20 Best Trails To Go Hiking in Boise, Idaho in 2024 (By a Local)

LOOKING FOR PLACES TO GO HIKING IN BOISE?

You’ve come to the right place because we are Boise natives and have lived here the majority of our lives. Our family loves hiking and exploring the trails close to home.

There are many wonderful Boise trails that make hiking in the Treasure Valley a lot of fun, regardless of your skill level. The Boise foothills, parks, and state parks have trails that offer beautiful views of the mountains, downtown Boise, and other key points of interest.

The Boise National Forest is a great place to head up into the mountains near Boise for some fresh air and beautiful views. Shingle Creeks, Dry Creek Trail, and Harrison Hollow Trail are all great day hikes.

Hiking in Boise, Idaho, is a great way to spend some time as a family. In this article, we will tell you about some of our favorite places to go hiking in Boise, within the city, and those nearby.

Best Hiking in Boise City Limits

1. Camel’s Back Park

Camel’s Back Park is one of our favorite parks in Boise. There is a playground, tennis courts, picnic area, outdoor gym, and great access to the Boise foothills trails and Hulls Gulch Reserve. Here, you will find dozens of miles of mountain biking, hiking, and running trails perfect for all skill levels.

Be sure to climb the hill right next to the park. There are beautiful views of downtown Boise and beyond. This is one of our favorite views of the city.

Behind Camel’s Back Park, there is an extensive trail system with lots of different options to choose from. There are miles of trails here. The Hulls Pond Loop #34 and Hulls Gulch Interpretive Trail #0 are our favorites. There are also off-leash dog trails in this area.

2. Hulls Pond Loop #34

This is a short 0.22-mile walk that is perfect for young kids. There are great opportunities for bird watching and enjoying the scenic area.

3. Hulls Gulch Interpretive Trail (Upper Hulls Gulch Trail)

• Length: 4.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Hulls Gulch Trail is one of the great places to go hiking in Boise. There are beautiful views of the area, and the trail runs alongside a little stream with multiple bridge crossings. In the spring, there is a small waterfall.

It is a pedestrian-only trail, so it is quieter than some of the other nearby trails that mountain bikers commonly use.

4. Table Rock

• Length: 3.7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 895 feet
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Table Rock hike in Boise is about a 3.7-mile loop with rewarding views of Boise throughout the hike. It is about 15 minutes east of downtown Boise. This is a popular hike in Boise.

There are some steep sections, and it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to hike to the top.

At the top, there is a cross and a fun sandstone quarry you can explore. The top of Table Rock Trail is also a great place to take pictures with the Treasure Valley in the background.

There is not a lot of shade on these Boise trails, so be prepared with some water and sunscreen. This is one of the best trails in Boise.

5. Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve Trail

• Length: 1.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 9 feet
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy

This is a great hike in the heart of Boise. It is in west Boise, off Chinden and Maple Grove. It is a 44-acre reserve with walking paths and ponds. Throughout the reserve, you will see a variety of species of birds and ducks.

It is a great place to see wildlife and enjoy a relatively easy walk. The trails are sandy and graveled. This is one of the best hikes near Boise if you’re hiking with little kids. My kids love to see all of the wildlife here.

Note: Dogs are not allowed in the park.

6. Miller Gulch Trail Head

• Length: 2.7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 495 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Moderate

Miller Gulch is a great place to start exploring the Boise foothills trails. From here, you can opt for a short loop or an all-day adventure on the several Boise trails that are accessible from this area. The Miller Gulch Trailhead to Corrals-Bogus Basin Road Trail Head is 2.7 miles and is accessible year-round.

You will find yourself soaking in the beautiful views of downtown Boise and enjoying some fresh air.

A gravel parking lot, map kiosk, and vault toilets are available at the trailhead.

7. Shane’s Trail

• Length: 3.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 528 feet
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

This is a great hike near Boise with wonderful views of downtown Boise. It is a narrow dirt trail suitable for hiking, running, and mountain biking. There is only one steep climbing section, and besides that, it is a smooth trail.

There can be some congestion on the trail from bikers, so you may have to move to the side to let them pass because the trail isn’t that wide.

Shane’s Trail easily links with the Central Ridge Trail, Three Bears Trail, Bucktail Trail, and Rocky Canyon Road.

8. Harrison Hollow Loop

• Length: 4.1 miles
• Elevation Gain: 856 feet
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

This beautiful trail will take you up the west side of the Boise foothills with spectacular views of the foothills, Bogus Basin, and Boise. The trailhead is next to Harrison Hollow restaurant off Bogus Basin Road. The trail is well maintained and is mostly sandy, so when other nearby trails are muddy, this is a great option.

Note: The Harrison Hollow Loop is a very popular off-leash dog area. It is a great place to let your dog socialize with other furry friends.

9. Sweet Connie Trail #77

• Length: 6.3 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2,020 feet
• Route Type: Point to Point
• Difficulty: Hard

This trail is 6 miles, but you can hike as far as you’d like before turning around. There is about an average grade of 7%, but at the beginning of the trail, it is relatively flat. The steep, flat grade is towards the end of the trail as you ascend from the Boise foothills up the mountain.

The beginning of the hike takes you through rolling hills and beautiful views of the Treasure Valley.

10. #23A Elephant Rock Loop

• Length: 0.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 114 feet
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy

This trail gets its name from the large rock at the top that resembles an elephant – known as Elephant Rock Boise. It is a short and easy hike. Kids love climbing on the rocks and exploring the area. This is a great, family-friendly hike that is close to Boise.

Tip: The entrance can be tricky to find. It is on your left before the cemetery when heading up the fire road.

Hiking in Boise, Idaho – Other Nearby Trails

11. Bruneau Dunes State Park

The Bruneau Dunes State Park is one of our favorite things to do in Boise when we want to get outside. It is home to the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America at 470 feet tall. It is spectacular.

There is a six-mile self-guided hike, or you can head to the sand and start exploring yourself. We usually park near the sand dunes and explore back around the tall sand dunes from there.

There is a beautiful lake you can walk around, and from there, you can see how far you can make it up the sand dunes. This is one of the best bikes near Boise for our family.

If you have a weekend to spend at Bruneau Sand Dunes, there is a campground you can stay at. This is not a place you want to hike in the summer because it gets very hot there. This would be a great place to visit when it is cooler outside.

12. Celebration Park

Celebration Park is about 50 minutes southwest of Boise along the Snake River. It is an archaeological park with petroglyphs that are 100 to 10,000 years old. Celebration Park hosts educational tours throughout the year and camping on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is a great place to go hiking in Boise Idaho, with gorgeous views of the Snake River.

We usually park up by the visitor’s center and explore the fields with the Bonneville Flood large boulders and then head over to the Historic Guffey Railroad Bridge. Rowen and Raven love throwing rocks in the river and seeing what treasures they can find.

After crossing the bridge, you can continue up the hill for additional hiking. There are also a few marked spots for fishing.

Hiking in Boise National Forest

Idaho’s Boise Mountains are close to the Boise Valley. The area is popular for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. The Boise Mountains are roughly defined by the Boise National Forest. It is home to 20 mountain lakes and 35 summits. The summer hiking in the Boise National Forest is dry and hot, so be prepared with adequate water and sun protection.

The areas of the forest closest to Boise are about 45 minutes from downtown Boise.

Here are some of the hikes in the Boise National Forest close to Boise.

13. Freddy’s Stack Rock Trail

• Length: 10.1 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,161 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Moderate

This trail will take you to Freddy’s Stack Rock, a really cool granite formation that is prominent in the ridgeline from Boise. There are beautiful views of the Treasure Valley from the top as well. The relatively flat trail winds through a variety of trails, including a lot of old roads and single-track biking trails. The forest provides hikers with lots of shade.

If you’re looking for some things to do in Boise in the winter, this is a great snowshoeing trail.

The Stack Rock Trail starts off Bogus Basin Road and is about 13 miles up the road.

14. Ponderosa Pine Overlook

The Ponderosa Pine Overlook is on Bogus Basin Road. You can use coordinates 43.733030, -116.12480 to find the pullout. The trail is on private land, but hiking is allowed.

This is a great trail if you want the experience of hiking among the trees without making the trek to the top of Bogus Basin. It is about 30 minutes from the summit, so it saves you some driving time.

We had a wonderful time walking on this easy and flat Boise trail. The kids ran ahead, exploring and collecting pine needles and rocks. You also get to drive through the beautiful Boise foothills on the way to the trailhead.

15. Mores Mountain Loop Trail

• Length: 1.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 518 feet
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

This is an all-around beautiful trail for hiking in Boise, Idaho. There are two peaks on the top with great views of the Sawtooths and Owyhee Mountains. There are a lot of interconnected trails here, so if you want to stay directly on the loop trail, it is a good idea to bring some sort of navigation.

The last 3-4 miles to get to the trailhead is on a dirt road. Take the road slowly, and you shouldn’t have any issues. Pack a lunch and enjoy the beautiful views.

16. Buena Vista Loop

The Buena Vista Loop is about an hour outside of Boise in Idaho City. The drive to Idaho City is beautiful, making it a quick and easy drive.

The trail is a 1.8-mile loop with very little elevation gain. There are restrooms and visitors’ information at the trailhead. There are fitness stations located along the wild-flower-lined trail.

Parking for the Buena Vista Loop is at the Idaho City Airport. From Montgomery Street, turn left on Wall Street. The airport is at the end of the street.

If you can make a day trip out of your adventures to Idaho City, check out some of the fun things to do in Idaho City. In the winter, Idaho City is a great place to visit the hot springs and cut down your own Christmas tree.

17. Deer Point Trail

• Length: 4.3 miles
• Elevation Gain: 833 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Moderate

This is a great trail to access Deer Point. It also connects with a lot of the Bogus Basin trails. There are great signs along the way to help you stay on the trail. At the top of Deer Point, you can continue on the Elk Meadows trail.

The majority of the trail is shaded by the forest, and there are beautiful views of the Boise National Forest. This is one of the best hikes near Boise.

Note: Snow is on the trail until late May.

Waterfall Hikes Near Boise

Within a few hours of downtown, there are some gorgeous waterfalls near Boise that are a lot of fun to visit.  The areas surrounding these Boise waterfalls are really beautiful places with lots of neat areas to explore.

18. Jump Creek

Jump Creek is about an hour west of Boise, but this beautiful hike and waterfall near Boise are well worth your time. The waterfall is in Marsing. There is a short hike of 0.25 miles to Jump Creek Falls, which is a towering 60 feet tall.

If it is warm enough in the summer months, bring your swimming suit because you can swim at the bottom.

Along these Boise trails, there are fun places to hike and explore. There is also a creek along the trail that our kids love to play in. Although the hike is short, you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring the trails surrounding the area and the waterfall.

19. Box Canyon State Park

Along with Box Canyon State Park, the Hagerman area has a bunch of really pretty waterfalls near Boise. We would highly recommend at least a day trip out to the area to explore all of the great things to do in Hagerman.

There is a short 15-minute walk from the parking area to the canyon overlook. It is stroller-friendly, which makes taking our kids a lot easier. Once you reach the canyon, you can look down the 200-foot-tall canyon wall to see the waterfall and aquifer.

From the observation deck, follow the trail for about another quarter mile for additional views of the canyon. This will also lead you down into the canyon. There are some steep and rocky parts but they will take you down just by the springs. You can’t take a stroller on this section of the trail.

Tip: Another pretty waterfall in the area is Niagara Springs.

20. Devil’s Washbowl at Malad Gorge State Park

• Length: 2.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 85 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Easy

If you’re driving along the 1-84 into Boise, this is a quick and easy detour from the freeway.

The majority of this hike is a wide paved path over the Malad River with beautiful views of the gorge and waterfalls. The waterfalls are the biggest in the spring and early summer. The main waterfall is about 60 feet and is easily viewable from the overlook next to the parking area.

If you want to do more exploring to see the other waterfalls and more of the gorge, you can cross the bridge and continue down the path. At the end of the path, keep a lookout for Woody’s Cove. It is a small waterfall but is very tall and pretty.

There is a day-use fee of $7 per vehicle. Gem State residents can get an annual pass for $10, and out-of-state visitors can get an annual pass for $40.

If you don’t feel like hiking, you can visit the Devil’s Washbowl Overlook to see the waterfall and gorge.

Map of the Best Trails for Hiking in Boise

How to Use This Map: Click on the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.

If you click the star next to the title of the map, this will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps. Then click on the menu button, go to “Your Place” and click on Maps. You will see this map added to your list.

Trails for Easy Hiking in Boise

We have done a fair amount of hiking in Boise with our kids, and we always have a great time. It is fun to head out on a hike in the early morning and then stop by one of the many yummy places to eat in Boise for lunch. There are also quite a few parks in the area that are near a trail, so you can easily combine a hike with a stop at the park.

Here are our recommendations for the best kid hikes in Boise –

• Camel’s Back Park (Hulls Pond Loop #34)
• Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve Trail
• Miller Gulch Trailhead
• Elephant Rock Loop
• Bruneau Dunes State Park
• Buena Vista Loop
• Jump Creek

Best Walks in Boise

Along with great hiking in Boise, the area has a lot of really nice and well-maintained walking trails. Keep in mind that any of the trails we’ve discussed before can be used as walking trails as well. Since we do a lot of hiking with our young kids, a lot of our hiking is more of a walking pace and experience compared to hiking we have done without our kids.

Here are some of the great walking trails in Boise –

• Greenbelt
• Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve
• MK Morrison Knudsen Nature Trail
• Camel’s Back Park
• Oregon Trail Historic Reserve
• Bethine Church River Trail

FAQ: Hiking in Boise

Conclusion: Hiking in Boise

Being locals, you can trust us when we tell you Boise is an amazing city to visit, especially if you’re looking for some good old-fashioned outdoor fun. With so much variety in terms of challenge and landscape, you can be sure that hiking in Boise will be a fun-filled adventure for everyone!

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