Ketchum

Ketchum is the gateway to Sun Valley and the Sawtooth Mountains to the north. It is also a wonderful hometown to many and a destination area all on its own. It is the hub of activity for most visits to the Wood River Valley area flanked by Bald Mountain to the west and the Sun Valley Resort to the northeast with the Big Wood River running through the middle. The Trail Creek and Warm Springs tributaries of the Big Wood also converge in Ketchum. The Wagon Days Parade over Labor Day weekend and The Art Festival bring crowds but any week in summer or winter find this area buzzing with activity. That said, Fall and late Spring in Ketchum are also wonderful times to visit for a more laid back vibe. Ketchum benefits from many great restaurants, shopping, art galleries, local businesses and parks which make for a wonderful day exploring. Famous for finding celebrities sitting with some of the best skiers, endurance athletes and mountain men in the world, the city was originally named Leadville in 1880 for its iron ore smelting. The Post Office deemed the name too common and subsequently it was changed to Ketchum after David Ketchum, a local trapper and guide that staked a claim in the valley. After the mining boom the area was known as one of the largest sheep rearing areas in the west with animals grazing the surrounding summer ranges in the Boulder, Pioneer and Sawtooth Mountains. The altitude of Ketchum is 5,853 feet above sea level which is a moniker that can be found on bumper stickers in the area. The Ketchum area includes popular neighborhoods of Warm Springs, Bigwood Golf Course and Adams Gulch area to the North and the West Ketchum enclave of locals in the shadow of Baldy.