Community owned since 1994
Our storyA mining town, a fishing store, a rope tow on a Ford engine — and a lodge the whole valley chipped in to save.
Who runs Galena
Kyle & ChelanMet here, married here, run it now.
Galena Lodge is owned by the Blaine County Recreation District and run under a concession by Kyle and Chelan Oldemeyer, on a permit with the Sawtooth National Forest. In practice that means a hands-on small business focused on good food, good service and good gear.
Kyle is an Idaho native, born and raised in Boise. Chelan hails from Wenatchee, Washington. Both now call the Wood River Valley and Galena home — their backgrounds in recreation and teaching turned out to be a natural, if unlikely, fit for running a business in the middle of a national forest.
A 125-year history
How Galena was savedFrom BCRD’s own history of the lodge — the full booklet is yours for a $5 suggested donation: call 208-578-2273.
1879
A silver town
Galena is founded as a mining town. At its height, some 800 people — the biggest community in the Wood River Valley — with hotels, stables, a meat market and the Daisy Saloon.
1890
The veins run out
The ore isn’t as rich as hoped. By the 1890s the residents have moved on and Galena is left virtually a ghost town.
1905
The Switzerland of America
Theodore Roosevelt signs the Sawtooth National Forest into existence. The Galena Store becomes the last outpost for hunters and fishermen heading up the valley.
1924
Pearl’s place
Charles and Pearl Barber run the store for 35 years. Asked why she lived out here, Pearl answered in two words: “good fishing!” Sun Valley’s first skiers find their way up; Charles rigs a rope tow powered by an old Ford engine.
1976
Nordic trails
After the Gelskys build the lodge where it stands now — from the remnants of the old townsite — a seven-person team buys it and cuts a cross-country trail system out of the old mining and logging roads.
1987
Cold and empty
Steve Haims pours $300,000 into the lodge and its trails, but remote, hard to staff and without reliable power, his master plan fails like the Fullers’ before it. The lodge closes and sits cold for 18 months; there is talk of tearing it down.
1994
Help Save Galena
The whole valley pitches in: over $500,000 raised in a few short months. The community buys Galena and gives it to the Blaine County Recreation District, which still runs it on donations and trail fees.
2023
Kyle & Chelan
Kyle started as a seasonal hand in 2013 and met Chelan here in 2016. They managed the lodge from 2020, married at it in 2022 and became its operators in 2023. Their daughter Sage arrived in 2025.
The Galena family
Meet the crewThe magic of Galena is its staff — bakers, bike mechanics, ski instructors and camp counsellors, most of whom came for one season.
- CConnorLeadership team
Came from New England for one season in the ski shop; six later he’s still in his little cabin in the woods. Resident bird nerd — bring him your mystery bird photos.
- AAliceLeadership team
Grew up in Oregon, summered in Idaho, now calls the Sawtooths home. Backpacking, trail running, baking delicious treats, skiing up hills.
- CChloeLeadership team
Three winters in the kitchen and staying for summer. Long runs, hikes, rides — always taking trail tips and baked-good aspirations.
- JJaceLeadership team
Raised in the Cascade foothills; can be found dancing barefoot through the woods. Come say hello.
- EEvelyn
A Ketchum local who pretty much grew up out here — back home in her favourite spot.
- HHolly
Back from San Francisco for another Galena season: baking, biking, painting, dreaming up dinners.
- CCelia
Went to Galena summer camp as a kid. Favourite thing: tea, a book and the fireplace after a long ski.
- ZZoe
Second summer running Kids Camp — usually found chatting on the Galena couches.