We know that being a mountain town we are supposed to brag about our ski season, and we do—that champagne powder we experience every year is pretty wonderful—but there is something wonderful about fall in Idaho, and that’s what we at Abode Sun Valley want to talk about today. More specifically, we want to talk about the fire in the trees that happens every year about this time, the stunning and dramatic display that occurs when our trees decide to get their fall color on. It is a sight to behold, and we want to make sure that you, our most treasured guests, have all the opportunities to see the beauty at its best. This guide to the best spots in Sun Valley and Ketchum will help do just that!
When Can You See the Fall Leaves Changing?
First of all, it might be important to know exactly when this fantastic display will occur. We would hate for you to arrive too early or too late and miss out on the best show in town. The change occurs earlier in mountain towns than it does elsewhere in the world; apparently, we are just in a hurry to get winter started! If you want to see the beauty of the Sun Valley area in full display, late September is when it begins, and late October is the end. The middle of October, however, is when the fire flames brighter and is the perfect time for you to be amazed by all that surrounds you! This also happens to coincide with our off-season, meaning there will be fewer crowds, more availability, and your entire vacation could cost less, and we really don’t see a downside to an October visit, do you?
Now Let’s Explore
Now that you have narrowed down your travel dates, let’s start discussing the best places in town to see those changing leaves. The colors may appear a little different in Idaho as opposed to what you are used to seeing in the New England, as blazing oranges and dramatic fiery golds are the primary colors on the trees. You will also find a touch of red here and there, but the rich plum that can often be seen in other states will not be on display—not that that is anything to complain about, of course. The drama that is fall in the mountains will still take your breath away. It is time to go leaf peeping in Sun Valley!
Galena Pass
Galena Pass is where the headwaters of Big Wood River can be found, and it is also one of the first places in the area that will start the transformation of fall. Galena Lodge is a day lodge in the area, offering a restaurant that will be closed by the time you arrive here, but is a great place to start your peeping adventures as it offers an elevation of over 7000 feet, and everyone knows that the leaves start changing at the higher elevations first. There are a host of trails that traverse this area, including the Pioneer, Senate Meadows, and Galena View, and as you start to follow one, you may find yourself distracted by the fiery colors that surrounds you, forgetting that you are actually doing something healthy.
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters
Located just 8 miles outside of Ketchum, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters offers a beautiful peek at the landscape, the wildlife that live in the area, and of course, the vibrant trees that will steal the show in every picture you take! Start at the North Fork Visitor Center, talking to the great people that work there and getting more ideas of where the foliage will thrill or, if it is closed when you are there, there is a group of aspens just north of the visitor center and just past the campground that goes along the Big Wood River off Highway 75 you will find more fall foliage that will beg to be experienced up close and personally!
Bald Mountain
If you have been skiing in Sun Valley before, you may recognize that the mountain is the one you frequented during your schussing adventures and as always, heading to high ground will offer breathtaking views of this most beautiful time of the year. There is a large platform offering a scenic overlook of the Big Wood River, the mountain, and the town; this is where you want to be, and as you stand there on the platform, breathing in the crisp fall air and staring out at paradise, we will almost be able to see the wheels turning in your mind as you start bargaining with yourself over the likelihood of making Sun Valley, and in turn, Bald Mountain, your place. We would be sad to lose you as a guest, but should you decide that you want to move here permanently, we will welcome you as a neighbor and a friend! Early October is prime viewing time at this spot.
The Hemingway Memorial, Memorial Park, North of Golf Lane on Sun Valley Road in Sun Valley
Not a lot of people know that Ernest Hemingway lived out his final years right here in the Sun Valley area, and although you can’t visit his home (it is a private residence), you can visit the Memorial dedicated in his memory and revel in the beauty of the season as you pay homage to the troubled and talented writer. Fall was actually Hemingway’s favorite time of year, so it is only fitting that his memorial is a sculpture of his countenance sitting on a base with words discussing his love for fall carved into it. There’s a small stone wall that surrounds a little pond, providing a beautiful place to sit, relax, and savor the season, all the while sitting in the shadow of Hemingway’s sculpture. We can’t explain why this spot is so peaceful; maybe it’s because his lifetime was so tortured, and he deserves relief, so his afterlife time offers so much serenity. We don’t have answers, but we do know that this is one of our favorite spots for leaf peeping, even if we don’t do much more than sit and sigh over the breathtaking landscape.
Ketchum Cemetery, 1026 N Main Street in Ketchum
Ok, it may feel a little gruesome at first, visiting a cemetery just to see some leaves, but we promise it is a peaceful spot resting in the shadows of mountains and trees, and it may feel like a natural follow up to your visit to the Hemingway Memorial, because yes, you guessed it, the writer’s final resting spot is inside the Ketchum Cemetery! Visitors like to leave little gifts for Mr. Hemingway, including writing instruments, coins, and often cans of beer, sometimes opened and empty, other times unopened as if they were wishing he’d pop a top and join them for an afternoon of sipping and savoring his favorite season. Although many if not most of the trees in the cemetery are evergreens, there are forests of trees visible from within.
Atkinson Park, 900 3rd Avenue in Ketchum
Atkinson Park is just a little bigger than a postage stamp, offering ball fields, sports courts, and a playground that your junior travelers will adore, and there aren’t a lot of trees in this park, but its location, sitting at the base of a large hill and surrounded by stands of trees that will all turn to fiery colors, makes it another top leaf peeping site. Sitting on benches by the playground while your kiddos scramble over the playground equipment will give you plenty of time to admire the beauty of the trees, and if you really want to hunker in and stay awhile, picnic pavilions will enable you to stay as long as you like, even if a rainstorm decides to make an appearance! October isn’t particularly known as a rainy month, but Mother Nature isn’t always predictable, so pack a picnic, linger a while, and thumb your nose at the rain if you aren’t quite ready to leave; you’ll stay dry and cozy under the shelter of the pavilion.
Draper Preserve, 520 Aspen Drive in Hailey
This next foliage favorite involves a little bit of drive, but the drive is only about 13 miles long, and it is a very scenic one, so we don’t think you will mind. The Draper Preserve is a nature preserve in which the plant and tree life is as protected as the wildlife that inhabit it, and as you walk along the boardwalk that features a beautiful bridge that crosses over the Big Wood River, you will be immersed in Mother Nature’s finest piece of work, an Idaho landscape in the fall. The trails that lead you through the preserve will take you through gorgeous meadows and ancient groves of trees. The preserve truly is one of the most beautiful places around during the fall and any other season as well!
In Your Own Backyard
We’ve taken you on quite the scenic tour of colorful leaves but now it is time to head home to relax and check out more views of the colorful trees. Yes, the backyard of your Abode Sun Valley seasonal sanctuary is where we want to direct you to next, offering comfy chairs and stunning views. After your long day of hiking and exploring, we can guarantee that you will appreciate being able to sit for a while, especially with a glass of wine or beer in hand. It can get quite chilly in October, temperatures often hovering around 60 degrees or so, but the firepits we offer will ensure that you stay warm and cozy, enabling you to stay outside for as long as you like. Of course, after the sun sets, you won’t be able to see the leaves anymore, but after a few glasses of wine, will you really care?
Multiple Levels, Panoramic Views
Every Abode Sun Valley fall retreat offers something a little different than the others, ensuring that travelers will easily find the spaces that fit their family like a glove, and some of those differences may be experienced in our backyards. Some properties may provide just one large furnished deck. Others may feature multiple levels of decks and balconies, enabling guests to enjoy the views of the fall foliage from above and below the tree line, while offering a new perspective either way. But all of our decks will provide panoramic views of orange, gold, and a touch of crimson, and a wonderful sense of peace and serenity as well.
Come in Out of the Cold
As we mentioned above, the daytime temperatures will be a little cool in October, and although it isn’t common, they could drop lower than 60 degrees while you’re here, and if you’re still chilled from your hiking adventures, you can enjoy the views from plush sofas and cozy chairs inside our homes. Windows that stretch from floor to ceiling frame views of lush aspens, all fiery and perfect, and perhaps will even offer sighting of wildlife too shy to come out in the open while you are outside, but willing to expose themselves while you are safely tucked away in the house. Start a fire in the fireplace, grab a throw from the back of the sofa, and settle in for a moment, savoring the postcard quality scene that lies beyond the panes of glass. Your fall adventures in the best spots in Sun Valley and Ketchum will be that much more special because you spent them with us. Reserve your favorite retreat today!
