Honestly, Boise has it all. We’re lucky enough to experience all four seasons in Idaho, we’ve been called a big-little city because there’s simply so much here to do, and our beloved town truly comes alive during the warmest months. Here are some of the biggest reasons we love living in Boise during the summer.
1) We know good hiking, biking, and climbing
Table Rock, Camel’s Back park, and tons of other parks with over 190 miles of trails are scattered throughout the Boise area just begging you to walk, bike, and hike them. Any local will tell you, “If you’ve never climbed to the top of Table Rock and watched the sunset, you’re missing out.”
2) Water is never far away
We’ve got waterfalls, hot springs, lakes, and rivers. And you never have to travel far to check them out. Ride a paddle boat in Julia Davis park or pick up some gear from the Outdoor Rental Center to leisurely float the Boise River. If you want to get your blood pumping, try kayaking or white water rafting without even leaving city limits.
3) It’s all about the Greenbelt
Don’t forget Boise’s pride and joy, the Boise River Greenbelt. You’ll see rollerbladers, scooters, bikers, walkers, runners, and everything in between because they all know the Greenbelt is where it’s at. Pretty much every twist and turn of the 25-mile stretch is a great place to stop, take in the City of Trees, and snap an Instagram worthy photo.
4) Historical sites you can’t see anywhere else
Summer is a wonderful time to visit the only human rights memorial in the entire U.S.—the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. Boise also has many historic buildings and sites right downtown, like the Idanha Building, the Old Idaho Penitentiary, the Boise Train Depot, the Oregon Trail Memorial Bridge, and more. Take in some history!
5) Camping is seriously a way of life
Idaho has incredible camping options close to Boise. You want a desert oasis? Check out Bruneau Sand Dunes for the best stargazing you’ll ever experience. You want a dense forest? Check out Lake Cascade for pine trees and swimming. You really can’t go wrong with countless options nearby.
5 ½) We’ve got fun, outdoorsy facts for days
Did you know the total length of Idaho’s rivers and waterways could stretch across the whole U.S. 38 times over? And, Idaho has a combined wilderness area of over 4.7 million acres — that’s a lot of acres! Check out this National Geographic article for a whole lot more nature facts.