STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Wood River Land Trust is launching a $16 million campaign to permanently protect the Hailey Hot Springs Ranch, also known as the Democrat Hot Springs Ranch, west of Hailey in Croy Creek Canyon.
The acquisition of the 2,700 acres would preserve wetlands and other habitat for wildlife, ensure public access to hiking and biking trails that have been threatened in the past and create an uninterrupted 6.6 miles of continuous trails expanding the Hailey Greenway from Colorado Gulch to the saddle of Democrat Gulch.
Acquisition would also keep residential development out of the 360 acres that is zoned for residential development.

“When the property went on the market this summer, community members worried about what would happen to this iconic canyon they’ve enjoyed hiking and biking in for years,” said Wood River Land Trust Director Amy Trujillo. “Previous owners have tried to block access or propose developments there, and the future of the property has been on everyone’s minds. This property has been one of our top conservation priorities over the years, and after many different attempts to protect it, we have an opportunity now to acquire the property to benefit our entire community. “
The $16 million includes $15 million for land acquisition and $1 million for long-term stewardship of the property. So far, more than $8.3 million has been committed since late November 2024, including government funding, funds on hand and early commitments provided before the campaign’s launch.
That is “an incredible start demonstrating the community’s commitment,” said Wood River Land Trust Executive Director Amy Trujillo. But time is of the essence as the campaign needs to get to $10 million in commitments by a due diligence deadline on Feb. 11, 2025.
“If we can do that, then we’ll have until Dec. 31, 2025, to raise the rest of the funds,” said Trujillo.
The Land Trust will officially announce the campaign tonight at its “Think Globally, Act Locally” lecture being held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Ketchum’s Community Library. The speaker will be renowned conservationist Dr. Gary Tabor, who will explain how preserving landscapes and intact ecosystems supports nature’s resilience in the face of changing climate. (Reserve a space at https://thecommunitylibrary.libcal.com/event/12936434. Or, watch the livestream or a recording at https://vimeo.com/event/4813215).
Protecting Hailey Hot Springs Ranch is an example of protecting a critically important natural area as it would create nearly 3,000 acres of contiguous public open space stretching from Colorado Gulch to Democrat Gulch where sage grouse, sandhill crane, elk, mule deer and pronghorn move freely. The area features nine miles of riparian habitat and wetlands, in addition to hot springs, winter range and sage grouse habitat, and it has connections to thousands of acres of public lands beyond.
JoAnn Grant, managing director for Heart of the Rockies Initiative, said her organization has identified Hailey Hot Springs Ranch as a priority initiative due to its extraordinary conservation values.
“This property is vital for maintaining connectivity across large landscapes and supporting critical migration routes, sage grouse habitat and riparian ecosystems,” she said. “Its geothermal springs, irrigated pastures and Democrat Creek further elevate its ecological significance.”