Ketchum Cemetery
4.7(15)google
4.8(5)yelp
HistoryPhoto Spot
Overview
Ketchum is a city in Blaine County, Idaho, United States. Located in the central part of the state, the population was 3,551 at the 2020 census, up from 2,689 in 2010. Located in the Wood River Valley, Ketchum is adjacent to Sun Valley and the communities share many resources: both sit in the same valley beneath Bald Mountain, with its skiing.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration0.5-1 hour
Best TimeAutumn from September to October is exceptional, as the surrounding Sawtooth region peaks with amber-colored aspens. Visit in the late afternoon between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM; horizontal rays filter through mature evergreens, casting a poetic glow over Ernest Hemingway's simple flat grave marker, which is often adorned with bourbon bottles left by fans.
Getting ThereNestled quietly on the northern fringes of the Ketchum town center. Drive north on Highway 75 (ID-75 N), turn right onto 10th Street just past the commercial district, and look for the gated cemetery lanes. The venue features a single-lane interior ring road with free rustic gravel parking bays near the entrance gate signpost.
Travel Tips
- Ernest Hemingway's flush-to-ground flat burial stone is easily obscured by pine needles or heavy snow; look for the coordinates near the twin conifers in the north quadrant.
- Parking is limited to a few standard vehicle parallel spaces; oversized touring RVs or commercial buses must park downtown and walk to the perimeter gates.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- This is an active, sacred community cemetery; commercial videography, drone flights, loud audio, and stepping onto neighboring private family plots are prohibited.
Reviews
Positive
- A serene, solemn historical cemetery enveloped by pines where legendary author Ernest Hemingway rests, offering immense historic value.
- Hemingway's grave is often adorned with coins, pens, and bourbon bottles left by admirers, creating a unique, romantic literary aura.
- Open all day for free and kept spotlessly clean; the open vistas overlook majestic Bald Mountain, bringing pure peace to visitors.
- Maintains its raw tranquility with zero over-commercialized noise; clear entry signs guide you easily to famous gravesites.
Heads up
- At the end of the day, this is just a quiet working public cemetery; it lacks recreational amenities, public restrooms, or a visitor center.
- Sited near quiet residential and nature buffers, dedicated parking is limited to a few roadside spots, making RV parking tough.
- Heavy winter snow completely buries the gravestones; since paths aren't fully plowed inside, visitors will fail to locate graves in winter.
- Lacks deep multi-language plaques about Hemingway's life or his connection to Ketchum; tourists without pre-reading will find it a quick stop.