Blaine County

Blaine county was named after James Gillespie Blaine, a very charismatic American statesman. As Blaine the statesman’s nickname, “magnetic man”, Blaine the county has lived up to its name and so much more. What used to be the home of the largest sheep shipping centers and a rich mining town, Blaine county is not only the playground of the rich and famous but is also home to 24,766 residents as of July 2021. 

Despite the progress it has achieved throughout the years, it still honors its rich past.  Although the sheep industry is not as vibrant as it was before, during the fall, it is still celebrated during the Annual Training of Sheep during the Blaine County Fair.

Blaine County Historical Museum is the home of early native American history, rich family histories, artifacts about mining and early sheepherding.  Another stop if you are into art is the Sun Valley Museum located in Ketchum. Home of local modern art, the museum is a good venue to discuss and discourse and a place where young artists can learn through workshops.

The mountains of Sun Valley are home to a lot of leisure outdoor activities whether you visit in the winter or summer. You can go fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking, golf at world class golf ranges or sport shooting in the summer and skiing at one of the top rated ski resorts in the U.S during winter. One of the reasons why Sun Valley is a famous playground for the rich and famous is its more than just a change of scenery.  

Bellevue’s Howard Preserve is also a good place to visit when you want to have some spooky Halloween fun since this is where the Bellevue Haunted Forest is located. The 13 acres stretch  across Big Wood River is a great place for fishing as well.  

The “small town, big life” of Ketchum is the home to many marvels of nature.  You will be in awe of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve located here. There are several public parks and areas just waiting to be discovered.