A Community Opportunity: Watch Our Campaign Video.
The 2,700-acre Hailey Hot Springs Ranch, once the site of the famed Hailey Hot Springs Hotel in the late 1800s, has officially been acquired for permanent conservation, thanks to an outpouring of community support. More than 900 families, businesses, foundations, and nonprofits contributed to this extraordinary success to acquire the property and ensure that this beloved landscape will remain protected forever as part of the Wood River Land Trust’s network of public access preserves.
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The acquisition adds to the Hailey Greenway, which is now a 3,000‑acre, six‑mile stretch of connected open space encompassing the Colorado Gulch Preserve, Draper Wood River Preserve, Simons/Bauer Preserve, and new Hailey Hot Springs Ranch Preserve. This landscape now extends through riverfronts and riparian forests, wetlands, sagebrush steppe, and high-desert alpine ecosystems, where it links with thousands of acres of public land beyond. The result is the further protection of important wildlife habitat for sage grouse, sandhill crane, elk, mule deer, moose, and pronghorn. As well as a diverse public benefit corridor offering something for everyone—from universally accessible trails and fishing access to birdwatching, biking, wildflower viewing, snowshoeing, and more.
A Community Achievement
“When the For Sale sign went up at the property, people were coming to us hoping that we could do something,” said Amy Trujillo, Executive Director of the Wood River Land Trust. “We knew it was going to take more than one organization to make this happen. Again and again over the course of the year, we have been amazed at the way people have come together - it’s a testament to how much people love this place and what we can do together.”
Now that the acquisition is complete, the Land Trust will be working on a master plan for the property, and will invite public comments as part of that process, most likely starting this spring.
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Near-term Public Access and Use
Public access to Hailey Hot Springs Ranch will continue to be focused along Democrat Gulch Road. Because of the property’s significance as wildlife habitat, the Land Trust will focus on maintaining existing access rather than expanding trails. Similar to other areas in the Wood River Valley, some areas may be subject to seasonal or temporary closures to protect sensitive species, and visitors are asked to respect posted signage. Democrat Gulch Road will continue to be managed as a public county road, although it is not maintained for vehicular use in the winter. While the public will enjoy the access they’re accustomed to, several areas will continue to remain closed to public access for the near future:
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Agricultural Fields - Agricultural fields leased to a local producer are closed to the public.
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Residential Facilities - Residential facilities will remain private.
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Hot Springs - An exciting part of this project is the opportunity to reopen public access to the hot springs; however, for the near-term, the hot springs will remain closed to visitors. The springs are located in a sensitive area, and the Land Trust and the Blaine County Recreation District will be developing a plan to provide a long-term solution that provides safe and accessible hot spring access for the public away from the sensitive wildlife area. Thus, for now, the hot spring will remain closed to the public until that can be developed.
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To receive updates on access, restoration, and the master planning process, sign up for electronic updates at: woodriverlandtrust.org/get-involved.
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“This acquisition marks a milestone in the Land Trust’s legacy of community-led conservation, bringing the total protected lands to 30,000 acres in 30 years,” says Board Chair Karen de Saint Phalle. “Each place protected tells a story of our community’s impact – conserving critical wildlife habitat, preserving working lands, and ensuring public access to the places we all cherish.”
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The Wood River Land Trust thanks more than 900 families, businesses, foundations, and nonprofits. This includes support from local and state-wide partners:
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The Nature Conservancy
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Blaine County Recreation District
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Heart of the Rockies Initiative
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Atira Conservation
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100 Men Who Care
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Women River Women's Foundation
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Hailey Rotary Club
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Spur Community Foundation
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Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation
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The Rixon-Cronin Charitable Fund
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Power Engineers
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The Kid Stand
Frequently Asked Questions:
Master Planning Process Early in 2026, WRLT and BCRD will start master planning for specific elements of the property like the hot springs, parking and trailhead improvements, separated bike path, and restoration opportunities. There will be opportunities for public input starting Spring 2026.
Public Access Public access to Hailey Hot Springs Ranch will continue to be focused along Democrat Gulch Road. Because of the property’s significance as wildlife habitat, the Land Trust will focus on maintaining existing access rather than expanding trails. Similar to other areas in the Wood River Valley, some areas may be subject to seasonal or temporary closures to protect sensitive species, and visitors are asked to respect posted signage. While the public will enjoy the access they’re accustomed to, several areas will continue to remain closed to public access for the near future: * Agricultural Fields - Agricultural fields leased to a local producer will remain closed to public access. * Residential Facilities - Residential facilities will remain private. *Hot Springs - An exciting part of this project is the opportunity to reopen public access to the hot springs. The springs are located in a sensitive area, and the Land Trust and the Blaine County Recreation District will be developing a plan to provide a long-term solution that provides safe and accessible hot spring access for the public away from the sensitive wildlife area. Thus, for the near-term, the hot springs will remain closed to the public until that can be developed.
Motor vehicle access & parking Democrat Gulch Road is a public road that will continue to be maintained by Blaine County. The County does not maintain the road during the winter, so the gate that is typically closed in the winter will continue to be closed. In partnership with BCRD, we will be looking to create a safer parking area along Croy Creek Road, as well as maintain parking at existing trailheads within the property. The earliest this would happen would be spring/summer 2026.
Trail Use The primary trail through the property will continue to be Democrat Gulch Road. We anticipate multiple users along this trail. Management decisions will strive to balance all recreational uses with the protection of habitat, natural resources, and visitor safety. What to expect: the occasional car along the road; bikers; hikers; and equestrian use.
Skiing Protecting winter wildlife is a top priority for this property. Democrat Gulch Road will not be groomed for Nordic skiing, but people can continue the practice of skiing and snowshoeing down the road in the winter. Similar to other areas in the Wood River Valley, some areas may be subject to seasonal or temporary closures to protect sensitive species, and visitors are asked to respect posted signage and turn around when an area is closed. The BCRD has identified Quigley Nordic Area as the primary location for Nordic skiing in the lower valley.
Wildlife Closures Certain portions of the Property may, from time to time, require temporary or seasonal closures to protect wildlife, sensitive habitat, or restoration projects. We appreciate the public’s support in following all posted closure notices and doing your part to protect our wildlife and natural resources.
Separated Bike Path on Croy Creek Road Better connections are coming! We’re excited to support BCRD in their efforts to create a safer, more accessible bike and pedestrian route along Croy Creek Road for everyone to enjoy.
Hunting As of now, the property remains closed for hunting. We are working with Idaho Department of Fish and Game to set up Access Yes! for the upper end of the property, contiguous with public lands, under specific conditions. Access Yes! will support our partnership with Idaho Department of Fish and Game for the long-term stewardship and restoration of the property. Stay tuned for future updates and maps.
Why not Community Housing & Development here? The Land Trust is permanently protecting the property so the land will be a resource for wildlife and our community. While there is quite a bit of development potential on the property (over 360 acres of Hailey Hot Springs Ranch is zoned for 5-acre residential development and buildable), building out our canyons exacerbates the challenges we face in terms of wildfire response, water scarcity, and habitat fragmentation. The Land Trust supports housing closer to existing infrastructure and public transportation.
Environmental Assessments As an Accredited Land Trust, we have rigorous national standards for due diligence on all our acquisition projects. We reviewed past environmental reports and commissioned an updated environmental assessment during our due diligence period. Taking into account previous analyses, DEQ reports, and current conditions, the updated assessment did not recommend any further investigation.
Partner Perspectives: A Unified Vision
This conservation effort is inspiring partners on the local, state, and regional level, such as the Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD), The Nature Conservancy Idaho (TNC Idaho), the University of Idaho (U. of I.), and the Heart of the Rockies Initiative.
Partner Perspectives: A Unified Vision
This conservation effort is inspiring partners on the local, state, and regional level, such as the Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD), The Nature Conservancy Idaho (TNC Idaho), the University of Idaho (U. of I.), and the Heart of the Rockies Initiative.
Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD)
Mark Davidson, BCRD’s Executive Director, highlighted the
community benefits: “Hailey Hot Springs Ranch has long been loved by community members who regularly hike and bike on the property and on public lands around it. This campaign focuses on acquiring the land, but once our community acquires it, the BCRD looks forward to working with the Land Trust to support additional benefits, including safe biking paths out Croy Canyon, trail connections, and hopefully restoring public access to the hot springs - all things that will enrich our community for generations.”
Heart of the Rockies Initiative
“Through our Keep It Connected program, Hailey Hot Springs Ranch has been identified as a priority initiative due to its extraordinary conservation values,” said JoAnn Grant,
Managing Director for Heart of the Rockies Initiative. “This property is vital for maintaining connectivity across large landscapes, supporting critical migration routes, sage grouse habitat, and riparian ecosystems. Its geothermal springs, irrigated pastures, and Democrat Creek further elevate its ecological significance.”
The Nature Conservancy Idaho (TNC Idaho)
“Science tells us that Hailey Hot Springs Ranch is a
climate-resilient landscape and its proximity to Rinker Rock Creek Ranch, where The Nature Conservancy and WRLT have partnered with the University of Idaho to protect 10,000 acres of key habitat, make it a smart place to invest,” explained TNC Idaho’s Land & Water Protection Program Manager, Tess O'Sullivan. “This property offers wildlife the best chance to adapt to a changing climate.”
University of Idaho (UI)
The University of Idaho envisions Hailey Hot Springs Ranch as a living laboratory and an extension of research on nearby Rinker Rock Creek Ranch. “This property offers our students and faculty an exciting opportunity,” shared Dennis Becker, UI’s Dean of the College of Natural Resources and Professor of Natural Resource Policy. “What we could learn here will inform conservation practices across the region, specifically, how we can better manage recreation and the impacts on wildlife in a growing region.”
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What We’re Protecting: A Living Legacy
Preserving Hailey Hot Springs Ranch means safeguarding:
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A vital wildlife route where sage grouse, sandhill crane, elk, mule deer, and pronghorn move freely, as they have for centuries.
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Nine miles of riparian habitat and wetland ecosystems providing refuge for numerous wildlife species.
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A climate-resilient landscape identified by TNC as crucial for our region's environmental future.
Transforming Access for Our Community
The preservation of Hailey Hot Springs Ranch can also enrich the lives of people. If the acquisition is
successful, the partners envision the potential for:
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A separated bike path along Croy Canyon Road from downtown Hailey, through this property and to the hiking and biking trails in Croy Canyon; providing safer and more enjoyable access for people recreating in the canyon.
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Permanent access to existing trails and public lands – securing access that has been threatened in the past, and creating an uninterrupted 6.6-miles of continuous trails from Colorado Gulch to the saddle of Democrat Gulch.
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Exploring the potential for re-opening public access to the hot springs.
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Area students conducting research and learning alongside University of Idaho scientists, making discoveries that will guide conservation efforts across our region.
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Local youth discovering their connection to nature through partners’ after school programs and innovative outdoor education programs.
