Hailey Between Art, History, and Nature

Hailey offers different perspectives on history, art, and landscape. Historic buildings and sculptures, the Big Wood River, and trails for outdoor activities provide different starting points for planning your trip. You can shape your stay around whether you want to focus primarily on the city’s history, the landscape along the river, or outdoor recreation.

Art and History in Hailey

The Blaine County Museum building was constructed around 1887 from adobe bricks. The Blaine County Historical Museum features permanent exhibits about settlers, the early industries of the Wood River Valley, and notable people and places in Blaine County. Historical information panels are located at 21 historic buildings in and near downtown Hailey. The Hailey Arts & Historic Preservation Commission organized a tour of historic sites in the city.

Two sculptures also reflect the region’s history. At the northeast corner of Myrtle Street and Main Street stands the Sheep Sculpture, a colorful work of art made from recycled materials by Jacob Novinger. It commemorates the historic sheep migration route along Myrtle Street. Prosperity Mountain, at the northwest corner of Main Street and Walnut Street, honors the legacy of the region’s Chinese immigrants. The sculpture is made largely from repurposed materials, including old grizzly mesh from the Wood River Valley mining industry. Its rounded upper “Lu” shape and lower mountain outline derive from traditional ancient Chinese symbols and represent prosperity and wealth.

Nature Along the Big Wood River

Draper Wood River Preserve covers 124.41 acres and protects a 0.5-mile stretch of the Big Wood River. It provides habitat for ground squirrels, migrating waterfowl, elk, moose, and beavers. Bow Bridge connects the two sides of the river; the bridge’s large arrow also serves as a sundial.

As of September 6, 2026, there is an ADA parking space beside Lion's Park. The path from there to the riverfront is level and surfaced with gravel. Check conditions before your visit. At the Hailey Native Plant Arboretum, you can see native and drought-tolerant trees and plants that thrive in the region. The nature-focused attractions differ: the arboretum focuses on the region’s plants, while the preserve features the stretch of river, its habitat, and the bridge.

Trails and Facilities for Outdoor Activities

The Quigley Loop Trail is a 4.2-mile loop in Quigley Canyon. During the summer months, it offers people of all ages and abilities opportunities to experience the landscape. Quigley Trails Park includes a pump track, jump lines, flow lines, and a skills area. These details describe different ways to get active: a loop trail on the one hand, and specific facilities in the park on the other.

Hailey Skate Park has a full pipe, a bowl, a street course area, and a restroom. Since operating conditions can change, check them before your visit. Together, the trail and facilities offer an overview of different ways to spend time outdoors, without assuming that they involve the same type of activity.

Explore more destinations: Sun Valley, Ketchum, Carey, Triumph

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