Discover Ketchum
Small Town, Big Life
Ketchum is a vibrant community nestled in the Rocky Mountains of central Idaho. Our authentic mountain town is set against a backdrop of blue skies, crystal clear waterways, endless hiking and mountain biking trails and world-class skiing. Ketchum's lively downtown boasts a variety of restaurants, shops and art galleries, and is home to numerous cultural events throughout the year. For residents and visitors, Ketchum offers a high quality of life with a small town feel.
Wagon Days
The City of Ketchum hosts the famous Wagon Days Parade, the largest non-motorized parade in the Pacific Northwest, annually on Labor Day weekend. The parade features the original Lewis Ore Wagons. Wagon Days is a celebration of our community's rich pioneer and mining heritage.
Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve
In 2018, Ketchum was awarded designation by the International Dark-Sky Association as a Dark Sky Community and was included in the Nation's first International Dark Sky Reserve. The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve encompasses 906,000 acres (1,416 square miles), most of which is public lands within the Sawtooth National Forest.
Ketchum's Early History
It was the silver and lead mining boom during the late 1800's that brought settlers to the Wood River Valley. David Ketchum, a trapper and guide in the area, had his name selected by residents as the official name of the town which served as the supply base for the upper Wood River mines. When the price of silver fell after 1890, Ketchum survived as a livestock center for farmers and sheep ranchers.
A Resort Community
In the spring of 1929, Carl E. Brandt had water from the Guyer Hot Springs piped into town and built a large natatorium and 31 cabins. This marked the beginning of resort activities in Ketchum. In 1935, officials from the Union Pacific Railroad searched for a place to build a ski resort. They purchased the 4,300 acre Brass Ranch and founded Sun Valley Resort.
