Mountain Lifestyle at Sweetwater
Sweetwater's central location in the Wood River Valley makes it the perfect spot for outdoor lovers with year round activities and events.. Visit Sun Valley Online to find out more information on the activities in the surrounding area.
Summer activities include:
- Horseback
- Riding
- Tennis
- River rafting and canoeing
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Rollerblading
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Biking
Golfing- Fishing
Winter activities include:
- Ice skating
- Hunting
- Skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Backcountry skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Ice fishing
From Quigley Canyon to Carbonate Ridge, hikers and trail runners can enjoy mountain vistas or serene paths along the Big Wood River. A myriad of hiking trails can be discovered up most of the canyons extending from the Wood River Valley core from Hailey to the Sawtooth National Recreational Area and beyond. Walking trails are also available in the Nature Conservancy's Silver Creek Preserve south of Hailey. Whether one seeks an all day epic to pioneer Cabin at the base of the Pioneer peaks, or a quick and rolling charmer with the dog out Greenhorn Gulch, a Sweetwater home base provides countless options.
Visit Blaine County Recreation District web site for more information
Sweetwater residents enjoy the convenience of having direct access to a 22 mile long bike path running the length of the Wood River Valley. Converted through the "Rails to Trails" program, the bike path used to be the bed of the old train track which carried skiers to the Sun Valley Resort in the '30s and '40's. This system of paved recreational trails that parallels Highway 75 is excellent for bike commuters, road bike enthusiasts or mountain bikers working their way to dirt trails. Mountain bikers of all abilities enjoy trails that radiate from the central valley axis. Favorites include Greenhorn/Mahoney Butte, Democrat Gulch, Quigley to Muldoon Canyons and Colorado Gulch. With its history of mining, there are hundreds of trails converted from old mining roads creating a mountain bike haven.
Sweetwater residents who are outdoor sportsmen have the luxury of being within a 10 minute drive of spectacular hunting and fishing. Whether fly fishing on Silver Creek or the Big Wood River, convenience, seclusion and an abundance of fish are trademarks of the area. Game and bird hunters find ample habitat and opportunity as well.
The Sweetwater area also provides challenging golf courses including the Sun Valley, Bigwood, The Valley Club and Elkhorn.
Sweetwater lies in the heart of the Wood River Valley, surrounded on all sides by a series of expansive reaches of the Rocky Mountain chain. These stunning ranges---the Smoky Mountains to the west; the Boulders and Sawtooths to the north, the Pioneers and Big Lost to the east---offer unlimited recreation, easy access and jaw-dropping vistas rivaling any found elsewhere in the world.
Similarly, the world class list of freestone rivers, spring creeks and mountain streams found in close proximity to Sweetwater will challenge and awe the most seasoned angler, whitewater enthusiast, photographer or nature lover. Such waters include the Big Wood River (which flows through Hailey), the Little Wood River, Silver Creek, the Middle Fork of the Salmon, the South Fork of the Boise and the Big Lost River.
The Hailey area offers both world class downhill/alpine skiing and cross country skiing. Hailey is located 10 miles from the lifts at Sun Valley on Baldy, 11 miles to Dollar Mountain and 2 miles from the Rotarun Ski Hill which all offer Alpine skiing and snowboarding. Besides offering world class alpine skiing, the Wood River Valley is home to some of the most extensive and beautifully maintained Nordic ski trails in the nation. The free-access 22 mile long bike path is groomed each winter, and there are an additional 200km of groomed trails within 30 minutes of Sweetwater.
Visit these links to learn more about skiing
Other links of Interest
- River Rafting:The River Company
- Hailey Chamber of Commerce
- Company of Fools - Theatre
- Discover Idaho - Adventure Guide
- Idaho Recreation & Tourism Guide
- Idaho State Parks Directory
- Idaho Wineries and Vineyards
- Sawtooth National Recreation Area
- Sun Valley Online
- Sun Valley Ski Area
- Dining in Idaho
- Idaho Angling
- Blaine County Rec. Dept.
Other Informational Web Sites
- Blaine County
- Commission on the Arts
- Department of Transportation
- Idaho Department of Commerce
- Idaho Mountain Express (News)
- State of Idaho
- Sun Valley
- Sun Valley Areaguide
- Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber of Commerce
- Woodland River Journal
- City of Hailey
- St. Lukes Hospital
- Friedman Airport
- Local Favorites
- Blaine County Schools
- Bald Mountain
- Alaska/Horizon Air
- Delta/Skywest Air