guide to flying your bike to Sun Valley. Getting Your Bike Ready to Fly There are a few options for what to pack your bike in to fly, namely either a hard or soft case or a cardboard bike box. Many local bike shops carry the cardboard boxes and will either give them to you for free or for just a couple bucks. Assuming you pack the bike correctly, most airlines will accept this. The other option is …
Chasing Elevation: Trail Running Adventures in Sun Valley
“Some places are built for trail running. Sun Valley feels like it was born for it.” Early mornings on alpine singletrack. Cool mountain air even in July. Long climbs that open into massive views of Idaho wilderness. Whether you’re chasing a finish line or simply looking for your next favorite trail, summer in Sun Valley offers a rare combination of race culture, high-elevation adventure, and endlessly runnable terrain. Why the Sun Valley Area is a Trail Runner’s Dream Destination Sun Valley and Ketchum sit at 5,850 feet in elevation, making the area an ideal place to experience the benefits of altitude training without immediately pushing into extreme elevations. Summer weather opens the door to endless trail running opportunities, with cool mornings and crisp mountain air creating perfect conditions for longer adventures before the afternoon heat arrives. From Bellevue to Galena Summit and beyond, the Wood River Valley offers an expansive network of trails ranging from smooth beginner-friendly paths to rugged mountain terrain built for serious endurance athletes. One of the best parts of trail running here is accessibility. Many trails begin just minutes from downtown Ketchum, allowing runners to move from coffee shop to trailhead in no time. Around here, …
Discover the Magic of Silver Creek Preserve
About 30 minutes south of Ketchum, a spring-fed creek winds through the high desert valley floor beneath the rolling Picabo Hills. Silver Creek Preserve is a unique ecosystem known for its crystal-clear waters, abundant wildlife, and remarkable natural beauty. Trout glide beneath the surface while birds soar overhead, creating a landscape that feels both peaceful and wild. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, Silver Creek offers an unforgettable experience. What is Silver Creek Preserve? In 1976, The Nature Conservancy purchased 479 acres along Silver Creek with the support of local residents who recognized the importance of protecting this unique ecosystem. At the time, portions of the creek and surrounding land had suffered from overgrazing and overfishing, making restoration a significant undertaking. Over the decades, Silver Creek Preserve has grown to 882 acres and now protects more than 12,600 acres through conservation easements. Today, it stands as one of the most successful private stream conservation efforts in the country, preserving critical habitat for trout, wildlife, and migratory birds while benefiting the entire Wood River Valley ecosystem. Visitors now come from across the country to experience the preserve’s walking trails, visitor center, self-guided audio tour, and world-renowned fly fishing opportunities. Whether you’re …
Best Hikes to Catch the Blooming Wildflowers
Spring and early summer in Sun Valley, Idaho is full of blossoming wildflowers. We’ve compiled a list of the best hikes to view the vibrant wildflower blooming throughout the Wood River Valley.