Ketchum Ranger District

The Ketchum Ranger District covers 321,544 acres of mountains and hills filled with sage, aspen, pine and fir. Five hundred miles of streams course through the District, and the major river drainage is the Big Wood River, the headwaters for which are located north of Ketchum on Galena Summit. In addition to these waterways, there are over 90 lakes located on the Ketchum District. 

The highest point of elevation of the Sawtooth National Forest – Hyndman Peak at 12,012 ft. elevation – is found in the Pioneer Mountain Range. Bald Mountain, home to one of the country's best-loved ski areas, draws skiers from around the globe. 

Hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and scenic driving are popular activities. The roads and trails range from those suitable for novices to high country trails suitable only for experienced outdoor recreationists. The Pioneer Cabin and the Baker and Norton lakes trails are good for day hiking. Mountain bike riding is also a popular activity – a rider can cover 25 to 30 miles on a trip through beautiful mountain scenery in one day. 

The Ketchum Ranger District offers opportunities for motorcycle trail riding, and numerous roads and trails provide access to spectacular scenery, excellent fishing, and remote campsites. The drive over Trail Creek Summit stretches from Sun Valley, over the Pioneer Mountains, and into the Lost River drainage to Mackay, Idaho. Dollarhide Road, which follows the Warm Springs drainage over Dollarhide Summit, runs southwest from the town of Ketchum, past Bald Mountain and on into the Smokey Mountains.