The stairs may look a bit intimidating at first, but the hike was actually short and pretty easy…read more There was a little boy, maybe 3 or 4 years old, climbing beside me with his dad and despite all the whining, he made it to the top too! The sunset view at the top was absolutely stunning, we came on a clear day and could see the entire city blanketed in trees. Such a breathtaking sight and definitely a must-see when visiting Boise. The parking lot was easy to find with plenty of space, making the whole experience even better.

This is one of the MOST EPIC parks I've ever been to. It was filled to brim with life, adventure…read moreand just wholesome fun. I came here on a Saturday afternoon and there were kids soccer games, folks playing tennis, families working out, and all ages hiking the hills. Behind the park is even tons of winding trails for both hiking and biking. While the climb up to the top of the main hill wasn't all that long, it was definitely steep. With the sun beaming down, it felt rather invigorating and provided a nice feeling of accomplishment making it to the top. This park definitely is a special part of town and it's clear that local residents definitely cherish and appreciate it!

Hull's Gulch is one of the many trails behind Camelback park and is one of the main reasons why…read moreliving in Boise is so amazing. Proximity from downtown to this well-kept trail makes it fun for everyone and a great hike for visitors and locals. This trail starts a bit after the main parking lots and takes a dirt road- an SUV or truck type of car is probably best for this. I would say this is for the intermediate/expert hiker. It's around 7 miles and has some steep hills. So, hiking boots or athletic shoes are a must. It takes around 2.5-3 hours and there are tons of very picturesque places to stop along the creek (or crick, as many Idahoans say). During the summer months here in Boise, it stays light out until 9-10 pm. So I love starting this hike after work hours, without the worry of it getting too dark before getting back. You can see a lot of wildlife- birds, snakes, bugs, etc. There are usually a decent amount of people who walk their dog off-leash here. Hull's Gulch Interpretive Trail vs. the other foothill trails, there tend to be more bikers and fewer hikers. If you're into mountain biking, this would be a great trail for you!

Hull's Gulch Interpretive Trail is a roughly 7 mile (there and back) trail that meanders through…read morethe Boise foothills. It is uphill, though not steeply so (the elevation increase throughout the duration of the trail is roughly 1000 feet). We came midmorning on a Saturday and it took our party of 3 roughly 3 hours to complete (with some stopping for picture taking). The trail follows alongside a creek and so there are some picturesque spots. At the top of the trail there is a small waterfall (the amount of water depends on the time of year and snowmelt). There are informative and poetic signs (I'm not being sarcastic--truly--they have signs with poetry!) sprinkled throughout the trail and a few lovely (wide and sturdy) foot bridges along the path as well. The road to drive to the trail head isn't paved and though could be traversed by car, there were a couple of ruts that made me glad we drove our CRV and not our Accord, so something to think about if you have a low vehicle. Also, it is quite long, so I wouldn't recommend it for little ones and the path isn't wide enough in some areas for a jogger type stroller (and too rough for a conventional one). But, for older kids with stamina, it's great! Plus, given it's a there and back hike--you could always turn around at any point if it proves to much for some! The proximity to downtown is great and at the top where the waterfall is, there is also a gorgeous vantage, through a valley between the foothills, of the downtown skyline. Fresh air, gurgling creek, and nature poetry-- Get to it!

Just moved near the neighborhood, and this was our very first hike here. It was a safe, easy…read morechoice! We went in early December, so it was definitely chilly and muddy from the rain the day before. However, we wore good hiking shoes, so we were dry at least. Trail took about 2 hours round trip, and the trail was dirt/rocks but easy enough for kids. Bring: water, snacks, appropriate clothes depending on the weather, dog! I brought a beanie, gloves, and warm clothes for the hike in December. I would avoid going on rainy days or if it recently rained. Mud will slow you down. There are little info boards posted along the trails - nice read. Great trail for a short walk. I hear it gets crowded during the weekends and good weather days. Go early!

3.39 miles of decent incline. Nice benches up top to sit on. We started hike at 5:50am and we're…read moreable to watch the sunrise it was beautiful. Plenty of parking down below at trailhead.

This is a quiet, hidden place for a nature walk off Maple Grove and McMillan Rd. Lots of ducks,…read morewater views, Mountain View's and well established paths to walk on. They also have some benches and clean accessible bathrooms. No dogs allowed unless they are service dogs.

Boise has more than 90 developed parks. Last week I visited Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve. It's a 53…read moreacre park that serves as a sanctuary for birds, bats, and animals. If I had known about the bats, I would've visited sooner. This park has stocked ponds and fishing. I was there for almost 2 hours. All of these photos are taken in sequence with the intention of giving you a sense of what it's like to walk through the park and loop around to the sidewalk that runs down Maple, then re-enter the park and exit. I've included a couple of short videos for your Moment of Zen. Enjoy!

Spanning 25 miles and connecting several towns, the Boise River Greenbelt is an absolute marvel of…read morea public park. I just love how everyone is doing their own thing, whether that's walking, strolling, biking, fishing, kayaking or even surfing! Yes that's right, there's a section where you can actually surf the stream.. how cool is that?! There a signs at the entrances that remind people not to be a "speed demon" and also signs warning about blind curves, which I very much appreciated. We rented those Lime electric scooters and were able to scoot nearly the entire path, which felt so epic and fun. Of course, we were mindful of pedestrians, bikes and foot traffic. One of my favorites parts of the path was when went past the Boise Zoo and saw not just one, but too giraffes poking their heads up at the trees. They were ginormous and even seems to acknowledge us with curious eyes and ears. What a special treat to have such an open, accessible and convenient public space right in the heart of a city!

Oh how I long for a great bike ride or run down the Greenbelt. The Greenbelt is an absolute gem and…read moreI am a firm believer in getting as much time on the Greenbelt as possible. It quite literally runs along the river and is absolutely stunning all the way through. From parks like Ann Morrison to Boise State's campus to where you drop in the river for floating at Barber Park. There is plenty to do along the Greenbelt. It is always fun to plan days going from hot spot to hot spot on a bike or on foot. It's also great to spend some time kicking it by the river at one of the Greenbelt's many hang out areas, especially during the summer.

Great hiking place with your pet if you don't mind bikes. Trails were challenging in some areas but…read morewere fun to hike! For some reason, some bikers decided to ride on hikers dedicated trails when they are not supposed to.

Military Reserve is a great area for hiking and biking. I actually call it Mountain Cove Area…read more It's kinda my go to area for when it's muddy. It's pretty easy to go to, and get a little work out after work, If I'm in a hurry. What I like most is the military cemetery. Also the views of the downtown cityscape. The city does a good job of developing and maintaining these areas. We're fortunate to have access to these kinds of areas. Hey and it's free.

This is for the Eagle Fish Hatchery. they are CLOSED ! no matter what the website says. I do wish…read morethe employees would take the time to update their website. Even with employees milling about, they did all they could to avoid us. Really sad way to be treated. At least put up a sign if you are not willing to interact.

We came today for the first time to go take our kids Tubing down their snow blown slopes…read more We didn't have to pay for parking because we have the parks annual pass. It was $35 a person for 1.5 hours and they closed at 8pm. My kids had a total blast tubing! There's 4 different lanes to go down so you don't run into other people and they have 2 escalators you can easily walk up so that you spend more energy having fun. Theres also a sitting area for family that's not tubing or for you to take a break. They had a fire pit going and a little snack shack. Great time! Worth the money for us!

You guys remember that scene in the classic movie "George and the Dragon" where they stumble upon…read moresome dragon pooty and George has to stick his hand in to see how old it was? Well, that stack of pooty is this rock. In a good way. Honestly, our total hike was 11 miles and that killed me a little. A lot. But, it was overall a shady, pleasant hike with a great view at the end! I maybe would've go alone, just because you'd be hiking 4 hours by yourself. There's a parking lot at the trail head or street parking below that if the lot is full. Bring water and a snack!

Wow, oh, wow. This hike is a gem. The signs posted throughout the trail refer to it as "Freddy's…read moreStack Rock Trail", and this is considered an intermediate hike. To Stack Rock and back from the trailhead, this hike is just shy of 9 miles. I went with a group of friends and it took us roughly 6 hours from start to finish. How to get there: You'll find the trailhead about 13 miles up Bogus Basin rd on the left hand side. There's a larger gravel parking area on the side of the road. If you're going in the summer months, there is likely to be a lot of cars there. If you're not sure you're at the right spot, take a look at the map posted at the trailhead to ensure that it says "Freddy's Stack Rock Trail". I went with someone who had been before, so we made it there and back with no trouble. However, if it's your first time going, I recommend you read up on this loop or go with someone who has done it before. The loop breaks off into lots of other trails and it appears that it could be easy to get lost if you go into it ill-prepared. Scenery: STUNNING. There are gorgeous Ponderosa pine, and Douglas Firs surrounding the trail, as well as plentiful amounts of wildflowers. There are also lots of spots that overlook the forest and give you the opportunity to take in its grandeur. The photos I've posted give you an idea, but don't do it justice. From start to finish, this hike is beautiful. Stack Rock: I mean the trees and wildflowers are gorgeous, but this is what you do the hike for! After hiking 4-5 miles, you'll arrive at the stack rock formation. It's a bit daunting to climb, so take your steps wisely and consider how you'll get down before you go up! The views from here are truly remarkable though and absolutely worth the climb. Other things: - It's about 20 degrees cooler up here than it is down in Boise (and it's a bit windy). Bring a jacket, you'll probably want it at some point. Even if it is in the middle of the summer. - Also, bring snacks, bug spray, and sunscreen! - I had (limited) cell service for a good amount of the hike. - Lastly, for the sake of safety...don't do this hike alone. You go pretty deep into the forest. Bring a buddy. Better yet, bring 3 or 4.

Free parking, access to three large ponds, walking and biking paths, and paddle board/kayak…read morerentals. Two very large ponds connected together with a third separate (Quinn pond) across a small street.

BEAUTIFUL PARK!!!!! There's water, yummy little spots to find a snack or eat a meal, rental…read morescooters all around, ducks and geese and a fun little play area for the kiddos!! The Boise river runs right through the middle of the park as well as a little lake off to the side where you can fish or float on your SUP board! Beautiful landscaping and even a short boardwalk through some wet lands where you can bird watch! One of my favorite places to go when we visit Boise!