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Boise, Idaho
Skip the played-out mountain towns and head to Boise, where the Rockies meet real city life without the hype. Idaho’s capital is doing its own thing: loading up on breweries and food halls while keeping prime hiking trails and ski runs just minutes from downtown. Here are some of the best parts of a Boise trip.
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Hike the Foothills for Epic Views
The Boise foothills are basically the city’s backyard playground. They stretch along the northeastern edge, rising up from downtown to the tree line, with over 190 miles of trails that connect thanks to this cool Ridges to Rivers Partnership.
While you’re out there, keep your eyes peeled for deer, foxes, and tons of birds. You’ll hike through everything from sagebrush fields to Douglas fir forests. Most locals will point you toward Hulls Gulch, Table Rock, or Military Reserve trails.
Oh, and those trails stay so nice because locals roll up their sleeves for maintenance days throughout the year.
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Float Down the Boise River
Summer in Boise can get toasty, but the river is your best friend on those hot days. Most people do the 6-mile float from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park, which takes about 2-3 hours. They’ve got tube, raft, and life jacket rentals right there from late June through Labor Day…