Location: Ketchum
Top Things to do in Ketchum
Top Restaurants in Ketchum
Top 10 Things to do in Ketchum, United States
Once a modest mining and ranching town, Ketchum is now a bustling resort town that became a popular ski destination with the settlement of nearby Sun Valley. Bald Mountain towers above the city and draws world class skiers every year. The surrounding wilderness provides a beautiful escape for hiking, trail riding, hunting and sports. Ernest Hemingway was known to have fallen in love with the valley and made his final home in Ketchum.
Restaurants in Ketchum
1. Sawtooth Wilderness Area
Overall Ratings
5 based on 148 reviews
The 217,000 acres within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area include some 300 lakes, 40 wilderness trails and a forest of fir, spruce and pine.
Reviewed By Ann M - Annapolis
We were there at the beginning of October. Cold but beautiful. When we started hiking in the morning I realized just how remote we were with no cell phone service. Came home and ordered an emergency whistle.. Just to be prepared for the next time.
2. Sun Valley Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
Whether it's an exciting day on the slopes of Bald Mountain, or a relaxing sleigh ride or round of golf, Idaho's famous year-round resort promises a variety of recreation for outdoor enthusiasts.
Reviewed By j g - Los Angeles, California
Dollar mountain day lodge cafeteria fails to meet the high standard of Sun Valley Resort. Not only was the food extremely slow to be prepared (15 minutes for an order of French Frys, my order was given to other patrons who came long after me... over and over) but the cooks were rude! Additionally the girl at the register was put-upon when we asked her if there was any Ketchup as the bins were empty.
This reviewer gives thumbs down!
3. Redfish Outlet Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
A scenic lake with views of white-capped mountains.
Reviewed By ThatGuyKevin - Boise, Idaho
Visting twice in July, once over the july 4th weekend and again in late July. This place is awesome - lots to do, great swimming, rent a boat for a ride around the lake, good food if you don't want to bring your own picnic. Stunning scenery and just a great classic place to enjoy.
4. Bald Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By gack - thomaston, CT
we decided to try sun valley after going to snowbasin ,ut for many years,since they have the same owners. while the town is beautiful, and they both have great lodges. And while sun valley is steeper, I hate to encourage more people to go to snowbasin. Being a boarder I found that after coming out of the trees we would end up on a lot of flat trails, maybe we just didn't know are way around. I do know that lift tickets and lodging are quite a bit cheaper down at snowbasin. So save yourself some money, and skip this overpriced mtn.
5. Sawtooth Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By LanSluderBelize - Asheville, North Carolina
The Sawtooth Botanical Garden isn't very well known, but it should be. It's a relaxing stop near Hailey and Ketchum. You can stroll the gardens and see many flowers and trees native to the high elevation areas of Idaho and the West.
A real gem here is the prayer wheel, donated in 2005 by the Dali Lama of Tibet and one of only two in North America blessed by His Holiness. Admission is by donation (suggest donation $5 a person/$10 a family).
6. Ketchum Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By kevinas312 - Helena, Arkansas
This was the last stop on my trail that included the room where Hemingway born, fished in Michigan and stayed on his honeymoon, Pamplona, Paris, Italy, Africa, Key West, Bimini, Cuba, Arkansas, Wyoming, Montana and finally, last but certainly not least, Idaho -- his final resting place. I left something from every place as well as a fifth of Pilar Rum -- the family rum -- and some Arkansas moonshine. RIP Papa.
7. Bald Mountain Trail
Overall Ratings
5 based on 18 reviews
Low elevation hiking trail that culminates in a scenic overlook on Bald Mountain.
Reviewed By Kim B - Newport Beach, California
Last year we hiked to the top of Bald Mountain, and this year we decided to hike down. From the top, it is about a 2 ½ hour hike down the 5 mile trail. It was hard on our knees and ankles, but we were more focused on the beauty of the hike rather than our hurting bodies! I would suggest going early in the morning to beat the heat of the sun. My husband and I only brought one water bottle each, but we easily could have consumed more. One thing is for sure, it is a lot easier going down than up!
8. Sun Valley Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By jfadds - chicago
Sharing a space with the town Starbucks- you basically have a wall of tourist info and an old bank vault lined with pictures of Hemingway - that's all Go,for the Starbucks
9. Ketchum/Sun Valley Heritage and Ski Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 31 reviews
This small museum chronicles the area's history on and off the slopes.
Reviewed By 387indy - Coral Springs, Florida
The curator is very knowledgeable and interesting and tells you a lot about the history of the area. But it wasn't Idaho potato's I was here to learn about a long history of sheep herding. Twenty years ago the Trailing of the Sheep Festival was born in southern Idaho's Wood River Valley. The festival name pays homage to the annual movement of the sheep from their summer mountain home to the winter grazing areas. This year its Oct 5-9 They have cooking classes, specials in restaurants, workshops, knitting, dyeing, weaving, spinning, shearing and even some dancing.
10. Fisher Creek Trail
Overall Ratings
5 based on 17 reviews
Winding through the foothills of the White Cloud Range, this scenic bike trail provides magnificent views of the Sawtooth Valley with a toboggan-like downhill return after the arduous climb.
Reviewed By KEITH W. S - Sun Valley, Idaho
Redfish Lake is a beautiful, large glacial lake in the Sawtooth Mountains of South Central Idaho. The giant, jagged peaks look down upon the visitor. The lake has many campgrounds and a lodge, cabins and beach wth dock and baot rentals.
There are several hikes nearby including Fisher Creek, which begins a short walk from the lodge. The trail branches in about 3 hikes including one up along the rim of the lake, all the way to the other boat landing at the opposit end of the lake. The easiest trail is slighly uphill, but while long, is not very strenuous. It ends at the beginning of the Sawtooh Wildernes where you find a marshy area with knock-out views close-up of the mountain peaks and small glaciers way up.
I recommend the fall, when the aspens and other foliage is turning on their colorful display....and when it is a lot cooler.
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