In the northern Idaho town of Kellogg, the story goes that Noah Kellogg’s Donkey stumbled upon the silver vein and what became the world-famous Bunker Hill Mine. For nearly a century, this mine produced more than 28 million tons of lead, silver, and zinc. Similar to Noah’s jackass, Jaime and I stumbled upon Fairfield Idaho on our way to Sun Valley Idaho and found a bonanza of outdoor fun to be had. A place we want to go back to.
Fairfield Quick Hits
There’s just something about towns that aren’t cookie cutter that we flock to. It isn’t perfect. And it may take some effort on your part to plan a trip but at the same time it’s authentic. There isn’t another town like it. This southern Idaho town embodies what small towns used to be decades ago. If you’re looking for the fairytale ski town destination, head to Ketchum. But if you want adventure and to come home with stories and memories unlike anywhere else, then a trip to Fairfield Idaho is in order.
Small Town – Varied Hours
Similar to June Lake, Fairfield Idaho is filled with family-owned independent businesses. The tight knit community has only a population of 463, and the owners of the bars and restaurants have created a patchwork of hours enough to keep the town running. Don’t assume a restaurant that was open last night will be open tonight. Instead of visiting their Facebook pages or websites, we recommend calling ahead to confirm they’re open and until when.
Freezing Fog In Town; Sunny Up Top
During mid-winter, there’s a high likelihood you’ll wake up to a thick blanket of freezing fog. We’ve heard from locals that’s very normal and burns off typically by the afternoon. But even if it doesn’t, the Soldier Mountain Ski area a few thousand feet higher in elevation is usually located above the clouds, offering you skiing under the sun.
Getting To Fairfield
If you’re planning a visit to Fairfield, it’s primarily accessed via a road trip. From Boise you’ll travel along I-84 exiting at Mountain Home and head north on US-20. Located a little more than halfway between Boise and Sun Valley on Highway 20, most visitors will make it a pit stop on their way to or from Ketchum. Those arriving from the south can either take ID-46 from Twin Falls or US Highway 93. ID-46 while more scenic does have a mountain pass that can be challenging in a whiteout storm. Even US-20 from Boise around the Castle Rocks area can get a little hairy when a storm is rolling through.
Via Air
Just south of Ketchum, the town of Hailey Idaho is the closest airport taking about a forty-minute drive to get to Fairfield Idaho. The airport has nonstop flights from six major cities including Seattle, Denver, LA, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Chicago. The closest major airport is in Boise, about a 1.5-hour drive.
Things To Do In Summer
Take In Nature’s Rainbow
Each spring like clockwork, the deep snow melts up high in the Soldier Mountains draining into the Centennial Marsh in Camas County. This in turn helps the county’s namesake bloom – the Camas root – a lily-like plant with an edible bulb that was used by Native tribes and settlers. You’ll see these blue vistas of Camas Lillies as far as the eye can see. This natural bounty brings in thousands of songbirds and ducks in the waterways and ponds. The superbloom typically starts in late April and runs into early June when the town of Fairfield hosts the Camas Lily Days.
Hiking
Most of the scenic hiking you’ll find is above Fairfield in the Sawtooth National Forest. Almost the size of a national park, the Fairfield Ranger District encompasses a massive 420,000 acres that contains 680 miles of stream and 20 high alpine lakes. It offers an endless number of opportunities for backpackers and hikers to experience.
Skillern Hot Springs
Get the inside scoop on the hike to Skillern Hot Springs
This out-and-back six-mile hike climbs roughly six hundred feet, gradually ascending and gently undulating along the way. As you follow the Big Smokey Creek, you’ll travel through sagebrush steppe, meadows with wildflowers, and stands of pine trees. It culminates with a collection of bath-tub shaped hot spring pools with views of the steep Smoky Mountains.
Note: Due to its high elevation, the forest road to access it is typically closed from October until mid-May for snow.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking in the Soldier Mountains has been less about the flowy singletrack and more on the DIY adventure style. Jeep roads, double track, and even old school XC fun. As of 2020, Soldier Mountain has begun investing into building trails that are specifically designed for mountain biking. Currently there are 7 miles of downhill mountain bike trails available with more being planned. One thing to note is that Soldier Mountain did not operate the lifts last summer and doesn’t plan to this summer, either. However, the MTB park is open for mountain bikers willing to earn their turns (there is a designated uphill trail) and they ask that you purchase a $10 trail pass online if you don’t have a season pass for the following winter.
Things To Do In Winter
Soldier Mountain
Soldier is what you wish every ski area was like. Playful terrain that skis bigger than its size. A vibe that is less Instagram heavy and more Main Street friendly. Hike to zones that hold untracked powder weeks after a storm. And even on the busiest days of the season, the only line you may run into is getting your lift ticket. Finish that off with an affordable beer at the bar, and it’s why we think of Soldier Mountain as the front lines of soul skiing.
Backcountry Skiing
From the top of Soldier Mountain, your eyes will feast on the bounty of slopes to ski. From the ski resort, the easiest to access is Bridge Creek Area to the south. It is a good introduction to backcountry ski touring providing you 400-800 vertical foot shots. These have names that are after classic 90’s films like Die Hard, Tri-Hard, and Goonies. While Soldier has an open boundary policy, they request you to leave the resort via the top of the Bird’s Eye lift. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in a full backcountry experience, there are some 1,000 vertical foot lines that can be accessed from the north end of the parking lot. We did a deep write-up about our experience and even created a video showcasing the Backcountry Skiing At Soldier Mountain.
BUYER BEWARE
Easy access doesn’t mean it’s safe though. The Solder Mountain snowpack can be quite complex especially early season and that can come with big consequences if you aren’t prepared. As soon as you pass the ski resort boundary, you’re on your own. Don’t expect help. You NEED avalanche training as well as the proper gear before venturing into the backcountry. For this region, the Sawtooth Avalanche Center provides an avalanche forecast for this mountain range.
Snow Kiting
There are three crucial elements to have a perfect kite skiing location – wind, snow, and visibility. What makes Fairfield and Camas Valley as a whole not just a good but epic snow kiting location is that there are no trees or other obstructions to worry about. And most of all, the wind is pretty consistent. While mornings mid-winter may start off foggy, by around noon the fog dissipates and the wind picks up. With over 150,000 acres to play on and a diverse topography to choose from, it’s no wonder that many call this the best spot for kite skiing in the state of Idaho.
Snowmobiling
The one group you’ll see A LOT of in Fairfield Idaho are snowmobilers. Southern Idaho is a hotbed of snowmobiling fun with Fairfield itself being a great jumping off point to access a variety of trailheads. To the south, you’ll find the Gooding County Snow Park, and to the north, the mouthwatering heaven of the Sawtooth National Forest. Within the Fairfield Ranger district, you’ll discover over 50 miles of groomed trails that is part of the 220-mile network. And that’s not counting the thousands of acres you can freeride in as well!
Best Places To Eat
For a town of only 400+ residents, you would think the food would be – “meh.” You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find a handful of outstanding restaurants that focus on what they do and make it scrumptious.
Wrangler Drive In
The Wrangler Drive In is what you can call a paradox. The exterior has a Western roadhouse motif with a hand painted sign promoting their “Roadkilll” sandwich. The interior has the look and feel of an old school greasy burger joint. Decked with wooden tables and a sliding glass window between you and the kitchen/register. On one side, a large sign calls out all the food available. This is when you begin to realize it’s so much more. Names on the menu like the Jack Rabbit, Bird’s Nest, and the Powder Pig.
Authentic As It Comes
Their “schtick” might be the 2 lb burger but the quality and creativity is what puts this place in another stratosphere. A family run business, the husband was originally a chef in Ketchum and migrated here to Fairfield. Instead of buying everything pre-made via the normal Cisco or US Foods route, they make it from scratch. Onion rings are freshly dipped to order. Cheddar cheese is sliced off the block. Over the years, he’s been trying to push the limits of what is possible in their diner. They have the normal burgers, but they also have created unique concoctions that are flavor explosions you wouldn’t expect. For example, the “Rugburn” is a ¼ lb. patty with a hot Italian sausage cut in half and American cheese that is juicy and spicy. When we were there, they made a chowder that would compete with what you find out East.
Gluten Allergy Heaven
If you’re a person that’s allergic to gluten or just avoid it at all costs, it shockingly has burger buns that aren’t the normal squishy bread but something that tastes like a REAL bun. The owner has an allergy herself and will go out of her way to accommodate you. It was so good that Jaime had us go there twice… in two days.
Musher’s Mug
The famed blues singer Robert Johnson was rumored that he once stood at a Mississippi crossroads and sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his unique musical gifts. Luckily, you don’t have to do anything of the sort to get a great cup of coffee at this cozy coffee shack. Inside you’ll find a handful of bench seats that all face the kitchen/serving area. As the owners whip up orders and coffee, the breakfast nook-like atmosphere invites customers to spark a conversation where you’ll feel more like family than a stranger.
Local Freshies® tip: They are NOT open on Sunday and Monday.
Soldier Creek Brewing
Like a mullet for food. In the front, it’s about business – breakfast and lunch. And a party in the back – where the bar and dinner is served. Yet another location that has a former chef but from Park City this time that’s manning the grill. This husband / wife duo keep the menu simple but tasty. Pretty much anything on it you’ll be happy with.
Cliff Bar And Grill
The story of the woman who remodeled this bar is awesome! A former engineer on an Alaskan fishing boat. She put a low-ball bid on this bar and thought it would never be accepted. As she was out on a tour in the Bering Sea, she got a call that she won. A few weeks later, she packed up her stuff and moved to Fairfield. If there’s one thing to order – whatever fish she’s got on the menu order it. She gets her fish directly from her friends in Alaska, and it’s some of the most mouthwatering fish you’ll have anywhere.
Where To Stay
There is only one place to stay in town and that’s the Prairie Inn… and boy is it awesome. The owners have put their blood, sweat, and tears into the place and you can really tell. The property is well maintained. Each room is decorated differently and features high-end mattresses to make sure you have a good night’s rest. It also provides a great continental breakfast (bagels, waffles, eggs, and cereal).
My parents used to load me onto a school bus in Hammett, ID on saturday mornings (ages 7-9) and send me off to Soldier Mtn for a halfday lesson and an afternoon of free skiing. It was like $30 for a bus ride, lesson, and lift ticket. My parents were the best.