The Trail Less Traveled

Have a Summer to Remember in Sun Valley Idaho

Sometimes it’s the trails less traveled that bring memories most cherished. Sun Valley, Idaho, offers a change of pace and scenery that inspires a sense of wonder and a feeling of rejuvenation. Slow down and live in the moment by taking to its rivers and less traveled trails for a summer to remember.

The Wheel Deal

mountain bike Sun Valley Idaho

mountain bike Sun Valley Idaho

For those who like their adventures best on two wheels, Sun Valley is your soul-mate destination. The 400+ mile network of scenic terrain is heavenly, and all you have to do is go with the flow … or rather, flowy trails! Sun Valley Resort has lift-accessed biking on Bald Mountain, making gravity do most of the work!

Near Ketchum, Adam’s Gulch Area has the Forbidden Fruit Trail, a one-way mountain-bike-only favorite for advanced riders.

If cross-country is more your style, check out the variety of bike options around Galena Lodge. The lodge is surrounded by 47 miles of singletrack trails created for all levels … beginner, intermediate, and advanced. (Hikers enjoy this area too.) Go easy on the Lodge Loop, get a little edgier with Psycho Ridge, or go all in on the heart-thumping Gladiator Pass Trail. Check out the Galena Summer Trails.

GUIDED TIP: One of the best ways to have an amazing bike experience in Sun Valley is by going with pro guides who know the terrain better than anyone, can tailor adventures to everyone’s comfort level, and can show you the secret terrain. Shhh….

Discover Bike Trails in Sun Valley, Idaho

Ketchum If You Can!

Hiking Proctor Mountain

hiking Sun Valley

hiking Sun Valley

Within just a 5-mile radius of Sun Valley’s Ketchum you’ll find over 90 miles of hiking trails … so, take your pick! The Fox Creek trails system features well-traveled routes like the 5-mile Chocolate Gulch Loop. For fewer miles—and fewer people—go for the 2.5-mile North Fork Loop.

If you like your hike to combine a little literary history, head to the Hemingway Memorial and do the 4.8-mile Proctor Mountain Loop … its sweeping alpine views, vibrant wildflowers, and history as the home to the world’s first chairlift are storybook-worthy.

GUIDED TIP: For a premier hiking experience, go with the guides. They’ll tailor a hike to fit your needs and maximize your scenery without the crowds.

Discover Hiking in Sun Valley, Idaho

Rock the Boat!

whitewater rafting Sun Valley

Idaho is known to have some of the country’s best river rafting, and Sun Valley features some bucket-list whitewater adventures. Combine pristine waters and sensational scenery on a half-day, full-day, or full-week river trip with a local outfitter.

Sections of the Salmon River are ideal for families seeking a mix of gentle stretches and thrilling rapids. Whether you go for mellow and serene or class IV adrenaline-pumping, river rafting in Sun Valley is a bonanza of wilderness scenery that includes forest, mountains, and the third deepest canyon in the country.

Check out the crown-jewel of rafting adventures and find your perfect outfitter and guides.

STAY, EAT, PLAY, FLY! Nonstop flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles get you to Sun Valley with comfort and ease. Start planning your Sun Valley vacation today.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Savor Spring in Paso Robles

    Take a classic California road trip this spring and find all the treasures of the season in Paso Robles. Located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, this laid-back slice of California country combines with the Central Coast for an absolutely spring-loaded getaway.

    View
  2. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  3. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View
  4. Hidden Long Ridge

    After heavy rains, the rolling headwaters of Peters Creek in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve pulsate along the forest floor via a series of small waterfalls that cut grooves in sandstone boulders. See it on a 4.5-mile loop hike starting from the Grizzly Flat parking lot.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View