Boise, Idaho's Outdoor Recreation: No Couch Potatoes Here!
A few years ago, Outdoor Magazine named Boise the Best Town in the Western U.S. for outdoor recreation and it has only gotten better since then! Our access to hiking, biking, skiing and other outdoor activities makes Boise a top contender when looking for a location with great recreational options. The best part? The activities listed below are in Boise, not hours away!
Here are a few noteworthy outdoor activities right in our backyard.
Boise residents have access to over 192 miles of nationally acclaimed trails for biking and hiking through the Boise Foothills. Hike the popular trails to Table Rock and Camels Back to see some gorgeous views of the Boise area.
Ridge to Rivers works hard in our community to restore and revitalize the Foothills so that they can continue to be enjoyed for generations.
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Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area:
Just 16 miles from downtown Boise sits Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area: named one of Ski Magazine’s “12 best kept secrets in skiing.” Bogus Basin is a nonprofit whose mission is to provide accessible and affordable year-round recreation for the community.
No matter your skill level, there is something for everyone at Bogus Basin with:
-2,600 acres of daytime skiable terrain
-165 acres for night skiing
-7 lifts
-800-foot tubing hill
-91 runs
-37 kilometers of groomed trail for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
During the summer, Bogus Basin is still a popular site with lift access to some of Idaho’s best biking trails, disc golf courses, live music, horseback riding, and more. One exciting addition to Bogus Basin’s summer activities is a new Mountain Coaster that is currently being assembled. And we can’t forget to mention the stunning view you have of the Treasure Valley!
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Want to enjoy a nice leisurely walk, run, or bike ride in our beautiful city? The Green Belt is your answer with over 25 miles of paved walkways along the Boise River. You’ll be awe-struck by the ever-changing trees, family parks, and natural wildlife you will encounter along the Green Belt.
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Barber Park offers the perfect way to cool down during our warm summer months; floating the Boise River. Each year over 100,000 people float the river via tube, raft, or kayak while enjoying the sites along the Boise River Green Belt.
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Quinn’s Pond and Esther Simplot Park:
The new summer hot spot of the Treasure Valley: Quinn's Pond and Esther Simplot Park! Quinn’s Pond is a 22-acre paddling pond which houses activities such as SUP classes, SUP yoga, SUP fitness, paddling events, and kayak classes. A waterway connects Quinn’s Pond to the two ponds at Esther Simplot Park where flat-water activities such as SUP boarding, kayaking, and canoeing can be enjoyed.
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You may be surprised to hear that we have river surfing in beautiful Boise! 2012 was the grand-opening of Phase 1 of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation Boise Whitewater Park. The park consists of a “river-wide dam with adjustable flashboards that can change the way its two waves look, feel, and surf.” (territory-mag.com)
The plan for Whitewater Park from the beginning was to be a place for kayakers to practice, but surfers soon began to take part on traditional surfboards. The city has now adjusted the wave on predictable schedules for both kayakers and surfers.
It is a unique site to see. Boise Whitewater Park, Quinn’s Pond, and Esther Simplot Park are all connected to make up Boise River Park; one of the largest urban boating and boarding centers in North America! (BoiseRiverPark.com)
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Boise has many other outdoor recreational areas to explore than just the ones we listed above. Along with Boise, the State of Idaho is home to countless outdoor activity sites such as the Payette River, Sun Valley, McCall and Coeur d’Alene. Let’s just say that when you come to Boise, you will never be short on outdoor activities!
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